Change of business ownership checklist

Change of business ownership checklist

The process of changing hands in a business can be a stressful experience. To help facilitate a smooth transition, we have developed this comprehensive checklist to guide you through all the necessary steps before passing on or assuming ownership of the business.

For the Outgoing Owner:

Tower Systems Account:

Warning
Please be aware that if you are not currently renting the software, the incoming owner will need to sign up for rental in order to continue accessing the software.
  1. Notify Tower of the Change of Ownership: Kindly complete the Change of Ownership Form available here and send the completed form to accounts@towersystems.com.au.
  2. Remove Payment Method: As your settlement date approaches, typically within a day or two, log into the Tower Systems billing dashboard. From there, remove your credit card by visiting www.towersystems.com.au. Log in using your username and password, navigate to Billing, and delete the payment method.

Retailer Software:

  1. Disconnect Essential Paid or Financial Services: Upon completion of settlement or your final day of trade, ensure that you have disconnected the following:
    1. Integrated EFTPOS
    2. ePay Account
    3. SMS Accounts
    4. Email account (if the email account is not being sold with the business)
    5. Any accounts listed in Setup -> API Connection if they are not included in the business sale.
  2. Print General Debtors: Generate a General Debtors report on the final day of trading via Reports -> Customer -> General Debtors.
  3. Perform a Stocktake: Conduct a stocktake to accurately determine stock value before settlement. If you have consistently conducted spot stocktakes and maintained meticulous records of stock arrivals, sales, and write-offs, this step may be unnecessary. Stocktake advice is available here.
  4. Print a Stock Listing Report: Produce a stock listing report to establish the value of the stock for sale, advice is here.
  5. Print outstanding Repairs Report: If you handle repairs, generate a report of all outstanding Repairs through the General Repairs Report.
  6. Print a List of Outstanding Laybys: If you perform laybys print a list of outstanding laybys using the Layby Report.   
  7. Backup Important Files: Safeguard essential documents, files, and emails by creating backups on a USB drive or external hard drive.
  8. Perform a Backup of Retailer Data: At the close of the final day of trading, ensure you create a secure backup of all Retailer data. This backup could prove invaluable should historical data be required for any purpose.
  9. Train the New Owner: It is your responsibility to provide comprehensive training to the incoming owner on software usage and operations.

For the Incoming Owner:

Tower Systems Account:

Warning
Please note that if the previous owner was not renting the software, you, as the incoming owner, must sign up for Rental to maintain access to the software.
  1. Notify Tower of the Change of Ownership: Complete the Change of Ownership Form available here and email the completed form to accounts@towersystems.com.au.
  2. Update Your Tower Advantage Username and Password: After settlement has occurred and the software has been assigned to you, change your username and password. To do this, click on the "forgot password" link on the login page. Keep the password accessible, as it will be needed when accessing your Retailer software.
  3. Add Payment Method: To ensure uninterrupted service after settlement, click on the billing button and log in using your Tower Advantage username and password. This action will open your Billing dashboard, where you can add a payment method.
  4. Training: While the outgoing owner is responsible for providing training on software usage in your new business, we offer supplementary training videos covering both fundamental and advanced concepts. These videos are accessible here. Feel free to coordinate with the outgoing owner to access these videos before settlement. If desired, one-on-one remote training packages are available for purchase here.
  5. Update Business Details: Once settlement is finalized, log into our website and use the "change business details" button to update your business name and ABN/Tax number details. Once approved, your system will automatically reflect the changes.

Retailer Software:

  1. Integrated EFTPOS: Confirm that the previous owner's EFTPOS accounts have been disconnected and establish connections to your own accounts. Instructions can be found here.
  2. Add Your Bank Account Details: Provide your bank account details for statements and invoices. Instructions are available here.
  3. Reset Customer Balances: Depending on the terms of the business sale, resetting customer balances to zero may be necessary. To arrange this, contact Tower Systems to schedule a Go Live session.
  4. Reconnect Your Email: If you have a new email account, follow the steps outlined here to establish a connection with Retailer. This ensures that invoices and statements can be emailed seamlessly.
  5. Reconnect Necessary Integrations: Review the list of API accounts (Setup -> API Connections) and re-establish integrations you intend to use. Consult the knowledge base for specific instructions related to each integration.
By diligently following these steps, both outgoing and incoming owners can navigate the ownership transition with confidence and ensure the continued success of the business. If you encounter any challenges or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our team at support@towersystems.com.au. We are here to support you throughout this process.
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