Services
Three tiers, scoped to what the valuation is actually for.
Each tier maps to one of the three engagement levels defined by APES 225 Valuation Services, the professional standard that governs all business valuation work by Chartered Accountants in Australia.
Valuation Review
A limited-scope review of the business, producing an indicative valuation instead of a final formal figure. The right starting point when you need a defensible estimate quickly, whether for internal planning, an early-stage negotiation, or to decide whether a fuller engagement is warranted.
- Financial-statement review covering three to five years of historical results
- Critical corporate documents
- Industry, economic and regional context (sector benchmarks and local-market conditions)
- Indicative valuation range under one primary methodology
- Short-form written report, typically 5 to 10 pages
- 45-minute discussion of findings
Valuation Service
A wider-scope or purpose-restricted engagement that doesn't require a final valuation figure. It suits work where the output is analysis and advice rather than a number that has to stand up in a formal process. Scope is set to the decision at hand.
- Scope agreed in writing to the specific purpose
- Financial and operational analysis, methodology-restricted or purpose-restricted as agreed
- May use one or multiple valuation approaches
- Written analysis and reasoning without a single formal valuation conclusion
- Working papers retained under APES 225 documentation requirements
- Meeting to walk through the reasoning
Valuation Engagement
A full valuation engagement, formally prepared to the standard required for M&A, financing or capital raising, due diligence, impairment testing, or dispute and compliance purposes. This is the final, defensible valuation figure.
- Full valuation under APES 225, the highest scope and rigour tier
- Multiple methodologies applied and reconciled: typically income, market and asset-based approaches
- Regional and industry-specific risk adjustments where applicable
- Formal written valuation report that is defensible in negotiation, financing, dispute or compliance settings
- Signed declaration of independence and compliance with APES 225
Initial scoping conversations are complimentary. If a formal engagement is warranted, you will receive a fixed-scope, fixed-price engagement letter before any work begins.
Common questions
How is a business valuation different from a business appraisal or estimate?
A business valuation prepared under APES 225 is a formal, independent opinion of value, documented to the professional standard defined by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board. An informal appraisal or estimate from a broker or an accountant not accredited as a valuation specialist does not carry the same weight in a bank credit committee, an ATO review, or a Family Court proceeding.
What is the CA Business Valuation Specialist accreditation?
A post-nominal accreditation issued by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, granted only to Chartered Accountants who have demonstrated substantial specialist experience in business valuation and passed the CA-BVS assessment. In Australia it is the recognised specialist credential for business valuation.
What is APES 225?
APES 225 Valuation Services is the professional standard issued by the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board. It governs any valuation, calculation or limited-scope valuation work carried out by a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, CPA Australia, or the Institute of Public Accountants. It sets mandatory requirements for scope, methodology, documentation, independence and reporting.
Do you value businesses outside regional Victoria?
Yes. The practice is based in Ballarat, but engagements have been completed across Australia. Regional focus refers to the type of business (regional and rural operating businesses), not a geographic restriction.
How long does a valuation take?
A Valuation Review typically takes two to three weeks from engagement letter. A full Valuation Engagement typically takes four to eight weeks, depending on the complexity of the business and the availability of information. Timing can be compressed where a transaction, dispute deadline or compliance date makes it necessary. That is a topic for the initial conversation.
What do you need from us to start?
For a Valuation Review: corporate documentation, three to five years of historical financial statements, and a short conversation about the purpose of the valuation. A more detailed information request follows scope agreement, and is calibrated to the tier of engagement.
How much does a valuation cost?
Every engagement is quoted as a fixed fee in the engagement letter, before any work begins, scoped to the tier and the purpose of the valuation. The initial scoping conversation is complimentary. There is no obligation to proceed.
Is the valuation confidential?
Yes. Every engagement is confidential to the client. Reports are prepared for the named recipient and purpose only, in line with APES 225 restrictions on use and distribution.
Not sure which of these you need?
A short conversation about what the valuation is for will settle it.