The difference between business shares and assets

Q: I am looking to buy an insurance broker and the vendor has offered to sell his shares in the bus...

Q: I am looking to buy an insurance broker and the vendor has offered
to sell his shares in the business rather than the business assets. What
is the best route to take?


A: Selling the shares is more beneficial for the vendor from a taxation
point of view. Buying the business through the purchase of shares could be
more problematic for you, however, as it could involve more work.


If you buy the business assets you buy the goodwill, the contacts and the
book of business, not the liabilities. By