Josh Rowlands, Business Broker. 8 July 2026 – Launceston, Tasmania

For accountants, the end of financial year is one of the busiest periods on the calendar.

Business owners are making last-minute tax-deductible purchases, completing stocktakes, searching for that missing receipt, finalising payroll, reconciling accounts, lodging returns, and trying to get everything in order before the deadline. At the same time, accountants are juggling a surge of requests from businesses and individuals, many wanting their books updated as quickly as possible so they can understand their tax position, access finance, or simply move on with the new financial year.

It’s a hectic time for everyone.

But for businesses that are already on the market, EOFY brings one additional priority that can directly influence whether a sale progresses or stalls.

Current financial statements.

When a buyer enquires about a business, they will usually review two or three years of historical financial performance. That information tells the story of where the business has been. However, as buyers become more serious, they almost always ask the same question:

“How is the business performing now?”

It’s a fair question.

A buyer isn’t just assessing historical profitability, they’re trying to determine whether today’s performance still supports the asking price. Are sales remaining consistent? Has profitability been maintained? Is the business continuing to grow? Or has something changed since the Information Memorandum was prepared?

Updated financials provide confidence.

Strong, consistent trading reinforces the value proposition and often gives buyers the reassurance they need to take the next step. Even modest growth can strengthen confidence that they’re making a sound commercial decision.

The opposite is also true.

When current financials aren’t available, uncertainty grows. Buyers naturally begin to wonder whether there is a reason for the delay. Interest can cool, momentum can be lost, and attention often shifts to other opportunities where information is readily available.

In business brokerage, buyers are rarely making a decision based on one document alone. They move through a series of stages, initial interest, understanding the opportunity, comparing alternatives, and gradually developing a preference for one business over another.

Updated financial information often becomes the final piece of the puzzle.

It is the evidence that confirms the story presented throughout the sale process and gives buyers the confidence to move from “This looks like a good opportunity” to “I’m ready to make an offer.”

That window doesn’t stay open forever.

Buyers have limited time, competing opportunities and, in many cases, finance approvals or personal circumstances influencing their decisions. Delays in obtaining current financials can mean losing the momentum that has taken months to build.

For accountants, EOFY will always be demanding, and business owners understand that.

However, where a client has a business actively listed for sale, prioritising up-to-date financial statements can have an impact well beyond tax compliance. It can be the difference between maintaining buyer confidence and watching a genuine opportunity quietly disappear.

A business sale is ultimately about reducing uncertainty. Current financials are one of the most powerful tools available to achieve that.

As brokers, we see firsthand how timely financial information keeps deals moving. At EOFY, it’s not just another compliance task, it can be one of the most valuable contributions an accountant makes to helping a client achieve a successful business sale.