Business Valuation

VI. Business Valuation Resources

1. What type of resources does a business appraiser use when preparing an appraisal?

   There are many resources available to business appraisers for valuing businesses. This BV Website contains information about some of the most reliable sources. Clink on the bibliography section of the BV Website found on the Home Page.

2. Where can I find information about how to value intangible assets?

   A great source of books and articles relating to intangible assets is the bibliography section of this BV Website. Click on the bibliography section.

3. Where can I find article on the subject of business valuation?

   There are many publications that contain articles on business valuation. The BV Committee of the American Society of Appraisers publishes a quarterly technical journal known as "Business Valuation Review." The annual bibliography lists all previous articles. To obtain specific articles contained in the Journal or to subscribe to the Journal, click on the menu item from the Home Page of this site or contact the publisher at:

   720 SW Washington St., Suite 650
   Portland OR 97205
   503.517.0784 (tel)
   503.222.1380 (fax)

   For information on additional publications and articles relating to business valuation, clink on the bibliography section of this BV Website.

4. Where can I get information regarding educational courses for business appraisers?

   Each of the appraisal organizations provide educational courses for business appraisers. For information about the American Society of Appraisers' courses, go to the Home Page of the BV Website and click on Educational Courses.

5. Where can I find information about Rules of Thumb for valuing businesses?

   Some industries have Rules of Thumb about how to value companies in their industry; however, Rules of Thumb are usually quite simplistic. They fail to differentiate either operating characteristics or assets from one company to another. On the one hand, if such Rules of Thumb are widely disseminated and referenced in the industry, they probably should not be ignored. On the other hand, there usually is no credible evidence of how such rules were developed nor how well they actually comport to actual transaction data. Consequently, Rules of Thumb rarely, if ever, should be used without other, more reliable valuation methods.

   Sources of Rules of Thumb:

   Desmond, Glenn M. Handbook of Small Business Valuation Formulas and Rules of Thumb, 3rd ed. Camden, ME: Valuation Press, 1993.
   West, Thomas L., ed. Business Reference Guide, 9th ed. Concord, MA: Business Brokerage Press, 1999.