Business Valuation Alaska

What is a business valuation or business in Alaska worth to the owner, to the market, to an appraiser, to a divorce attorney and to a potential buyer? All of these interested parties may come up with a far different value when asked this question or forced to give an answer. Why is there a difference in value of a private business between these various people? Is there a source that has a formula that will come up with a value for company that is not publicly owned and traded?

The problem with coming up with a business value is there are many sources that can come up with a price. Some use simple rules of thumb and some use very sophisticated financial formulas. Is one better than another or are there valid reasons for each valuation system? The answer to this question is rules of thumb are simple to use and therefore can give quick answers. Is this the true value of the company under inspection? It may be if the company in Alaska is similar to many companies around Alaska in the same industry and with very close profit margins and expense ratios. The problem arises when trying to evaluate a company that is unique or does not fit the mold of say the typical printing company or any other service provider. What if their product line is one of a kind or the service they offer is unique to them and does not exist elsewhere. A valuation is still needed and this is where some of the national valuation certifications come into play.

Appraisal certifications qualify the appraiser as one that has passed an exam which has been determined to meet nation wide standards for business valuations. There are several organizations that offer this recognized certification. A search on the Internet will show the associations that offer these certifications and the difficulty in receiving the certification. Using a certified appraiser for business valuation is a step in getting a handle on Alaska businesses current worth.

Businesses for sale have value to the owner, but that value could be high or low, in terms of FMV (fair market value). A CPA’s value of the business may be accurate and it may be off the mark depending on the CPA’s experience in evaluating companies. A business real estate professional in Alaska may have the experience to come up with the value, but is this an unbiased opinion. One of the fairest ways to determine a FMV of businesses for sale is to hire a certified business valuation appraiser. This third party opinion can be used for a starting point in the determination of a business and its potential sales value. Further, for multiple businesses, multiple valuations may be necessary to determine the worth of all property.

Coming up with a sales price that is attractive and fair is complex and not easy to do: you should keep this in mind when you are buying a business around Alaska. Sellers and buyers can have drastic differences of opinion of what a business is currently worth. If this dilemma is not resolved the potential sale may never be consummated. This is a good time to bring in an uninterested third party to value the company as it is currently. The good or bad aspects of the future could be mentioned, but it is the value of the business as currently constituted that is the determining factor.

A business buyer’s opinion of a purchase price can be biased either way depending on how badly the sale is wanted. The real estate agent that is trying to sell the business may also influence it. As with the seller, getting a FMV from a certified business valuation appraiser in Alaska may help in coming up with a potential price.

Paying a professional in Alaska to value a Alaska company that the buyer is interested in buying makes a lot of sense. Money spent in this way may save on the purchase price or validate the asking price is acceptable or better yet a bargain. In any event it would give the buyer peace of mind. This professional opinion could save the buyer from making a bad financial decision. Money paid to the professional could be cheap at half the price.

Fair market value is determined by what a willing buyer and a willing seller are willing to accept as the selling price. This is the opinion of the IRS. Ok that is what FMV is but who determines that number and how do they arrive at this price?

fields and brown llc

864-314-5619
3300 north main, ste d, box 202
anderson, AK