The Mayfair 10-Point Exit Audit: Is Your Business Ready for a Premium Sale?

Introduction: Most business owners only sell once. To achieve a “Wealthy Bank” valuation, your business must be viewed as an investment, not just a job. Use this checklist to identify the gaps between your current operation and a high-multiple exit.

I. Financial Integrity & Transparency

• [ ] Three Years of “Clean” Financials: Are your P&Ls and Balance Sheets standardized? (Buyers look for trends, not just snapshots).

• [ ] Identified Add-Backs: Have you documented “discretionary” expenses (owner travel, non-business vehicles) to show true EBITDA?

• [ ] Tax Compliance: Are all state, local, and federal tax filings current with no outstanding liens?

II. Operational Scalability

• [ ] The “Vacation Test” (Owner Independence): Can the business run for 30 days without your involvement? If you are the primary salesperson or technician, the value drops.

• [ ] Documented SOPs: Do you have written Standard Operating Procedures for every core department?

• [ ] Modern Tech Stack: Is your software up to date, or will a buyer have to invest immediately in “catching up”?

III. Market Positioning & Risk

• [ ] Customer Concentration: Does any single client represent more than 15% of your total revenue? (High concentration equals high risk for buyers).

• [ ] Recurring Revenue: What percentage of your income is guaranteed or contractual versus one-time “project” work?

• [ ] Defensible Moat: Can you clearly articulate your competitive advantage to a Private Equity group?

IV. The “Final Look” (Curb Appeal)

• [ ] Assignability of Leases/Contracts: Are your key vendor contracts and facility leases transferable to a new owner?

Your Score:

• 8–10 Checks: You are in a “Premium Exit” position. Contact us for a formal valuation.

• 5–7 Checks: You have a solid foundation but are leaving money on the table.

• Below 5: You are currently “Owner-Dependent.” Let’s build an 18-month roadmap to fix these gaps.

Ready for the next step? Visit DavidMayfair.com or call for a 100% Confidential Consultation.