Your Future on Your Terms.
Seller Advisory
The external sale of your firm is one of the most significant decisions you can make as a business owner.
It’s complex, deeply personal, and typically uncharted territory for an owner. Working solely with architecture, engineering, and construction firms, we use our deep industry knowledge and experience to simplify a complicated process and help you realize the full potential of your transaction and your future.
M&A insight is led by AEC professionals who are committed to your future.
Pre-Acquisition Preparation
Preparation that Pays
Being prepared to sell your firm involves more than timing and emotional readiness. It also includes presenting your firm in the best possible light for a prospective buyer. Understanding your company culture and aligning processes and disciplines to focus on maximizing profits and minimizing risk creates a strong foundation for selling.
SN provides services to help you prepare your firm for sale including, but not limited to:
- Financial and operational benchmarking
- Business improvement analysis
- Cultural assessment
- IT infrastructure and risk assessment
- Firm valuation
Firm Valuation
Discover Your Value
Knowing your value is imperative when selling your business. Considering the many factors that affect value, SN will provide you with a professional, unbiased opinion of your firm’s worth to use during a buy/sell opportunity.
The methods used to analyze your individual situation include, but are not limited to:
- Discounted cash flow method
- Capitalized earnings method
- Ratio methods appropriate for the AE industry
- Net cash flow plus excess equity method
- Guideline public company method and M&A method
All valuation analyses are conducted with the utmost confidentiality.
Strategic Buyer Identification
Setting the Stage
The process of selling your firm and connecting with potential buyers requires a commitment to confidentiality. Leveraging extensive M&A experience, the SN team will develop your confidential business profile, be a resource for sharing critical, personal information, and make the initial contact with a potential buyer all while keeping you protected.
Once you’re ready to start negotiations, we’ll guide you every step of the way. You benefit from working with a team that has been on both sides of the negotiation table. We leverage that knowledge and insight to help you navigate this important yet uncharted territory.
Deal Structure & Negotiation
Moving Forward, Together
When the objective is to reach a mutually agreeable, non-binding letter of intent, you can be certain that there are many details involved. Our extreme attention to those details comes from our many years of experience. We’re proud to say that we have a long track record of signed letters of intent resulting in successful transactions.
SN will take the facilitation lead to arrange meetings with your prospective buyer(s) and provide the information needed to move you toward a deal.
More than an advisor, we are your advocate during this important transition.
Closing Assistance
Reach Your Goal & Start Your Future
Our role is to navigate the process seamlessly with minimal disruption to you and your staff. SN will collaborate with you, your advisors, and the prospective buyer to work toward closing the transaction. This includes developing a mutually acceptable due diligence plan and conducting appropriate meetings at critical points in the transaction timeline.
SN will provide support and assistance with different types of meetings, including:
- Internal meetings with staff to present acquisition strategy and answer questions
- Meetings for the buyer to meet key employees and conduct due diligence
- Meetings to review and negotiate a Definitive Purchase Agreement
- Meeting to close on sale
Preparation that Pays
Being prepared to sell your firm involves more than timing and emotional readiness. It also includes presenting your firm in the best possible light for a prospective buyer. Understanding your company culture and aligning processes and disciplines to focus on maximizing profits and minimizing risk creates a strong foundation for selling.
SN provides services to help you prepare your firm for sale including, but not limited to:
- Financial and operational benchmarking
- Business improvement analysis
- Cultural assessment
- IT infrastructure and risk assessment
- Firm valuation
Discover Your Value
Knowing your value is imperative when selling your business. Considering the many factors that affect value, SN will provide you with a professional, unbiased opinion of your firm’s worth to use during a buy/sell opportunity.
The methods used to analyze your individual situation include, but are not limited to:
- Discounted cash flow method
- Capitalized earnings method
- Ratio methods appropriate for the AE industry
- Net cash flow plus excess equity method
- Guideline public company method and M&A method
All valuation analyses are conducted with the utmost confidentiality.
Setting the Stage
The process of selling your firm and connecting with potential buyers requires a commitment to confidentiality. Leveraging extensive M&A experience, the SN team will develop your confidential business profile, be a resource for sharing critical, personal information, and make the initial contact with a potential buyer all while keeping you protected.
Once you’re ready to start negotiations, we’ll guide you every step of the way. You benefit from working with a team that has been on both sides of the negotiation table. We leverage that knowledge and insight to help you navigate this important yet uncharted territory.
Moving Forward, Together
When the objective is to reach a mutually agreeable, non-binding letter of intent, you can be certain that there are many details involved. Our extreme attention to those details comes from our many years of experience. We’re proud to say that we have a long track record of signed letters of intent resulting in successful transactions.
SN will take the facilitation lead to arrange meetings with your prospective buyer(s) and provide the information needed to move you toward a deal.
More than an advisor, we are your advocate during this important transition.
Reach Your Goal & Start Your Future
Our role is to navigate the process seamlessly with minimal disruption to you and your staff. SN will collaborate with you, your advisors, and the prospective buyer to work toward closing the transaction. This includes developing a mutually acceptable due diligence plan and conducting appropriate meetings at critical points in the transaction timeline.
SN will provide support and assistance with different types of meetings, including:
- Internal meetings with staff to present acquisition strategy and answer questions
- Meetings for the buyer to meet key employees and conduct due diligence
- Meetings to review and negotiate a Definitive Purchase Agreement
- Meeting to close on sale
The Ownership Transition Playbook
Gain the strategic clarity needed to protect your firm’s legacy and maximize transactional value.
Phase 1 | Strategy & Readiness
Positioning Your Firm to Sell with Confidence
Strengthen your firm’s value drivers—from project controls to cultural health—to align with strategic buyer expectations.
Phase 2 | Diligence & Negotiation
Managing Expectations and Protecting Value
Navigate the complexities of AEC-specific due diligence, from revenue recognition audits to mitigating red flags in your backlog.
Phase 3 | Continuity & Legacy
Transitioning for Long-Term Stability
Ensure a successful handover by prioritizing leadership continuity, cultural alignment, and personal post-sale objectives.
“…a strong M&A and accounting team. I highly recommend SN.”
“I’m not sure I would have made it through this merger without a strong M&A and accounting team.
I would highly recommend the SN team.”
Former President
Confidential AE Firm
Meet the People Behind Our Passion
