5 Reasons why you need to have your business valued:
  
1. Because you do not want to leave money on the table.
Suppose that you are contemplating selling your business and you receive what you perceive to be a reasonable offer. You proceed without a business valuation and complete the transaction. You are happy but then you start to think... did I sell for the right price?
Now let's suppose that you had hired a valuation expert to appraise your business in this same scenario. There are only three possible outcomes, and they are all positive.

• The valuation indicates that your business is worth more than what you were offered. In this case you would raise your selling price and be able to substantiate it with sound reasoning and valuation theory.
  
• The valuation indicates that your business is worth less than the amount you were offered. In this case, you would accept the offer with the satisfaction that you maximized your sales price.
  
• The valuation indicates that the business is worth something equivalent to the offer price. Again, you would accept the offer and never have to wonder if you sold for too little.

  
2. Because you do not want to set yourself up for failure.
Suppose that you find a business that you would like to buy. What is the right purchase price? Can you 'cash flow' the investment? Does this investment make economic sense? These are all questions that need to be answered before a prudent offer can be made and we can help you find the answers.
  
3. Because buyers and sellers of business often have conflicting interests.
Who is looking out for your best interest?
  
4. Because your company is not publicly traded and...

• You are planning to retire from the business and need to know how much it is worth; what your available options for succession planning and/or exit strategies are.
  
• You or a loved one dies and a federal or state estate tax return needs to be filed.
  
• You want to give stock to your children or charity and need to comply with IRS valuation rules or you need to file a gift tax return.
  
• You are getting a divorce and need to determine the value of the business for the division of assets.
  
• You are admitting a new owner or are having one leave and need an independent opinion on the value of the interest being purchased or sold.
  
• You are required to have one for your Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) or your financial statement audit.
  

  
5. Because it is a very useful and important management tool.
A prime objective of every business enterprise is to maximize value to the owners. A business valuation will help to justify the investment of time and capital, serving as a benchmark that will help you evaluate overall progress towards goals and management effectiveness.
Rager, Lehman & Houck, P.C. has a devoted group of professionals to this discipline. We are credentialed, experienced, and eager to provide customized service to meet your needs.
  
Please contact the following to discuss your needs.
Ryan Hastings (ryan.hastings@rlhcpa.com) 
(717) 637-7300
Carli Lehr (carli.lehr@rlhcpa.com)
(717) 637-7300