You may want to value your business for several reasons, such as litigation, estate planning, departing shareholders, or for its sale. Regardless of what your reason may be, it is important to invest in an experienced business valuation consultant. Placing value over a business can be a technical and complex process, especially for smaller businesses. 

If you need to know the market value of your business or simply want to know what your business is worth in today’s time, it is recommended you do not do it alone. There are several considerations that go into valuing a business, and hiring a consultant for the job is a crucial decision. 

How to choose the right business valuation consultant 

• Accreditation/credentials. 

There are different types of credentials in business valuation services, and not all of them are equal. And although credentials do not guarantee that the firm is as good as they claim, they sure do provide a sense of professionalism. Each organization’s accreditation requirements differ from one another, but they all require training, experience, and examination. 

Accreditations and credentials are important because you can rest assured that the work is being done in the right way, with work ethics being followed. 

• Approach. 

Every business valuation firm has a different approach to valuing a business. There are several approaches to valuing a business, and you want to make sure that the firm you choose uses the best approach to your business and which makes the most sense. 

For example, you will want to use an asset-based approach if your business is complex. 

• Experience. 

Experience is crucially important when picking out a service, regardless of whether it is business valuation or something else. While having years of experience alone does not guarantee the quality of services, you would rather want to work with someone who has been handling clients for decades than someone who has just started. 

Moreover, a firm that has been in the market for years will have a good understanding of your industry and have access to valuable economic and industry data. 

• Cost. 

It is important to consider the cost of the valuation. Business valuation services can be costly, so it helps to get a quote from a consultant before actually hiring them. You can schedule an initial consulting session and discuss the quote. You can get quotes from different companies you prefer and choose the one that best fits your budget.