Business Valuations |
![]() Business valuations are also commonly needed for:
“Every valuation is different, and there are several ways to determine what a business is worth,” says Kevin R. Yeanoplos, chair of the business valuation credential committee for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The income approach, which measures value in terms of cash flow, is the most common. Other methods may be used depending on the relative importance of a business’s assets, cash flow, or market position. Regardless of the appraiser’s approach, you’ll need to provide a range of documents and data, including:
It’s also important to let the valuation expert know about any special circumstances that may affect your company’s value. Is there a non-compete agreement to keep your best salesperson from walking off with half of your clients? Do you get most of your business from one or a few clients? Such factors could make your business worth less or more to a potential buyer. Different appraisers may come up with different values for your company, of course. But ideally, a second appraiser, looking at the same facts about your business, would come to nearly the same conclusion. While a lowball appraisal might be helpful in some cases—for example, if you use it to determine gift tax liability—you won’t benefit if the IRS successfully challenges it. To find an experienced valuation expert, look for these credentials: “Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA),” which requires 10,000 hours of experience; or “Accredited Business Valuation (ABV),” which is endorsed by the AICPA and requires the appraiser to be a CPA. You can also contact our office to speak to an experienced professional. |