The Difference Between an Appraisal and a Valuation
Distinguishing between a business appraisal for legal matters and a valuation intended for a business sale is pivotal. If your objective is to sell your company, the choice between a business appraiser and a broker for valuing your business holds significance.
A “legal appraisal” serves the realm of legality, encompassing scenarios like divorces, bankruptcies, estate or gift taxes, shareholder conflicts, litigation, and select taxation matters. However, if the trajectory involves selling your business, engaging an individual with practical experience in buying and selling businesses becomes paramount. This could entail enlisting the services of a seasoned business broker, a proficient M&A advisor, or a seasoned investment banker.
Moreover, it’s imperative that the professional in question possesses not only appraisal expertise but also hands-on involvement in business sales. Numerous business appraisals rely on methodologies that diverge from those employed by actual buyers in real-world scenarios. The insights appraisers glean during the preparation of a legal appraisal often lack relevance for owners contemplating a business sale.
In essence, the path you’re treading demands an individual who grasps the intricacies of the market and can leverage their tangible experience to furnish you with an accurate and actionable valuation, aligned with the dynamics of business transactions.
Why do business appraisers employ methods that seem irrelevant to business owners contemplating a sale? Three core factors illuminate this:
- The realm of legal appraisals demands the use of methods that might not hold sway in practical business scenarios. These methodologies are tailored to satisfy legal requisites.
- A majority of appraisers resort to third-party software replete with default settings. The software often lacks the flexibility for customization, especially when it comes to settings geared towards business sales. It’s worth noting that these tools are predominantly designed with legal contexts in mind.
- Business appraisers primarily cater to clients seeking legal appraisals. Consequently, shaping reports to align with the needs of business owners preparing to sell would be inefficient given its infrequency.
Does this imply that business appraisers lack value for those eyeing a business sale? Quite the contrary. Proficient appraisers wield access to premium databases, tools, and resources, each holding inherent value. However, if your intent is to secure a valuation solely for strategic sale planning, entrusting an expert steeped in hands-on business buying and selling experience is your optimal route.
Such an expert brings to the table an understanding of valuation methodologies pertinent to potential buyers. They also factor in your business’s marketability and devise strategies for value augmentation. Remember, valuating a business transcends mere number-crunching.
At its core, valuation is the art of predicting buyer behavior. Who better to fulfill this role than a seasoned professional who has directly engaged with the very individuals whose behaviors you aim to anticipate?
Consider this your consulting session, tailored just for you…
Using the Right Method to Value Your Business
Allow me to illustrate a real-world scenario that sheds light on how information can find utility—or not. During my tenure at another brokerage firm (a practice I no longer endorse), I engaged in selling third-party appraisals to clients.
On one occasion, I facilitated the sale of a report to the owner of a small manufacturing company. We meticulously collated all necessary documents and particulars to forward to the third-party appraisal entity. Approximately two weeks later, the report was returned to us, its presentation immaculate and official—bound in exquisite leather, adorned with a gold-stamped cover. The numbers encapsulated within were meticulous and precise. In delivering the report to the client at his office, he promptly unraveled it, thumbed through to the section featuring the “final number,” and then closed the report. An anticlimactic conclusion—the remaining contents of the report went unexplored, devoid of further inquiries.
This scenario underscores that if your sole requirement is a numerical figure, a full-fledged appraisal isn’t imperative; a verbal opinion of value would suffice. Conversely, if your pursuit encompasses comprehending the rationale that underpins those figures, delving into a comprehensive report might not provide the clarity you seek. A substantial portion of reports consists of standardized, generic content.
In the discourse herein, I employ “appraisal” to allude to evaluations geared towards legal contexts, while “valuation” pertains to assessing a business’s worth in the context of a potential sale. It’s important to recognize that these terms aren’t universally fixed. Alternate nomenclature or distinct definitions might be prevalent among professionals in other sectors.
Real-World Business Valuation
In the realm of real-world business acquisitions, a predominant method for valuing enterprises emerges—relying on a multiple of earnings. My exploration of the appraisal certification curriculum revealed that its emphasis lay largely in theoretical knowledge, tailored chiefly for legal appraisal contexts. While undeniably crucial in those scenarios, I discerned a gap between this theoretical framework and the practical needs of my clients in the business sale arena.
Let me clarify, the mastery of knowledge isn’t the issue here—it’s the practical application that sets the tone when it comes to selling a business in the real world. If your aspirations involve selling your company, it’s imperative to seek out professionals grounded in real-world business sales. A deep dive into databases alone, however rich in transaction data, falls short unless coupled with practical experience.
Delve Beyond the Surface
It’s worth contemplating the narratives concealed beneath the numbers. As a business owner, the crux lies in grasping the rationale behind these figures. Pose three pivotal inquiries:
- What underpins the chosen valuation multiple and its rationale?
- How can you strategically enhance your business’s value?
- What’s the plausible spectrum of values encompassing your company?
Instances abound where appraisals peg a value at an exact $1,434,918. Yet, the wisdom here is not to be misled by the precision of such figures. A more pragmatic valuation range, say $1.2 million to $1.6 million, can emerge contingent upon a medley of influential factors.
Bear in mind, appraising a business is a journey marked by nuances. The utilization of particular software by an appraiser could potentially constrain the lens through which your business is presented to prospective buyers.
Consider this illustration: in our work at CasinosBroker, a recurring task involves conducting assessments for clients. In the course of these evaluations, we often stumble upon a revealing revelation—an intricacy that shapes the value of our client’s business lies in the existence of distinct buyer groups. Within this revelation, lie varying values for each group, each distinct and substantial.
For instance, if the torch is passed to an insider, the value might cap at $1.5 million. However, in the hands of a private individual, the spectrum widens to a range of $1.6 million to $1.8 million. Conversely, if the business finds a new home within a competitor’s domain, the landscape shifts once more—valuation might slide to as little as $800,000 or ascend to an impressive $2 million, the pendulum swaying based on the identity of the competitor.
Yet, attempting to encapsulate these diverse ranges and intricate subtleties within a conventional report is a labyrinthine task. Businesses, with their intricate tapestries of interdependent variables, defy simple formulaic confinement. Having attempted this feat countless times, I can attest to the challenge of crystallizing this complexity into an efficiently churned report. I can confirm that no software, no matter how advanced, consistently encapsulates the essence of what clients truly need.
Do What Works in the Real World
At CasinosBroker, we’ve discovered that the most effective approach blends a streamlined spreadsheet valuation, a comprehensive written exit plan, and an immersive one- to two-hour dialogue.
Within the spreadsheet, we craft a precise equation—adjusted income statements (P&Ls) woven with an array of multiples that are thoughtfully applied to your company’s earnings.
The exit plan, a pivotal component, delves into the realm of qualitative considerations. It adroitly addresses diverse factors: from potential buyers and deal-breakers to avenues for value augmentation and the very structure of the deal.
The essence of our process finds its zenith in the conversation. Countless dialogues, each a unique tapestry, have illuminated our journey. No two businesses are identical; every enterprise harbors its own distinctive intricacies. By transcending the rigid contours of software, we liberate ourselves to dissect the crux of issues that wield influence—be they qualitative or quantitative. Often, intricate networks of interdependent variables unfurl, necessitating meticulous independent exploration before they merge into a coherent strategy. This immersive journey benefits both the business owner and ourselves, as it unravels the multifaceted dimensions of the enterprise.
As our grasp of your business deepens, our appreciation expands, paving the way for a tailored valuation and a strategic selling blueprint. This process defies reduction to rigid formulas and eludes off-the-shelf software solutions.