Business Valuations & Exit Strategies
CPA-Led Appraisals with Clarity, Precision, & Strategic Insight
You built your business with purpose. Now it’s time to know what it’s worth, with clarity, precision, and strategy. Whether you're preparing for:
- A Business Sale or Aquisition
- Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer
- Bringing in Partners / Investors
- Navigating an IRS Filing Requirement
Our CPA-led business valuation services give you more than just a number. You get insights, options, and a plan.
80%
Net Promoter Score
The average NPS for accounting firms is 38%. At Dark Horse, 80% of our clients would recommend us to a friend.
Net Promoter Score
Companies use this metric to gauge how happy their customers are with their services. It's calculated by taking the percentage of "promoters" minus the % of "detractors. "The average NPS score for the accounting industry is 39%, less than the DMV! We believe it's important to share that we have successfully fulfilled our promise to WOW clients and consistently monitor this metric to ensure we continue to deliver on the highest level.
550+
5-Star Reviews
Our Google and Yelp reviews speak for themselves. Our goal is to provide 5-star service to every client, every time.
5-Star Reviews
When someone shares their experience with us online, we find it extremely valuable to know where we've exceeded expectations and where we can improve. Many of our clients decide to engage with us as a result of reading about other Dark Horse clients’ experiences. Even when things do not go as planned, we do everything we can to make it right.
90%
Retention Rate
We're all about creating long-lasting, value-added relationships.
Retention Rate
This is the frequency of repeat business from our clients that work with us. This means that 9 out of 10 clients use us for subsequent years. That shows us that people enjoy working with our CPAs, are pleased with the work, and want to continue with Dark Horse over the long term.
What is a Business Valuation?
Business valuation is the process of determining the economic value of a company, using standardized financial methods to assess its current worth.
It’s often used for exit planning, estate and gift tax reporting, investor negotiations, and internal decision-making. Our appraisal business valuation services offer everything from quick estimates to fully IRS-compliant business valuation reports.
What Events Trigger a Business Valuation?
Historically, many businesses wouldn't consider going through a valuation until it was absolutely necessary. We believe this information is crucial to the long-term planning and goals of a business, which is why we offer products that allow for a quick calculation of value before diving into a full-fledge valuation. Some "trigger points" for a valuation include:
- Selling your business
- Exploring a Merger
- Succession, Estate, or Gift Tax Planning
- Adding or Buying-Out Partners
- Divorce or Legal Disputes
- Employee Equity Compensation
- Attracting Investors
- Internal Planning & Benchmarking
- And More
Business Valuation Frequently Asked Questions
We offer three levels of valuation: the Stage 1 Calculation Report for quick, high-level assessments; the Calculation of Value Report for more detailed but informal purposes; and the Detailed Valuation Report for comprehensive, IRS-compliant valuations.
The right choice depends on your purpose. For internal planning or preliminary discussions, a Calculation of Value may be sufficient. For legal matters, estate planning, or IRS filings, a Detailed Valuation is typically require.
Stage 1 Calculation Reports start at $2,500 with updates at $500 and take less than 2 weeks. Calculation of Value Reports range from $5,000–$7,500 and take 4–6 weeks. Detailed Valuation Reports start at $7,500 and take 6–8 weeks.
A Calculation of Value uses agreed-upon methods for an estimate of value but involves limited analysis, making it unsuitable for formal purposes. A Detailed Valuation is more thorough, includes all major methodologies, and is fully documented for legal, tax, and high-stakes uses.
We use recognized approaches including the Income Approach (discounted cash flow), Market Approach (comparable company or transaction analysis), and Asset-Based Approach (net asset value) depending on the business type and valuation purpose.
You’ll need financial statements, asset inventories, business plans, market and industry information, competitor analysis, and any other relevant data on historical and projected performance.
Yes. When applicable, we adjust valuations for factors like lack of marketability, lack of control, or strategic value premiums.
Our process includes meeting to understand your goals, selecting the appropriate valuation type, gathering documents, performing the analysis, preparing the report, and reviewing findings with recommendations for increasing value.
Absolutely. We provide an executive summary in plain language, walk through the findings, and offer guidance on how to use your valuation for negotiations, planning, or compliance.
Yes. If time allows, we can create a plan to increase value and prepare your business for future goals, succession, or sale. That is where our Fractional CFO Services become extremely important to consider.
Get an expert Tax & Accounting CPA who will partner with you to achieve unparalleled results.
