Business Valuation
Find out how we can help you
At haleys, there are several benefits for an accountancy firm to prepare a business valuation for owner-managed businesses.
Business Valuation Accountants in Preston & Lancashire
Accurate, evidence-backed company valuations to empower business sales, tax planning, MBOs, and strategic growth.
Whether you are preparing to sell your company, structuring an employee share scheme, negotiating a management buy-out (MBO), or navigating a legal dispute, knowing the true market value of your business is essential.
At Haleys Business Advisers, our chartered business valuation accountants in Preston combine forensic financial expertise with deep regional market intelligence. We look beyond basic balance sheets to deliver independent, rigorous valuation reports that withstand scrutiny from HMRC, commercial lenders, trade buyers, and legal parties across Lancashire and the North West.
When Do You Need a Formal Business Valuation?
An accurate valuation is more than just a number—it provides the leverage and financial proof required for major commercial events.
1. Business Sales, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Avoid underpricing your life’s work or overpaying for an acquisition. We establish realistic enterprise values, helping business owners set competitive asking prices and negotiate from a position of strength.
2. HMRC & Tax Advisory
Valuations for tax purposes require strict adherence to statutory guidelines. We negotiate and agree on valuations directly with HMRC for employee share option plans (such as EMI schemes), corporate restructures, inheritance tax (IHT), and capital gains tax (CGT) planning.
3. Management Buy-Outs (MBO) & Shareholder Transfers
When transferring equity to family members, co-directors, or key managers, an independent valuation ensures fair market pricing while minimizing potential friction or tax liabilities.
4. Disputes, Probate & Family Law
In circumstances involving shareholder disputes, partnership breakups, probate, or matrimonial proceedings, we provide formal, objective expert witness valuation reports designed for legal proceedings.
How Our Accountants Calculate Business Value
There is no single "one-size-fits-all" valuation formula. Our Preston accounting team applies recognized financial methodologies tailored to your specific industry and operational model:
Our 4-Step Valuation Roadmap
[1. Information Gathering] ➔ [2. Financial Adjustment] ➔ [3. Methodology & Benchmarking] ➔ [4. Final Valuation Report]
- Information Gathering: Reviewing historical year-end accounts, management reporting, asset registers, and forward projections.
- Normalized Earnings Adjustment: Removing non-recurring expenses, director-specific costs, and exceptional items to reveal true maintainable operating profit (Adjusted EBITDA).
- Market Benchmarking: Comparing your financial performance against regional Lancashire and UK sector benchmarks to determine appropriate valuation multiples.
- Comprehensive Valuation Report: Delivering a clear, evidence-backed report detailing fair market value, methodology justifications, and strategic recommendations.
Local Valuation Expertise Across Preston & Lancashire
Headquartered at Meadowcroft Business Park in Whitestake, Preston, Haleys Business Advisers has decades of experience supporting owner-managed SMEs, family businesses, and regional enterprises.
We understand the specific commercial dynamics of the Lancashire economy—from manufacturing hubs in South Ribble to tech and professional service firms across Preston and the North West. Our local presence ensures you receive personal, responsive advisory services backed by senior chartered accountants and taxation specialists.
Corporation tax
Corporation tax reliefs and rates change annually, so we ensure that we can provide all the right guidance and advice when looking at exemptions, allowances and deductions that may be available.
We will thoroughly review and prepare corporation tax returns in great detail in order to ensure you are complaint and that you don’t incur any penalties.
Self assessment
Our tax services make sure that your tax liability is calculated taking into account all allowed exemptions and deductions. We simplify the process by using accountancy software to accurately complete tax returns and calculate any tax liability that may occur, along with any payments that need to be made.
Capital gains tax
You may be looking at investments, a second property or another asset and our team can make sure you maximise your exemptions while simplifying the difficult area of capital gains tax.
Personal tax planning
[insert firm name] can help with the complex issue of personal tax, we know it can be difficult to understand, which is why we help every step of the way. We take away the time and stress by creating a tax planning strategy that suits your tax affairs, helping ensure you pay the least amount of tax. Our team will advise when payments are due along with what forms need to be filed and returned to keep you compliant.
Standard accounting is often retrospective—it focuses on compliance and reporting what has already happened. Our Business Advisory service is prospective. We act as a proactive partner, using data analytics and strategic planning to look forward, helping you drive profits, protect assets, and navigate the specific challenges of your industry.
Yes. Through our Corporate Finance services, we support businesses in navigating the complexities of fundraising, whether through traditional bank loans, grants, or equity investment. We assist with preparing professional business plans and financial forecasts that demonstrate your business’s potential to lenders and investors.
The best time to start planning an exit strategy is now. Successful transitions often require 2 to 5 years of preparation to maximize business value and minimize tax liabilities. We help you groom the business for sale, ensuring your accounts are robust, your processes are documented, and your personal financial future is secured.
We don’t just look at the numbers; we look at the processes behind them. Our team analyzes your payment cycles, identifies bottlenecks in your accounts receivable, and helps implement better credit control systems. By improving your cash flow management, we ensure you have the liquidity needed to seize new opportunities and cover day-to-day operations.
A Virtual Finance Director (VFD) provides your business with the high-level strategic oversight and financial expertise of a traditional FD, but on a flexible, part-time basis. This is ideal for SMEs that need help with growth strategies, budgeting, and financial health monitoring without the overhead cost of a full-time executive hire.
