Business Valuation Minneapolis, Minnesota
Assessing Business Value in Minneapolis
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. The value of a business means different things to different people, but there are some core principles of business valuation that can help you get the right valuation done for your Minneapolis business. 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 Minneapolis, MN plus IRC 409A Valuation, and Purchase Price Allocation
Call Redwood Valuation Partners for your next business valuation (206) 660-1295
Why Do Businesses Get Valuations?
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. 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 Minneapolis may have a high value for that particular community, but not for a potential buyer. Likewise, a business that seems like a tiny startup could have a ton of hidden value for the right buyer. The particulars of a business will determine the outcome.
Therefore, getting experienced accountants to do a valuation is critical. In addition to understanding your business, an accountant doing a valuation should know the ins and outs of finance, venture capital, tax law and other fields. But the benefits of a business valuation come in many forms, from stock compensation to expenses to selling prices. 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 getting started with a business valuation.
Different Ways of Approaching 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 methods apply to an array of businesses, whether they’re in Minneapolis or elsewhere. Each business has its own particulars that will ultimately determine the approach that is the most appropriate for it.
Determining Value Based on Assets
There are several asset-based approaches possible for business valuation. The overall goal is to add together all the investments in the business. One way to go about looking at a business’s assets is by figuring out how much it would cost to set up a brand-new business that mimics the existing one. 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. The difficulty lies in the details, where figuring out the worth of a business and sorting through assets and liabilities becomes more complicated. Additionally, there are two different ways of going about this process: a going concern asset-based approach and a liquidation asset-based approach.
The first option is a going concern asset-based approach. 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 liquidiation-focused approach to valuation, it is important to imagine the business is liquidated before determining its value. After liquidation, the accountant can see clearly the value of the business.
The type of asset-based approach you choose depends on your business. It is possible that a different method is more suitable for your particular business. For example, a sole proprietorship in which assets are in the name of the business’ owner are not good candidates for this approach. By contrast, corporations spread out the ownership of assets throughout the company and could benefit more greatly from a valuation based on assets.
Determining Value Based on the Market
It can be useful in a valuation to look at the bigger picture and see what a business is worth compared to the rest of the market. For example, you could compare your business to others located in Minneapolis. A method that uses comparison to determine value take into account other factors impacting the market as a whole.
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.
Income- or Earning-Based Approach
The difference between an income or earnings-focused approach and other approaches is that this means of valuation is concerned with the future. An income-based approach tries to use current income and earnings to predict how much a business will be worth in the future.
It is not an exact science to predict the future of a business and therefore an earning focused approach can invite an element of risk. There is, however, reliable data to back up the value assessment made through this method. The accountant doing the valuation can even “normalize” figures to remove unusual spikes or dips that could make the assessment less precise. Additionally, capitalization factors may indicate abnormalities in the market itself that should be considered during a valuation.
There are, as with other methods, additional considerations here, such as the type of business you run. How customers view a business is a factor that is not captured in income figures or market values but that can impact a business’s value.
Types of Valuations
Not all valuations are the same and not all valuations are confined strictly to businesses. 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.
What is a 409A Valuation?
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.
This may seem overwhelming. It simply means those stocks have to be accounted for. For one thing, this type of valuation can help a business find its 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.
Often, you will know you need this type of valuation because it will be legally required of your business. Additional 409a valuations could be required at the end of a new round of funding or once a year, even if you have gotten this type of valuation in the past already.
While you can do a 409A valuation yourself, a skilled accountant can guide you through the process with expertise to make sure you don’t hit any bumps along the way. A Redwood valuator will know the ins and outs of this type of valuation, as well as the best approach for you and your business as you undergo this process.
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. Perhaps you are interested in finding the likely selling price of your business on the market. Figuring out your tax liability is another common reason for seeking out a business valuation.
Equity and enterprise valuations are best handled by a talented accountant. As our clients have expanded, so has Redwood, increasing the size and expertise of our team. Regardless of your specific reasons for seeking out a business valuation, we can work with you to reach your goals. Business valuation could include tax or financial reporting, assessment of fair market value or for purchase price allocations.
The intimate details of IRS regulations, business and finance can be a complex maze to try to sort through. You know your business, but evaluating your business against all applicable laws, regulations and financial considerations takes an expert in the field of business valuation.
How to Assess IP and Patents
Intellectual property and patents have separate valuation concerns. Most businesses do have some sort of intangible property that want to protect and valuate, though. 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. Litigation, mergers, acquisitions and business planning provide additional cause for an IP and patent valuation.
Make sure your patent or intellectual property is protected by understanding what it’s worth on the market. Defining assets that are not necessarily tangible can be complex, though. Yet for many businesses, understanding those assets and their precise worth can add value and keep the company in compliance with all applicable laws.
What is a Purchase Price Allocation?
Purchase price allocations, or ASC 805, may be necessary for your business. During a purchase or acquisition, businesses seek to find their fair market value, including their intangible assets and liabilities, to bring to the transaction. 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. 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 Minneapolis 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. Assets and liabilities are complicated. A helping hand through the process of business valuation can make the process easier. We know how to assist you with a business valuation whether it is for tax issues, value assessment or any other reason.
One of our core values is teamwork, which we believe can help even in the complex world of venture capital and auditing. At Redwood, we have built a team grounded in years of expertise and business knowledge. We know the pressures and stress of running a successful business. We let you get to the important work of running your business while we take care of the intricacies of business valuation.
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. Take a deeper look at your business with the customized report we provide as part of our valuations. The comprehensive valuation report will include subjective and objective factors relevant to your particular business. And if an audit should come up, you can rest easy knowing our audit defense has your back at any time.
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 Minneapolis, MN.
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 Minneapolis
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
