The valuation begins with an analysis of the company’s financial statements and other relevant information. We assess the company’s assets, liabilities, performance and any other factors that may affect its value.
About business valuation
Business valuation is a professional service that determines the market value of a company or of a shareholding in it. It gives you a clear, well-reasoned basis for strategic and financial decisions.
A business valuation may be needed when buying or selling a business, reorganising or restructuring a company, transferring or inheriting shares, or bringing in investors.
Ober-Haus specialists carry out independent valuations of companies and shares, taking into account the business’s financial performance, its prospects and market conditions.
Documents required for a business valuation
To get started, the company’s main financial statements – the balance sheet and the profit and loss statement – and a list of its fixed assets are usually enough. These allow us to assess the scope of work and identify what additional information will be needed.
Depending on the company and the purpose of the valuation, we may also need financial statements from previous years, a business plan or financial forecasts, information on loans and other liabilities, key contracts, and details of the shareholding being valued.
How does a business valuation work?
01
Financial analysis
02
Market and business analysis
We analyse the company’s operations, its sector and the market situation, along with future operating and financial forecasts where relevant.
03
Determining the value
Based on the purpose of the valuation and the data available, we select the most appropriate valuation method, or a combination of methods, and calculate the value of the company or its shares.
04
Preparing the report
Once the analysis and calculations are complete, we prepare an official business valuation report setting out the value and the information supporting it.
When is a business valuation needed?
A business valuation can be carried out for a range of purposes, including:
- buying or selling a business or its shares;
- reorganising, merging or splitting companies;
- changes in shareholders or transfers of shares;
- inheritance;
- attracting investors or financing;
- financial accounting and reporting;
- taxation or collateral purposes;
- resolving shareholder disputes or compulsory share buyouts.
Need a business valuation?
Get in touch with Ober-Haus specialists. We will assess your needs and the scope of work involved, and explain the next steps in the valuation process.
1. What documents are needed to get started?
In most cases, the balance sheet, the profit and loss statement and a list of fixed assets are enough to begin. After reviewing them, we can assess the scope of work and identify what further information the valuation will require.
2. How long does a business valuation take?
A business valuation usually takes 10–20 working days. The exact timeframe depends on the size of the company, the complexity of its operations, the purpose of the valuation and how quickly the required documents are provided.
3. When is a business valuation needed?
A business valuation is most often carried out when a company or its shares are bought or sold, and for reorganisation, financial accounting, taxation, collateral, inheritance or other changes of ownership.
4. What methods are used to value a business?
The income, market (comparative) and asset approaches are the most commonly used. The specific method, or combination of methods, is chosen based on the purpose of the valuation, the company’s characteristics and the data available.
5. Can just part of a company's shares be valued?
Yes. We can value either the whole company or a specific shareholding. When valuing a shareholding, we take into account its size, the rights it carries and any other circumstances that may affect its value.