Key Takeaways: Use all three valuation approaches and thoroughly document assumptions for defensible conclusions. Normalize earnings with documented, market-based adjustments before applying valuation methods. Carefully support discount rates and terminal value assumptions because they drive most valuation conclusions. Every accountant, attorney, or advisor guiding a privately held business owner eventually runs into the same question: “What is the business really worth?” The word “really” suggests a bit of skepticism and proposes the need for a framework. This series dissects that structure; the anatomy of a valuation that the opposing side of the table will respect rather than tear apart. Part…
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In the article, the author discusses when to expand an engagement to include specific forensic procedures. This need arises when the financial statements are misleading, incomplete, or appear manipulated. These factors, alone or in combination, can significantly distort the concluded value of a business. When a business valuation is necessary in a litigation setting, determining the value of the business is often one of, if not the most, critical pieces of the overall puzzle. One question often sits at the center of the conflict: What is the business worth? The process to arrive at this answer may seem straightforward—review the…