Business valuation is the assessment of economic value (Fair market value) for that business. You may need business valuation for a number of purposes, for example when you are looking to invest in some business, or planning to buy/sell some enterprise. Business valuation is not only handy when investing into some business, it also helps in taking better decisions when you are getting into partnership with someone or seeking loans for your business. Valuation is normally carried by professional appraisers, first because it is a complex task and needs professionals to do it; second an outside party will provide a more objective and neutral report. However, a better understanding of what contributes into the valuation of businesses will help you to progress into the right direction.
Just like any other financial report, the appraiser or valuator needs to disclose what approach has been applied for business valuation as all approaches have different pros and cons. Three approaches mostly used for business valuation are
i) Asset based approach
ii) Income based approach
iii) Market approach
Sometimes a combination of all of these approaches is used.
Asset Based Calculation:
Anything of economic value, that a business own is called an asset. As the name suggests, in asset based approach a business worth is calculated as the sum of its assets (both tangible and intangible) minus the total amount of its liabilities. These figures are picked from balance sheet. In liquidity based approach, assets are valued by the net amount they can generate in case their owner decides to sell them in the market.
Income (or earning) Approach:
Several methods are used in Income based approach, but the most appropriate method is "discounted cash flows". Unlike asset based approach where business is valued by the value of assets, this approach focuses on the future earning potentials. The drawback of this approach is that it depends mostly on the projected cash flows and expected returns, which are not guaranteed to be correct.
Market Value Approach:
Market value based approach seeks to determine the business value by comparing it to some recent sales of similar type of businesses. There are no real calculations involved and this is merely an estimated value, which relies on the simple demand and supply rule for the markets.
Most experts recommend a combination of these approaches for a more realistic result. There's no single approach that will suit all types of businesses; stakeholders can choose an approach of their liking or leave it to the professional valuator to decide the most suitable one.
Just like any other financial report, the appraiser or valuator needs to disclose what approach has been applied for business valuation as all approaches have different pros and cons. Three approaches mostly used for business valuation are
i) Asset based approach
ii) Income based approach
iii) Market approach
Sometimes a combination of all of these approaches is used.
Asset Based Calculation:
Anything of economic value, that a business own is called an asset. As the name suggests, in asset based approach a business worth is calculated as the sum of its assets (both tangible and intangible) minus the total amount of its liabilities. These figures are picked from balance sheet. In liquidity based approach, assets are valued by the net amount they can generate in case their owner decides to sell them in the market.
Income (or earning) Approach:
Several methods are used in Income based approach, but the most appropriate method is "discounted cash flows". Unlike asset based approach where business is valued by the value of assets, this approach focuses on the future earning potentials. The drawback of this approach is that it depends mostly on the projected cash flows and expected returns, which are not guaranteed to be correct.
Market Value Approach:
Market value based approach seeks to determine the business value by comparing it to some recent sales of similar type of businesses. There are no real calculations involved and this is merely an estimated value, which relies on the simple demand and supply rule for the markets.
Most experts recommend a combination of these approaches for a more realistic result. There's no single approach that will suit all types of businesses; stakeholders can choose an approach of their liking or leave it to the professional valuator to decide the most suitable one.
William King is the director of Computers Wholesale Suppliers and Canada Wholesale Suppliers, Distributors, Dropshippers. He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.
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