Consider Alternative Indicators of Business Value

When valuing a business, experts often look beyond the company’s financial statements. Management interviews and document requests may provide additional objective insight into how much the owners believe the business is worth. This information shouldn’t be used as a substitute for a comprehensive valuation analysis, but it may identify discrepancies that need to be reconciled. Here are five common alternative indicators of value that experts may consider: 1. Buy-sell agreements. Owners often protect their business interests with buy-sell agreements. These agreements may provide a specific value for the business or contain valuation formulas to be used on an owner’s death or termination. Some detailed buy-sell agreements may even specify whether valuation discounts apply and, if so, how much. But if a buy-sell agreement has been superseded...