Yatter
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Building to sell for Yatter.
About
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What does it take to build, scale & sell a business all within three years? For Gavin Bell, founder of Yatter, it was a journey of bold decisions, relentless focus & having Ashton McGill by his side every step of the way. From the first invoice to the final handshake on the acquisition deal, this is the story of how Yatter grew from an idea into an irresistible asset buyers couldn’t ignore.
500%
Team growth
3 Years
Built, scaled & sold
Building a business with an exit in mind.
The Yatter journey started with a realisation during the pandemic. For Gavin, running a consultancy under his name meant building a lifestyle business with no intrinsic value to sell. Inspired by the book Built to Sell, Gavin knew he wanted more– a business that could operate without him and eventually be acquired.
Gavin shifted from running a lifestyle business to developing a scalable, sellable asset.
The challenge
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Gavin needed a financial partner who could guide him through the complexities of scaling and selling a business.
• Developing scalable systems & processes.
• Delegating core operations to focus on growth.
• Navigating market uncertainties, particularly in 2023.
• Preparing the business for due diligence & acquisition negotiations.
• Finding the right team to drive growth & sustain operations post-sale.
The solution
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A strategic partnership with Ashton McGill.
Gavin partnered with Ashton McGill to support Yatter’s growth & prepare for a successful exit. We became an extension of Gavin's team, providing mentorship, strategic guidance and hands-on support.
• Financial mentorship & literacy
Regular financial reviews helped Gavin better understand key metrics, enabling him to tell a compelling story with the numbers– crucial during due diligence.
“Back then, I didn’t even know what a profit and loss was. Ashton McGill walked me through everything I needed to know as an entrepreneur.”
• Technology & automation
We implemented tools like Xero & Dext to streamline financial operations, improve efficiency & lift the burden of financial admin.
“I thought every business used these tools– it turns out they don’t. Automating things saved me so much time.”
• Exit strategy support
We guided Gavin through building a comprehensive data room to ensure a smooth due diligence process.
“You were the ones who suggested building a data room. Getting all our documents organised meant that when the due diligence list came in, we could just hand it over.”
• Post-sale support
We continued monthly financial check-ins to maximise value during the post-acquisition earn-out period.
“You were the ones that helped me get the business to a place where, structurally, it was sound to go. Just ensuring that the work we were doing– like on the EBITDA– was right was really important.”
The journey
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Between 2021 and 2024, Yatter experienced rapid growth.
Expanded from 2 to 12 team members.
Overcame market challenges, including a challenging Q3 in 2023, by focusing on internal systems & recovery strategies.
Systemised operations with checklist-driven client onboarding & service delivery.
Built a resilient, scalable model that could function efficiently with minimal reliance on its founder.
Testimonial
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“Everything has been really systemised– from lead generation to sales to service delivery. It meant I could step away and actually focus on working on the business rather than in the business.”
Gavin Bell, Yatter
The results
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A successful acquisition and beyond.
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One
A seamless due diligence process.
Impressing buyers with the organisation and transparency of Yatter’s financials.
Two
Financial clarity & control.
Enabling Gavin to make informed decisions throughout the acquisition process & confidently present Yatter’s performance to prospective buyers.
Three
A fully systemised, scalable agency model.
Allowing the business to function independently of him, a key factor in making it appealing to potential buyers.
Testimonial
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“Having someone in the trenches with me, who I knew had my best interests at heart, was invaluable.”
Gavin Bell, Yatter
Lessons learned and looking ahead.
• Start with the end in mind
“Everything we did was designed to be sellable. That clarity shaped every decision.”
• Surround yourself with the right partners
“It feels like I gained 10 years of experience in one.”
• Know your numbers
“Itʼs not just about spreadsheets. Itʼs about telling a story with your numbers.”
• Prepare for the unexpected
“Things you think matter to buyers sometimes don’t– and vice versa. Be ready for surprises.”
Why partner with Ashton McGill?
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Accounting that powers business growth.
Growing a business brings bigger decisions, and those decisions are easier when you have a clear view of the numbers and someone alongside you who understands what you’re building. For Gavin, partnering with Ashton McGill meant having a team who could turn financial data into practical insight, challenge his thinking and help him plan ahead. From scaling Yatter to preparing for its eventual sale, we were there to help him make each next move with greater clarity and confidence.
220+
Businesses supported
Xero
Award winners
Testimonial
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“Most people I talk to complain about their accountants being slow or unhelpful. I never had those issues. Ashton McGill just got it. They went above and beyond and it felt like they were as invested in Yatter’s success as I was.”
Gavin Bell, Yatter
Ready to see what a better accountant looks like?
You deserve more than year-end accounts and the occasional email. Work with an accounting team that helps you understand your numbers, make better decisions and move your business forward with confidence.