Insights
6 min read
How to sell an insurance brokerage in Canada: the book, the earnings and the licence
A brokerage is priced on its earnings at 4.0 to 6.5 times, or on its book at two to three times commission income. Retention decides which number holds, and the licence passes through the Principal Broker.
6 min read
How to sell a business in Quebec: the rules that differ
The stages of a sale are the same across Canada, and Quebec adds its own rules, from a second tax return to the language of employment contracts. Each rule is here with what to prepare, gathered in a table at the end.
6 min read
When a business sale falls through: what happens next
Deals tend to break at a few known points, and each one has a step that prevents or repairs it. This piece covers what the owner keeps after a break and how to start again.
6 min read
How to sell a software or managed IT services company in Canada
Technology businesses in Canada sell for 4.5 to 7.5 times adjusted earnings, and subscription software is likely to be priced on recurring revenue instead. Why monthly contracts raise the price, and the two diligence questions on code ownership and SR&ED.
6 min read
Selling a business with a partner: shotgun clauses and the shareholder agreement
When two owners sell, the shareholder agreement decides the order of events. How a shotgun clause works in Canada, and how partners settle a price they disagree on.
6 min read
How to sell a restaurant in Canada, and what it is worth
Restaurants in Canada sell for 2.0 to 3.5 times adjusted earnings, one of the lower ranges, and the lease often carries more value than the kitchen. How the liquor licence passes to a buyer, and what a buyer credits from your records.
