If you want to sell your business, you must know what it is worth. The challenge lies in ensuring that prospective buyers also come up with a similar figure as you. Otherwise, you will not be on the same page. That is why you should know how to value your business.
The value of a business depends on how much profit it makes and the risks involved. Prospective buyers will also take a close look at the value of the assets, past cash flow, and profitability. Other intangible factors that have a profound effect on the value of a business are goodwill and key business relationships.
Here are the four main criteria that affect the value of a business.
Reason for Selling
Your reason for selling will affect the value of your business. If you are being forced to sell due to ill-health or some other circumstances, you will have to accept the first offer, which can be lower than the actual worth of your business. In case you are closing down the business, potential buyers will take into account the value of the realisable assets minus the liabilities the business has. It is prudent to remember that the longer you wait to sell your business, the higher price it will fetch.
Tangible Assets
Tangible assets refer to the machinery, equipment, and stock that you have in hand. These assets have a resale value and that will add to the value of your business. The more tangible assets you have, the more valuable your business will be.
Intangible Assets
A small business accountant will be able to give you a better idea about the value of the intangible assets that your business. Typically, businesses have intangible assets in the form of customer goodwill, intellectual property, brand name and logo, and growth potential. Since these assets are hard to value, an experienced accountant can help you come to a figure and also explain how that figure was reached.
Length of Operation
The longer you have been operating your business, the higher value it will have. The reason for this is very simple. Your business will have loyal customers, a proven track record, and the necessary cash flow even if it has liabilities.
The Bottom Line
While business owners have their own methods of valuing their businesses, the true value usually depends on what the buyer is willing to pay. Most will opt for business coaching in Brisbane so that they have the reassurance that they are not overpaying. That is why many use different methods, such as asset valuation, entry cost valuation, and price-earning ratio, to gauge the value of a business before making a bid for it.
