Business Valuation Services

Establishing the value of a closely-held business and the underlying ownership interests can be important for numerous reasons.  Determining that value can be challenging as there is rarely an established market for closely-held business interests.  Independent, professionally prepared business valuations provide an objective and credible measurement of value.

Areas where business valuations can be critical:

Estate and Gift Taxes

Independent valuations serve as support for amounts reported on estate or gift tax returns and must be compliant with IRS disclosure requirements.  A properly prepared valuation can help avoid 1) an IRS challenge that could have negative tax consequences, 2) exposure of the estate or donor to undervaluation penalties and 3) possible beneficiary disputes.

Business Transactions

Valuations help the buyer and seller understand value, price and potential synergistic opportunities.  In selling situations, a valuation may help set realistic expectations or provide a reasonable, fair selling price.  Valuations also provide a basis for the value ascribed to ownership units sold or granted to new owners or employees.

Litigation Support

Our valuation professionals have the qualifications and experience to provide valuation services for a variety of legal proceedings in both state and federal court, including in the divorce of an owner, partner/shareholder disputes or to help substantiate or defend against claims of lost business value or lost profits.

Financial Accounting

We are also highly experienced in conducting valuations for purchase price allocations and goodwill impairment testing purposes.  We understand the valuation and accounting issues related to fair value that are relevant for financial reporting purposes.  Purchase price allocation valuations require determining the fair value of all assets (tangible, contingent and intangible) acquired, as well as the liabilities assumed.

Our credentialed valuation consultants use a comprehensive approach to valuing business interests which results in an accurate and defensible business valuation report.  We hold valuation accreditations from the American Society of Appraisers and from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  In addition, we monitor administrative rulings and judicial precedents to ensure the valuation complies with legal and professional standards.

Levels of Valuation Services

Our business valuation professionals can provide the level of service ranging from informal calculations to a comprehensive business appraisal.  We can help you understand and determine which of the valuation services would be most appropriate to meet your needs:

Appraisals

An appraisal is the process of determining the value of a business, business ownership interest, security or intangible asset.  The objective of an appraisal is to express an objective opinion as to the value of a specific asset.  The opinion is supported by all procedures that is the appraiser deems to be relevant to the valuation.

Limited Appraisals

The objective of a limited appraisal is to express an estimate as to the value of a business, business ownership interest, security or intangible asset.  The development of this estimate excludes some additional procedures that are otherwise required in an appraisal.

Calculations

The objective of calculations is to provide an approximate indication of value based upon the performance of limited procedures agreed upon by the appraiser and the client.

Business Valuation Services

  • Gift and estate tax planning
  • Buy/sell transaction due diligence
  • Succession planning
  • Intangible assets:

Non-compete agreements

Personal goodwill

Tradenames/trademarks

Software/technology

  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Tax disputes
  • Corporate conversions
  • Partner/shareholder disputes
  • Buy-in/out
  • Marital dissolution
  • Pension/retirement accounts