VFS Director Presents on Complex Business Valuation Topics at VPS Webinar

Harold Martin and Jim Hitchner’s perspectives on today’s most debated valuation topics

VPS StraightTalk Webinar Series

On May 12, 2026, Keiter Valuation and Forensic Services Director, Harold Martin, CPA/ABV/CFF, ASA, CFE, joined nationally recognized valuation expert Jim Hitchner, CPA/ABV/CFF, to present at the Valuation Products and Services (VPS) webinar, “Hitchner and Martin Tackle the Tough Topics (TTT) Series.” The session brought together valuation professionals seeking practical guidance on some of the most debated and complex issues in business valuation.

Key takeaways

The webinar explored several challenging valuation topics, including:

• How personal guarantees on debt impact small business valuations
• Current perspectives on S corporation valuation issues, including taxes, minority interests, control considerations, and valuation models
• Acceptable methods for valuing minority interests with and without control adjustments
• Recommended procedures for applying the Guideline Company Transactions Method for both small and large businesses
• Why public company acquisition data may not provide reliable support for control premiums
• Best practices for supporting and defending cost of capital assumptions
• The strengths and limitations of various business valuation standards
• Whether long-term growth rate assumptions are often overstated
• Professional practices and goodwill considerations in divorce valuations
  

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Addressing complex valuation issues

Drawing from decades of combined experience, Harold and Jim focused on the valuation topics that consistently create uncertainty, disagreement, or scrutiny among practitioners. Rather than revisiting foundational concepts, the session emphasized practical applications, defensible methodologies, and common pitfalls that can materially impact valuation conclusions.

The presenters discussed the continued evolution of S corporation valuation methodologies, including tax-affecting considerations and the treatment of minority versus control interests. They also challenged commonly accepted assumptions surrounding control premiums and provided guidance on more supportable analytical approaches.

In addition, the webinar highlighted practical procedures for Applying the Guideline Company Transactions Method through updated case studies involving both small and large businesses, demonstrating how company size and market data availability can influence methodology selection and conclusions.

Practical insights for valuation professionals

The session emphasized the importance of consistency, documentation, and defensibility in valuation work. Participants received guidance on strengthening cost of capital analyses, evaluating long-term growth assumptions, and avoiding common issues that may weaken valuation conclusions during litigation, review, or regulatory scrutiny.

The discussion surrounding professional practices and goodwill in divorce valuations also provided valuable insight for practitioners involved in family law matters, particularly when distinguishing enterprise goodwill from personal goodwill.

Interested in learning more about complex business valuation matters? Connect with Keiter’s Valuation team to discuss how our professionals can support your valuation and litigation needs. Email | Call: 804.747.0000