Commitment to Confidentiality
Our Commitment to Confidentiality
At Ackerman Group, confidentiality is not simply a courtesy—it is the foundation of everything we do. For many veterinary practice owners, the decision to explore a potential sale of the practice to a corporate buyer is one of the most significant and sensitive moments in their personal and professional lives. We understand that early disclosure of this intention—to staff members, associate DVMs, competing practices, or local distribution/pharma representatives—can cause unnecessary disruption, uncertainty, or even harm to the value of a business. That is why our team takes extraordinary care to ensure that every conversation, every document, and every detail shared with us is treated with the highest level of discretion.
Client Confidence from the First Conversation
Confidentiality begins the moment a veterinary practice owner contacts us. Before we request or receive any sensitive details, we assure them that everything they share will be safeguarded. This includes preliminary discussions where an owner may be unsure about whether they want to proceed with a sale. Our promise of confidentiality extends equally to clients and to prospective clients who are simply exploring their options or educating themselves well in advance of an actual sale process.
To reinforce this, every prospect receives an NDA from us so they can see firsthand the seriousness with which we treat the subject. Even if they choose not to move forward immediately, they can be confident that any financial statements, operational insights, or personal reflections they provide remain secret.
Practical Steps We Take to Protect Confidentiality
We have taken great care to build a culture of confidentiality into our everyday practices. Some of the basic measures we take include:
- Staff training: Every Ackerman Group team member is trained to recognize the importance of confidentiality. From due diligence collection to financial analysts, and everyone in between, we all follow strict protocols to prevent accidental disclosure.
- Discreet communications: We ensure that phone calls, emails, and meetings are conducted in a manner that prevents unintended disclosure. For example, direct communications from our Deal Team go to the email addresses and/or cell phone numbers you provide, to mitigate the possibility of a practice manager or front desk staff member at your practice seeing our conversations together.
- Controlled information flow: Only qualified, vetted buyers who have signed an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) are granted access to the names of practices we are assisting, let alone their sensitive business details. Even then, we provide information in phases, releasing more detailed documents only as a prospective buyer progresses through the process with you.
- No public marketing: Unlike other brokers, we do not promote practices we are listing for sale, even anonymously, on our website. Doing so provides no benefit at all to our sellers and only opens up the opportunity for visitors to try to guess.
The Role of Non-Disclosure Agreements
One of the key measures we employ to safeguard our clients’ and prospective clients’ interests is the consistent use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). We require every prospective buyer, without exception, to sign a legally binding NDA before gaining access to any information about a business listing. This document clearly defines their obligation to keep confidential any details they learn, whether about the business’s financial performance, doctor productivity, client base, supplier relationships, or even the fact that the business is for sale.
Our process is designed so that the NDA is not a mere formality, but a standard operating procedure. We maintain a secure record of every signed agreement and we strictly control who is granted access to client materials. This provides our clients with the assurance that their information is not casually shared, but instead protected under legally binding commitments.
IT and Data Security
In today’s environment, confidentiality also means cybersecurity. Protecting sensitive information requires more than just professional discretion—it requires technical safeguards. To this end, we employ multiple layers of IT security, including:
Secure document storage: All client documents are stored on encrypted platforms with restricted user access.
Access controls: We utilize platforms that log all access to digital records, ensuring that only authorized individuals can view them.
Regular updates and monitoring: Our systems are maintained with up-to-date security patches, antivirus protection, and monitoring to reduce the risk of unauthorized intrusion.
These safeguards mean that when you share sensitive materials with us—tax returns, practice management system reports, lease agreements, etc.—you can trust that they are protected.
Why Confidentiality Matters
We know from experience that confidentiality is not just a professional obligation; it is a direct contributor to the success of a sale. If practice staff become aware too soon that their practice is on the market, it can create unnecessary fear and turnover. If competitors hear of it, they may attempt to exploit the situation. If pet owners find out prematurely, they may question the future of the business. Protecting confidentiality ensures that the value of the business remains intact until the right time for disclosure—when the practice owner is ready, and when the terms of a sale are secure.
Our Promise
When you work with us, you can be certain that your trust will never be misplaced. We treat every detail you share with the utmost respect and care. From the first exploratory conversation to the final closing documents, our systems, processes, and people are aligned with one purpose: to safeguard your confidentiality at every step.
Selling a veterinary practice is a journey that demands not only expertise and strategy, but also discretion and trust. At Ackerman Group, we are proud to provide all four.