Business Valuation Process

A business valuation provides the business owner with multiple facts and figures regarding the actual worth or value of the company in terms of market competition, asset values, and income values.

This information is something that all business owners should have available. Obtaining a business valuation should also be completed yearly to display company growth.

How business valuation process looks like?

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Phase 1. Propose the Right Level of Service

Business valuation projects vary a lot based on needs and circumstances:

1. The purpose (intended use) of the business valuation

2. Who are the intended users?

3. Business: description, name, owners, location (s), entity type

4. Financial highlights: revenue, earnings, trends, major assets & liabilities

5. Interest to value: 100% or fractional (if fractional: capital structure, key shareholder agreement terms)

6. Whether real estate or asset appraisals may be needed

7. Appropriate valuation date

8. Appropriate standard of value

9. Appropriate scope of analysis

10. Appropriate type of report

11. Who is our client: company, shareholder (s), attorney, CPA, bank, etc.

12. Access to business information

13.Any unique circumstances to consider

14.Deadline or desired time frame

After we understand this information we can provide an engagement letter to you.

Phase 2. Discovery, Research and Analysis

Once engaged, we go to work:

1. Compile requested business documents

2. Provide business profile questions and/or schedule a management interview

3. Visit the business, review operations, conduct interviews

4. Review and synthesize business information

5. Research the industry in which the business operates and obtain relevant data

6. Study economic conditions as of the valuation date and their effect on the business

7. Analyze company financial data:

· Enter 4−6 years of financial statement detail

· Reformat financial information for analysis

· Analyze financial history, condition, performance and trends

· Ask client financial-related questions

· Make various normalization adjustments

· Calculate relevant financial ratios and examine trends

· Compare financial performance to industry peer group

8. Assess relevant value drivers and risk factors

9. Analyze management’s projections and assumptions and/or develop a forecast

10. Resolve questions that arise regarding all of the above.

11. For minority interests, evaluate rights and restrictions on the specific interest being valued

Phase 3. Apply Business Valuation Methods

In this phase, we consider possible business valuation methods and select those most likely to yield meaningful value indications:

Market Approach:

· Determine guideline company criteria

· Research and collect public and/or private guideline company transaction data

· Analyze guideline company similarities and differences; refine transactions used

· Statistically analyze and calculate appropriate market multiples: price/earnings, price/revenue, price/book value, etc.

· Select appropriate multiples and calculate value indications

Income Approach:

· Select appropriate methods: DCF, excess earnings, one or more capitalization methods

· Apply these methods using appropriate benefit streams and costs of capital

Cost Approach:

· Adjusted Book Value or Liquidation Value

· Can require separate real estate or equipment appraisals

1. Apply appropriate premiums and discounts to the above results. For minority interests, consider control and marketability attributes.

2. Reconcile all valuation method results and decide how much influence each should have in the final conclusion

3. Test the reasonableness of the value conclusion

Phase 4. Prepare the Report

1. Write the report in the agreed upon format (Comprehensive reports present all relevant facts and explain all analyses, procedures and decisions. Summary and calculation reports are less detailed.)

2. Review, edit, proof-read and finalize the report

3. Deliver the report to the client