How Business Valuations Drive Smarter Lending Decisions This article provides a case study that highlights the methodology behind SBA-compliant business valuations. The article underscores the importance of grounding the analysis in standard valuation techniques, using reliable industry benchmarks, and properly documenting adjustments. The role and value of business appraisers to the lender and parties involved in a potential SBA-financed transaction is also discussed. Business valuations play a vital role in SBA financing. For both 7(a) and 504 loan programs, an independent business valuation is typically required in the following situations: The total financing amount (including SBA loans, seller financing, or…
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Rosenthal v. Erber illustrates the pressure and perils of dueling experts. The expert is charged with assisting the court ascertain the facts, rather than furthering the client’s ambition. The case is a reminder to business valuation professionals that ethical considerations are paramount and that doing the contrary leads to courts’ suspecting the role of experts in the process. In the main, valuation experts pride themselves on reasoned analysis and well supported use of professional judgement. As a profession, valuators are confident that most reports uphold the demanding standards of the profession. Judges, on the other hand, do not always view…
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Tests of Reasonableness Business appraisers use tests that ask whether decisions made are legitimate and designed to remedy a certain issue under the circumstances. These tests are commonly referred to in the valuation literature as tests of reasonableness. Several methods have been suggested and employed (e.g., purchase justification test), but limited literature speaks to the use of a test of reasonableness for company specific risk premia (CSRP). This article explores data sources and analyses available to appraisers to provide a “test of reasonableness” to increase the confidence level and analysis of their CSRP analysis. Business appraisers use tests that ask…
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Issues in Hedge Fund Valuations The proliferation of hedge funds presents an opportunity for valuation analysts. In this article, the author provides an overview of the hedge fund industry, compares the manner in which hedge funds operate vis-à-vis private equity and venture capital, and outlines the opportunities and challenges for valuation analysts interested in serving this market sector.
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Capitalized Earnings: When are the Earnings Stabilized? When you’re doing a business valuation, should you use a Capitalization of Earnings/Cash Flows? Or should you use a Discounted Earnings/Cash Flow method? Here’s a rule of thumb: If the benefit stream will be constant over time, choose the Capitalized Earnings/Cash Flows. Richard Claywell explains.