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

  • ★★★★★ — Noeline Kellow

    I started working at Munro’s in 1979, spent my life there (besides stopping to have a family) & retired from Munro”s in December 2022. Great place to work & made lifetime friends.

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  • ★★★★★ — Jeff Hoffard

    From QLD was searching for a accounting firm that could easily handle all my tax dealings including crypto transactions and Carl has been very helpful always just an email away to sort out any concerns I might have.

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  • ★★★★★ — Max Smith

    Congratulations on 50 years of accounting. We transitioned from Wesfarmers to Munros and have been extremely happy with the professional, efficient, courteous and friendly service provided by Barry, Simon, Ted, Christine and Noelene during that time

    Looking forward to continuing the association for many years to come

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  • ★★★★★ — Kevin Yuen

    Recently when I approached Saul and Drew at Munro’s regarding a tricky cryptocurrency investment situation they were very helpful in assisting. They are very knowledgeable about the area and their insights and recommendations were very much appreciated.

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  • ★★★★★ — Shiny Sheep

    5 Stars from Don. I can’t thank Drew and Brian enough for dealing with my very complex history across multiple years of cryptocurrency trading. This has been across many exchanges, wallets, and my Dash Masternode history also. Drew and Brian have been flawless when fielding my various questions across the months it has taken to work through my complex case load.
    Based in Sydney, I got into cryptocurrency in 2013, and it lead me down a trajectory in life I could never have foreseen. Getting this tax aspect of it up to date will take a layer of stress off my back.

    I highly recommend Munro’s, Perth.

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  • ★★★★★ — Matt R

    Drew and the team made my 2019 tax return easy. They also made an alteration to my 2018 tax return and I had an unexpected return. Highly recommended.

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  • ★★★★★ — Effie White

    Christine Prasetia is extremely efficient, always on hand with advice and is a pleasure to work with.

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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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  • ★★★★★ — The Ramsay Family

    Wonderful support and response from the team at Munros. We have been with them for many years covering both business and personal matters. It is a credit to both past and present staff.

    Thank you

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  • ★★★★★ — Alex C

    Munros was really helpful in listening to my situation and taking their time in pointing me to the right direction for my complex tax matters. I high recommend their services!

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  • ★★★★★ — Daniel Stefanelli

    Pleasure working with you guys and one of the best decisions to move forward in our family business with Munros. Utmost professionalism right from answering the phone to all of your advice and support.

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  • ★★★★★ — Nathan Pintabona

    Professional, insightful and always supporting. Christine and Munro’s has helped me through all avenue’s and queries regarding investment, tax return, property, super and general finance. Really appreciative of their work and highly recommend!

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  • ★★★★★ — Nathan Pintabona

    Professional, insightful and always supporting. Christine and Munro’s has helped me through all avenue’s and queries regarding investment, tax return, property, super and general finance. Really appreciative of their work and highly recommend!

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  • ★★★★★ — Ivan

    They know what they are doing. No matter how complex your accounting is, Munro’s is the way to go. They also have international experience. Drew and Mike’s expertise and responsiveness won’t disappoint you.

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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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  • ★★★★★ — Leslie & Joan O'Halloran

    MUNROS what a great team:

    Munros have supported 3 generations of the O’Halloran family from Kojonup over the past 50 years. Starting with Donald Munro when he was Wesfarmers client Accountant.

    We are very grateful for their ongoing support in all accounting matters. Simon, Christine and their team are always willing to help whenever we need it.

    Congratulations on your 50-year celebration. All the best for the future.

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  • ★★★★★ — Gary Smallacombe

    I can highly recommend Tony and Michael at Munros – they have done my family affairs for several years now and couldn’t be more happier with the service I receive. The quality and professionalism of the work is second to none.

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  • ★★★★★ — Graeme Bassett

    We are delighted with the friendly, knowledgeable and efficient service Simon and his team provide.
    We have tested Simon’s patience and humour over the years but he has always managed to come through with a smile.

    Thank you to Simon and his team!

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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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  • ★★★★★ — 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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  • ★★★★★ — Adrian van Bart

    I came over to Australia with a highly complicated cryptocurrency investing and trading portfolio. I never realised that I had to declare this in my tax returns as I had never cashed out into my bank account. I soon discovered that every transaction is taxable irrespective of whether or not you cash out. I contacted Munro’s in an outright panic and was put through to Cherie and explained everything to her. She immediately put me at ease and took control of my situation. From the start it was evident that I was in the care of a real professional tax consultant. I handed her a nightmare on a plate (3 years of highly complicated transactions) and she seamlessly worked through it. Cherie has incredible knowledge and experience and through this, Munro’s saved us thousands of dollars. I will remain at Munro’s until the very end. Thank you Cherie, you are the most knowledgeable and professional tax consultant that I have ever dealt with.

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  • ★★★★★ — Jenny Bourke

    We followed Mike Beer when he joined Munros and have been with them ever since. Mike has been a huge help over many years. He is always available to answer even the most basic/ extraordinarily naive questions, and always with a generous and helpful attitude.

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  • ★★★★★ — 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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  • ★★★★★ — Andy & Mary

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  • ★★★★★ — Andy & Mary

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  • ★★★★★ — Ginny Wu

    Josephine and the Munros team have looked after our accounting affairs for more then 10 years. I am incredibly pleased with the quality of the service they provided. They are professional, trustworthy and patient all the time. Highly recommend Munros.

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  • ★★★★★ — Ferrante Alvarezdetoledo

    Happy 50 years !!! I joined Munro’s in 1974 just close to when the accounting firm had started, Don Munro was my accountant at the time and helped greatly in all my various problems and successes and he still remained a very dear friend to me; now Simon Strawbridge is looking after me and I can only praise all the work that he has been doing for me not only in accounting, but also in advising my various legal problems and investments.

    I can only say well done to the whole team and hope that I will still be their client in the coming years.

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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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  • ★★★★★ — Esteban Aguilar

    Thanks Mike and the team for making it easy to process my personal tax and for answering all my questions and concerns around CGT.

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  • ★★★★★ — Roger York

    Thanks Drew and Munros for helping me with my taxes.

    Highly recommended

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  • ★★★★★ — Moree Grazing Co, Tambellup WA

    We have been clients of Munro’s (and Donald F Munro & Assoc. before that) for more than 50 years and have always found them to be right on point with their advice and work. Nothing is too much trouble to research and the responses always given in easy-to-understand language. We love that the K.I.S.S principle is used (keep-it-simple-stupid!) We can’t thank Simon and Carl enough for the great service that they provide. I have also, in community roles, worked with Barry Virgo and Ian Arblaster over the years on Co-operative business and their knowledge was second to none.

    Thank you and congratulations Munro’s on 50 years + in business.

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  • ★★★★★ — Justis Blackwell

    Drew and the team at Munros have made my cryptocurrency accounting a breeze primarily for tax purposes and to ensure all previous years were reconciled correctly given my previous tax agents literally had no idea despite their knowledge of my crypto holdings for the past 2 tax years. Well done Drew, well done Munros for specialising in this space. Great job!!

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  • ★★★★★ — Ward Adam

    The family began with Don Munro at Wesfarmers. Simon and his professional staff at Munros have continued to give excellent service and advice over many years. Lil Ward and Carol look forward to our association with you in the future. Congratulations on 50 years.

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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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  • ★★★★★ — 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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