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Whether you’re planning to sell, trying to settle a valuation dispute, or calculating the market value of your business, one of the first things to look for is a business valuation company.
These are companies that help determine a business's accurate market value, which is essential for a fair sale process and informed decisions.
Let us help you sift through over 50,000 firms in the U.S. alone by giving you our top recommendations.
There are three key areas to consider when deciding on a valuation consulting firm:
Based on these, here are the top five picks, which we’ll elaborate on in this article:
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Reach out to us to hire the pros who can make your dream exit come true.
Let's see how the business valuation market looks across various aspects to get a clear picture of the reality on the ground:
Different research entities value the valuation market differently. For example:
According to DataHorizon Research, Dataintelo, and Business Research Insights (the last two as linked above), North America dominates the global business valuation services market because of its mature financial ecosystem and frequent corporate transactions.
These three sources also agree that the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market. The growth is fueled by rising M&A activity, rapid economic development, and the increasing recognition of valuation services in China and India.
DataHorizon Research (linked above) places mergers and acquisitions (M&A) valuations as the major component in the business valuation sector.
M&A valuations take the center stage because business acquirers look for precise appraisals of their targets, especially in complex or cross-border transactions.
As per Dataintelo and Business Research Insights, AI, proprietary digital tools, and big data analytics are transforming how experts value businesses.
Modern valuations are now faster and more accurate. Technology plays different roles in modernizing business valuations:
A comprehensive, accurate valuation is non-negotiable, regardless of whether you’re in for the long haul or preparing for an exit.
That’s because accurate valuation:
You know your business – you built it from the ground up. So why do you need a valuation consultant to understand its worth?
Here’s why:
It’s also worth noting that while some valuation companies, such as boutique firms, may not have the same tenure, many specialize in niche markets. This gives them in-depth insight into and understanding of specific industries.
When choosing a valuation consulting firm, you'll want to consider the following key differentiating aspects:
The top five independent business valuation firms are listed in this section.
Use these recommendations to decide which fits your business model, financial complexity, and services needed.
Kroll is the largest independent valuation firm in the country. It offers risk and financial advisory services and has an extensive background in real estate and retail valuations.
The most recent addition to their long list of accolades is ranking #1 for “Total Number of Fairness Opinions in the U.S., EMEA, Australia and Globally in 2023,” according to the 2023 LSEG Global M&A Review.
The firm started in 1972 and has grown to over a thousand valuation experts, which means they have the capacity, experience, and resources.
Key services:
Another elite firm in the financial industry is Kaufman Rossin, founded in 1962 by Jay Rossin and Kim Kaufman. Specializing in business valuations, it’s considered one of the top 100 accounting firms in the U.S.
Notably, their team of valuation experts has the highest qualifications in the industry, including Accredited in Business Valuations (ABV) and Accredited Senior Appraisers (ASA).
But what truly stands out is their emphasis on “making joy your bottom line.” These are consultants that are fun to work with.
So, if you’re thinking of selling your family business and want to know what it’s worth, these are probably the people you’d want to speak to.
Key services:
Stout is a global advisory firm that has been around since 1991. It is known in the industry for its strong experience in a broad spectrum of industries, from energy and power to real estate.
Their professionals are also among the most skilled in sophisticated valuation services, such as valuation disputes and value strategy.
So, if you’re looking for advisors for a multinational company or a large corporation, Stout’s commitment to “relentless excellence” combined with expertise built on decades of experience is a reliable choice.
Key services:
Valuation Research Corporation, one of the most highly respected firms in the industry, has highly skilled valuation and advisory professionals who can give you an accurate view of your business’s valuation.
They have been in business for over 40 years and were named the M&A Advisor’s Firm of the Year at the 2024 Leadership in Dealmaking Summit—the 12th consecutive time they have received the honor.
They also have over 1,500 valuation experts worldwide, including 300+ in the U.S.
Key services:
Alpha Apex is a U.S.-based consultancy firm with an impressive portfolio of clients, including Meta, Amazon Web Services, and Zendesk.
What's noteworthy about this firm is the range of its consulting services and multi-dimensional approach to elevating its clients' businesses.
Their team of experts is also experienced in a wide range of specialty industries, such as aerospace and life sciences.
Key services:
Need further help? At Exitwise, we help business owners like you create the best M&A advisory team so you can make the most of your business’ sale. Explore our process to understand how we make that happen.
The cost of business valuation ranges from $2,000 to $50,000. Several factors affect this, such as:
For instance, in the case of a multinational corporation, consultants may need to use multiple valuation methods to arrive at an accurate value, increasing the cost of the valuation services.
M&A valuation, for one, is typically more costly than valuation for tax compliance. The former requires not only thorough accounting, audit, and research but also data interpretation and forecasting.
Let’s say you want Deloitte, considered one of the Big 4 accounting firms in the country (and which also does valuations as part of its audit services). You can expect to pay much higher than if you chose a boutique firm.
A small-to-medium company can expect to pay between $2,000 and $10,000, depending on the factors mentioned above.
Note, though, that there are cases where even small companies may need to shell out much more, such as when needing to value a business as part of an M&A process.
As you can see from the recommendations above, you have plenty of options when choosing valuation consultants.
Here’s how to narrow the list down further:
In fact, some are hyper-niched, which means they are highly adept at specific services. Setting a budget and realistic M&A fees will help you filter your options early.
Is it time to let go of your business? Planning your exit can be complicated and stressful. Putting together an M&A team alone can be incredibly time-consuming.
But it doesn’t have to be the case for you.
Sit back, relax, and let Exitwise scout a vetted team of pros who will create the best exit plan for you. Here’s how it works:
Once your team is assembled, the sale process begins. We’ll be with you every step of the way–until your dream exit is complete.
Any more questions about business valuation firms? Check these FAQs out:
The key difference between business valuation and M&A valuation is their purpose.
At Exitwise, we can connect you with top M&A experts who can take the load off your plate. If that’s what you need, let’s connect!
Valuations can take anywhere from 7 to 14 weeks. The more complex the financial structure and purpose of the valuation, the longer it usually takes.
Your valuation consultants will tell you what you need to make the process go smoothly, but it pays to have them ready beforehand.
Necessary documentation includes:
Using a valuation calculator is a quick and easy way to arrive at an approximate value based on your company’s existing data.
Yes, a global valuation consulting firm can handle local business valuations effectively.
Like most large valuation firms, they have strong local expertise. They bring global data access, standardized methods, and dedicated local teams or trusted regional partners to combine global rigor with local relevance.
Your choice of business valuation firm is crucial for determining the true value of your business.
Pick one that suits your business by examining their credentials, experience, and level of expertise.
If you’re also looking to exit your business, you’ll need a special team of experts to help through that process.
Allow us at Exitwise to help you hire the best M&A advisors, from valuation professionals to investment bankers – everything you need to get expert guidance for your business.
Reach out to us today so we can help you hire pros who can maximize your company’s value.
Let Exitwise introduce, hire and manage the best, industry specialized, investment bankers, M&A attorneys, tax accountants and other M&A advisors to help you maximize the sale of your business.
