Corporate Finance
Find out how we can help you
At haleys, we understand that corporate finance is a complex and ever-changing field.
Corporate Finance Accountants in Preston & Lancashire
Strategic dealmaking, business sales, M&A, and growth fundraising tailored for ambitious business owners.
Navigating a business sale, acquisition, management buy-out (MBO), or capital raise is one of the most critical financial events in a company’s lifecycle. Making the wrong structural or tactical decisions can leave substantial value on the table.
At Haleys Business Advisers, our specialist corporate finance accountants in Preston provide hands-on, deal-focused advisory services. We combine deep commercial acumen with regional knowledge across Lancashire and the North West, helping owner-managed businesses maximize enterprise value, structure tax-efficient transactions, and secure optimum deal terms.
Full-Lifecycle Corporate Finance Advisory
Whether you are planning a strategic exit, buying a competitor, or raising capital to fund expansion, our team guides you through every stage of the transaction.
1. Selling a Business (Sell-Side M&A)
Maximizing the return on years of hard work requires meticulous planning. We assist Preston and North West business owners with pre-sale grooming, formal business valuations, buyer identification, tax structuring (maximizing Business Asset Disposal Relief where applicable), and deal negotiation.
2. Business Acquisitions (Buy-Side Advisory)
Accelerate growth through strategic acquisitions. We help you identify prospective targets, evaluate commercial synergies, build robust financial models, and handle complex deal negotiations to ensure you don't overpay.
3. Management Buy-Outs (MBO) & Buy-Ins (MBI)
Transitioning ownership to key team members requires a delicate balance of valuation, funding, and vendor agreement. We structure tax-efficient MBOs that align the financial interests of outgoing shareholders and incoming management.
4. Growth Capital & Refinancing
Securing funding shouldn't hold back ambition. We connect growing businesses across Lancashire with regional debt funds, commercial banks, private equity investors, and grant providers—building bank-ready financial projections that win investor backing.
5. Due Diligence & Valuations
Making informed deal decisions requires rigorous scrutiny. We conduct comprehensive buy-side financial due diligence and deliver independent, evidence-backed business valuations for transactions, disputes, or shareholder restructures.
How We Support Different Deal Structures
Our Proven 4-Stage Transaction Roadmap
[Phase 1: Valuation & Strategy] ➔ [Phase 2: Sourcing & Pitching] ➔ [Phase 3: Deal Structuring] ➔ [Phase 4: Due Diligence & Completion]
- Phase 1: Valuation & Preparation: Establishing realistic enterprise valuation, identifying key value drivers, and preparing confidential information memorandums (IM).
- Phase 2: Market Engagement: Discretely approaching vetted trade buyers, strategic targets, or funding partners across the UK and North West.
- Phase 3: Heads of Terms & Structuring: Negotiating non-binding offers, deal mechanics (working capital adjustments, earn-outs), and tax-optimized transaction structures.
- Phase 4: Due Diligence & Project Management: Coordinating with legal advisers, managing data rooms, and steering due diligence to a smooth legal completion.
Trusted Dealmakers for Lancashire Business Owners
Headquartered in Preston, Haleys Business Advisers combines high-level corporate finance expertise with accessible, personal service. We understand the specific dynamics of the Lancashire economy—from manufacturing, logistics, and engineering to tech and professional services.
By working closely with local legal partners, regional debt providers, and growth networks across Preston, South Ribble, and the North West, we ensure your transaction is executed seamlessly from initial valuation through to completion.
Corporation tax
Corporation tax reliefs and rates change annually, so we ensure that we can provide all the right guidance and advice when looking at exemptions, allowances and deductions that may be available.
We will thoroughly review and prepare corporation tax returns in great detail in order to ensure you are complaint and that you don’t incur any penalties.
Self assessment
Our tax services make sure that your tax liability is calculated taking into account all allowed exemptions and deductions. We simplify the process by using accountancy software to accurately complete tax returns and calculate any tax liability that may occur, along with any payments that need to be made.
Capital gains tax
You may be looking at investments, a second property or another asset and our team can make sure you maximise your exemptions while simplifying the difficult area of capital gains tax.
Personal tax planning
[insert firm name] can help with the complex issue of personal tax, we know it can be difficult to understand, which is why we help every step of the way. We take away the time and stress by creating a tax planning strategy that suits your tax affairs, helping ensure you pay the least amount of tax. Our team will advise when payments are due along with what forms need to be filed and returned to keep you compliant.
Standard accounting is often retrospective—it focuses on compliance and reporting what has already happened. Our Business Advisory service is prospective. We act as a proactive partner, using data analytics and strategic planning to look forward, helping you drive profits, protect assets, and navigate the specific challenges of your industry.
Yes. Through our Corporate Finance services, we support businesses in navigating the complexities of fundraising, whether through traditional bank loans, grants, or equity investment. We assist with preparing professional business plans and financial forecasts that demonstrate your business’s potential to lenders and investors.
The best time to start planning an exit strategy is now. Successful transitions often require 2 to 5 years of preparation to maximize business value and minimize tax liabilities. We help you groom the business for sale, ensuring your accounts are robust, your processes are documented, and your personal financial future is secured.
We don’t just look at the numbers; we look at the processes behind them. Our team analyzes your payment cycles, identifies bottlenecks in your accounts receivable, and helps implement better credit control systems. By improving your cash flow management, we ensure you have the liquidity needed to seize new opportunities and cover day-to-day operations.
A Virtual Finance Director (VFD) provides your business with the high-level strategic oversight and financial expertise of a traditional FD, but on a flexible, part-time basis. This is ideal for SMEs that need help with growth strategies, budgeting, and financial health monitoring without the overhead cost of a full-time executive hire.
