Business valuation tips, updates and advice. Pick up a few suggestions on how to value a business. Feel free to browse the contents or share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

A simple answer: because it has a direct bearing on what the company is worth. The easiest way to see this is to consider how the business value is determined using the well-known Discounted Cash Flow valuation method. The cost of capital is a major input here in the form of the discount rate. The… Continue Reading


You thought the discounted cash flow method was challenging enough. And what about the mid year convention? Let’s review the basics. One of the central business valuation techniques under the income approach is the discounted cash flow method. It lets you calculate the business value based on three fundamentals: Business earnings forecast, usually annual cash… Continue Reading


It is a standing joke in the business appraisal profession: the business valuation is out of date the moment it is delivered to the client. Business valuation has an expiration date In fact, a key assumption for any business valuation is the date on which it is done. Why is the date so important? Here… Continue Reading


Of all the business valuation methods under the income approach the discounted cash flow technique truly stands out. What makes this method unique? Its solid financial foundation, flexibility in valuing established companies and startups, businesses with steady earnings and rapidly changing profits make this method an excellent choice for appraising all types of businesses. Earnings… Continue Reading


This is no idle question – with cyber attacks on the rise the safety and security of your business computer has never been more important. If you are a professional advisor, the last thing you need is to experience a computer crash in the middle of a time-critical project or sustain a loss of sensitive… Continue Reading



Looking for a reliable source of valuation multiples to estimate your business fair market value? Then consider the free resources readily available to you. Best source of company comparables – government mandated filings Public firms involved in mergers and acquisitions of private companies must file government required reports. And this represents one of the most… Continue Reading


Even in a challenging real estate market quite a few specialized construction companies continue to thrive. The secret of success? Here are a few points to ponder: Construction firms in a specialized, well-protected niche, tend to weather the storm better. Established companies with strong reputation in their market place stay busy even as competitors exit.… Continue Reading


If you need to get an objective estimate of business value, consider using the valuation multiples derived from the recent sales of similar businesses. There are a number of advantages: Business valuation with multiples is easy to understand and explain. In times of economic uncertainty, business people and professional appraisers carefully consider the market trends when valuing… Continue Reading




With a global focus on sustainable manufacturing, scrap metal recycling is a key growth industry segment. Classified under the SIC code 3339 and NAICS 331419, there are just under 8,200 metal recycling companies in the US alone. The industry as a whole generates some $21.1B in annual revenues and employs close to 75,600 people. Yet an average metal recycling firm is quite small… Continue Reading


Business people often ask us: “Are different business valuation methods used to value companies in different industries?” It is a very sensible question – after all the differences between, say, a manufacturing firm and a dental practice are profound. Professional business appraisers have developed an elegant, powerful framework to deal with this challenge. At the… Continue Reading


Continuing our discussion about valuation of software services companies, let’s focus on the market valuation approach. A central technique under this approach is the comparative transaction method. It is especially useful for valuing private software firms. In a nutshell, the method lets you determine the value of your software firm in comparison to similar companies that have… Continue Reading


If you own a private mailing business or need to appraise one for a client, here are some interesting statistics to consider: Mail box rental and shipping companies are classified under the SIC code 7389 and NAICS 561. This business services sector has just under 1,500,000 firms that generate over $301B in annual revenues. The… Continue Reading