Working Capital in Business Sales: What Is It, Is It Included in the Price & How Do I Calculate It?

Summary
In this episode, Brandon Bourgeois and Chris Sater delve into the often-overlooked topic of working capital in business sales. They discuss its significance in deal structure, the differences between asset and stock sales, and the importance of accurate financials. The conversation highlights the role of seasonality in working capital needs and the necessity of transparency between buyers and sellers. They also cover the concept of true ups post-closing and emphasize the importance of preparing financials well in advance of a sale to maximize value.

Chapters
00:00 Understanding Working Capital in Business Sales
04:53 The Importance of Working Capital in Deal Structure
09:42 Calculating Working Capital: The Right Approach
14:33 Challenges in Working Capital Management
19:24 Seasonality and Its Impact on Working Capital
21:52 Navigating Deal Structures and Cash Flow Challenges
24:55 The Importance of Quality of Earnings (Q of E) in Business Sales
29:15 Understanding Working Capital in Deal Negotiations
35:20 True Ups: Ensuring Accurate Working Capital Post-Closing
39:13 The Role of Transparency in Successful Transactions