Business Advisory

Advisory Services for Business Owners and Management Teams

Most significant business decisions have financial, tax, and operational consequences that are difficult to evaluate in isolation. A hiring decision affects cash flow. An equipment purchase affects debt capacity and depreciation. Expanding into a new state creates filing obligations.

Our advisory work focuses on helping business owners think through these decisions before they are implemented, with the benefit of someone who already understands the company's financial position, tax situation, and long-term objectives.

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Where Advisory Work Typically Begins

Advisory engagements usually start with a specific question rather than a formal project:

Can the business afford to hire three more people this year?
Should we buy the building or continue leasing?
The bank wants projections. What do they actually need to see?
Why is the business profitable but short on cash?
We are considering acquiring a competitor. How do we evaluate it?
Two partners want different things. How do we structure this?

These questions often reveal broader issues worth addressing.

What We Help With

Financial Analysis and Performance Review

Understanding what the financial statements indicate about the business, including:

Margin analysis by service line, product, or location
Trend analysis across multiple periods
Breakeven analysis
Comparison against prior periods and budgets
Identification of cost structure issues

Cash Flow and Working Capital Planning

Profitability and liquidity are not the same thing. We help clients evaluate:

Rolling cash flow forecasts
Working capital requirements
Collection and payment cycles
Seasonal fluctuations
Debt service capacity

Budgeting and Forecasting

Developing forward-looking projections that support:

Annual operating budgets
Multi-year projections
Scenario analysis
Capital expenditure planning
Hiring and compensation planning

Financing Preparation

Lenders and investors expect specific information presented in a particular way. We assist with:

Preparation of financial information for lenders
Projections supporting loan applications
Debt covenant analysis
Evaluation of financing alternatives
Lender and investor reporting

Growth and Expansion Planning

Evaluating the financial and tax implications of:

New locations or facilities
New product or service lines
Geographic expansion
Acquisitions
Significant capital investments

Key Performance Indicators

Identifying the operating metrics that actually drive results in a specific business and establishing reporting that makes them visible to management on a regular basis.

Ownership and Partner Matters

Addressing questions involving:

Owner compensation structures
Distribution policies
Admitting new owners
Partner buyouts
Ownership agreements

How Advisory Engagements Work

Advisory work varies considerably depending on the situation.

Project-Based

A specific question or decision with a defined scope. Examples include evaluating an acquisition, preparing projections for a lender, or analyzing whether to purchase a facility.

Recurring

Ongoing involvement at a defined interval, often monthly or quarterly, including financial review, performance discussion, and forward planning.

As Needed

Availability for consultation when questions arise, without a formal recurring schedule.

Many client relationships shift between these approaches as circumstances change.

Common Situations

Rapid Growth

Growth consumes cash. Companies frequently experience the greatest financial pressure during their strongest periods, particularly when inventory or receivables expand faster than collections.

Flat or Declining Performance

When results deteriorate, the underlying cause is often less obvious than it appears. Margin analysis and cost structure review frequently identify contributing factors that summary financial statements do not reveal.

Major Capital Decisions

Equipment purchases, facility acquisitions, and significant technology investments affect cash flow, debt capacity, tax position, and operating flexibility simultaneously.

Preparing for a Transaction

Whether buying, selling, or restructuring ownership, transactions benefit from advance preparation. Financial records, contracts, and reporting systems often require attention well before a transaction begins.

Management Transitions

Bringing in non-owner management, promoting from within, or preparing the next generation raises questions about reporting, accountability, compensation, and eventual ownership.

Working With Your Other Advisors

Business decisions frequently involve attorneys, bankers, insurance professionals, and investment advisors. We coordinate with those professionals where appropriate, particularly on matters involving ownership agreements, financing arrangements, risk management, and succession planning.

Where a question falls outside the scope of accounting and tax practice, we will say so and help identify the appropriate resource.

Clients frequently combine business advisory services with:

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Let's Discuss Your Business

Whether you are evaluating a specific decision, working through a performance issue, preparing for growth, or planning for an eventual transition, we can help you think through the financial and tax implications.

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