Business Valuation Cleveland Ohio
How to Find the Value of Your Cleveland, Ohio Business
Have you ever wondered how much your business is actually worth? There are a number of intricate details that you have to evaluate in order to find your business’ fair market value. While the precise “value” of a business is a somewhat nebulous concept, there are consistent methods of assessment that can set you on the right track if you’re trying to find the value of your business. If this sounds technical, don’t worry. 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 Business Valuation Services in Cleveland
Call Redwood Valuation Partners for your next business valuation (206) 660-1295
Why Get Your Cleveland 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. Don’t try to go into business negotiations about selling a business before you’ve gotten a valuation from a skilled accountant who’s an expert in the field.
In addition to how much a business is worth, a valuation can show which parts of a business are valuable. Teasing out all the reasons a business is valuable is complicated, though. A business that is important for a particular city, such as Cleveland, may have high value there, but not elsewhere. By the same token, hidden value may lurk in a business that doesn’t seem as impressive at first glance. It all depends on your perspective.
Therefore, getting experienced accountants to do a valuation is critical. An accountant doing a valuation needs to know tax law, the audit process and finance, as well as information about 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. But the reasons and advantages of a valuation are different for every circumstance. We at Redwood offer a free consultation for clients who need advice on getting started with a business valuation.
Approaches to Business Valuation
There are three main approaches to business valuation that an accountant or business valuator will use. There could be other approaches to business valuation, but the three described here encompass the most common methods. These approaches to business valuation are applicable whether your business is located in Cleveland or not. Each business has its own particulars that will ultimately determine the approach that is the most appropriate for it.
Looking at Assets
There are several asset-based approaches possible for business valuation. The overall goal is to add together all the investments in the business. An accountant going forward with an asset-based mindset is theoretically attempting to imagine what it would cost to set up another, identical business. Assets and liabilities are much easier to see through this theoretical new business. The difference between the assets and the liabilities of the company is the business value.
It sounds straightforward, but there are hidden complexities. 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.
One method is to look at assets with a going concern. 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 a liquidation-focused approach to valuation, it is important to imagine the business is liquidated before determining its value. The net cash received from such a liquidation is the business value.
The type of asset-based approach you choose depends on your business. Asset-based approaches are not appropriate for all businesses. As one example, a business that is owned in the name of a single person ”a sole proprietorship” should be advised not to take 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.
Determining Value Based on the Market
A market-based approach looks at the market as a whole and not solely at your business. The value of other businesses in Cleveland could provide insight on your own. The goal is to see what your business would be worth by comparing it to other similar businesses.
This approach has the benefit of viewing overall market conditions rather than having a more narrow focus. An accountant using this approach will try to determine the fair market value of your business and what a buyer is likely to pay for it in the current climate.
Unfortunately, it is not always easy to get competitors with your business to reveal the sort of information needed for a market-based valuation. Non-competition clauses and private information can hinder this approach, making it difficult or potentially even impossible to get the information necessary for this type of valuation.
Looking at Income or Earnings
An income- or earning-based approach is different from the other two in that it is concerned with future potential. By looking at the income of the business in the present day, it is possible to make a strong prediction about future value.
Of course, assessing value this way comes along with the risk of assumptions and predictions that invite uncertainty. There is, however, reliable data to back up the value assessment made through this method. One method to smooth the bumps in the road in this method is to “normalize” a business’s earnings so there are no remarkable costs or windfalls that could skew figures. Additionally, capitalization factors may indicate abnormalities in the market itself that should be considered during a valuation.
Again, sole proprietorship and the exact style of business can impact the ultimate valuation here. 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.
Different Kinds of Business Valuations
The types of valuations possible go beyond those meant strictly for businesses trying to sell. There are other value assessments that serve difficult purposes. A different reason for a valuation could include something such as intellectual property.
409A Valuations
A 409(a) valuation is conducted for the purpose of evaluating the stocks associated with the company. Stocks are frequently given to employees and contractors as part of their earnings from working. Stocks given to employees are regarded by the IRS as deferred income ퟀ�” income given to someone in one year but actually paid in a different year.
This may seem overwhelming. Ultimately, it is a matter of reporting stock earnings. Businesses that need this form of valuation need it in order to determine the fair market value of their business. 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.
Sometimes it is a matter of compliance with the law to get a 409A valuation for your business. 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.
An accountant such as the ones at Redwood can be a crucial ally in trying to sort through the 409A valuation process any time you find you need to do one. They can also help you choose the best approach to this valuation for your circumstances and business needs.
Business Valuations/Looking at Business Valuations
Some of the reasons for a business valuation include things such as entity discussions and business negotiations, but they are also useful while planning a business or estate. Perhaps you are interested in finding the likely selling price of your business on the market. Others desire a business valuation when researching things such as tax liability.
Equity and enterprise valuations are best handled by a talented accountant. Redwood’s expert team has grown to keep pace with our increasing client needs. We years of experience and a comprehensive team, we are prepared to take on a host of business valuation needs. Perhaps you want to ensure compliance with tax reporting or, conversely, find the fair market value of your business.
The intimate details of IRS regulations, business, and finance can be a complex maze to try to sort through. A valuation is an added complexity on top of keeping your business running, so allow our accountants to handle valuations for you.
IP and Patent Valuations
Finding the value of intellectual property and patents is a specialized field. Patent and IP valuations come from many different industries in the business world. Taxes are complex when it comes to IP and patents, but it is also important to make sure trade secrets and trademarks can be protected. Other reasons for IP and patent valuations include business planning, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation support.
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. Yet for many businesses, understanding those assets and their precise worth can add value and keep the company in compliance with all applicable laws.
Assessing Purchase Price Allocations for Business
You may be required to do a purchase price allocation. During a purchase or acquisition, businesses seek to find their fair market value, including their intangible assets and liabilities, to bring to the transaction. This is particularly important for assessing purchase prices in an acquisition.
The goal of a purchase price allocation is to tease apart the pieces of a business, such as liabilities and assets, to find its fair market value. In a transaction, a lot of smaller pieces of a company can be traded and purchased and it’s important to understand the value of all of these.
The Last Word on Business Valuations
At Redwood Valuation Partners, we are experts in business valuation. Whether you are comparing your business to others in Cleveland 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. Business valuations help in situations where you want to sell, sort out your taxes or simply determine the value of your various assets. Intellectual property can be assessed and protected through a business valuation. Don’t get overwhelmed by the details. Get experts on your side who know how to cut through the complicated legal language to get you the information you need. Our team has worked for years in business, finance and tax issues, allowing us to meet the needs of a wide range of businesses.
We understand the ins and outs of venture capital and auditing and take a teamwork-focused approach. 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 ퟀ�” your business.
Whether you want a valuation for selling, taxes or any other reason, we can promise client focus and years of experience when working alongside you. Along with the obvious, our valuations include customized reports, audit defense and free consultations. 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. The comprehensive valuation report will include subjective and objective factors relevant to your particular business. Finally, you will have nothing to fear from audits, as our audit defense is prepared to protect you should the occasion arise.
The bottom line is that a business valuation, for any reason, is best approached with help. Get Redwood’s experienced team to assist you as you work through a business valuation for any reason. A free consultation may be the perfect starting point.
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 Cleveland, 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 Cleveland
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
