Defensible under scrutiny, not just directionally reasonable
Business Valuation Services
Valuations for shareholder disputes, fundraising, M&A or succession planning, built to be defensible under scrutiny — because a valuation used in a negotiation or dispute needs to withstand challenge from the other side, not just sound reasonable in isolation.
Methodology matched to purpose — DCF, comparable analysis, or asset-based
Key facts
| Common use cases | Shareholder disputes, fundraising, M&A, succession planning, buy-sell agreements |
| Methodologies applied | Discounted cash flow, comparable company analysis, or asset-based, matched to your situation |
| Output | A documented report with clear methodology and stated assumptions |
What this actually involves
The right valuation methodology depends entirely on the business and the purpose — a growing operating business with predictable cash flows suits a discounted cash flow approach; a business more comparable to recent market transactions might be better served by comparable company analysis; a holding structure or distressed situation often calls for an asset-based approach. Applying the wrong methodology to the wrong situation produces a number that won't hold up under any real scrutiny.
Shareholder and partnership disputes are where valuation defensibility matters most directly — the other party's advisors will specifically look for weak assumptions or an inappropriate methodology to challenge, and a valuation that can't explain and justify every material assumption becomes a liability in the dispute rather than a resolution tool.
For succession and exit planning specifically, an early valuation baseline serves a different purpose than a transaction-ready valuation — it identifies the gap between today's value and what an optimised, sale-ready business could achieve, giving genuine planning time to close that gap before any actual transaction begins.
Is this actually relevant to you?
- You're in a shareholder or partnership dispute requiring an independent valuation both sides can engage with credibly
- You're preparing for fundraising and need a defensible valuation to support your ask
- You're planning an eventual sale or succession and want a baseline valuation with a gap analysis
- You're involved in an M&A transaction, either buy-side or sell-side, and need valuation analysis to support the deal
Our process, step by step
Purpose & methodology confirmation
Establishing the valuation's specific purpose and selecting the appropriate methodology accordingly.
Financial analysis & modelling
Supporting the valuation with rigorous, fully documented analysis, not a quick estimate.
Valuation report
Clear, defensible documentation of methodology, assumptions and conclusion, built to withstand challenge.
Negotiation support
Where the valuation feeds into an active negotiation or dispute, available to explain and defend the analysis directly.
Scope of work
Valuations are commonly needed for mergers and acquisitions, succession and exit planning and bank financing, and rely on a sound financial model.
The weaknesses the other side's advisors look for first
- Applying a discounted cash flow approach to a business with genuinely unpredictable or unproven cash flows, where the underlying growth assumptions can't be credibly defended.
- Using comparable transactions that aren't genuinely comparable in size, sector, or growth stage, undermining the analysis the moment it's questioned.
- Presenting a single-point valuation without a sensitivity range, leaving no room to engage constructively when the other side pushes back on a specific assumption.
Related advisory and CFO services
Finance decisions supported by people who also understand your tax and audit position.
Related guides from our team
Practical explanations of the rules behind this service, written by our chartered accountants.
Common questions
Which valuation method is right for my business?+
Depends on your purpose and business type — a DCF suits a growing operating business, while asset-based methods often fit holding structures or distressed situations better. We'll recommend based on your specific case.
Will this hold up if the other side challenges it?+
That's exactly the standard we build to — clear, documented methodology and reasonable, evidenced assumptions designed to withstand direct challenge.
How long does a business valuation typically take?+
Depends on complexity and data availability — a straightforward valuation can take one to two weeks; a more complex, multi-entity or disputed valuation takes longer.
Can a valuation be used as evidence in a legal proceeding?+
Yes, where prepared to that specific evidentiary standard — worth confirming this need upfront so the report is structured appropriately from the start.
Do you provide valuations for tax or estate planning purposes too?+
Yes, where relevant to succession or estate planning specifically — the purpose shapes both methodology and the specific documentation required.
Need a valuation for a dispute, deal, or succession plan?
Tell us the purpose and we'll recommend the right methodology before starting the work.