XPX Atlanta – (Hybrid Meeting) Financials and A Future Exit: Preparation and process to sharpen business financials for a successful sale

The state of a company’s financials could make or break its future sale. Balance sheets that don’t balance. “Add-backs” that can’t be justified. Messy financials make for lower business valuation or deals that never happen. That’s why financial sharpening is such a critical part of exit planning.

Join us Thursday, Sept 15 from 11am-1pm at the Buckhead Club or on Zoom. You’ll learn from experienced advisors what the key pitfalls are, how to identify them, who you should work with. For example, what do you do if the company doesn’t really have monthly financial statements and relies overwhelmingly on its tax returns? What do you do when an owner has hundreds of thousands in addbacks but no proof? How do you get buyers comfortable with financials reflecting operations when there are no KPIs?

Key topics we will discuss:

• Sharpening a business’s financial picture is about more than just the financial books. It’s about owners understanding their financial, tying financials to operations via KPI’s, forecasts, and more.
• Messy financials are usually about an aversion to paying taxes.
• What’s the difference between a Lifestyle Business and an Enterprise Business?
• Don’t want to pay for a financial audit? Get a review.

What you will learn:

• Understand the connection between team, talent, EBITDA and multiples.
• Know the workforce factors buyers care about when looking at a business.
• Learn about the people problems advisors uncover when planning for a sale, and how to solve them.

Key topics we will discuss:

• Decreasing owner-dependency
• Retaining top talent
• The value of leadership and how to cultivate it
• How high turnover impacts cash flow, customer satisfaction and profit margin
• Structuring people systems that support a successful sale
• Can you "save jobs" when sellers care deeply about their people?
• How to speak with owners about their people challenges
• Exit Transparency – when to say something to the team, and how

Moderator:

John Ray
President
North Fulton Business Radio X

John Ray, a well-known finance expert, focuses on helping business owners achieve a better bottom line. As founder of Ray Business Advisors, John advises entrepreneurs and business owners on myriad issues related to growth and profitability. Ray Business Advisors helps small to mid-sized companies achieve their profit and growth goals while simultaneously relieving the burden of accounting, bookkeeping, and back office administrative work.

John also hosts “North Fulton Business Radio” from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX®, where he interviews the area’s top business and community leaders. John also speaks at numerous business events and seminars around Metro Atlanta.

Panelists:

Eric Kreimer, ASA
Managing Director & Principal
Applied Economics

Mr. Kreimer is a managing director and principal at Applied Economics. He originates and manages both corporate finance and business valuation assignments with a focus in the healthcare services and technology sectors. Typical corporate finance transactions include sell-side advisory services, capital raise assignments, ESOP installations and fairness opinions. Typical valuation assignments include businesses, complex equity and debt securities, financial derivatives and intellectual property. Mr. Kreimer has over 25 years of experience, having previously worked for CBIZ, PwC, Morgan Keegan and Bank America Securities. Mr. Kreimer graduated from the University of Virginia and later received his MBA at the University of Georgia. 



Kevin Sledge
VP, Commercial Banker
Synovus Bank

Kevin Sledge is committed to providing financial solutions that will support growth and effective management of middle market companies in the Georgia market with annual revenues ranging from $10MM to $75MM. Responsible for providing comprehensive corporate banking needs related to debt financing, funding strategic growth, treasury management and liquidity solutions.

Kevin’s 20+ years of experience and connections in the Atlanta market, provides his clients and partners with unique access to the various business disciplines, strategies and networks built over the years.

Kevin Sledge received his B.S. in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ) and MBA in Finance from Iona College (NY). Kevin also holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation.

Robert Stephens
Managing Partner
CFO Navigator

A fractional Chief Financial Officer, Robert fills a critical gap for growing privately held businesses and non-profit organizations that do not have the budget or need for a full-time CFO. Robert has advised over 75+ organizations during his 30+ year career and strives to bring “Wall Street” worthy financial expertise to local “Main Street” companies by turning his financial insight into their business foresight.

Robert serves on the Chattahoochee Tech Foundation Board of Advisors and was previously Board Chairman of the Boys & Girls Club of Paulding and the North Paulding Band Foundation. Robert earned his BSBA in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi, is a member of Vistage International, Leadership Cobb and the Georgia Society of CPAs. He has two adult sons and resides with his wife in north metro Atlanta.