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For many, the act of purchasing a business is one of the most difficult decisions they ever have to deal with. Selecting good advisors to assist you with making a sound buying decision can be just as complicated. People sometimes say that selecting the right attorney and accountant can be as consequential as remembering to strap on full air tanks when diving! When you buy a business, don’t take shortcuts and make sure that you have the right team of professionals on your side.

When searching for an accountant, take a long hard look at all the pros and cons. It’s crucial that you consider what may happen if you make a poor choice, as you ponder on the advantages of a prudent selection. A poor choice might lead to trouble with the revenue authorities, could cost hard money, or could cause you to miss out on a vital tax saving opportunity.

You only need to open up a “Yellow Pages” book to view the extensive listings of attorneys. This section is easily the bulkiest in the entire book. When you’re searching for a business for sale, you really should pursue the services of an attorney who is a specialist in this particular area, and who has vast experience in the domain of business acquisitions.

Always ensure that you follow these steps, so you can select the right attorney and accountant for your business:

Call in some referrals. Turn to other professionals with whom you do business, such as your bank manager, or a general practice lawyer. You already have an existing relationship with these professionals and it follows that their recommendations are likely to be equally as professional in their dealings.

Check credentials. Once you have a final list of your favorites, carefully look through the credentials of each one. There are numerous professional bodies whose members specialize in business acquisitions and you should make sure that you check to see if your prospect is a member. Usually, the best professionals will retain membership in the more prestigious and more widely known communities. While on the subject of verification, always make an inquiry at your local Better Business Bureau or do some Internet searching which highlights the names of these professionals. This will generally show up on any complaints or profile cases.

Size up their specialty. There are “horses for courses”, as the saying goes, and you need to ensure that your accountant or attorney not only specializes in business acquisition, but has also ideally worked in your specific industry. In the case of an accountant, for example, your pro should be up-to-date with the applicable tax laws for your category.

Establish rapport. Whilst you might think you have found the best professional to assist you with your business valuation or to help in the process of buying a business, take some time to establish rapport and build a good relationship. Chemistry is important and you should set out clear goals so that both of you understand the objectives.

Network. Your local Chamber of Commerce or business networking group is a great place to turn for advice and referrals. You may often find a professional during a workshop, lunch meeting or after hours function.

Take time to select an accountant and attorney wisely. Do not be afraid to change if you feel that you have made a wrong choice. When you decide that you are going to own a business, you will need all the best help that you can get.

Richard Parker is the author of the How to Buy a Good Business at a Great Price series. As President and founder of Diomo Corporation - The Business Buyer Resource Center, his materials, seminars and consulting have helped thousands of business buyers realize their dream of buying a business.