Evaluate options and prepare for potential transactions before going to market
REAG’s Transaction Readiness Advisory helps business owners see the business the way buyers will — so they can make better decisions earlier, with greater clarity and control, before a formal process begins.
Transactions Closed
Industries Served
Years Lower-MiddleMarket Experience
Many owners assume value is created once a sale process begins. In practice, leverage is often won or lost much earlier — before the market gets involved, while decisions can still be shaped rather than forced.
Issues like earnings quality, customer concentration, owner dependence, and leadership gaps can quietly erode value long before a formal process begins. When those issues surface too late, owners lose control over timing, counterparties, and negotiating position.
Our objective is simple: drive informed decisions, preserve leverage, and stay in control — before external pressure shapes the outcome.
REAG advises owners before a formal transaction process begins, typically 12-36 months (or earlier), when capital, liquidity, and transition decisions are forming, but not yet forced.
Transaction Readiness Advisory isn’t about rushing to market. It’s about making sure that when you do go, you’re going from a position of strength:
We focus on the four areas most likely to influence value, buyer confidence, and decision quality before a process begins.
Clarifying normalized EBITDA, supportable adjustments, and a realistic view of what the business is likely to command in the market
Assessing how buyers and investors will evaluate the business — identifying the risks and structural issues most likely to affect value and deal dynamics
Determining what supports or erodes valuation — and distinguishing between what should be fixed, what can be improved, and what is better understood and positioned
Preparing for buyer scrutiny to reduce delays, disruption, and re-trading risk before timing and pressure increase
We work alongside your legal, tax, and accounting advisors — not in place of them.
Understand current readiness, value drivers and potential transaction issues.
Address the issues most likely to affect value, timing and buyer confidence.
Move forward with greater clarity around whether, when and how to pursue a transaction.
Founder-led, family-owned, or closely held businesses Typically up to $250 million in revenue and up to $25 million in EBITDA Often 12–36 months from a potential transaction, recapitalization, or before a liquidity decision is made Not yet committed to a path, but want clarity on value, timing, and options
CPAs, wealth advisors, attorneys, and Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPAs) Supporting clients facing significant capital or liquidity decisions Looking to improve client preparedness before a formal process begin
Make better decisions before the market narrows options Gain clarity on value, risk, and timing — before external pressure limits flexibility
See the business the way buyers will Understand how value will be assessed, challenged, and potentially discounted in a transaction
Preserve leverage and control Prepare and position the business deliberately — rather than reacting during a process
Work with aligned advisors We work alongside your legal, tax, and accounting team to improve preparedness and strengthen decisions
Transaction Readiness Advisory prepares owners for what comes next. When the time is right, REAG’s other services execute the strategy:
Maximize value and run a competitive transaction process.
Source opportunities and make confident investment decisions.
Structure debt solutions that support growth and transactions.
REAG also works alongside Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPAs) and other advisors throughout the full exit planning process — from the earliest Discover and Prepare phases through formal ownership transition. Transaction Readiness Advisory provides the independent M&A perspective that complements legal, tax, and financial planning work.
Call us at 833-333-REAG (7324) or email info@reag.com
REAG works alongside trusted advisors supporting clients through significant capital and liquidity decisions, providing a buyer-informed M&A perspective before a formal process begins.
Our role is to complement — not replace — the legal, tax, and financial work already in place by helping owners better understand how their business is likely to be evaluated in a transaction, and where value, risk, and structure decisions matter most.
This typically results in:
We work with CEPAs, CPAs, wealth advisors, attorneys, and other professionals supporting owner-led and family-owned businesses in the lower middle market.
Ready to discuss how this might support a client?
Transaction Readiness Advisory prepares owners for what comes next. When the time is right, REAG’s other services execute the strategy:
Exit planning addresses personal, financial, and business readiness across multiple dimensions. Transaction Readiness Advisory is specifically focused on the M&A perspective — how buyers will evaluate the business, what will affect value and deal dynamics, and how to reduce risk and preserve leverage before going to market. REAG works alongside exit planning advisors, including CEPAs, rather than replacing them.
Start 12–36 months before a formal process. The most important steps are clarifying normalized EBITDA, understanding how buyers will evaluate risk in your business, addressing the issues most likely to affect valuation or create diligence problems, and building a realistic view of what the business will command in the market. REAG's Transaction Readiness Advisory guides owners through exactly this work.
Before a process begins — when options are still open and there's still time to address what matters most. Owners 12–36 months from a potential sale, recapitalization, or liquidity event are the best fit. Earlier engagement means more flexibility, more leverage, and better outcomes.
Yes. Many owners we work with haven't committed to a path. They want a clearer view of what's realistic before deciding. Transaction Readiness Advisory is well suited to that stage — it helps owners understand their options without committing to any particular direction.
This is where Transaction Readiness Advisory creates some of its greatest value. A failed process is evidence of where red flagswere exposed too late. We identify what happened, address the underlying issues, and help owners prepare to succeed in a subsequent process.
Yes. We gather market perspective and assess the buyer universe without exposing the business to the market or signaling that a transaction is being considered. Owner control is preserved throughout.
REAG is not a law firm or CPA firm and does not provide investment or wealth management advice. We provide the independent M&A judgment that legal, tax, and accounting advisors aren't positioned to provide — and we work alongside your existing team throughout.
It depends on business complexity and the issues that need to be addressed. Most engagements begin with an assessment phase followed by targeted work in the areas that matter most. We structure each engagement around your timeline and objectives.
Yes. Many clients move directly from Transaction Readiness Advisory into a formal sell-side or recapitalization process with REAG. The readiness work creates a natural foundation that accelerates the formal process and strengthens your position when it begins. Learn more at www.reag.com/sell-side-services.
Fees vary based on scope and complexity. The more relevant question is what it costs not to prepare — a failed process or a re-trade during diligence typically represents a far greater cost than the advisory work that could have prevented it. We're happy to discuss structure and fees directly.
Schedule a Consultation
Call us at 833-333-REAG (7324) or email info@reag.com
See what our clients say about us
Manufacturing – Strategic Legacy Transition
“[REAG] absolutely, without debate, worked in our best interest, solved problems (most of the time before they came about) and did whatever was needed to get us the best possible deal both short and long term.” — Fuzion Technologies, Inc.
Fuzion Technologies, Inc.
“[REAG] absolutely, without debate, worked in our best interest, solved problems (most of the time before they came about) and did whatever was needed to get us the best possible deal both short and long term.” — Fuzion Technologies, Inc.
A Christmas Story House & Museum
“When I went to sell my business, I was on the fence about hiring a broker. I thought I could probably handle it myself. I was a capable businessman. How hard could it really be? In the end I relented and interviewed multiple brokers and REAG stood out from the crowd. I quickly learned I was wrong about handling the transaction myself. The complexity of the transaction from writing a CIM, to financials, to marketing and more would have been too much for me to handle on my own. I am grateful to REAG for gently encouraging me to use their services for my own sake. Without them, I would have failed miserably. The team was amazing and took care of everything I needed.”
A Christmas Story House & Museum
A Christmas Story House & Museum
“When I went to sell my business, I was on the fence about hiring a broker. I thought I could probably handle it myself. I was a capable businessman. How hard could it really be? In the end I relented and interviewed multiple brokers and REAG stood out from the crowd. I quickly learned I was wrong about handling the transaction myself. The complexity of the transaction from writing a CIM, to financials, to marketing and more would have been too much for me to handle on my own. I am grateful to REAG for gently encouraging me to use their services for my own sake. Without them, I would have failed miserably. The team was amazing and took care of everything I needed.”
Manufacturing – Successful Legacy Transition
“Every part of the 8-month process to transition my business was purposely motivated, diligent, detail oriented, and considerate of all of my business skills and requirements.” — Kadee Industries
Kadee Industries
“Every part of the 8-month process to transition my business was purposely motivated, diligent, detail oriented, and considerate of all of my business skills and requirements.” — Kadee Industries
Schedule a discovery call with our senior advisory team so we can understand your needs.
Proud Supporter of
© River’s Edge Alliance Group, LLC. | 2026 All Rights Reserved. | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy |Terms and Conditions
