What’s my interest in this business worth?
Determining the value of someone’s interest in a closely held business can be important for both tax and business reasons. But determining value is not always easy because there is rarely an established market for closely held business interests. That’s why an objective, professionally prepared business valuation is essential.

Select a qualified business valuation professional.
Carbis Walker LLP’s business valuation consultants use a comprehensive approach to valuing business interests. We perform an in-depth analysis using relevant market data and apply state-of-the-art valuation techniques to ensure an accurate and defensible business valuation report. In addition, we monitor statutory authority, administrative rulings and judicial precedent to ensure the valuation complies with legal and professional standards.

Carbis Walker professionals are recognized leaders in the valuation industry and are active in the American Society of Appraisers, the Institute of Business Appraisers, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Association for Investment Management and Research. Our involvement in these professional organizations and participation in continuing professional education keep us abreast of the latest developments in the increasingly sophisticated field of business valuation.

Business valuations serve many needs.
Carbis Walker performs independent valuations for many business reasons, including:

Estate and Gift Taxes.
Valuations of closely held business interests are beneficial for estate planning, gifting, estate settlement, and Internal Revenue Service reporting of estate or gift transactions. A properly prepared valuation can help avoid: 1) an IRS challenge that could overturn an estate plan; 2) exposing the estate to under valuation penalties; 3) disputes among heirs.

Income Tax Purposes.
Certain transactions may require determining the fair market value of stock in a closely held business to accurately assess tax liability, which can help avoid overpayment or underpayment of taxes. Tax-related valuations are prepared for a variety of purposes, such as compensation in the form of stock or options, charitable contributions, S corporation elections, and purchase price allocations.

Business Acquisition, Sale or Merger.
In selling situations, a valuation may help set realistic price expectations. If someone is planning to buy a business, a valuation may protect him or her from paying more than the business is worth. Conversely, someone trying to sell a business interest will want to ensure a fair selling price.

Value-Based Planning.
Our professionally prepared business valuation report can be an effective management tool to help business owners and managers with decisions that can ultimately impact shareholder value. Because our report clearly identifies factors impacting a business’s value, owners or managers can use the report to help analyze the possible impact of their decisions on future value and adjust business plans accordingly.

Litigation Support.
Attorneys rely on the opinion of our business valuation professionals, as well as their reports, to help substantiate claims and defend positions in situations such as business and marital dissolutions, lost profit cases, insurance claims, and more.

Determining the level of detail you need.
Carbis Walker business valuation consultants can provide the level of service you require, ranging from informal calculations to a comprehensive appraisal report. They’ll help you determine which of the following valuation services you need:

Appraisal Report.
This comprehensive, narrative report expresses an independent opinion on the value of a business interest. The report provides a logical progression that clearly communicates pertinent information, valuation methods and conclusions. The result is a report that is easy to understand, with information that can be defended, if necessary.

Summary Letter Report.
If the report is for client use only, we can issue a Summary Letter Report that states material factors leading to the report’s conclusions. If a third party challenges the value conclusion, we can use additional work-file information to produce an appraisal report.

Calculations.
For calculations engagements, which provide an approximate indication of value, we perform limited procedures agreed to in advance with our client. This type of engagement is appropriate when a client wants an estimate of business value, but does not require a formal opinion.

Expert Testimony.
In addition to preparing written valuation reports, our valuation professionals offer the experience and credentials to provide trial preparation assistance, expert testimony and review of other expert reports.

About Carbis Walker LLP
Carbis Walker is a business services firm offering middle-market companies business and tax consulting, retirement resources, payroll services and corporate finance. With eight offices throughout the western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio area, we specialize in the areas of Construction, Health Care, and Manufacturing.

Through our association with McGladrey, we can access nationwide resources, which enables our local business valuation experts to offer valuable insights about your industry and market.

Carbis Walker professionals, if necessary, can use employees of RSM McGladrey or McGladrey & Pullen, a certified public accounting firm, for certain professional services related to business valuation projects. RSM McGladrey and McGladrey & Pullen are affiliated through an alternative practice structure. Though separate companies, a professional services agreement between the two firms enables them to work together to serve clients’ business needs.

For more information about our business valuation services, contact Chuck Laverty at 800.452.3003- option 1.