Independent business valuations vary based on the purpose of the assignment, ownership interest, financial information, and intended use. These answers explain BVA's services, engagement process, and how to get started.
CATEGORY 01 / BUSINESS VALUATION FUNDAMENTALS
Understanding Business Valuation Services
1. When do I need an independent business valuation?
An independent business valuation can support a business acquisition or sale, partner buyout, estate or gift tax matter, divorce, litigation, ownership transfer, SBA financing, retirement-plan transaction, or financial reporting requirement. The appropriate scope depends on the purpose, ownership interest, valuation date, and intended users.
2. How much does a business valuation cost?
Fees depend on company size, financial complexity, ownership structure, valuation purpose, required report format, and deadlines. A focused valuation or calculation may involve less work than a comprehensive litigation, tax, or multi-entity assignment. BVA provides a written proposal identifying the fee, scope, deliverables, and anticipated timing before work begins.
3. How long does a business valuation take?
Turnaround depends on the assignment scope, completeness of financial records, reporting requirements, and complexity of the business. Some focused assignments may be completed within several business days after receiving the required information; more extensive valuations take longer. BVA confirms anticipated timing during engagement planning and can discuss expedited requests.
4. What financial information is needed for a business valuation?
Typical records include recent financial statements, business tax returns, interim results, ownership documents, owner compensation, debt schedules, and information about operations and significant nonrecurring expenses. More specialized work may require forecasts, bank statements, customer data, or governing agreements. You do not need a complete document package before contacting us; BVA provides a tailored request after defining the scope.
5. What type of valuation report will I receive?
Depending on the intended use, applicable professional standards, and agreed scope, BVA may provide a detailed business valuation report, a calculation report, or a focused financial or valuation memorandum. A comprehensive report generally addresses the subject interest, valuation date, standard of value, financial analysis, selected methodologies, material assumptions, and conclusion of value. The engagement letter defines the deliverable.
CATEGORY 02 / SPECIALIZED VALUATION SERVICES
Valuation Methods, Transactions & Specialized Assignments
6. How does BVA determine what a business is worth?
BVA evaluates the Income, Market, and Asset Approaches as appropriate to the company and valuation purpose. Analysis may include normalized EBITDA or SDE, discounted cash flow, capitalization methods, comparable private-company transactions, asset values, and company-specific risks. Industry multiples can inform the analysis but should not be applied mechanically. Explore our Business Valuation Multiples Guide.
7. Does BVA value businesses for tax, partner buyouts, and divorce?
Yes. BVA performs valuations involving estate and gift tax, ownership transfers, partner exits, shareholder buyouts, marital dissolution, and other ownership matters. Depending on the purpose and applicable law, the analysis may require consideration of control, marketability, ownership rights, reasonable compensation, or enterprise versus personal goodwill. Partner Buyout Valuation | Divorce Valuation
8. Does BVA provide litigation valuation and economic damages analysis?
BVA provides valuation and financial analysis for shareholder disputes, business litigation, lost-profits claims, ownership disagreements, and other economic damages matters. Depending on the engagement, services may include independent valuation, financial reconstruction, appraisal review, attorney consulting, or expert support. Scope, independence, conflicts, and applicable requirements are assessed before engagement. Explore Litigation Valuation & Damages.
9. Can BVA assist with business acquisitions, SBA financing, and Quality of Earnings?
Yes. BVA offers independent business valuation, Quality of Earnings (QoE), Proof of Cash, working-capital analysis, normalized earnings assessment, and acquisition financing analysis. QoE examines earnings reliability and sustainability; valuation determines a supportable value indication. SBA lender-directed engagements may have additional provider, independence, reliance, and reporting requirements, and lender acceptance is not guaranteed. SBA Valuation & QoE | Acquisition Decision Package
10. Does BVA perform 409A, ROBS, ESOP, startup, and intangible asset valuations?
BVA performs specialized valuations involving private-company common stock, IRC Section 409A, ROBS arrangements, ESOPs, startups, intellectual property, goodwill, and other intangible interests. Applicable procedures depend on the asset or ownership interest, plan requirements, financial evidence, valuation date, and intended reporting or transaction purpose. 409A | ROBS | ESOP
CATEGORY 03 / WORKING WITH BVA
Nationwide Service, Professional Coordination & Getting Started
11. Does BVA work with clients nationwide and internationally?
BVA serves clients throughout the United States through confidential telephone, video, email, and secure document exchanges. International or cross-border assignments may also be considered when the required expertise, financial information, jurisdictional requirements, and applicable standards can be appropriately addressed. BVA can coordinate with local professionals when necessary.
12. Can BVA work with my CPA, attorney, lender, or financial advisor?
Yes. BVA regularly collaborates with CPAs, attorneys, lenders, financial advisors, trustees, and other authorized professionals. We clarify engagement responsibilities, intended users, confidentiality, reliance requirements, and reporting needs while maintaining independent professional judgment. Learn about professional referral services.
13. How do I get started with Business Valuation Advisors?
Begin with a confidential consultation. We will discuss the company, purpose of the assignment, ownership interest, relevant valuation date, intended users, and anticipated deadline. BVA can then recommend the appropriate scope, required financial information, report format, fee, and estimated completion schedule before beginning work. Schedule a Confidential Consultation.
Services and procedures are subject to the signed engagement letter, applicable valuation standards, intended users, and supporting evidence. Financial due diligence is not an audit or assurance engagement. Neither third-party acceptance nor any particular valuation conclusion is guaranteed.