Avoiding the Chaos and Selecting the Proper Methodology Over the past 20 years, business valuation analysts (and the courts) have debated whether there is an S corporation premium vis-à-vis the C corporation. This debate has led to the profusion of models and confusion. Four predominant models currently in use include: the Fannon, Delaware MRI, Van Vleet’s SEAM, and Treharne Model. Each of these models makes a different assumption. As for the similarities and differences of the four models, James Hitcher in this September 30, 2021, VPS StraightTalk Series primarily focused on Van Vleet, Delaware MRI, and Treharne model. The webinar…
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Part IV: Illustrative Examples Part I of this series discussed the conceptual foundations of the cost approach to intellectual property valuation. Part II described the generally accepted valuation methods within the cost approach to intellectual property valuation. Part III presented the practical measurement procedures in the application of the cost approach. In this final installment of this series, Part IV presents several illustrative examples of the application of the cost approach in several intellectual property valuation scenarios. [su_pullquote align=”right”] Cost Approach to Intellectual Property Valuation Part I: Conceptual Principles Cost Approach to Intellectual Property Valuation Part II: Valuation Methods Cost…
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What to Ask for and Use? Most small businesses use the cash basis of accounting. Despite that practice, prospective clients will prepare their books in a variety of different ways that do not conform with the accounting cash basis. There are hybrid and accrual cash basis and the business valuation practitioner needs to recognize the differences between these forms of accounting. In this article, the author shares the importance of understanding each and what to do and ask for from the client to better understand the financial disclosures. Which should I ask for? Does it really matter? Isn’t each one…
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Part III: Practical Procedures Valuation analysts are often called on to value intellectual property for various transaction, taxation, financial accounting, corporate planning, litigation, and other reasons. In this Part III of this series, the discussion focuses on the practical measurement procedures related to the application of the cost approach in the intellectual property valuation. [su_pullquote align=”right”] Cost Approach to Intellectual Property Valuation Part I: Conceptual Principles Cost Approach to Intellectual Property Valuation Part II: Valuation Methods[/su_pullquote] Introduction Valuation analysts (analysts) are often called on to value intellectual property for various transaction, taxation, financial accounting, corporate planning, litigation, and other reasons.…
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A Conceptual Framework to Consider Real Estate Centered Business Enterprises (RECEs) commonly sell as real property going concerns with elements of real estate, personal property and a business enterprise component. Business appraisers face several challenges with these assignments due to the interdependence of the business with the other assets. Another key challenge for business appraisers with these types of assignments is relying on separately completed real estate appraisals that are frequently incorrectly developed based on an inappropriate premise of value. This article provides readers a conceptual framework to valuing these types of businesses. Real Estate Centered Business Enterprises (RECEs) commonly…
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Part II: Valuation Methods Part I of this four-part discussion considered the conceptual foundations for applying the cost approach to value intellectual property (including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets). Part II summarizes the generally accepted valuation methods within the cost approach. Introduction Part I of this four-part discussion considered the conceptual foundations for applying the cost approach to value intellectual property (including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets). Part II summarizes the generally accepted valuation methods within the cost approach. Cost Approach Valuation Methods There are several generally accepted intellectual property valuation methods within the cost approach. Each of…
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Why it Matters This article examines the major nonconformance issues the average valuator may face, where to find the information necessary to investigate, and how to make the adjustments to conform with GAAP. The adjustments discussed are not exhaustive but do cover the more common adjustments valuators should consider. While a valuation is not an audit, the valuation analyst must recognize material deviations from GAAP and understand how to make the necessary adjustments. Valuation principles require the financial statements used be prepared based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) unless there is a different agreement by the parties to the…
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Development Standards and the Guidance Provided by the Kohler Decision The General and Ethical standard sets the overall values that must guide every expert in the exercise of his/her profession. One of the key steps in the Development Standard is the site visit and management interview. Some BV experts delegate this important responsibility to either their staff, or a different BV analyst in their firm and believe it or not, in another unrelated firm. Is this acceptable? Is this ethical? Is this professional? My answers are No, No, and No. This article sets forth the author’s view on the subject…
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Part I: Conceptual Principles This is a four-part article series. The articles and discussion focus on the conceptual principles and the practical applications of the cost approach in the development of intellectual property valuations. Part I of this discussion focuses on the conceptual principles that support the application of the cost approach to intellectual property valuation. Part II describes the generally accepted cost approach valuation methods. Part III describes the practical measurement procedures related to intellectual property cost metrics and obsolescence metrics. Part IV presents several illustrative examples of the application of the cost approach in hypothetical intellectual property valuation…
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Center for Medicare & Medicaid Publishes Proposed and Final Rules on Medical Reimbursement Rates The U.S. government is the largest payor of medical costs, through Medicare and Medicaid, and consequently has a strong influence on physician reimbursement. The prevalence of these public payors in the healthcare marketplace often results in their acting as a price setter and being used as a benchmark for private reimbursement rates. Consequently, changes to Medicare and Medicaid payment rates are notable as they may indicate a shift in the greater healthcare reimbursement landscape. Over the summer, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released…
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But Not the Cost of Debt? Determining the cost of equity can be quite interesting whereas determining the cost of debt is often boring. We may add items to the cost of equity—such as a size or company specific risk premium—that arguably are not included in the CAPM methodology used to determine the cost equity. But then we do not add these items to the cost of debt. Do only equity investors care about size and company specific risk premiums? Does not including these items in the cost of debt suggest they should not be included in the cost of…
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Key Actions to Undertake to Increase the Price of a Company This article provides a brief overview covering what the author—a middle market investment banker—believes is the most worthwhile and impactful actions that anyone contemplating the sale of their business can take right now to set themselves up for success in a future transaction process. The author recommends that prospective sellers and their advisors focus on five critical steps, with the aim of having key points to negotiate the sale and commanding the highest selling price. Steps to Raise the Price of a Company Anyone seriously contemplating the sale of…
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Six Months In Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPAC) have been a prime focus of the SEC over the last six months. On April 12, 2021, the SEC issued “Staff Statement on Accounting and Reporting Considerations for Warrants Issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies” to highlight potential accounting implications and provide guidance on making the determination between classifying the warrants issued by SPACs as equity versus a liability. Below, the authors navigate through the valuation process of SPAC warrants and the frequent issues seen thus far in SPAC warrant valuations. Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPAC) have been a prime focus of…
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Questions from the NACVA Conference Regarding Discounting Lost Earnings for Self-Employed Individuals In June 2021, the author of this article made a virtual presentation at the NACVA and the CTI’s Business Valuation & Financial Litigation Hybrid & Virtual Super Conference. The presentation was “Estimating Economic Loss of the Self-Employed: Lost Profits or Lost Earning Capacity”. One of the attendees asked a very good question regarding discounting future losses to present value, which is the main focus of this article. In June 2021, I presented a virtual session at the NACVA and the CTI’s Business Valuation & Financial Litigation Hybrid &…
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Post Closing Task List This article provides readers with a checklist used at a business transaction that just closed. The list was adapted from e-mails sent by the author to clients immediately after the closing. The list includes what they can and should do following the closing and is a way to further involve oneself in post-closing activities. The list collects all the different things (personal, investing planning, and business) the client would need to become involved with and think about, including the final sales’ price adjustments. This is a checklist for clients that just closed on the sale of…
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And S Corporation Acquisitions Analysts should be aware that one transaction tax structure that is particularly popular regarding private equity firm acquisitions is an Internal Revenue Code Section 368(a)(1)(F) reorganization of the private S corporation. The article discusses several of the reasons why owners may want to sell—and why private equity firms may want to buy—an S corporation target company. The article describes what analysts need to know about the benefits to the S corporation sellers of a Section 368(a)(1)(F) reorganization as one step in the private company sale transaction. In addition, it also describes what analysts need to know…
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A Data Analytics Approach The valuation of minerals and renewables falls outside the usual guidelines of real property appraisal, where real property broadly defined includes land, everything permanently attached to it, at, above, and below the earth’s surface and all the interests, benefits, and rights inherent in the ownership collectively referred to as “the bundle of sticks”. This is because most appraisers commonly value land, houses, ranches, surface structures, and businesses. Sub surface real property appraisals is more specialized where appraisers usually value royalty income based on production from reservoirs beneath the surface. This article provides an overview of the…
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Communicating Value “Comparing apples to oranges” refers to contrasting two or more items that are similar, but that have important differences. While apples and oranges are both fruits, they have different flavors, colors, textures, etc. In a business valuation, comparing enterprise value to equity value is like comparing apples to oranges. Both measure the value of a business, but the results can differ significantly, depending on the cash and debt balances on a company’s books as of the valuation date. Not understanding the different types of value utilized in a valuation or transaction analysis may lead to disagreements on the…
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Diversify the Revenue Sources Valuation consultants usually have training and experience with the process of normalizing owner compensation. They may also have access to compensation comparability data, which is a collection of actual amounts paid by other employers which can be sorted. Therefore, valuation specialists may already have what they need to begin adding compensation consulting services to their practices. Valuation consultants usually have training and experience with the process of normalizing owner compensation. They may also have access to compensation comparability data, which is a collection of actual amounts paid by other employers which can be sorted. Therefore, valuation…
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When Guideline Companies are Not Very Good? When given a choice, do you prefer to minimize errors of commission or omission? The answer will likely influence your view as to whether the market approach should be used when valuing a company with guideline companies that are not very good. Someone who seeks to minimize errors of commission will likely exclude the market approach due to the difficulties in executing the analysis. Conversely, someone who seeks to minimize errors of omission will likely include the market approach due to the insight it can provide as a ‘sanity check’ to the other…