A Simple Checklist to Assess Your Business Through a Buyer’s Lens
Buyers don’t just want profit — they want confidence that profit will continue without you.
This checklist helps you identify the areas that make your business more valuable — or more vulnerable — from a buyer’s perspective.
🔍 1. Financial Clarity & Quality
☐ My financial statements are accurate, up to date, and easy to explain
☐ I track Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization), not just net income
☐ I can clearly identify and explain one-time or unusual expenses
☐ I review and understand gross margin and net margin by product or customer group
🔁 2. Recurring & Predictable Revenue
☐ I have revenue streams that are recurring, contracted, or repeatable
☐ I can reasonably forecast at least 50% of next quarter’s revenue
☐ No single customer accounts for more than 20% of my total revenue
👤 3. Owner Independence
☐ My business can run day to day without my direct involvement
☐ Customers, suppliers, and staff are not dependent on me personally
☐ I have a leadership team or key staff who are empowered to make decisions
⚙️ 4. Systems & Documentation
☐ Our core processes are documented and followed (e.g., SOPs or checklists)
☐ Team members are trained to follow systems, even when I’m away
☐ Customer data, vendor details, and operational knowledge are organized and accessible
📈 5. Growth Potential & Market Position
☐ My business has room to grow without adding major cost or complexity
☐ We have a clear value proposition that sets us apart in the market
☐ I have identified ways to expand, automate, or increase efficiency over time
🎯 Final Thought:
If you checked most of these boxes, you’re building something buyers will value highly.
If there are gaps — that’s where your opportunity lies.
The earlier you address those issues, the stronger your business will become — even if you’re years away from exiting.
👉 Want to go deeper?
The Business Value Toolkit helps you calculate a realistic value range, identify key risks, and build a strategy to grow transferable value — not just revenue.
Or book a call with Kevin to talk through your goals and next steps.