Advisory Practice Board of Exchange FAQs

APBOE FAQ's

  1. SkyView Partners
  2. Buyer and Seller FAQs

General FAQ's

Cost

Does it cost anything for buyers and sellers to use APBOE?

APBOE is free to use for both buyers and sellers. Buyers only incur cost if they successfully acquire a practice from the M&A consultant and/or financing costs.

Data Security

Will the information that I upload to APBOE be secure?

APBOE utilizes a virtual data room for every buyer and seller. The virtual data room received a SOC 2 Type I report, which attests to their security policies and procedures.

Lenders and Financing

How do I get financing via APBOE?

Financing requests can be made on the Apply for Financing page. Depending on the details of the transaction, each applicant will be routed to possible lenders based on each lender’s credit policy.

How many lenders are available via APBOE?

Currently, over 20 banks have the ability to review APBOE applicants. Historic market leaders, including Crestmark Bank, Meta Bank, and Live Oak Bank are participant lenders on APBOE.

APBOE Index

How is the APBOE Index calculated?

The APBOE Index reflects the average multiple on revenue paid for wealth management practices as reported by the M&A consultants and IBD participants on APBOE. The APBOE Index does not reflect every single transaction in wealth management mergers and acquisitions.

Administrative

How can I contact APBOE?

APBOE representatives are available from 9:00am to 4:30pm EST Monday through Friday. You can call them at (800)263-4908 or email them at support@APBOE.com

Buyer FAQ's

Practice Information Confidentiality

Can other buyers on APBOE see My Practice Profile?

Other buyers cannot view your information. Only sellers verified by both APBOE and their respective M&A consulting firm have the ability to view your practice information, and only after you have bookmarked that listing.

Should I use my practice name as my APBOE display name?

Many of our buyers utilize their actual practice name as their display name to promote their practice and show they are an active buyer on APBOE. Other advisors prefer to remain anonymous and select a different display name. Buyers can change their display name at any time.

Buyer and Seller Communication

How do I communicate to a seller that I am interested in their listing?

APBOE does not provide a way for buyers to contact sellers. Rather, only sellers have the ability to contact buyers. When a buyer is interested in a seller listing, the buyer Bookmarks the listing. When the seller determines finalists, they will review all buyers’ PurchasingPower rankings that have bookmarked their listing.

What does it mean to bookmark a practice?

Bookmarking indicates your interest in acquiring the practice to the seller and their M&A consultant.

Multiple Listings

Can I list my practice on other sites?

Yes, sellers may list their practice for sale on other listing sites in addition to APBOE.

Successful Practice Acquisition

How can I increase my chances of acquiring a practice?

Buyers can increase their ability to purchase another practice by increasing their PurchasingPower score.

How is my PurchasingPower score utilized?

Sellers and the M&A consultant use PurchasingPower scores to decide which buyers are included in the final round for each seller.

Why does APBOE verify PurchasingPower scores?

APBOE collects five documents from buyers to verify the information required to obtain a PurchasingPower score. This is similar to verifying income and assets for a preapproval to purchase real estate. All documentation is stored in a highly secure virtual data room for each buyer.

My PurchasingPower score is not in the top 100. Does that mean I will never be in the final round to purchase another practice?

Sellers consider many factors in deciding on finalists aside from PurchasingPower. Several sellers prefer a buyer in close proximity to their practice, that serves a similar client niche, or that utilizes a compatible client service model.

How do my model investment portfolios impact my score?

The way in which buyers accounts will be managed post-sale is very important to sellers. Sellers require that they review a prospective buyer’s investment philosophy. Submission of model investment portfolios will increase PurchasingPower scores. In addition, utilizing recognized outsourced CIO models incrementally increases buyer scores.

Why does having an account open at a bank that funds advisory loans increase my score?

Buyers that have a preexisting relationship with a bank that funds advisory loans also have a relationship with the bankers who will inevitably make decisions about providing financing. In addition, placing capital in those accounts ensures that prospective buyers have requisite cash (typically 5% of purchase price) for closing.

After I have received a Verified PurchasingPower score, how can I increase my score?

Each PurchasingPower factor has a different weighting. For more information on increasing your PurchasingPower score, contact our APBOE Consulting Team at (800)263-4908 or support@apboe.com.

Can I hide My Practice Profile?

Buyers can hide their profile on APBOE at any time by visiting the My Practice Profile page and checking the “Hide My Profile” box.

Can I delete my profile?

To permanently delete your profile on APBOE, please submit a request to support@APBOE.com with your display name and password.

Seller FAQ's

Practice Listings

How do I list my practice for sale on APBOE?

All APBOE listings are entered onto the APBOE site by the seller’s M&A consultant. If you do not have an existing relationship with an M&A consultant, we can facilitate an introduction. Please email us at support@APBOE.com for more information.

Cost

How much does it cost to be a listed seller on APBOE?

There are zero costs (subscription or otherwise) to list a practice for sale on APBOE. However, all sellers are required to be represented by an M&A expert from a consulting firm or their broker dealer. In addition, all sellers need to be verified by both APBOE and their respective M&A consultant or IBD.

M&A Consultant Representation

Why are APBOE sellers required to be represented by an M&A firm?

M&A consultants act in the best interest of sellers, yet their cost is oftentimes shared or paid in full by the buyer. Sellers who utilize an M&A consultant assemble the most appropriate deal structure, efficiently progress through the acquisition process, and commonly receive higher multiples for their firm.

APBOE Seller Services

What is the Seller Bank Financing Analysis?

APBOE can determine the amount of bank financing attainable from the seller’s practice alone prior to ascertaining buyers credit availability. Through very light cash flow underwriting, our Team provides sellers with additional insight into an appropriate listing price after receiving the Seller Bank Financing Analysis.