As small business transactions reach record high levels, new certification allows B2B CFO Partners to guide business owners through sale process
MESA, Ariz., Dec 18, 2014 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Small business sales increased again this year, giving strong validation to a trend that B2B CFO Partners have closely followed. B2B CFO, the largest CFO services firm in the nation, has been on the forefront of the exit strategy developments, monitoring the pace of the market and creating resources for business owners. In addition to publishing an exit strategy guidebook and developing a proprietary software platform that helps owners understand and examine the sales process, B2B CFO also introduced a new certification program specifically designed to prepare the firm’s Partners for guiding business owners through the complex issues of selling their companies.
Today, B2B CFO is proud to announce that currently 121 out of the firm’s 211 Partners have passed the strenuous exam and earned the Certified Business Transition Expert™ designation. The new designation allows B2B CFO Partners to help business owners prepare for and execute their business transitions. Business transitions range from a sale to a third party, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), or to a family member and are typically the single largest event in an owner’s business life.
“A deep understanding and knowledge of the complex dynamics involved in a sale of a business is a critical element for success in today’s economy,” said Jerry L. Mills, founder and CEO of B2B CFO. “We have worked extremely hard to build this certification program for our Partners. We have brought in experts and outside industry specialists to ensure that we addressed all issues that arise during a business transition. The B2B CFO Partners who carry this credential hold the key to closing the gap in a successful transition. I applaud each B2B CFO Partner who has earned this designation. They have demonstrated giving priority to an incredible business potential and shown their relevance and readiness to the marketplace.”
Small business transactions are up by 18 percent and transaction levels are on track for a record-breaking year, according to a recent BizBuySell.com report. BizBuySell’s quarterly reports are nationally-recognized economic indicators that track the health of the U.S. small business economy. Each quarter, BizBuySell analyzes sales and listing prices of small businesses across the United States based on approximately 45,000 businesses for sale and those recently sold. The BizBuySell Insight Reports focus on over 70 major U.S. markets and publish local, regional, state and national data for trending and analysis.
BizBuySell reported a total of 1,987 closed transactions in the third quarter this year, representing both a 17.9 percent increase from last year and the highest number of small business sales recorded in a third quarter since BizBuySell began tracking data in 2007. In fact, this quarter’s numbers slipped just 2.1 percent from the second quarter of 2014, which remains the most active quarter for small business sales since before the recession. It also keeps 2014 on pace to record the highest number of small business transactions since the report’s inception.
Group General Manager of BizBuySell.com and BizQuest.com Bob House discussed the trends revealed by the Insight Reports stating: “After seeing a return to robust transaction activity during 2013, it’s good to see that we have not plateaued and both buyers and sellers are still eager to make deals happen. There remains a strong supply of quality small businesses on the market. As the economy and financing options continue to improve, buyers remain very interested in acquiring small businesses.”
“With baby boomers preparing for retirement it is no surprise that small business sales continue to surge,” added Mills. “Baby boomers are retiring at a rate of approximately 10,000 per day. That means by 2030, 72.8 million boomers will have left the workforce – and many of them are business owners.”
Mills has received national recognition for his predictions of the “Baby Boomer Tsunami,” a trend he anticipates will drive the business sales into a record breaking frenzy. Named as a Thought Leader by the AM&AA and Champion among the 100 Small Business Influencers, B2B CFO is continuing to push the envelope by dedicating talent and resources to educating the public about exit strategies and business transitions. With the firm’s Partners carrying the new designation, B2B CFO is uniquely poised to connect people and data in ways that can rapidly accelerate business outcomes.
All the B2B CFO Partners who carry the Certified Business Transition Expert designation, and can leverage this certification for growth and advancement, can be found at https://www.b2bcfo.com/certified_partners.html.
ABOUT B2B CFO® and B2B Exit
Founded in 1987 by Jerry Mills, B2B CFO® is the fastest growing nationwide CFO and Exit Strategy services company today. The firm provides need-based services to private, closely-held, small and mid-sized businesses. Headquartered in Phoenix, B2B CFO has nationwide presence with CFO Partners in most major markets across the U.S. The Partners specialize in providing senior-level executive services to growing companies who need assistance in finding solutions to their business challenges.
Each B2B CFO Partner is a senior-level executive averaging 25-30 years of experience. For more information, please visit www.B2BCFO.com and www.B2BExit.com
