Allan Johnson
Published Articles
Arnold P Kelsey Specialises in the Deals That Demand More
When a highly profitable industrial equipment importing and distribution business sat on the market for a year without meaningful interest, its owner was running out of patience. After more than a decade of building the company, he had a clear goal to sell the... Read More » 6 min read
Why Does This Financial Year Feel Different Already? It’s...
Recent changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing have occupied much of the news cycle since the government’s latest tax reform measures were released. But while those proposals continue through the usual process of debate, back-tracking, carve-outs... Read More » 7 min read
How Can an Accountant Help Sell Your Business?
The decision to sell your business can be an emotional one. This event is the culmination of your ownership as you “cash in” all the time and dollars you have invested into this business. It also represents a significant change in your life -... Read More » 2 min read
7 Ways Your Accountant Can Help in Due Diligence When Buying a...
You’ve spotted a business that feels like the perfect fit. The numbers look good, the location seems ideal, and you’re already imagining yourself as the new owner. But before you sign on the dotted line, there’s one essential step you can&rs... Read More » 2 min read
Opportunity to Acquire Gilgai Tavern, a Cornerstone in Kalba...
Situated on the mouth of the Murchison River as it flows into the Indian Ocean is the picturesque town of Kalbarri, almost 600 kilometers north of Perth. At the heart of the friendly community of Kalbarri is the newly-renovated Gilgai Tavern. With two fully... Read More » 2 min read
How to Find Hidden Contracts and Agreements When Buying a...
What you don’t know can hurt you. And, if you are buying a business, what you don’t know can be disastrous! Before you run away from buying any business, consider this: the whole due diligence process is focused on revealing what you don&rs... Read More » 3 min read
Why Your Accountant and Business Broker May Recommend A Diff...
Whatever your reasons for selling... retirement, a new opportunity, or simply time for a change, one of the first questions most owners ask is... "what can i sell my business for?" For many business owners, the first stop is the accountant. That makes sense it&... Read More » 4 min read
Don’t Sell a Business - Until You Understand Your Tax Obli...
You don’t need to be a tax guru, but there are some things you need to understand. You don’t need me to tell you that selling your business is a big deal. It’s your chance to cash in on the years of hard work, lost family time, and mental... Read More » 6 min read
EBITDA, EBITA, and EBIT: What These Mean and Why Accountants...
The late Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett’s long-term business partner, is quoted as saying: “Every time you hear EBITDA, just substitute it with ‘bullsh*t’.” Probably a bit harsh! When used as an analysis tool, EBITDA (and its... Read More » 3 min read
Asset Purchase vs. Share Purchase: Which is Right for You?
In a recent article, I mentioned (as a side issue) that there is a difference between buying a business and buying an entity. That generated a few comments, so I will devote this guide to a fuller discussion of the issues. Buying a small business is a signifi... Read More » 5 min read
Non-Compete Agreements and Their Impact on Your Business...
A successful business acquisition involves finding a suitable business, making sure the profits, assets, financials, and operational systems justify the price and settling the deal. Right? Not quite. You also need to consider the impact on your newly acquired... Read More » 3 min read
5 Ways to Identify Potential Liabilities When Acquiring a...
Imagine finding the perfect business—the financials look great, the location is prime, and the potential seems unlimited. But beneath the surface, could a minefield of liabilities lurk, ready to explode? These things happen. I knew a first-time business... Read More » 2 min read
Don’t Buy a Business Until You’ve Seen Its BAS, PAYG, and...
The headline says it all. Reviewing the tax compliance of any business you are considering as a potential purchase is essential. You must include it as part of your due diligence. Here’s why. But first, we must make sure we all understand where to... Read More » 3 min read
Does The Cyber Monday Hype Have You Thinking About Buying an...
BFCM is nearly here … This abbreviation will excite online shoppers (and isn’t that many of us? - it’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales), but what if you are thinking of buying an online business instead of buying from an online... Read More » 3 min read
AIBB Deal Maker: How Jonathon Parker is Dominating Hospitality...
Winning the prestigious AIBB Deal Maker of the Year for 2024 was a pleasant surprise for Jonathon Parker, a creative business broker in Perth. “It was quite a surprise actually, and at my first AIBB Conference. But it was really good to actually attend the... Read More » 4 min read
Assessing Business Systems and Processes Before You Buy
Whilst financials are important when buying a business, arguably one of the most important aspects of a business is its systems and how well it operates. Especially when you are buying a business and the current "big boss" is stepping away. You need to know... w... Read More » 3 min read
Does a Business' Debt Matter When Buying a Business?
Short answer: YES! But that’s not the end of the story. Read on to get the whole picture. Every business owner knows that debt can cripple a business, so when buying a business, avoiding existing debt is the best outcome. A buyer can acquire a... Read More » 3 min read
What a Depreciation Schedule Means When Buying a Business
When buying a business, the financial details can sometimes feel overwhelming, and one term you’ll likely encounter is the depreciation schedule. The good news is that the mechanics of a depreciation schedule are straightforward (see below). However... Read More » 4 min read
Understanding Cash Flow Statements and Their Importance in...
You know the business is profitable, asset position is strong, and the business is growing, but is it a deal? Maybe, but have you considered the business's cash flow requirements? Before you commit, you need to dissect the cash flow statement. A cash flow sta... Read More » 2 min read
Ray Dye: A Business Broker’s Journey of Trust, Relationships...
With a career spanning three continents and three unique business environments, Ray Dye brings diverse experiences to his role as a business broker at Ozpax Business Sales. Ray’s family emigrated to Australia from Tanganyika when Ray was relatively young.... Read More » 6 min read
Kathryn Wilkie: The Role of a Business Analyst
An unwavering passion for client service has driven the career of Kathryn Wilkie, a business analyst at Xcllusive Business Sales in Newcastle. Kathryn started her career in finances in banking. “I loved being able to bring people's finances into lig... Read More » 7 min read
Sip, Sell, Succeed: Hugo Martin's Approach to Business Broki...
As the dynamic co-host of a weekly online video series that has been running for over four years, Hugo Martin has proved that he is willing to think differently when it comes to business broking. “My wife encouraged me to start building an online presence... Read More » 6 min read
Powerhouse Partnership: Dynamic Duo Sets New Standards as...
Are two heads better than one? “Absolutely!” say Steven Mostafa and Nadia Polzella of LINK Business Brokers in Melbourne. This multi-award-winning team has worked together since 2020, but their paths to becoming business brokers were vastly... Read More » 7 min read
Lessons Learnt from Building and Selling a $20 Million Busin...
The experience of watching his parents lose everything in bankruptcy while he was still a teenager has become a powerful inspiration for Kobi Simmat, the author of How to Build a Business Others Want to Buy. Kobi explained the impact this experience has had on... Read More » 4 min read
Veteran Business Broker Tony Arena Explores the Future of...
As a veteran of the business broking industry, Tony Arena has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, so the opportunity to meet with him can lead to a riveting conversation. After graduating with an Arts/Law degree, Tony immersed himself in the legal... Read More » 8 min read
Milawa's Historic 160 Year old Property with Four Income Stre...
Originally the first public building in Milawa, this property has been a local icon for over 160 years. Situated on the main road it has served as a courthouse, restaurant, maternity hospital, police station and it has been said that Ned Kelly, awaiting trial... Read More » 3 min read
When Selling a Business, it’s Important to Consider the...
Bill Gates famously observed that “people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in 10 years.” For Barton Cha, the director of Sinosmart Business Brokering in Sydney, the last decade has been one of significant... Read More » 7 min read
LINK’s Expansion Fuels Success
From an inauspicious start as an entrepreneur, Farzin Hesari has worked hard to build powerhouse business brokerages – first in Tasmania before expanding to Melbourne and, more recently, Adelaide. In the early 2000’s, Farzin realised... Read More » 10 min read
