10 Things to Know About a Business Valuation 

Knowing the ins and outs of a business valuation is useful for many reasons.

Business owners can use a business valuation to inform their decisions when it comes to selling, buying out a shareholder, or gifting shares of their business. 

Here are 10 key aspects to help you prepare for a business valuation:

Commercial Real Estate Appraisal: What is a Business Valuation?

A business valuation is a valuation by a qualified or accredited appraiser of the equity ownership of a business.

Appraisals can be used for different reasons, including gift or estate tax planning, support for charitable contributions of closely held business interests, or preparing to sell a business.

How Much Does a Business Valuation Cost?

Depending on the scope of the valuation, a business valuation can cost anywhere from $6,000 to more than $20,000.

Most qualified or accredited business appraisers will review the scope of work with a prospective client and will quote a project fee in an engagement letter prior to beginning the engagement.

Commercial Real Estate Property Appraisal: Why Are Business Valuations Needed?

The reasons to obtain a business valuation fall under the following categories:

• Transactions: Exit planning, buy-sell agreements, ESOPs, equity financing
• Tax Reporting: Gift and estate tax, charitable donations, C-to-S conversions
• Financial Reporting: Purchase price allocations in acquisitions, goodwill impairment testing, portfolio valuations, derivatives
• Litigation: Marital dissolutions, shareholder disputes, economic damages

Commercial Real Estate Property Appraisal: Is the Date of a Business Valuation Important? 

A business valuation is the estimated value of a company at a specific point in time.

As with any equity investment, the value of a company will change over time due to internal and external factors.

Therefore, an updated business valuation will be required for proper support at future dates.

Commercial Real Estate Property Appraisal: Can a Business Have More Than One Value?

Yes. A business can have multiple values at a single point in time.

Value estimates reflect what a buyer and seller would likely agree to in a transaction.

As such, a business may have a lower value to a buyer with no synergistic benefits versus a strategic acquirer that could realize greater benefits.

Commercial Real Estate Property Appraisal: What is USPAP? What are Business Valuation Standards?

In addition to standards set by organizations such as the Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA) and American Society of Appraisers (ASA), qualified business appraisers follow the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

This is recognized as the official source of appraisal standards in North America. 

Adherence to standards reinforces a business appraiser’s expertise and the credibility of his or her work. 

Appraisers who fail to perform their work in accordance with USPAP standards may be subject to criticism and may have difficulty defending their conclusions in litigation.

How Do I Judge a Business Appraiser’s Qualifications?

Professionals in varying occupations may claim to be business appraisers, but only accredited business appraisers have the training and expertise needed to provide defensible business valuation reports.

What Information is Needed to Perform a Business Valuation?

The following documents are necessary to provide a credible valuation: financial statements for the last five years, interim financial statements and forecasts or projections. 

Other documents requested include information that describes the company’s services and/or products, operations, customers, suppliers and competitors. 

Any business planning materials including reports by consultants are also required.

What Else Can Owners Use a Business Valuation For?

Valuations provide business owners with useful information relative to measuring risks and comparing financial performance to their peers. 

By identifying key value drivers, business owners can use valuations as a tool in long-term planning to enhance the operational and financial performance of their companies.

Real Estate Matrix is one of the Southeast’s premier commercial real estate appraisal firms and has participated in the valuation of billions of dollars in real commercial property assets.

We would appreciate the opportunity to add you to our very long list of pleased clients.

You can give us a call or click here to fill out our Free Quote Appraisal Form.