High Contrast

Events
Subscribe
Contact RSM

Sell-side advisory and due diligence

Maximize business value and experience a smooth transaction

Let's talk

Position your business for a successful exit

Selling a business is a complex and multifaceted process that requires careful planning, execution and the right insights to maximize value. The best strategic deal outcomes are often unlocked by uncovering critical insights buried in the details, yet business owners often face challenges, including:

  • Identifying the right buyers
  • Accurately valuing their business
  • Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
  • Addressing financial and operational challenges
  • Preparing financial statements that meet buyer requirements, such as statements that Securities and Exchange Commission registrants must file for significant acquisitions and statements when deal funding involves debt facilities, such as public debt or Rule 144A private placement bonds

Without the right guidance, these challenges can lead to suboptimal outcomes, such as:

  • Undervaluation
  • Prolonged transaction times
  • Potential deal failures

Optimizing the sale of your business depends on a well-executed due diligence process and a strong valuation. With the right preparation and a strategic approach, you can confidently position your business for a successful transaction.

Why RSM for sell-side advisory 

At RSM, we take a tailored approach to every engagement, recognizing that no two businesses or transactions are the same. Our team of experienced professionals provides:

  • Customized solutions: We align our strategies with your unique business goals to maximize value.
  • Proactive issue resolution: We identify and address financial and operational challenges before they become obstacles.
  • Deep industry knowledge: Our team brings extensive experience in sell-side advisory and due diligence across various industries.
  • Advanced analytics and market insights: We leverage cutting-edge tools and data to provide accurate valuations and identify the right buyers.
  • A seamless transaction experience: Our structured approach streamlines the process, reducing delays and minimizing risks.

With RSM, you gain a dedicated advisor focused on uncovering opportunities, mitigating risks and helping you achieve a successful outcome.

Experience you can trust

Over 1,100+ deals completed annually

220+

Business services

 

160+

Consumer products

 

50+

Financial services

100+

Health-care

 

320+

Industrials

220+

Technology, media, and telecom

Comprehensive sell-side solutions to support your journey

A successful sale process requires appropriate planning, analysis and operational execution. Whether simply assessing deal readiness or executing full-scope sell-side due diligence, our dedicated deal professionals deliver value-accretive solutions to advise and assist clients throughout the divestiture process. Our comprehensive solutions include:

  • Strategic option assessment: Evaluate options for monetizing equity or assets, including full sale, partial sale, debt recap, initial public offering, joint venture, sale-leaseback and dividend recap.
  • Readiness assessment: Evaluate your company’s accounting, tax, and technology capabilities and data availability and integrity; identify critical gaps; and develop roadmaps to address issues, highlight potential buyer focus areas and address process questions.
  • Seller support: Advise and assist with data aggregation and reconciliations, develop data cubes, provide support for buyer sessions, and establish communication channels with other deal advisors to create a seamless sale process.
  • Pre-diligence analysis: Assess key operational and financial trends and address any adverse observations; highlight and quantify potential cost and working capital optimization opportunities; develop execution plans; and evaluate any other matters requiring proactive measures.
  • Comprehensive sell-side due diligence: Conduct seller-sponsored due diligence to proactively identify and address financial, tax, human resources, information technology and operational issues; substantiate the equity story and working capital considerations; and quantify any value-additive pro forma adjustments. This includes debt-like items or enterprise-to-equity value bridge.
  • Technical account support: Perform targeted cleanup of specific accounting issues that affect negotiations and deal valuation, such as cash-to-accrual conversions, revenue recognition, inventory adjustments and complex accruals.
  • Long-range plan development: Build out a five-year financial forecast to support the equity story in confidential information memorandums.
  • Separation and carve-out assistance: Provide tailored support for businesses preparing for divestiture, including proactive execution of separation activities before going to market.
  • Interim support: Backfill for key accounting and finance roles to facilitate operational continuity and transaction support on a project or staff augmentation basis.
  • Purchase agreement review: Provide high-level advisory support to help sellers confirm that financial and deal terms align with expectations.
  • Tax structuring: Work closely with your attorneys and financial advisors to develop a tax-efficient transaction structure that aligns with your strategic goals. We help anticipate alternative structures and assess their tax implications, giving you the insights needed to agree on a structure that optimizes after-tax proceeds.

Real benefits, real outcomes

Our solutions have measurable benefits to our clients

Presenting a clear financial picture to justify asking price and valuation

Tailoring an approach to address industry- and deal-specific needs

Delivering an objective view, providing buyers with additional confidence

Facilitating a collaborative deal environment for both sides of the transaction

FAQ: What you need to know before you sell

Recent insights from our sell-side advisory professionals

Curated content to keep you informed

Explore related solutions

Connect with our M&A professionals

Complete this form and an RSM representative will be in touch shortly.

Subscribe to RSM’s M&A Insights newsletter

Lessons from the leaders

Get the insights and perspectives you need to succeed in a dynamic M&A market.

Subscribe now

THE POWER OF BEING UNDERSTOOD

ASSURANCE | TAX | CONSULTING

RSM US LLP is a limited liability partnership and the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent assurance, tax and consulting firms. The member firms of RSM International collaborate to provide services to global clients, but are separate and distinct legal entities that cannot obligate each other. Each member firm is responsible only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of any other party. Visit rsmus.com/about for more information regarding RSM US LLP and RSM International.

© 2025 RSM US LLP. All rights reserved.