Business Valuation Services: Top 10 Questions to Ask a Prospective Appraiser

How do you find the right business appraiser?

One of best places to find an expert is through a referral from a trusted professional who has actually worked with the appraiser or is familiar with their reputation.  However, in the event you do not have the benefit of a direct referral, you may need to consider other sources such as member directories of valuation organizations.  Regardless of how you identify the expert, you will still need to make sure the expert possesses the necessary professional qualifications and that their expertise matches the needs of your particular assignment.

In assessing the appraiser’s qualifications, we suggest asking the following questions:

1. Do you perform business appraisals on a full-time basis?
2. How long have you been specializing in valuation and how many valuations have you performed?
3. Do you have full-time staff who are trained and specialize in valuation?  If so, how many?
4. Are you a member of the following professional organizations:
   1. American Institute of CPAs – If so, have you earned the AICPA’s Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) specialization designation?
   2. American Society of Appraisers – If so, have you earned the Accredited Senior Appraiser in Business Valuation (ASA) specialization designation?
5. What continuing education have you taken to keep up-to-date in the field?
6. Have you taught courses, conducted seminars, written articles, and/or published books on the subject of valuation?
7. Will you provide a list of references?
8. Do you have experience in conducting appraisals for the specific valuation purpose and type of business I wish to have appraised?
9. Do you conduct your appraisal work and prepare your reports in accordance with the following standards:
   1. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement on Standards for Valuation Services No. 1
   2. American Society of Appraisers’ Business Valuation Standards
   3. Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
10. What do you charge for your services and how do you base your fee?

While not exhaustive, these 10 questions will serve as a basis for productive conversations with prospective appraisers.  If you are in need of business valuation services and are considering various experts, please contact your Keiter representative or the Keiter Valuation and Forensic Services team. We are here to help.

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“D-I-V-O-R-C-E’ (Apologies To Tammy Wynette)”