Accountants for Buying a Business

Buying a business is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make. Many business owners feel overwhelmed by the complexities, from understanding financial statements and negotiating fair purchase prices to ensuring tax efficiency and structuring the acquisition for long‑term success.

Our Perth-based accountants and business advisors are available to assist you, using their first-hand experiences to help make your journey into business ownership a success.

BOOK A FREE MEETING WITH A BUSINESS ACCOUNTANT

 

Most Popular Accounting Services for Business Purchases

Pre-Purchase Sanity Check & Structuring Advice

 

From $2,000 (excl. GST)

Business Acquisition Advice

Due Diligence Advice

 

From $5,000 (excl. GST)

Due Diligence Service

Advanced Tax & Asset Protection Strategies Report

 

$4,000 (excl. GST)

Tax Minimisation Strategies Report

Advice from Accountants for Buying a Business in Western Australia

The rest of this page is dedicated to providing you with an overview of the typical problems and associated solutions with regard to buying a business. These apply whether you are buying a business in Perth, elsewhere in WA or across Australia.

We’ve helped countless people along the business acquisition journey and stand ready to help you. When you’re ready to talk, book a meeting or send an enquiry.

The Problem:
When you’re considering buying a business, questions immediately arise: Are the financials as healthy as they appear? Could hidden liabilities derail your investment? Will the purchase structure suit your future growth plans? Without clear, specialist advice, you risk making costly decisions that could jeopardise your new venture’s success.

Our Solution:
At Munro’s, we take a holistic, problem‑solving approach. We work with you from the initial assessment through to closing the deal. Our process includes:

  • Comprehensive Due Diligence: We review financial records, assess cash flow and identify potential risks.
  • Tailored Acquisition Advice: We guide you through negotiations, assist with business valuation and recommend the optimal purchase structure, ensuring that the business fits your growth ambitions.
  • Tax & Compliance Strategies: Our specialists ensure that every transaction complies with Australian tax laws and that you benefit from available concessions and planning opportunities.
  • Ongoing Support: After the deal is closed, we continue to support you with business advisory and accounting services that help you integrate your new acquisition smoothly, attend to ongoing accounting and tax, and plan for future growth.

Key Outcomes and Benefits:

  • Informed Decision-Making: With our thorough due diligence, you gain a clear picture of the business’s true value and potential.
  • Risk Mitigation: We identify red flags early so that you can avoid costly pitfalls.
  • Optimised Structure: Our recommendations not only protect your investment but also set the stage for tax efficiencies and long‑term business growth.
  • Peace of Mind: With Munro’s by your side, you can focus on the opportunities ahead, confident that you’re making a secure investment.

Problem 1: FOMO

The fear of missing out is so powerful and can lead people to make terrible decisions. Buying a business requires you to put a lot of wealth on the line. You’ve got to think clearly and sceptically.

Solution
Be sceptical.

Outcome
Reduce the chance of buying an overpriced / non-profitable business.

Problem 2: Financing

How are you going to fund the purchase of the business? Do you need extra funds to satisfy ongoing financial obligations? What additional liabilities, guarantees and risks are you going to take on? Will you have sufficient cash to survive and eventually thrive?

Solution
Appropriate funding.

Outcome
The money you need to survive and thrive.

Problem 3: Setup for Future Tax Success

Tax is generally unavoidable, but the amount of tax you pay in the future will be heavily influenced by decisions made now.

Solution
Setup tax planning.

Outcome
Bare minimum tax.

Problem 4: Assets & Liability Protection

Operating a business increases exposures to extra liabilities and requires safeguarding of existing and new wealth as best as possible.

Solution
Basic asset protection + optionally advanced protection.

Outcome
At least the bare minimum wealth protection you should have.

Problem 5: How to De-risk

When arranging a due diligence, you should really follow the classic wisdom: you can’t just look at the iceberg above the ocean surface because there is so much hidden and dangerous below.

Solution
Comprehensive due diligence.

Outcome
Make a fully informed decision and know what you’re getting into.

Problem 6: Going into Business with Others

Whether you’re going into business with family or friends, it’s important to recognise that business life and the stresses it brings will give rise to new and sometimes challenging issues.

Solution
Clearly defined and understood intent with a proactive dispute resolution agreement.

Outcome
Mitigate the potential of messy and costly future disputes.

Problem 7: Setup Bookkeeping in Xero, MYOB, Quickbooks, etc

We cannot stress enough how vital it is to setup an accurate accounting system from the beginning.

Solution
Startup bookkeeping.

Outcome
Clean financial information from the beginning as opposed to a costly, uninformative mess.

Problem 8: Employing People

Employment, tax and superannuation laws impose a heavy burden on employers and you must give this responsibility the attention and care it requires.

Solution
Skilful and pragmatic support with implementing employment basics.

Outcome
Legally compliant employment arrangements.

Problem 9: Business Ownership Education

There is no one who knows everything about business. From the moment you buy your business, you’ll need to continually upskill to meet the challenges. Don’t start from scratch; tap into the knowledge and learnings of others.

Solution
Sprints, blended learning, community insights and coaching.

Outcome
The best leader you can become, as quickly as you can get there.

Frequently Asked Questions for Buying a Business

  1. What are the first steps in buying a business?
    Before proceeding, you should conduct preliminary research, understand your financial capacity (can you get a loan) and arrange for specialist advice. We help you assess whether a business aligns with your growth plans.

  2. How do I know if a business is fairly valued?
    Our valuation process uses multiple methods to ensure accuracy, considering cash flow, assets and market trends. We compare industry benchmarks to determine a fair price.

  3. What if I find hidden liabilities during due diligence?
    Identifying risks early is crucial. We advise on mitigating strategies and this may allow you to renegotiate terms based on unforeseen liabilities, ensuring you don’t overpay for potential risks.

  4. How can tax planning help when buying a business?
    Effective tax planning can significantly reduce your tax burden in the future. We work with you to structure the deal in a tax‑efficient manner, ensuring you take advantage of all applicable concessions and deductions.

  5. Are your services available only in Perth?
    While Munro’s is proudly based in Perth with deep local expertise, our compliance and advisory strategies are effective for businesses throughout Australia.

  6. What makes Munro’s approach different?
    We are known as “The Professional Problem Solvers” because we focus on understanding your challenges and crafting tailored solutions. Our approach is transparent, value‑driven and backed by over 100 Google reviews praising our responsiveness and specialist advice.

  7. How can a business accountant help improve my profit following the acquisition?
    Our specialists don’t just crunch numbers; we provide actionable insights that can help optimise your operations, reduce unnecessary expenses and ultimately boost your profit margins.

  8. What is the price for your structuring and due diligence service?
    Our pricing is transparent and reflects the complexity of your needs. Please visit our pricing page and contact us for a personalised quote.

  9. How long does the buying process usually take?
    Every acquisition is unique. Generally, the process can take several months from initial enquiry to final settlement, depending on whether you’ve already identified a target acquisition, your access to business loans, the complexity of due diligence and negotiations.

  10. Can you help if I’m considering a franchise purchase?
    Absolutely. We have assisted many clients in purchasing franchises by evaluating their financial performance and negotiating favourable terms.

Where To Begin

Get To Know Each Other Meeting

 

FREE (incl. GST)

How We Get Started

Come Along To An Improve Session

 

First Session is FREE (incl. GST)

Upskilling Event for Business Leaders

Munro's, where client service matters

Top 2% ranked Australian Accounting Firm

Play Ranking Explained

  • ★★★★★ — Greg Berlin

    Munros have been doing my family tax returns for the past 3 years, and I’ve been nothing but delighted with the service they’ve offered. They took on a relatively complex set of returns, including sharing of CGT benefits between myself and my partner, and did exactly what I hoped they’d do, and more. Not only that, they always went above and beyond to explain what they have done and why, keeping us happy and at ease at all times during the tax return processes.

    And to top it off, their knowledge of the crypto space is phenomenal, as are the tools they’ve developed to report and get the best possible returns with cryptos in mind.

    Give them a try, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

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  • ★★★★★ — Allison Beck

    Super grateful to Drew and the team at Munro’s for their quick response and helpfulness! I reached out via their website to see about getting a referral for a comparable crypto tax advisor in the United States, as Munro’s seemed to be the best firm I came across in my research. Drew got back to me within hours and was kind enough to reach out to his network for a reputable contact. He directed me to a great firm and was quick, kind, and communicative throughout. Wish we were based in Australia so we could work with Drew and his team for all our tax advisory needs! Highly recommend.

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  • ★★★★★ — Matt Mckinley

    Drew, Simon and the team at Munro’s have been our family and business accountants for many years now. They provide excellent service and advice. We would not hesitate to recommend them to others.

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  • ★★★★★ — Jamie Little (JAMIETV)

    Professional service, very quick & reliable especially when it involves Cryptocurrency. Went out of their way to assist by a deadline that I had & they were happy to accommodate.

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  • ★★★★★ — Glenn Elliott

    Drew and Simon offer an amazing service at Munro’s as professional accountants and I have been using them for over 10 years now. Their customer service is second to none and I always receive prompt and reliable advice. Well done guys, keep up the great work!!

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  • ★★★★★ — Ben Soules

    Excellent advice with very skilled accountants. Not too expensive, for such a specialized and sophisticated service. Committed to the customer, always very professional and helpful. Highly recommended!

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  • ★★★★★ — the big fella

    I used Munro’s for the first time this past year for my tax. My situation was complicated, but this did not phase them. A massive thankyou to the team there including Drew and Christine. Their professionalism was excellent. I cannot flaw their efforts at all. It was a pleasure to deal with them. Thankyou very much Munro’s. See you next year.

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  • ★★★★★ — FK aus

    Munro’s provided me with the exact accounting and tax advice I needed. I highly recommend Munro’s to anyone who is searching for a professional accounting firm that goes the extra mile to help their clients.

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  • ★★★★★ — Jason Park

    I’m glad my sister introduced me to Carl, he has a wealth of knowledge, great at complex problem solving, always helpful and very attentive. Would give 10 stars if I could.

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  • ★★★★★ — Michael Sasse

    Congratulations Munro’s on 50 years. I think my father must have been one of Donald’s and Barry’s earliest clients. Their names were ever present around the breakfast table when I was hopping on a school bus. I reflected with Christine a few months ago that the most important people in life were my family, my accountants, my GP and and Gough Whitlam. In no particluar order. (Why Gough Whitlam? He gave me a free university education and stopped the Vietnam ballot a year before it was my turn. And I have never voted labor). Thanks to Ian, Melissa, Christine, Noeline and Rama. Ever professional.

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  • ★★★★★ — Louise Maguire

    I required some complicated advice from a business accountant on an urgent matter. It involved legal issues and advice as well as accounting advice.
    I contacted Drew Pflaum of Munro’s via the website, and he got back to me very promptly.
    Drew showed that he was well able and indeed very keen to think outside the square.
    Nothing was too much trouble and he has some very valuable professional contacts that he is able to consult with if needed.
    With Drew’s obvious intelligence and honesty coupled with an enviable network of contacts, and his keen desire to achieve the best results possible in a timely manner, I have no hesitation in recommending him for any sort of business accounting advice.

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  • ★★★★★ — Faye Sanderson

    Munro’s have helped build our business from strength to strength for over 40 years! No problem or question has ever been too large or too small and all have been dealt with in a timely and efficient manner. Thanks to Simon, Carl and the team for your continual excellent service.

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  • ★★★★★ — Faye Sanderson

    Munro’s have helped build our business from strength to strength for over 40 years! No problem or question has ever been too large or too small and all have been dealt with in a timely and efficient manner. Thanks to Simon, Carl and the team for your continual excellent service.

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  • ★★★★★ — Emma Rocca

    Exceptional Professionalism and Genuine Support

    I can’t thank Drew enough for the incredible support he offered during an incredibly stressful and emotional time. His communication was efficient, clear, and refreshingly straightforward—qualities that are hard to come by when dealing with complex financial and legal matters.

    Although Munros were ultimately unable to take on my case due to an internal conflict, Drew still gave generously of his time and expertise without charge. He treated the complex situation with empathy and integrity, when most professionals would have run a mile. His advice and clarity made a tangible difference to both my confidence and the steps I’m now taking to secure a better future for myself and my children.

    It’s deeply regrettable that I can’t continue with Drew as our accountant long-term, because he would’ve been my first choice without question. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing not only expert accounting but also genuine human support.

    Thank you again, Drew — you have been amazing.

    — Emma Rocca

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  • ★★★★★ — iORGANiC

    I am very pleased to recommend Cherie and Munros. They are friendly, polite, energetic, honest and reliable. We feel in good hands with our taxation and business commitments. We have been delighted that Munros thoroughly understand our business structure and requirements. We are always treated with respect. We feel a sense of integrity infuses the company which is very important. We feel that Munro are up to date with the regulations and knowledge in their field. We have never been let down or kept waiting for an answer. Cherie and Munros have helped with our business forward planning and I would recommend them to anyone who need someone that listens and provides professional solutions without fuss. Thank you Cherie and Munros!

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  • ★★★★★ — Jacob Holmes

    Genuine, honest, reliable accountants that actually care about their clients businesses/companies. They fixed all of my previous accountants errors without being asked, and put in a lot of work to get the job done right moving forward. You get what you pay for. They go above and beyond. Special shout out to my fantastic crew; Sanjay, Paul, Drew, Michelle and Finlay.

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  • ★★★★★ — JD Duv

    I highly recommend Drew Pflaum at Munro’s for any matter relating to property, crypto, business tax, etc. I’ve recently met with Drew and he was very diligent and knowledgeable in explaining the best possible options/solutions I have available for my business. Drew is definitely the go-to person for any complex tax matters.

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  • ★★★★★ — David Boddington

    From the small technical stuff to the sage big picture advice, Simon and team Munro’s have been patiently guiding and safeguarding our family’s financial journey for decades. THANKS !! Here’s to the next 50 years!

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  • ★★★★★ — Mike Eames

    Drew and the team at Munros have managed our tax for the past 4-5 years. Drew has the expertise to resolve all our queries and always provides excellent service. We would highly recommend Drew and team.

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  • ★★★★★ — E M

    Rama and the team at Munro’s provided prompt and thorough crypto tax advice. They are very professional and I highly recommend their services.

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  • ★★★★★ — Julie Snooke

    Mike assisted with our farm succession planning. Thanks to Mike’s in depth knowledge on this subject, this process has been smooth and amicable. We highly recommend Mike and his team for family business succession.

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  • ★★★★★ — MG

    Drew and the team helped me with my tax returns, especially reporting on cryptocurrency trading done in previous years. I highly recommend seeking their services for all tax/accounting matters, especially cryptocurrency trading. Thanks guys!

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  • ★★★★★ — Will S

    The team at Munro’s has been of great assistance to me over the years, with a particular special mention to Drew Pflaum. They’ve helped me navigate some complex tax matters with proactive, insightful, and pragmatic advice. I highly recommend them for anyone seeking expertise in this area. Thank you again to the whole team and especially to Drew.

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  • ★★★★★ — Fay & Steve

    Our Munro’s Experience began approximately 38/40 years ago. Steve’s parents were already customers of Munros, in particular Barry Virgo, and we followed suit.

    For the first couple of years we had several changes of Accountants at Munro’s (we always got the newbies and had to ‘train them up’ to know how to get the best deal from the Tax Office for farmers. We became fed up of this system. Our last newbie was Simon Strawbridge. Well, we got him “trained up right proper” then they wanted to give us the next new one, but we stated we weren’t changing.

    Today, Simon is still our go to man. Whilst we understand there have been many very efficient people working in the background on our business affairs, for which we thank them sincerely, we have always maintained our professional relationship with Simon.

    We have been through some big business changes in our farming adventures over these past 40 odd years, and the advice, help and professional assistance has been 100%. At times we didn’t know who to trust to give us the best business advice and we were fortunate to be able to lean on Simon’s vast knowledge to help us make these decisions.

    Our working partnership of having our taxation needs, investment portfolios, wills, etc. linked in with Munros and the great staff has been successful.

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  • ★★★★★ — Fay & Steve

    Our Munro’s Experience began approximately 38/40 years ago. Steve’s parents were already customers of Munros, in particular Barry Virgo, and we followed suit.

    For the first couple of years we had several changes of Accountants at Munro’s (we always got the newbies and had to ‘train them up’ to know how to get the best deal from the Tax Office for farmers. We became fed up of this system. Our last newbie was Simon Strawbridge. Well, we got him “trained up right proper” then they wanted to give us the next new one, but we stated we weren’t changing.

    Today, Simon is still our go to man. Whilst we understand there have been many very efficient people working in the background on our business affairs, for which we thank them sincerely, we have always maintained our professional relationship with Simon.

    We have been through some big business changes in our farming adventures over these past 40 odd years, and the advice, help and professional assistance has been 100%. At times we didn’t know who to trust to give us the best business advice and we were fortunate to be able to lean on Simon’s vast knowledge to help us make these decisions.

    Our working partnership of having our taxation needs, investment portfolios, wills, etc. linked in with Munros and the great staff has been successful.

    read more
  • ★★★★★ — T K

    I highly recommend Drew and the team at Munros for their excellent accounting services, particularly with investment income as well as their crypto expertise. Thanks Drew.

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  • ★★★★★ — Bren Croll

    As soon as I saw that Munro’s were recommended by the cryptocurrency tracking app CoinTracking for tax advice, I knew they must be absolute pros.

    Munro’s will be my accountants for life now. Nothing was too much trouble and everything has gone so smoothly.

    Here’s what Carl fixed for me for my latest tax return:

    reconciled complex history from various crypto exchanges, some of which are now defunct, which I had spent several days trying to get various AI models to assist with to no avail

    fixed my balance issue in CoinTracking to accurately reflect my position

    Corrected purchase and sales history for employee shares scheme

    Adjust various mistakes from my previous accountants and carry forward the adjustments

    Scrutinised previous tax returns to adjust missed capital losses from a kitchen renovation completed over a decade ago on an investment property that can now be used to offset future capital gains.

    Provide clear advice on every single thing I asked with no hesitation. It’s so obvious that these guys have seen it all and done it all.

    Because I’m with Munro’s now, I feel SO much more confident about some big financial moves where the nightmarish tax implications would otherwise boggle the mind.

    Thank you so much!

    By the way, I wasn’t asked to do this review or sent one of those “please review us on Google” emails. I am posting this because I’m so happy with the service I was provided, it sells itself and I suppose a perfect 5 star rating with 140+ reviews is a testament to the fact that all of Munro’s customers have a similar experience to me. If you have complex tax affairs I don’t think you’ll find anyone better.

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  • ★★★★★ — Bev Margetts

    Mike has been most helpful and professional with our accounting, superannuation and taxation affairs. We had transferred some years ago from a less than professional person and now very pleased to be with Munro’s. Congratulations on 50 years and best wishes for a long and successful future.

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  • ★★★★★ — Roger York

    Thanks Drew and Munros for helping me with my taxes.

    Highly recommended

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  • ★★★★★ — Darryl Chester

    Congratulations on 50 years of accounting.
    Munro`s have managed our family business affairs for approximately 45 years.
    Thankyou.

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  • ★★★★★ — Suzanne Wyatt

    Thank you to Mike and Munro’s for your expertise, professionalism and patience.

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  • ★★★★★ — Stephen Vella

    We first met Mike Beer 25 years ago, when he was assigned to our account by his employer at the time. When Mike moved to Munro’s, we decided to transfer our business to follow him as we were so impressed with both his professionalism and his character.

    We have never regretted our decision to keep our business with Munro’s and Mike, who we think of as a good friend first and a total professional second for the excellent service he and his company have provided.

    Congratulations Munro’s on your anniversary!

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  • ★★★★★ — Jim Kozmo

    I’m extremely pleased with the services of Munro’s Accountants. They are professional and easy to work with. My situation was not simple yet they completed the task and have provided me with peace of mind going forwards. I would not hesitate to recommend them. AAAAA+++++

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  • ★★★★★ — Jesse Allan

    Just met these guys on an initially consultation call. Can’t speak highly enough about them in the short time I’ve used their services. Their advice on the call and their follow up afterwards is the best I’ve seen. Highly recommend and looking forward to the continuing relationship. Thanks a lot Drew and Cherie.

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  • ★★★★★ — Val McAlpine

    David and I have been loyal clients of Munros for many years—I think since we were married in 1962. David made all the decisions in those early years. I became a more active partner as we worked with Ted Wilhelm and Ian Arblaster until their retirement. We then worked with Christine Prasetia for our financial, accounting, taxation and our wills until David’s death in May, 2017. Christine has patiently guided me through taking up the reins of our business venture. She is very efficient and totally reliable in all our dealings. I feel fortunate to have Christine as my accountant and business advisor. Thanking you, Val McAlpine

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