Calculation of Value
Although USPAP has eliminated language referring to “Limited Appraisal”, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) recognizes a “Calculation of Value” also known as “Value Calculations”. A calculation of value is NOT an appraisal because the appraiser is not coming to a “conclusion of value”, but merely a “calculation of value” based on a limited amount of investigation and due diligence. Although a Calculation of Value does not meet USPAP or IBA Standards, it can be a very valuable tool for business owners or professionals. Typical uses are as follows:

• Assisting an owner or broker to establish an initial asking price for the potential sale of a business
• Estate planning
• Business planning
• Developing a “preliminary” value for litigation matters
• Any matter where an “initial” or “calculation” of value is acceptable

The price for this report is $2,500 for a business with revenues under $1 million and $3,500 if the revenues are between $1 million and $4 million. The price will be quoted for businesses with revenues over $4 million. Turnaround time is approximately two weeks to the initial draft.

Complete Appraisal – Summary Report
Although USPAP and the American Society of Appraisers address only a single format for written reports, many practitioners (including GCF Valuation) offer a “summary report”. The Institute of Business Appraisers acknowledges this report in IBA BV Standard 4.1 and notes that “By its nature the letter form of report is an instrument of brevity. It should contain at least a summary of the material factors that led to its conclusions, but is usually intended by the parties [to the appraisal engagement contract] to reduce the normal appraisal burden of writing a comprehensive report, and thereby allow the client to realize some economic benefit. However, the appraiser is still required to perform materially the same investigation and analysis as would be required for a comprehensive report and maintain in his files the workpapers necessary to support the conclusions stated in the letter form report.” Our summary reports are usually between 30 and 60 pages and are typically used for the following purposes:

• Merger or acquisition
• SBA or conventional financing
• Estate tax or gifting purposes

• Any matter where the intended users are “familiar” with the subject to be valued

The price for this report is quoted. The turnaround time is approximately four to five weeks to the preliminary draft.

Complete Appraisal – Self Contained Report
This is a formal presentation of the value of a business in a self-contained written report. If a valuation has the potential to go to court, or if the report needs to be reviewed by others, such as the IRS for tax implications, this type of report explains in full detail how the value was derived. Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and American Society of Appraisers (ASA) address the above as a “Comprehensive, Written Business Valuation Report”. The Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA) addresses the above as a “Formal Written Report”. Typical uses are as follows:

• Litigation support
• Large, complex transactions
• Initial implementation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Any matter where there are many “intended users”

The price for this report is quoted. The turnaround time is approximately five to seven weeks to the preliminary draft.