Every transaction requires a seller and a buyer, and The Charter Group works with buyers in two distinct ways... •  Seeking out buyers Under a Sell-Side engagement, our client is the seller and we seek out qualified buyers through a confidential process in order to complete the transaction. These buyers range from individual investors to private equity funds to national or international companies looking for strategic acquisitions. •  Representing buyers We often are engaged by a company to work on their behalf to find a desirable business to acquire. In this scenario, the buyer is our client and our relationship is described as a Buy-Side engagement. Sell-Side Engagements We welcome the opportunity to work with individuals, equity groups and companies who are looking for acquisitions. Once we know a buyer’s qualifications and acquisition criteria, we can match them to Sell-Side opportunities that we represent. Consequently, many of our completed transactions are with pre-qualified buyers who we begin working with prior to being engaged by clients seeking to sell their companies. Buy-Side Engagements Buy-Side engagements are an effective way for a buyer to find an acquisition which meets their specific criteria. Representing the buyer, The Charter Group can search locally, regionally or nationally for companies fitting the buyer’s requirements. We then confidentially contact the owners of those companies to determine their interest in selling. Once interested sellers are identified, we analyze the target’s financials, prepare valuations, arrange for visits, and assist in developing and negotiating an appropriate deal structure. If a proposal is accepted, we assist the buyer and their other professional advisors in completing the due-diligence process and support the transaction through closing.   An overview of our M&A advisory services   Selling a business   Business valuations   Exit strategy planning