Selling a business
Understand earnings, value, price and the bridge to shareholder proceeds.
Explore the serviceBUSINESS VALUATION · A BETTER STARTING POINT
Business valuations for the decision ahead.
Get a business valuation matched to your next decision. Support for UK owners selling, buying, transferring shares or raising investment.
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Start with the decision.
We’ll help define the valuation you need.
Valuations prepared by an ICAEW Chartered AccountantUK-wide remote support
CHOOSE THE WORK YOU NEED
What is the valuation for?
A shareholder transaction or dispute
Start with the holding, documents, valuation date and intended use.
Explore the serviceEmployee share options
Scope the proposed shares, rights, date and HMRC valuation preparation.
Explore the service01 / DEFINE THE PURPOSE02 / EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE03 / UNDERSTAND THE VALUE
START WITH THE EVIDENCEUnderstand the method.
Understand the method.
Question the shortcut.
Practical guides to the assumptions behind a business valuation.
OWNER’S FIELD GUIDE
How to value a small business
Compare methods, evidence and the bridge to equity value.
Read the guide ↗OWNER’S FIELD GUIDEAsset-based business valuation: a worked example for UK owners
Understand adjusted net assets, book values, liabilities and double counting in an asset-based business valuation. Includes a worked example and evidence checklist.
Read the guide ↗OWNER’S FIELD GUIDERule-of-thumb business valuations: what the shortcut misses
Challenge turnover rules and simple profit multiples before valuing a UK business. Includes worked examples, earnings definitions and questions for an adviser.
Read the guide ↗YOUR REASON CHANGES THE BRIEFOne business.
One business.
Different valuation questions.
A sale price, an employee share value and a fundraising negotiation do not ask the same question. Choose the decision you are working towards.
VALUATION SUPPORT
Business Valuation for Sale UK
Business valuation for owners planning a sale: examine sustainable earnings, debt, cash and deal terms before setting an asking price.
Explore the details ↗VALUATION SUPPORTPrivate Company Share Valuation UK
Share valuation support for private company owners considering a shareholder exit, transfer or ownership change.
Explore the details ↗VALUATION SUPPORTAffordable Business Valuations UK
Request an affordable business valuation quote with a clear scope. Understand cost drivers, reporting options and what to prepare before commissioning.
Explore the details ↗VALUATION SUPPORTEMI Share Valuation Support UK
EMI share valuation support: organise the financial evidence, share rights and proposed option grant before approaching HMRC.
Explore the details ↗VALUATION SUPPORTStartup & Fundraising Valuation UK
Fundraising valuation support for founders: test pre-money value, dilution, milestones and investment assumptions before a round.
Explore the details ↗VALUATION SUPPORTBusiness Acquisition Valuation UK
Acquisition valuation support for buyers comparing earnings, funding requirements and the assumptions behind a target business price.
Explore the details ↗VALUATION SUPPORTBusiness Valuation Report UK
Commission a business valuation report with a clear purpose, valuation date, evidence base and explanation of the conclusion.
Explore the details ↗VALUATION SUPPORTShareholder Dispute Valuation UK
Request shareholder dispute valuation support. Prepare the brief, compare assumptions and understand the report needed for an ownership disagreement.
Explore the details ↗VALUATION SUPPORTICAEW Chartered Accountant Business Valuation
Business valuations prepared by an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Request an independent assessment with the right scope, assumptions and report for your decision.
Explore the details ↗A NUMBER IS ONLY THE BEGINNINGLook at what sits
Look at what sits
behind the value.
Which earnings can continue? Who owns the cash? What rights attach to the shares? We start with those questions so the conclusion has a context you can follow.
Understand the value bridge ↗ILLUSTRATIVE VALUE BRIDGE
- Enterprise value
- £1,200,000
- Add cash
- + £180,000
- Less debt
- − £350,000
- Equity value
- £1,030,000
Hypothetical arithmetic only. Other adjustments, fees and tax are excluded.
Useful answers. In plain English.
GUIDE
How to Value a Small Business UK
A practical guide to earnings, cash flow and asset-based business valuation methods, including where each approach can mislead.
Explore the details ↗GUIDEEnterprise Value vs Equity Value
Understand enterprise value, equity value and the debt-and-cash bridge with a simple worked example for business owners.
Explore the details ↗GUIDEBusiness Valuation Documents Checklist UK
Prepare for a business valuation with a practical checklist covering financial records, ownership, commercial risks and the valuation brief.
Explore the details ↗UNDERSTAND THE MECHANICSChange an assumption.
Change an assumption.
See what moves.
Our scenario calculator shows the arithmetic linking earnings, an assumed multiple, debt and cash. It is a learning tool, not an automated professional valuation.
Explore a scenario ↗Let’s put your valuation
in context.
Discuss your requirements ↗WHERE WE CAN HELP
A valuation brief that includes where you operate.
Business and share valuation support is available remotely across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Whether the business has one location, several sites or online customers, explain the operating footprint when requesting a quote. See what to include in a UK valuation brief.
UK service coverage & your valuation brief ↗VALUATION INSIGHTS
Questions worth asking before the next decision.
Management buyout valuation: what the business is worth vs what the team can fund
A management buyout brings existing managers into the buyer role. Valuation and financing should be assessed separately, then reconciled in a realistic transaction model.
Read the guide ↗Shareholder buyouts: build one information pack before comparing prices
A common information pack helps shareholders and advisers understand what is known, what is assumed and what remains unresolved before discussing a buyout price.
Read the guide ↗CONSULT EFC · PRACTICAL GUIDES
Go deeper before your next decision.
How to compare business valuation quotes in the UK
Compare valuation proposals by purpose, evidence, methods, reporting and reliance, rather than price alone. A practical guide for UK business owners.
Read the guide ↗Revenue quality and business valuation: beyond turnover
Understand how repeat revenue, retention, customer concentration, margins and collection evidence influence the analysis behind an SME business valuation.
Read the guide ↗