Business valuations

My work over the years in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, equity fundraising and startups has provided me with a very extensive reference base against which to measure the factors that influence the value of a business. The majority of cases involved a business valuation.

For this reason, I am increasingly being asked to provide valuation reports for small and medium sized companies​​ in Ireland. These are needed for company reorganisations, exits and readjustments of shareholdings, split up of family companies, incorporation of partnerships, and preparation for sale of the business.

Valuation report
My reports typically contain:
  • Statement of experience and disclaimer
  • Summary of the valuation
  • Background information and strategic assessment
  • Summary data relevant to the various possible valuation bases: net assets, dividends, past profits, future maintainable profits
  • Assessment of how the business rates under the key value indicators: growth prospects, scalability, reliance on individuals, spread of customers and suppliers, competition, intellectual property, market position, strategic value.
  • Valuation range, with reasons.

Mediation
An unexpected additional service often emerges during the valuation process, which involves meeting the founders and key managers and a tour of the operation.

The strategic assessment, plus reviewing the value indicators to explain the valuation, with comparisons to other types of business, can often help the parties to agreement where there are competing interests.​