Your business valuation information checklist

1. Define the question

Write down why the valuation is needed, the intended users, the date and the interest to be valued. Identify any shareholder agreement, court direction or adviser instruction that sets requirements. A company, a business and a particular parcel of shares are not interchangeable subjects.

2. Gather the financial record

Have recent annual financial statements and current management accounts available. Depending on the matter, earlier tax returns, a detailed general ledger, budgets and supporting schedules may be useful. Flag any change in accounting treatment or trading structure so figures can be understood in context.

• Annual profit and loss statements and balance sheets
• Current-year results and comparative periods
• Debt, cash and related-party account details
• Asset, stock, debtor and creditor schedules where relevant

3. Explain how the business operates

Describe the products or services, customer relationships, key suppliers, team and premises. Identify the working owners and their responsibilities. Explain unusual income or costs and any material changes to trading conditions. Provide evidence for proposed adjustments rather than simply labelling them as one-off.

4. Clarify ownership and obligations

Provide an ownership chart and relevant share rights or agreements. Note material leases, licences and contractual commitments. Explain which entity owns important assets and whether related parties supply labour, premises, intellectual property or funding.

5. Tell us what is missing

It is better to identify incomplete records at the beginning. Information gaps may change the scope, the timeframe or the extent of the conclusion. Do not send sensitive client records or unnecessary personal information with an initial website enquiry; ask which records are needed and how to provide them.

A useful first-enquiry summary

Include the business name, industry, approximate size, proposed valuation date, purpose and deadline. If your lawyer or accountant is coordinating the matter, include their role and any relevant instructions. Financial attachments can follow once the scope and transfer arrangements are confirmed.

General educational information. Examples are hypothetical and do not value a real business. The appropriate treatment depends on the purpose, evidence and agreed scope.