An acquisition consultant (also called a buy-side M&A advisor or buyer's agent) works exclusively for the buyer at every stage of the acquisition process — from defining strategy and sourcing targets through due diligence, negotiation, deal structure, financing, and closing. Unlike a business broker who represents the seller, an acquisition consultant's mandate is to help the buyer find the right business at the right price, structure the deal optimally, and avoid costly mistakes. Acquisition consultants are fee-based (retainer, flat fee, or hourly) and do not earn commission from sellers, eliminating the conflict of interest inherent in broker-assisted deals. In Canadian SMB acquisitions, the acquisition consultant typically coordinates the buyer's accountant, lawyer, and other specialists — acting as the project manager for the entire transaction. The value proposition is highest for first-time buyers who lack the experience to navigate valuation, negotiation, due diligence, and closing independently. In a deal with a 3 to 6 month timeline and $500,000 to $2 million at stake, an acquisition consultant's fees are typically 1 to 2 percent of the deal value — with significantly higher ROI in avoided mistakes.
Ali Sedighi at BizBuy.ca works exclusively as a buyer's acquisition consultant. When a buyer in Burnaby was being pressured to close an inflated deal by the seller's broker, Ali identified $80,000 in non-recurring revenue the broker had included in SDE, renegotiated the price down $250,000, and coordinated the legal and financial diligence that confirmed the restated number.
Process knowledge is what separates buyers who close on good terms from those who pay too much or miss problems. Ali applies 17+ years of Canadian acquisition experience to every step.