Books on how to buy businesses

[Binny Mundra]

Hi folks, I wanted to reach out here to see if anyone has any books you could recommend on buying a business. While there are tons of books that I’ve read about real estate, I want to know if anyone can recommend a book on acquiring businesses. I know the fundamentals may be similar to RE however looking at a business I’m sure there’s a different way to evaluate a company. The company I’m looking to acquire is a landscape design company and wanted to have a full understanding of what to ask the owners before agreeing to purchase. A list I have put together are the following:

- Last 3 years of P&Ls (both general and detailed)

- Last 3 years business returns

- Last 3 years SCF

- Last 3 years BS

- Last 3 years general ledger

- Last 3 years worth of bank statements

- Last 3 years sales vs customer history

- Last 3 years of payroll reports

- Current lease agreement

- Other fixed monthly expenses?

- Key employee background

- Employee turnover rate

- Age and repair history of equipment if the company owns any

- Any known CAPEX needed in the near future

-Line items that can be added back such as owner draws or personal expenses (travel/meals/entertainment/etc.)

Thank you!

[Taylor L.]

I interviewed a gentleman named Ace Chapman, he specializes in buying performing businesses from their current owners. I recommend you check him out! https://www.acechapman.com/

Sadly I don't know whether he has a book