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Update

Forensic Accounting - Fraud - Business Valuation

 


September 2009

Feature Article:
"The Role of a Business Valuation in Succession Planning"

Business valuations are often misunderstood or underappreciated as to their role in succession planning. Attorneys should know that it is advisable for valuation the ownership interest to be completed early in the business succession planning process and that it be done by a valuation professional. Why? Per a tax court ruling, in order for a buy-sell agreement to have credibility with the IRS and tax courts, an appraiser should be involved contemporaneously in the development of the valuation portion of the buy-sell agreement (US Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit, Estate of HA True v United States).

Once the general value of a business is determined, the succession planning process can proceed. The business owner (seller) now has the information needed to decide whether they actually do want to sell out and, if so, what terms (timing, cash flow, etc.) they would be willing to accept in the planned diminution of their ownership, influence, and control (click here for complete article).

Practice Profile:
Business Valuation Services for Succession Planning

Of all the assets that make up an estate, the most complex and valuable is often the closely-held business. The business represents a lifetime of effort and the source of wealth, income, and great satisfaction The first step in succession planning is to understand what the owner has to pass along. Establishing the nature of the business and the ownership interest is critical to accurately and efficiently implementing a succession plan. Putting a value on that interest is easily the most difficult part of determining “What do I have?”

Hiring the right valuation firm is obviously a crucial decision. Arxis Financial’s valuation specialists provide clients with a comprehensible valuation that aids attorneys, business owners, management, and financial planners in succession planning. We also have extensive experience in presenting and defending our findings in the context of litigation. Our clients benefit from having valuation professionals who understand the realities of market valuations, resulting in very defensible valuations. Our experts are well-known in the industry and highly respected for their depth of knowledge and resources.

Partner Profile:
The Business Valuation practice is headed by partner Chris L. Hamilton, CPA, CFE, CVA, DABFA. Mr. Hamilton is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Valuation Analyst, and a Diplomate with the American Board of Forensic Accounting. He is a licensed life and disability insurance agent and a General Securities Representative. Mr. Hamilton has published articles in several publications, and has made presentations at national conferences, training institutes and seminars on topics including forenisc accounting, fraud and business appraisal.

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Copyright 2009 Arxis Financial. Articles may not be reprinted without permission.




Chris Hamilton Photo
Chris Hamilton, CPA CFE, CVA, DABFA
chamilton@arxisgroup.com
(805) 306-7890
www.arxisfinancial.com
Chris Hamilton Photo
Litigation Consulting
Forensic Accounting - Fraud - Business Valuation
 

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