Don’t Sign Anything Until You’ve Read This.
The Free Due Diligence Playbook for Bay Area Business Owners Buying, Selling, or Entering a Partnership .
Clear, practical guidance that helps you evaluate opportunities, identify risks, and make informed decisions before you commit.
- Written by a licensed CPA
- Covers financial, tax, legal & operational risk
- Includes an Interactive Due Diligence Tracker
- Built for real-world transactions
- Free instant access
California-licensed CPA
You’re About to Make One of the Biggest Financial Decisions of Your Life.
Are you sure you know what you’re walking into?
Every week, Bay Area business owners sign deals without fully understanding:
- The tax liabilities hiding inside the business they just bought
- The revenue numbers that looked great on paper — until they didn’t
- The key employee who walked out the week after closing
- The lease that couldn’t be transferred — and cost them their location
- The IRS notice sitting in a drawer the seller forgot to mention
These aren’t edge cases. They’re the rule.
And they’re almost always preventable with the right due diligence process.
Introducing: The Business Owner’s Due Diligence Playbook
A practical guide that walks you through exactly what to investigate and what questions to ask before any major business transaction.
Inside the Guide:
- What due diligence actually means, and why most people get it wrong
- Financial due diligence: the documents to request and what to look for
- Tax due diligence: hidden liabilities that don’t show up on a P&L
- Operational & HR risks: what the numbers don’t tell you
- Legal due diligence: leases, IP, litigation, and permits
- The red flags checklist , when to slow down or walk away
- A practical buyer timeline: week by week
- What to prepare if you’re the one selling
Bonus Resource: Interactive Due Diligence Tracker
Most due diligence guides tell you what to do. This one helps you do it.
Along with the playbook, you’ll receive access to an Interactive Due Diligence Tracker designed to help you manage the process from start to finish.
- Track document requests and outstanding items
- Assign responsibilities to advisors and team members
- Flag potential risks and issues for review
- Monitor progress across financial, tax, legal, and operational workstreams
- Stay organized throughout the entire due diligence process
Meet Lilas Baketa, CPA, MAFM
Lilas Baketa is the founder and managing principal of LNB Accounting, a Bay Area CPA firm that helps business owners navigate complex financial decisions, transactions, and growth opportunities.
With extensive experience in tax, accounting, financial due diligence, and business advisory services, Lilas has guided clients through acquisitions, business sales, partnership formations, and strategic planning initiatives. She understands where transactions go wrong and, more importantly, how to identify risks before they become costly problems.
As a member of the Francophone business community, Lilas also brings a unique perspective to working with immigrant and multilingual business owners who may be navigating the U.S. business and tax landscape for the first time.
She has seen firsthand what happens when due diligence is rushed, delegated to the wrong advisor, or skipped altogether. This guide is her way of putting that knowledge in your hands before you need it.
FAQs
Still have some questions?
Let us know how we can help you.
Is this guide really free?
Yes — completely. No credit card, no catch. Enter your email and it’s yours instantly.
Who is this guide for?
Business owners, entrepreneurs, and finance leads who are considering buying a business, selling one, entering a partnership, or evaluating a major investor or vendor relationship. It’s especially relevant if you’re navigating a U.S. transaction for the first time.
Do I need to be actively buying or selling a business to benefit from this guide?
No. While the guide is designed for business owners involved in acquisitions, sales, and partnerships, it’s also valuable for anyone who wants to understand how due diligence works and what risks to look for before making important business decisions.
Is this only for California businesses?
The framework applies to any U.S. business transaction. Some references are California-specific (FTB, California Board of Accountancy), but the core due diligence process is universal.
Does the guide include any tools or templates?
Yes. In addition to the playbook, you’ll receive access to an Interactive Due Diligence Tracker designed to help you organize documents, assign responsibilities, monitor progress, and flag potential risks throughout the due diligence process.
Will I be added to a mailing list?
Yes — you’ll receive a short series of follow-up emails from Lilas with additional insights. You can unsubscribe at any time with one click.
Can I speak with LNB about a transaction?
Yes. If you’re considering a business purchase, sale, partnership, or other transaction, contact the LNB team to discuss your situation and learn more about how we support due diligence engagements.
Your next deal deserves better than guesswork.
Download the free Due Diligence Playbook and walk into your next transaction with confidence.