Buying and Selling Businesses takes the guesswork out of buying, selling, and valuing businesses. Drawing on highly developed skills and decades of practical experience, author William W. Bumstead explains every detail of every stage in the process - from arriving at an asking price to matching buyers to businesses, from negotiating a purchase agreement to closing the deal. He offers countless tips on marketing intermediary services to business buyers and sellers; packaging businesses for the selling process; ethical, legal, and confidentiality issues; and the personal and professional traits that make for success in the field. He also provides: a special section on business valuation by master valuer George D. Abraham; numerous checklists, forms, form letters, and telephone scripts for marketing intermediary services; invaluable tips on avoiding pitfalls in the industry; information on potential certification and licensing of intermediaries; and an extensive professional glossary and industry resource list. For consultants, intermediaries, attorneys, CPAs, realtors, and other professionals, Buying and Selling Businesses is an indispensable guide and introduction to the industry.