A merger and acquisition (M&A) advisor helps buyers and sellers of privately-held small businesses complete acquisition transactions. An agency relationship typically exists between the M&A advisor and the buyer or seller. The M&A advisor offers transaction advisory services such as estimating the value of the business, advertising it for sale with or without disclosing its identity, managing initial interviews, discussions, and negotiations, helping with due diligence, and generally assisting with the acquisition.
M&A Advisors service owners of Lower Middle-Market companies – deals that involve complex business transactions with sophisticated buyers, often including intricate deal structuring, and challenging valuation and finance arrangements.
M&A advisors require specific skills including excellent numerical, verbal, and written communication skills, and the capacity to work very long and grueling hours. On Main Street, an M&A advisor is often referred to as a (business) broker. See also Investment Banker.
