Frequently asked questions (faq)

General Questions:

• Do you take clients outside of Atlanta?

• Do we sign a contract?

• Are our discussions confidential?

• Do you require a retainer?

• Do you offer refunds?

• Do you work with other professionals?

• Where can we have our consultations?
  
  
  

Engagement Questions:

• Do you take clients outside of Atlanta?

• Do we sign a contract?

• Do you require a retainer?

• Do you offer refunds?

• Do you work with other professionals?
  

• What is a business valuation?

• When may I want to hire a valuation expert?

• How much does a business valuation cost?

• How long does a business valuation take?

• Does my company structure matter (LLC, C-corp, S-corp, etc.)

• What information is needed for a forecast or valuation?
  Can you help me sell my business? What about buy a business?

Consultation Questions:

• How can I contact my consultant if it is urgent?

• Where can we have our consultations?

• What if I have trouble with my meeting link?

• What if I miss my consultation or education module?
  
  
  

Do you take clients outside of Atlanta?  

Yes, we assist clients across the United States. We are able to assist some clients overseas depending on the request. 

Do we sign a contract?

Every engagement, no matter the purpose, cost, or size requires an engagement letter to be signed by both parties to ensure we are both on the same page before the engagement begins. The engagement letter covers the (i) scope (ii) timeline (iii) information request (iv) final deliverable and (v) payment terms. You want an engagement letter and should proceeds with caution with any professional who does not offer you one or something similar.

Are our discussions confidential?

Yes, it is part of our signed contract. 

Do you require a retainer?

Yes, but generally a small amount. You have signed and agreed to the terms in the engagement letter. The final deliverable will not be released without receiving the project payment. If there's an issue. Call us. We have compassion even when technology or life does not. Generally, however, payment is due before final project is released.

Do you offer refunds?

We will always do our best to be fair. There are no refunds once the final deliverable has been released to you. But, you and the consultant will review the draft version together prior to release. If a project is cancelled before the final deliverable is released, you will owe the fees incurred to date (hours spent on project to date x hourly rate outlined in your agreement). Just contact us. We will do what is right. After all, we have a fiduciary responsibility to you (like your lawyer or doctor). See full refund policy here.

Do you work with other professionals?

Yes, we are often hired directly by estate, litigation, and family law attorneys. We often reach in our network of professionals to pull into engagements, when needed.  We work with lawyers, brokers, real estate agents, insurance agents,  etc. We will never discuss your matter by name without speaking with you first.  We may reach out to a colleague if stumped but only speaking generally about the topic, not the client. 

How can I reach a consultant if it is urgent? 

See the Connect page. Text is available if urgent. 

Where can we have our consultations?

By telephone, Google Meet, Zoom, Facetime,  Skype and in person if schedules and locations align. 

What if I have trouble with my meeting link?  

Contact us. See our Connect page. 

What if I miss my consultation or Education Station module?

Contact us. See our Connect page.  

What is a business valuation?

A business valuation is an independent analysis used to estimate the economic value of a privately held company. Valuations are commonly used for transactions, litigation matters, tax reporting, ownership changes, and strategic planning

• Selling or buying a business

• Partner exiting the compan

  or other ownership changes

• Estate and gift tax reporting

• 409A and equity planning

• Marital disputes (divorces)

• Strategic planning and exit preparation

Read the blog post,

"When Might a Business Owner Need to Hire a Valuation Expert?"

Light reading

Est. 5 - 7 minutes

When may I want to hire a valuation expert?

How much does a business valuation cost?

The cost of a business valuation can vary depending on the complexity of the company, the purpose of the valuation, and the amount of financial analysis required. Simpler engagements for a company's internal planning may require less time and documentation, while litigation support or complex ownership structures may require more detailed analysis, especially analyses for litigation or the IRS which require a full written report. I have had $500 projects and half a million dollar projects.  On average, my engagements run $800 when considering all projects, and $3,600 for full formal valuations with reports.

We typically begin with an initial consultation to understand the scope before providing an estimate. We will never exceed budget without discussing the overage with you and having your consent to do so. 

How long does a business valuation take?

Most formal business valuation engagements take several weeks to complete, depending on the availability of financial information and the complexity of the business. The process typically involves reviewing financial statements, understanding the company’s operations, analyzing industry data, and developing valuation models. The quicker the client can upload the required documents, the faster we can start.

Does my company structure matter (LLC, C-corp, S-corp, etc.)?

No, the structure does not matter as long as your company is privately held. Companies such as Facebook, Apple, and Tesla sell their stock, or equity, to the public. To contrast, me and my brother started a plumbing company together and we own it, not the general public. (The term IPO is an "Initial Public Offering" and represents the first time a privately held company offers the general public an opportunity to buy stock, or invest, in their company.)

What information is needed for a forecast or valuation?

A business valuation or financial forecast typically requires several types of information, including:

• Ownership structure and organizational documentsHistorical financial statements

• Audited financial statements, tax returns, or internally-prepared financial statements. You will want to provide the financials with the highest level of assurance, if possible. Audited financials have the highest level of assurance with internally-prepared financials having the least. (Makes sense, right? I can tell QuickBooks that my company made a gazillion dollars this quarter but there's no assurance.)

• Any budgets, forecasts, or long-range plans

• Any marketing materials or presentations which describe the general purpose and activity of the company

The specific information required will depend on the purpose of the valuation and the level of analysis needed

Can you help me sell my business? What about buy a business?

Yes. On the sell side, we can "Polish, Package, & Present" your business to the right people. If given enough time, we can make changes to the business to get the best price in the market.  For both buy and sell side, we can aid you with negotiations and even deal structure if needed.  We have a wide network of brokers we network with so deals happen quickly.