Business Valuation Cincinnati Ohio
Assessing Business Value in Cincinnati
Have you ever assessed the value of your Cincinnati business? Assessing the value of your Cincinnati business can be more complicated than just working out the value of its assets. The value of a business might change depending on who you ask, but luckily there are certain consistent principles applied to any business valuation that is performed. This seems like it could be overwhelming, but it shouldn’t be. Our experts at Redwood Valuation Partners have years of experience in business valuation and are eager to help you through the process from start to finish.
409A Valuation in Cincinnati, OH plus IRC 409A Valuation, and Purchase Price Allocation
Call Redwood Valuation Partners for your next business valuation (206) 660-1295
Why Get Your Cincinnati Business Valued?
A business valuation could be conducted for several reasons, but often it is done because a business’s owner wants to know how much the company is worth. If you are considering selling your business, it’s critical to get a valuation first so that you can go into negotiations with potential buyers armed with knowledge and data.
A business valuation shows not just overall worth, but also where that value originates from. There are as many factors involved in the value of a business as there are businesses themselves. A local business that is important to the community in Cincinnati may have a high value for that particular community, but not for a potential buyer. By the same token, the hidden value may lurk in a business that doesn’t seem as impressive at first glance. The particulars of a business will determine the outcome.
That’s why expertise is crucial in a business valuation. Getting your business valued requires knowledge of finance, tax law, venture capital, and the audit process, as well as of your business. If you are interested in stock compensation, expenses, or selling price, you will see a lot of benefits from a well-done business valuation. However, any advantages of doing a valuation are up to you and your business. We at Redwood offer a free consultation for clients who need advice on getting started with a business valuation.
What Approaches Are There to Business Valuation?
When assessing the value of any business, there are three broad approaches that are considered standard. These three approaches are not the only possible ways of looking at a business’s value, however. These approaches to business valuation are applicable whether your business is located in Cincinnati or not. Each business has its own particulars that will ultimately determine the approach that is the most appropriate for it.
Determining Value Based on Assets
Finding the value of a business based on its assets isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. The overall goal is to add together all the investments in the business. The business valuator tries to determine with this method what it would cost to set up another business exactly like the one that already exists. This reveals what that original business is worth (what kinds of assets it has) and what liabilities it has. The difference between the assets and the liabilities of the company is the business value.
Don’t be fooled by how simple this approach seems at first glance. This process gains complexity when the accountant has to decide which assets to include. A going concern asset-based approach or a liquidation asset-based approach will help you move forward with this appraisal.
A going concern asset-based approach is a little more straightforward. The accountant looks at the company’s net balance sheet to find the value of its assets and then deducts the value of its liabilities. In the other approach, a liquidation asset-based approach, the accountant first imagines that all the assets and liabilities were paid off, as though the business was liquidated. After liquidation, the accountant can see clearly the value of the business.
Choosing an asset-focused method of business valuation may be right for your business. There are other approaches if focusing on assets is not right for your situation and goals. For example, a sole proprietorship in which assets are in the name of the business owner are not good candidates for this approach. A corporation, however, could find value in an assessment that is asset-based, as its assets are owned by the entire company and not one person.
Market-Based Approach
Sometimes it is important to take in the whole picture, meaning the entire market, and not just your one business. This includes looking at other businesses in Cincinnati. A method that uses comparison to determine value take into account other factors impacting the market as a whole.
An approach that is concerned with the market as a whole takes a much more detailed view of factors outside of just the details of your business’s finances. In this approach, it is also very important to consider what a buyer in the market would currently pay for your business and what the fair market value would be.
This approach encounters difficulties in that often other businesses are not eager to share their worth with competitors. Private and protected information such as non-competition clauses can prove a barrier to obtaining some of the information needed to make a valuation.
Looking at Income or Earnings
This approach to business valuation looks at potential and future value in order to draw conclusions. By looking at the income of the business in the present day, it is possible to make a strong prediction about future value.
Obviously, this invites an element of risk in that the accountant or valuator is attempting to determine value based on a predication. Some of this uncertainty is offset by the ability to use concrete data to calculate this valuation. Often, a valuator will “normalize” current earnings, removing abnormal costs and windfalls, to try to get a reliable set of figures to work with. Sometimes, these predictions are divided by capitalization factors that fluctuate based on the market.
There are, as with other methods, additional considerations here, such as the type of business you run. If a business is strongly linked with its owner and that owner sells or leaves the business, an evaluation based on past performance could lose its validity depending on how customers react to the change.
What Kinds of Valuations Exist?
A valuation has benefits beyond just figuring out what a business is worth and there is therefore a lot of variety in types of valuations. Business valuations are just one type of valuation that is possible. Someone with a patent, for example, may also seek a valuation of their property.
409A Valuations
A 409A valuation is conducted for the purpose of evaluating the stocks associated with the company. It is common for employees in many fields to receive stocks as compensation. Such businesses need a 409A valuation because that stock is considered a form of income offered in one year but paid out in a different year.
It’s not as confusing as it seems. What it comes down to is stock options. A benefit of this form of business valuation is that it can determine a company’s fair market value. Fair market value is especially important here because employees with stock need to be able to sell it at or above that mark. In addition to stock, a 409A valuation is required if your company issues bonus plans, salary deferral arrangements, and other agreements involving deferred compensation for employees.
It is important to know whether or not your business is legally required to get this form of valuation. Even if you have gotten a 409A valuation in the past for your business, the law could require that you get another one each year or every time a new round of funding closes.
It is advised that you don’t try to do a 409A valuation yourself, even though you can, and instead, let an accountant deal with unforeseen difficulties that you aren’t prepared to handle. Experience and expertise are key benefits that only an accountant can offer if you have to work through a 409A valuation.
Business Valuations/Looking at Business Valuations
Whether you’re negotiating a transaction, planning your business or estate, or involved in entity conversations, business valuations cover a wide range of situations and companies. You may be hoping to see how much you could make by selling your company. Or you might be hoping to assess your tax liability by looking at your business’ value.
Whatever the reason, a skilled valuator can help you get equity and enterprise valuations. At Redwood, we’ve seen our clients’ needs expand as our own business has expanded. Regardless of your specific reasons for seeking out a business valuation, we can work with you to reach your goals. Whether you want to find your fair market value or do tax or financial reporting on your business, we are prepared to help you through the process.
The intimate details of IRS regulations, business and finance can be a complex maze to try to sort through. While you’re concerned with your business running smoothly, let experts tackle the ins and outs of a getting a valuation done.
How to Assess IP and Patents
Intellectual property and patents have separate valuation concerns. However, this type of valuation can impact a wide range of businesses. IP and patents are always under threat from competing trademarks and leaked trade secrets, as well as tax concerns. But you might also seek an IP and patent valuation in order to plan, and secure a merger or acquisition, or during litigation.
Make sure your patent or intellectual property is protected by understanding what it’s worth on the market. It is sometimes complicated to find the value of these intangible assets. But the value of IP and patents cannot be understated, especially in recent times when so much of a business’s value comes from these assets in particular.
Purchase Price Allocations (ASC 805)
Another requirement businesses encounter is ASC 805. During a purchase or acquisition, businesses seek to find their fair market value, including their intangible assets and liabilities, to bring to the transaction. The purchase price is the crucial outcome of such an evaluation of a business.
A purchase price allocation ultimately comes down to determining what various parts of a purchased business are worth, including assets and liabilities. It is not always the case that a business is sold as one whole entity; it may be sold in smaller pieces.
What’s the Bottom Line?
Here at Redwood Valuation Partners, you will find the expertise you need for your valuation. Whether you are comparing your business to others in Cincinnati or looking elsewhere, a business valuation can show you the fair market value of your business and assets and keep you in compliance with any tax code regulations.
Often, you will need to know the fair market value of your business. Whether you are looking to assess your value for the sake of selling or have yearly tax considerations, a business valuation will help. You also could seek a business valuation in order to protect a patent. Don’t get overwhelmed by the details. That’s where experienced accountants come in to help inform and guide you. Whether it’s finance, tax issues or business, our accountants are prepared to navigate the technicalities with you.
One of our core values is teamwork, which we believe can help even in the complex world of venture capital and auditing. Our team consists of experts who have worked in their specialties for years. Many of the people we work with come from high-pressure environments with tough deadlines. We value your time; let us minimize the burden of complicated valuation details while you focus on what you know best” your business.
Whatever your reason for getting a business valuation, we can offer client focus, experience and expertise that can make the process as easy as possible for you. We go beyond the standard valuation to offer a free consultation, as well as audit defense and customized reports. If you aren’t sure where to start, we can guide you through the process right from the start. And our customized reports will include all the detail you need to make business decisions based on your valuation. See both subjective and objective elements of your valuation with an in-depth look at your business. Plus, you can take one less burden off your plate with audit defense that guarantees audit defense at any time without high additional costs.
In the end, if you need a business valuation, you will likely need help with that valuation. Don’t try to tackle this task alone when Redwood is ready and able to help you with the process. Find out how to get started with a consultation.
Our clients have direct access to Redwood’s managing partners and directors. You know your business better than anyone, and the valuation process includes subjective assessments that require your input. We guide you through this process, save your time, and allow you to focus on what matters – growing your business. Get a quality company appraisal in Cincinnati, OH.
The Redwood team has performed many IRC 409A Valuation Seattle engagements, and we offer a wide variety of business appraisals to Seattle. Other services include ASC 805 valuation (purchase price allocations), IP valuation, patent valuation, impairment valuation, carried interest valuation, portfolio valuations, IRC 382 valuations, and many other types of stock valuations and business valuations.
With over 50 years of combined valuation experience, we provide top-tier expertise and client service at a reasonable price. Our experience as CFOs and Controllers of venture firms and startups separates us from our competitors who lack the boots-on-the-ground experience that our clients have, which we also share.
If you plan to issue stock options in the next twelve months or have any questions about potential valuations, give us a call for a free consultation and we will give you candid advice about whether a valuation may be needed and how we might help. Our goal is to help our clients achieve their desired goals with minimal burden.
409A Valuation Cincinnati
Redwood Valuation Partners was formed behind an idea of service positioning us as one of the most well-respected companies in the industry. Our expert knowledge of finance, tax, venture capital, and the audit process helps us understand the difficulties of start-ups. We speak your language! Give us a call and learn how we can help. For information on Business Valuations follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook and find us on Google+ too! (206) 660-1295
