VBA was engaged to advise on the strategic sale of a long-established natural stone supply business servicing the premium residential and commercial construction market. Operating within a specialised segment of the building materials industry, the business had established a strong reputation among architects, interior designers, builders and high-end residential clients through its curated product range, established supplier relationships and long-standing industry presence.

Most business owners focus on growth by chasing more volume. More leads, more marketing, more staff, and more operational pressure. Yet many businesses are overlooking a far simpler and more profitable opportunity. Pricing. A disciplined pricing strategy can increase profit faster than revenue growth, often without materially increasing overheads, staffing, or operational complexity. The problem is that pricing decisions are rarely approached strategically. They are usually e

One of our client’s has been advised by their accountant to acquire an expensing vehicle before year end. We disagreed, here’s why. As 30 June approaches, a familiar conversation starts to surface with SME clients. “Should we buy an asset before year end to reduce tax?” On the surface, it feels like a logical move. Bring forward expenditure, reduce taxable income, and pay less tax. But as you know, the real question is not whether tax can be reduced. The real question is whet

April is not just the start of the final quarter. It is your last genuine opportunity to influence both your reported profit and your actual cash position before year-end. Most business owners drift into Q4. Revenue lands where it may, costs follow operational pressure, and tax becomes a hindsight outcome. That approach leaves money on the table. The alternative is to take control now. Structure the quarter deliberately, forecast your tax position early, and understand exactl

Customer acquisition cost is often treated as a marketing problem. When it rises, the instinctive reaction is to reduce advertising spend or change agencies. In reality, customer acquisition cost is rarely just a marketing issue. It is an economic performance issue that reflects how well the entire business converts, prices, and retains its customers. So how do we improve quality and profitability (or revenue) in a disciplined, measurable way? Customer acquisition cost sits a

At the beginning of a new year, most business owners feel they have time. Twelve months look long. Targets feel flexible. Decisions can wait until there is more clarity. In reality, the year is usually decided far earlier than expected. By the end of March, most businesses have already locked in their financial and operational trajectory. What happens for the remaining nine months is typically execution, not reinvention. The first ninety days matter because they establish beh

A year-end reset that strengthens valuation readiness. By December , most SME owners are running on depleted bandwidth. Operational noise climbs, strategic focus narrows, and the owner becomes the default problem solver for every unresolved issue. When the break finally arrives owners often step away physically while their mind continues to run the business. The result is rest without restoration. If you want the new year to begin with clarity rather than exhaustion, the sma

When a buyer describes a business as scalable, they do not just mean it could grow. They mean it is ready to grow structurally, financially, and operationally without strain. Scalability is one of the quiet multipliers of business value. Two companies may report the same profit today, yet the one that can increase revenue without a matching rise in costs will command a much higher multiple. Most owners believe their business is scalable, but very few can actually prove it. Wh

When valuing a business, one question stands out more than almost any other: “How predictable is the future income?” Revenue is the headline, recurrence is the story behind it, and it’s one of the strongest drivers of business value. Most owners assume recurring revenue means a subscription model—software, or gyms. But in reality, any business can build recurring value, even if it doesn’t have a subscription plan in sight. Accountants are perfectly placed to help their clie

A General Manager (GM) hire is arguably the best move a business can make to build a sustainable, more valuable asset for the proprietor....

Whether a business already has a salesforce or the owner is the only rainmaker, it’s important to remove the guesswork when increasing...

On paper, they can look like gold: long-term agreements, impressive values, promises of recurring revenue. But the reality is not all...

Customer Profile Matters The profile of a company’s customers, including how they buy, how long they stay, how much it costs to win them,...

When contemplating the acquisition of a business, the right approach to structuring debt can significantly impact your financial...

When you're preparing to sell your business, clean financials are just the beginning. What separates sellers who attract serious buyers...

Effective financial management is the backbone of any successful business, and accurate accounting processes are crucial for...

When selling a business, one of the most crucial financial aspects to consider is the working capital target in the share sale...