In an asset sale the buyer picks the assets and liabilities it takes. In a stock sale it buys the owner's shares. See how each affects taxes, risk and proceeds.

M&A advisors and business brokers both help sell companies, but they usually serve different sizes of business and buyers. Compare the two and see which fits.

SDE adds back one owner's pay to show what an owner-operator earns. EBITDA treats the owner's role as a market-rate cost. Learn which measure fits your business.

Sell-side advisors represent the owner selling a company. Buy-side advisors represent the acquirer. See what each does, how they differ and when you need one.

Strategic buyers pay for synergies and fit. Financial buyers pay for cash flow and returns. See how each values a company and which is likely to pay more.

A transactional valuation estimates what a buyer would pay. An appraisal estimates value under a legal or tax standard. See how they differ and which one fits.

A valuation report is a private analysis for the owner. A CIM is a marketing document for buyers. See what each contains, who reads it and how they work together.