Common Business Owner Mistake #10. Nothing lowers your valuation more quickly than incomplete or inconsistent financial records. We strongly recommend investing in a CPA firm to conduct an audit or review your financial statements from the previous five years.

On the surface, this may appear to be a sunk cost with no return. However, CPA-prepared financial statements will attract more buyers and shorten the amount of time needed for due diligence, meaning you can sell faster. Getting your financial records in great shape is well worth the investment.