Your clients, New England’s small to mid-market owners, often come to you first when pondering an exit. They need more than tax advice; they need a seamless transition that preserves wealth, honors legacy, and funds retirement. That’s where George & Company steps in as your trusted ally.
For 45+ years, our boutique firm has confidentially valued, marketed, and closed hundreds of Main Street and lower middle-market deals ($1M–$50M). Founded by Christopher George (CBOA, Harvard Business School), we’ve stood on both sides of the table—buying, selling, and operating 16+ businesses ourselves. This real-world grit sets us apart.
When to Bring a Business Broker into the Conversation
The best time for a CPA to introduce a business broker is well before a client is ready to sign a letter of intent—or even before they’ve picked a target retirement date. Ideally, we like to engage three to five years ahead of an exit so there is time to clean up financials, reduce owner dependency, and position the company for a stronger multiple. That said, even a 12–18 month runway can materially change the outcome.
Practical trigger points for calling us in include: a client asking, “What is my business really worth?”, talk of slowing down or stepping back from day-to-day operations, a major unsolicited offer from a competitor, or significant life events (health issues, divorce, partnership disputes). At each of these moments, a quick joint conversation, CPA plus broker, can reset expectations, protect confidentiality, and give the owner a clear roadmap from “thinking about selling” to a well-structured, tax-efficient closing.
Five Ways We Amplify Your Client Outcomes
- Pre-Sale Financial Cleanup: We spotlight issues your audits catch including recurring revenue gaps, owner perks, add-backs—that boost EBITDA 20–50%. Clean books = higher multiples.
- Tax-Smart Structuring: Asset vs. stock, seller notes, earn-outs and we model after-tax proceeds with your input, optimizing for LTCG (15–20%) vs. ordinary rates.
- Buyer Vetting: We source qualified prospects (strategics, PE, individuals), shielding owners from tire-kickers and protecting confidentiality.
- Advisory Team Coordination: You lead tax/legal; we quarterback valuation, marketing, negotiation. No silo just aligned exits.
- Real Estate Integration: For leased/owned space clients, we time business sale first, maximizing combined asset value with your CRE partners.
Case Study: A $4M manufacturing firm. Your cleanup plus our marketing yielded 5.5x EBITDA ($22M). Seller-financed 25% deferred $1.2M tax. Owner retired comfortably resulting in a win-win.
Your clients deserve partners who leverage every opportunity. Let’s co-counsel your next exit. Contact George and Company and together, we turn transitions into triumphs.