Our Process
Determining the value of a closely held business requires experience and insight because no two companies are alike. Our approach walks you through each step of the valuation process so you know what to expect and feel prepared for the engagement.
Our goal is to ensure you feel confident in the results.
Define the Engagement
Every valuation begins with a confidential conversation to understand your unique circumstances and goals. From there, we provide a clear written agreement outlining the scope of work, timeline, and fees—so you know exactly what to expect before we proceed.
Initial Data Request
We’ll ask for several years of financial statements and tax returns, key legal documents, and a detailed business questionnaire. Once we receive your information, we analyze it to uncover the financial story behind your company.
Management Interview
We schedule time to meet with you or your management team and, if needed, tour your facilities. This step helps us build a complete picture of your company’s history, operations, financials, and future outlook.
Research & Analysis
Through ongoing discussions, we gather any remaining information and incorporate relevant economic, industry, and market data. We synthesize these insights to understand how they impact your business, then select the valuation methods best suited to your company.
Discuss the Assumptions
Once we arrive at a preliminary value, we schedule time to review the underlying assumptions and key inputs together. We confirm the reasonableness of our conclusion and make any necessary adjustments. After that, we prepare and send a draft report for your review.
Complete the Report
After you review the draft and we make any necessary revisions, we finalize the valuation and deliver a signed report in electronic format—concluding the engagement with clarity and confidence.
Our Process
To determine the value of a closely held business requires skill and experience as no two companies are exactly alike. Understanding the key steps of the process will better prepare you for the course of the valuation engagement.
Our goal is to ensure you feel confident in the results.
Defining the Engagement
Every engagement starts with a confidential discussion to understand the specific facts and circumstances of your situation. Then, we send out a written agreement which outlines the terms of service, the expected time to complete the work, along with all the related fees.
Initial Data Request
The initial data request will ask you to provide several years of financial statements and tax returns, important legal documents and complete a detailed business questionnaire. Once received, we analyze the information to gain insight into the company’s financial story.
Management Interview
We schedule a time to interview you or the management team and tour the facilities if a visit is necessary as part of the valuation engagement. This allows us to develop a more complete view of the company’s history, operations, finances and outlook.
Research & Analysis
Through our continuing discussions we assemble the remaining information needed for the valuation, along with any relevant economic, industry and financial markets data. We synthesize the data, documentation and findings to consider how these factors affect the company. It is at this point that we select the valuation methods most suitable to your business.
Discuss the Assumptions
Upon arriving at a value, we arrange a time to discuss the underlying assumptions of the valuation. Besides reviewing key inputs, we consider whether our overall conclusion is reasonable and if further adjustments to the analysis are necessary. Thereafter, a report is prepared and sent out in draft form for you to review.
Complete the Report
After you have reviewed the draft report, and we make any necessary changes or corrections, the valuation engagement concludes by sending you a final signed report in electronic format.
Industries Served
South Park Advisors provides independent business valuation and advisory services to owners and professionals of small to middle-market closely held businesses. We help you navigate ownership transitions, preserve wealth, and plan strategically with confidence. Each engagement is tailored to your unique goals, ensuring practical insights and actionable solutions that drive better decisions.
Explore the industries we’ve served and see how our expertise can support your next decision.
- Aerospace & Defense
- Architectural & Engineering
- Residential & Commercial Construction
- Banking & Finance
- Business & Professional Services
- Consumer & Retail
- Distribution
- Energy & Utilities
- Financial Services
- Food & Beverage
- Government Contracting
- Healthcare
- Investment Companies
- Manufacturing
- Real Estate Holdings
- Start-up Companies
- Technology/SaaS
- Textiles & Apparel
- Transportation & Logistics
Don’t see your industry? Contact us to learn how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily—but there is a learning curve. ESOPs can be an excellent exit strategy for business owners seeking a tax-advantaged way to transition ownership to employees. They provide liquidity for a minority, majority, or even 100% controlling interest in the company. ESOPs also allow owners to step away gradually while preserving the legacy they’ve worked hard to build.
The baby boomer generation is retiring at an unprecedented pace—nearly 12,000 individuals turn 65 every day, a trend that will continue for the next decade. This transition represents the largest generational wealth transfer in U.S. history. Business owners have long been a highly sought-after client segment, which explains why so many consultants, accountants, wealth advisors, and insurance professionals are adding succession and exit planning to their services.
The challenge? Few of these advisors possess the specialized skills, expertise, and experience required to deliver advice that business owners can truly rely on.
Imagine trying to hire a CPA but being overwhelmed by too many credentials. That’s the challenge business owners and advisors face when selecting a valuation professional. Our industry doesn’t have one standard—it has four: ASA, ABV, CVA, and CBA.
We recommend working with professionals who hold either the ASA or ABV designation.
- ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser): Requires at least 10,000 hours (about five years) of valuation experience, 100 hours of coursework and exams, and a peer-reviewed valuation report. ASA holders must also complete ongoing education and recertification. It’s widely regarded as the most rigorous and respected credential in the field.
- ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation): Requires a minimum of 1,500 hours of valuation experience and ongoing annual recertification and education.
Other credentials demand far less training, education, and experience—making ASA and ABV the gold standard for trusted valuation expertise.