2026 M&A Outlook for the Lower Middle Market
What Business Owners Need to Know in 2026 At the start of 2026, the lower middle market is showing steady and disciplined M&A activity. Deal flow remains active, capital is available, and buyers are engaged. What has shifted is not demand, but how decisions are being made. Buyers are more deliberate, diligence is more thorough, and fundamentals are […]
M&A Market Snapshot: Sector Valuations CPAs Should Watch
CPAs are trusted advisors. That means they’re often the first to hear when a client is thinking about a sale or restructuring. By having a pulse on sector valuations, a CPA can engage in those conversations with confidence. To help, Viking is committed to providing market-leading transaction insights. Here, we analyzed our most recent 100 transactions. […]
2025 M&A Outlook for the Lower Middle Market
Multiple factors are aligning to create a dynamic M&A environment for closely held businesses in 2025. Declining interest rates, a surplus of private equity capital, and a wave of generational transitions are converging to fuel deal activity. These factors, paired with increased confidence in the post-election economy, point to a dynamic and competitive M&A landscape […]
7 Tax Credits for Business Owners
As tax season approaches, it’s no surprise that no entrepreneur looks forward to it. But, there is a bit of hope: many tax credits for business owners are available if you know what to look for. While Viking Mergers & Acquisitions cannot give tax advice, we can connect you with an excellent tax advisor if […]
SBA Issues Change of Conditions for a Seller Note
We wanted to share some important changes that the SBA has issued and what that means for both Buyers and Sellers. The SBA changed the conditions for a Seller Note to be considered part of the Buyers Equity Injection (aka Down Payment). Under the former guidelines, the seller note must be on Full Standby (no […]
23 Tax Deductions for Business Owners
The U.S. tax code can be dense and confusing, especially for businesses. There are many rules about which expenses you can write off and which don’t qualify. On top of that, only some expenses are fully deductible, while others are partially deductible. Although we cannot advise on your taxes, Viking Mergers & Acquisitions […]
When to Sell Your Business: 4 Key Predictors
Timing is critical when planning an exit strategy, and business owners must consider several factors. In our 26+ years of assisting business owners in their exit planning, “when is the right time to sell?” is a question we hear all the time. But from an owner’s standpoint, this could be tricky to predict. Is it […]
Viking Intern Returns to App State With Valuable Experience
We were extremely fortunate to have Conrad Nelsen spend three months with the Viking Mergers & Acquisitions team in Charlotte, NC. Conrad was our Spring 2020 recipient of the Viking Entrepreneur Endorsement Scholarship. He is working towards a double major at Appalachian State University in Finance & Banking and Risk Management & Insurance, along with […]
What is Amortization in EBITDA? How to Understand & Calculate EBITDA
At Viking Mergers & Acquisitions, we consistently express to our clients that performing a valuation of their business is the first step in planning a successful exit strategy. Business valuations include many moving parts, and understanding specific components of the process can give an entrepreneur an idea of what their business is worth. What Is […]
Examples of Mergers & Acquisitions: 8 Factors for Success
Mergers and acquisitions are often discussed together, but the terms are not actually interchangeable. The term merger refers to a strategic process whereby two or more companies mutually enter a legal agreement to form a new business entity. Large scale examples of mergers include the 1998 merger of Exxon Corp and Mobil Corp to become […]
Seller’s Discretionary Earnings Explained
Seller’s Discretionary Earnings Definition Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) is a cash-flow-based estimate of the total financial benefit a full time owner-operator derives from the business on an annual basis. This measure helps compare the cash flows and values of businesses by “recasting” or “normalizing” their financial statements. The nature of the SDE allows prospective buyers, […]
What Will a Business Broker Help Do?
More than ever, business owners are realizing the need for increased efficiency and responsiveness to change, and whether you are buying or selling a business, bringing in the right kind of help can make all the difference. But what will a business broker help do that you can’t do for yourself? This is a worthwhile […]
LLC vs C-Corp vs S-Corp: Choosing a Business Structure
Starting a business is an exciting venture, and choosing the right business structure is an important step. The business structure you choose will influence everything from day-to-day operations to taxes and how much of your personal assets are at risk. Be sure to choose a business structure that gives you the right balance of legal […]
Viking Celebrates 25 Years in Business with New Branding
As we approach our 25th year anniversary, 6-years since I purchased my father’s interest out of Viking, we knew it was time to improve. Our first step was hiring a senior level executive to oversee the marketing of the firm and surround him with the right team to accomplish our goals. Our Director of Marketing, […]
What is the Best Way to Sell Your Small Business?
After investing years, money, and passion into your small business, when it is time to sell, it is worth doing it properly. Working with a reputable business broker is the best way to ensure that you find the right buyer for your business and achieve the best outcome both financially and relationally. What should I […]
M&A Firm vs. Industry Expert – Which One Should You Choose
Why You Should Choose an M&A Firm When Selling Your Business If you are considering selling your business, you may have considered enlisting the services of an industry expert. It certainly seems reasonable that someone with industry-specific expertise could help maximize the success of your sale. However, if a successful sale means achieving the best […]
Change in Presidential Administration: What might that mean for selling your business?
Every four years, business owners who have considered selling a business will pause to consider how a change in presidential administration might affect that sale. Regardless of the anticipated details, the uncertainty itself can cause anxiety for any business owner. This is why, even in the most certain and predictable times, utilizing the expertise of […]
When Should I Sell My Business? 4 Signs to Look For
7 Steps to Selling a Business
The timeline and details involved in selling a business can vary widely depending on the company’s size, location, and industry; but, the overall steps to selling a business are fairly consistent across the board. We recommend using a professional advisor to help you get top dollar. Below, we outline the 7 steps to selling a […]
4 Tips for Getting the Most for Your IT Business
Getting the most for your IT business begins with maximizing your IT business valuation. Here, we have narrowed down 3 things that business owners can prioritize to help increase the value of their IT business, even if selling is not on the immediate horizon. #1. Organize Your Financials Regardless of your exit timeline, now is […]