Frequently Asked Questions
When should I get a valuation for my business?
You should consider getting a valuation during key moments in your business’s life—such as when you’re planning to sell, bring in a new partner or investor, or prepare for succession or estate planning. Valuations are also useful for tax reporting (like estate or gift tax), resolving disputes between partners, or simply gaining a better understanding of your company’s financial position. Even if you’re not actively planning a major change, a valuation can help guide your business strategy.
How do you value my business?
At Swift and Wise, we follow a step-by-step process to ensure your valuation is accurate and thorough. We start by learning about your business and what you need from the valuation. Then we collect your financial documents and ask you to complete a short questionnaire. Once we have everything, we analyze your financials, your industry, and current market conditions. We use proven methods—including the income approach, market approach, and asset-based approach—to calculate your business’s fair market value. Finally, we deliver a detailed report that explains how we arrived at the valuation and walk you through the results so you fully understand them.
Why should I hire a Certified Analyst?
Certified analysts have the training, credentials, and experience needed to deliver reliable, professional valuations. They follow strict industry standards and ethical guidelines, which means you can trust the results. Certified analysts also stay up to date on regulations, methods, and market data, so your valuation meets legal, tax, and financial reporting requirements. Whether you’re preparing for a sale, handling a legal matter, applying for a loan, or just need to know what your business is worth, working with a certified analyst gives you peace of mind and ensures your valuation stands up to scrutiny.
What do you value businesses for? What purposes do you support?
We provide business valuations for a wide range of purposes, including selling or buying a business, bringing in or buying out partners, gift and estate tax reporting, divorce and legal disputes, SBA and bank loan applications, succession planning, and internal planning or strategy. If you're unsure which type of valuation you need, we can help determine the right approach based on your specific situation.
Site Visits
Site visits are not normally required.
Are you certified to provide services in my State?
Yes, Swift and Wise is certified to provide business valuation services in all states across the United States. Our team of certified analysts adheres to rigorous industry standards and methodologies, ensuring that we deliver accurate and reliable valuations no matter where your business is located.
How soon will I get the report?
Typically, we allow between 10 and 15 days from receipt of instruction and the necessary information requested. We also offer a fast-track service if you’re in a hurry or have a tight deadline to meet for a premium of $400. A fast-track valuation is typically completed within seven business days.
How much is a valuation report?
Our flat fees for valuation reports are categorized by company size based on gross revenues (most recent fiscal year), ensuring our clients face no hidden costs or unexpected charges. The fees range from $1,900 to $4,200, depending on the size and complexity of your business. This transparent pricing structure allows us to provide accurate and reliable valuations tailored to your specific needs. Businesses with gross revenues under $500,000 are charged a flat fee of $1,900. Businesses with gross revenues from $500,000 to $2,000,000 are charged $2,200. For gross revenues from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000, the fee is $2,600. Businesses with gross revenues from $5,000,000 to $8,000,000 are charged $3,100. Those with gross revenues from $8,000,000 to $12,000,000 are charged $3,600. For businesses with gross revenues over $12,000,000, the fee is $4,200.
How do I pay for the valuation?
Once you sign the engagement letter, we will send you a secure payment link via Stripe to pay the 50% retainer. The remaining balance is due before we release the final report. We accept all major credit cards. If you prefer to pay by check, please let us know in advance so we can provide mailing instructions.
What is in my valuation report?
Your certified valuation report from Swift and Wise provides a clear and complete breakdown of your business’s value. It starts with an executive summary that highlights the key findings and overall valuation conclusion. The report includes an introduction that explains why the valuation was done, what it covers, and any important assumptions or limitations. We then provide a company overview, describing your business, its operations, history, and industry background. In the financial analysis section, we review your historical financial statements and key performance metrics. We explain which valuation methods we used—typically the income, market, and asset-based approaches—and why they were chosen for your business. The report also includes a market analysis that looks at trends in your industry and broader economic factors. Next, we walk through the detailed calculations that support our conclusion. The final section presents the concluded value of your business, clearly showing how we arrived at that number. The report also comes with relevant supporting documents like financial data and market research. The goal is to give you a clear, well-supported valuation you can trust—whether for a sale, legal matter, loan, or strategic planning.
How do I start the valuation process?
To get started, you can email us at info@swiftvaluation.com, submit the contact form on our website, or schedule a phone call directly from the homepage or contact page.
Is more than one Standard of value used in valuation?
Yes, more than one standard is used in valuation to ensure a comprehensive and accurate assessment of your business's value. At Swift and Wise, we typically apply multiple valuation approaches, such as the income approach, market approach, and asset-based approach. Each approach provides a different perspective on your business's value, allowing us to cross-verify the results and arrive at a well-rounded conclusion. This multi-standard approach helps ensure that the valuation is thorough, reliable, and reflective of the true worth of your business.
Can I schedule a free consultation?
Yes. We offer a free initial consultation to learn about your business and determine the right type of valuation for your needs. To schedule a time that works for you, please use the following link: https://meetings.hubspot.com/vlad-jovanovic?uuid=ce1e4633-1837-4e13-a9ff-9f29002e47a1
What is the difference between fair value and fair market value?
Fair market value is the estimated price a business would sell for in an open and competitive market, assuming both the buyer and seller are informed, willing, and under no pressure to act. It reflects what a typical buyer would reasonably pay for the business under normal conditions. Fair value, in contrast, is often used in legal settings or financial reporting and may reflect a more specific set of assumptions. It does not always consider discounts for lack of control or marketability and may take into account factors like strategic value to a particular party or statutory requirements. The main difference lies in context: fair market value represents what the business would sell for in a typical market transaction, while fair value is often defined by legal or financial standards that vary depending on the situation.
Is my information confidential?
We agree to hold in strict confidentiality all proprietary information provided by you about the valuation project. We may sign the NDA form if requested by the client.
What documents are required for a valuation?
We typically require financial statements or tax returns for the past three to five years, a current balance sheet, and a completed questionnaire. Additional documents may be needed depending on your business and the purpose of the valuation
How do I submit my documents securely?
We use ShareFile to collect documents securely. You'll receive a personalized upload link after signing the engagement letter.
Can I see a sample valuation report before I proceed?
Absolutely. We offer sample reports to help you understand the quality and scope of our work. Just complete a brief form on our site and we’ll send a tailored sample—no obligation required.
What if I don’t have all my financial documents yet?
No problem. If you're missing some documents (like a balance sheet or interim financials), let us know and we can guide you on how to proceed or suggest alternative documentation.
Who prepares my report?
All reports are prepared by certified valuation analysts with deep expertise in small business appraisal. Each report goes through a detailed review for quality and accuracy.
Do you send reminders if something is missing?
Yes. If your signed engagement letter, payment, or documents are delayed, we’ll follow up with a reminder to help keep the process on track.
Do you value minority interests or partial ownership?
Yes, we can value a specific ownership interest in a business, including minority or non-controlling interests. In those cases, discounts for lack of control or marketability may apply.
Can my CPA or attorney be copied on the process?
Yes. We’re happy to include your accountant, attorney, or advisor in the communication loop so they have access to documents and deliverables if authorized.
What is the “valuation date,” and why is it important?
The valuation date is the specific point in time for which the business’s value is determined. It can affect the outcome significantly and should reflect either a triggering event (e.g., sale or dispute) or a recent financial snapshot.
Can I request a retrospective valuation?
Yes. We regularly perform valuations with a past effective date—common for tax reporting, legal disputes, or retroactive planning.
What if I run personal expenses through the business?
That’s common. We’ll make normalization adjustments to reflect the company’s true earning power by removing non-operating or discretionary expenses (e.g., excess owner salary, travel, personal use items).
Do I need to provide forecasts or projections?
Only if the valuation purpose requires a forward-looking approach (e.g., early-stage business, investor funding). Otherwise, we typically use historical performance unless projections are available and reliable.
What if different valuation methods give different results?
That’s expected. We use multiple methods (income, market, asset-based) to triangulate a reasonable conclusion. Weighting depends on your business’s industry, financials, and the purpose of the valuation.
Do you apply discounts for lack of control or marketability?
Yes, when appropriate. These discounts are often applied in minority interest valuations or closely held businesses to reflect limited control or liquidity.
How do you determine the capitalization or discount rate?
We use industry-standard models like the Build-Up Method, informed by risk factors, company-specific data, and third-party sources such as Kroll (Duff & Phelps).
Is goodwill included in the valuation?
Yes. If the value of your business exceeds its tangible asset base, the difference is considered goodwill—often based on cash flow or market multiples.
What does “certified” valuation mean?
It means the valuation is performed by a credentialed analyst using established standards (e.g., NACVA, USPAP) and is suitable for legal, financial, and tax-related applications.
Can I give this report to the IRS, bank, or court?
Yes. Our certified valuation reports are appropriate for SBA loans, estate/gift tax filings, partner buyouts, and most legal or financial submissions.
How long is my valuation report valid?
A valuation reflects conditions as of the valuation date. While there’s no formal expiration, we recommend updating it after 12 months or if there’s a significant change in financials or ownership structure.
How do I contact Swift and Wise?
You can reach us by phone at (617) 600-7773 or by email at info@swiftvaluation.com. Due to a high volume of calls, we recommend scheduling a call through the Home or Contact page for the fastest response. You can also submit a message using our contact form or request a sample report directly through the Sample Report page. We’ll respond promptly to assist with your inquiry.