Your numbers tell a story.

Your financials are the first, and often the most scrutinised indicator of business quality.

But it’s not just about performance. It’s about credibility.

Buyers look for consistency, reliability, and transparency in how results are reported, and forecasts are built. Strong businesses can fall short if their financial story is unclear or poorly presented.

Financial readiness is a value lever

In the Irish mid-market, many owner-managed companies still rely on Excel models, instinctive forecasting, or bespoke systems. That often works perfectly well operationally – but in a transaction, it can create risk.

Buyers want to see:

• Normalised and defendable earnings.
• Clear working capital trends and accompanying support.
• Considered forecasts that make commercial and operational sense.
• Clean, system-driven reporting that can stand up to diligence. 

Weak reporting is one of the top three reasons deals fall away – or get chipped late in the process. We assess that risk early.

Key focus areas for deal-grade financials

1. Quality of earnings (QoE)
Buyers pay for sustainable, repeatable profits. A pre-deal QoE review helps clarify true EBITDA, strip out anomalies, and present the real story of performance. This is critical for price anchoring and buyer trust.

2. Working capital
Disagreements over working capital can erode value late in a process. Establishing a clear normalised position and understanding any seasonal or cyclical movements, helps de-risk negotiations and reduce post-completion tension. Early advice here also drives incremental value.

3. Forecasting
Robust forecasts underpin strong valuations. When relevant, they should align with historical trends, market dynamics, and internal capacity. Sensitivity analysis (e.g. downside cases) shows buyers that you understand your business drivers and risk profile.

4. Reporting systems
Finance teams need to promptly deliver clean, reliable numbers during diligence – without distracting from BAU. Where systems are fragmented or overly manual, buyers may build in risk discounts. Early investment in refined reporting pays off in deal context.

5. Cash and Capex
Free cash flow is central to most buyer models. Showing a clear link between investment, growth and returns – particularly in capital-intensive or project-based businesses – strengthens the investment thesis and your negotiation position.

How RSM Ireland can help

We support clients with:

• Pre-deal QoE reviews and red-flag reporting.
• Working capital analysis and considered target setting.
• Forecast model building and review.
• Interim or part-time finance function support.

Buyers want transparency, not perfection. But the more consistent and credible your numbers, the more likely they are to support a strong and deliverable valuation.