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Where to find a business to buy
Newspapers, trade journals, adverts, magazines, websites and word of mouth will help you find businesses for sale.
What type of business should I buy?
How to choose the right business for you.
What is a balance sheet and why is it used?
Limited companies and limited liability partnerships must produce a balance sheet as part of their annual accounts.
Compare balance sheets to assess business performance
Use simple balance sheet comparisons to assess business performance internally and against competitors.
Interpreting balance sheet figures
Liabilities, assets, debtors and intangibles can all give you a picture of a business' financial health.
Use accounting ratios to assess business performance
Liquidity, solvency, efficiency and profitability ratio analysis can be used to assess business performance.
Make sure a business is worth buying: due diligence
Research the new business to ensure it is right for you, use solicitors and accountants to help you.
Buy a franchise
What franchising is, how to find and assess franchise opportunities and how to buy a franchise.
Buy an existing business
Advantages and disadvantages of buying an existing business including how to assess and value it.
Business accounting periods
The balance sheet portrays a business' performance over the financial year or accounting period.
The relationship between balance sheets and profit and loss accounts
How transactions in the profit and loss account can affect balance sheet entries and vice versa.
Existing employees when buying a business
Your legal obligations towards staff already working for the new company.
How to calculate the value of a business
How to find out whether the business you want to buy will be profitable and value for money.
Show strong financial performance when selling your business
How to get your business finances in good order and present your accounts in a clear, attractive way.
Profit reporting: how, when and where?
Reporting deadlines, the form to use and who to send it to.
Do all businesses have to produce formal profit and loss accounts?
What types of business have to produce P&L accounts and why they are a good idea for most businesses.
Cost of sales
The base cost of obtaining or creating your product.
Business angels
How business angels can fund investment in young and growing businesses.
Acquire assets and borrow money tax efficiently
Tax efficient methods of borrowing and how they can apply to your business.
Business expenses
Legitimate business expenses for accounting purposes and how to apportion expenses partly for business purposes.