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Business Valuations
& Advisory

Business Valuation Services by Purpose

Business valuations are performed for different reasons, and the purpose of the valuation determines the appropriate methodology, level of rigor, and type of report.

Why do a Business Valuation? Below are the most common situations in which a business appraisal is required or advisable. Each page provides a focused explanation of the context, requirements, and recommended type of engagement.

Overview of business valuation services for tax, legal, and strategic purposes.

Growth & Strategy

Business valuation for strategic planning and management decision-making

Management Planning & Strategy

Valuations used internally to understand value drivers, assess risk, identify value gaps, refine strategy, and support better long-term decision-making—without necessarily having a transactional intent.

Business valuation for SBA loans and private business financing

SBA & Commercial Financing.

Provide valuation support for lender requirements, including SBA loans, acquisitions, and leveraged transactions.

A rocket ship launching from a bar chart; Alt Text: Valuation icon for startup seed rounds, Series A, and 409A compliance.

Startup & Equity Rounds

Provide valuation support for lender requirements, including SBA loans, acquisitions, and leveraged transactions.

mergers, acquisitions, and transaction

Mergers & Acquisitions

Determine value for buyers, sellers, or both sides of a transaction, including deal structuring and negotiation.

Succession, Exit Planning & Sales

Business Valuation for Exit Planning

Succession & Exit Planning

Understanding business value as part of long‑term ownership transition, whether transferring internally, externally, or preparing for future liquidity events.

Business valuation for selling a business and exit preparation

Preparing for the Sale of a Business

Valuations used before engaging buyers to assess readiness, identify gaps and value drivers, and reduce uncertainty prior to a formal sale process.

Compliance

Valuation icon for IRC Section 409A compliance and employee stock ownership plans.

409A & ESOP Compliance

Determine fair market value of common stock for equity compensation and IRS compliance. Support Employee Stock Ownership Plans, including transaction and annual valuation requirements.

Business valuation for transferring ownership of a business into a trust

Business-to-Trust Transfers

Valuations supporting transfers to trusts and estate structures, including GRATs, ILITs, FLPs, and other planning vehicles.

Valuation icon for federal estate tax reporting and IRS Form 706 compliance

Estate Tax (IRS Form 706).

Provide executors with the certified Detailed Reports required to settle federal estate tax liabilities and establish a “step-up” in basis.

Gift Tax (IRS Form 709)

Support reporting of gifted business interests and establish a defensible fair market value for tax purposes. Protect your lifetime exemption with “Adequate Disclosure” valuations that meet the strict scrutiny of IRS reviewers.

Business valuation for charitable contributions of closely held business interests and IRS Form 8283 compliance

Charitable Contributions

Valuations required for non‑cash charitable gifts, ensuring proper substantiation and compliance with IRS reporting requirements.

Business-Valuations-for-Purchase-Price-Allocation-in-Upstate-NY

Purchase Price Allocations (PPA)

When a business is acquired, accounting standards require that the total purchase price be allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. 

Other Purposes, including Litigation

Business valuation for divorce, marital dissolution, and equitable distribution of business interests

Divorce & Marital Dissolution

Determine business value for equitable distribution in collaborative or litigated matrimonial matters.

Business Valuation for Partner and Shareholder Agreements, Buy Ins, Buy Outs, and Disputes

Partner/Shareholder Agreements & Disputes

Establish value for buy-ins, buyouts, and ownership disagreements, including litigation support.

Valuation icon for solvency opinions and fraudulent conveyance protection

Solvency & Insolvency Opinions

Valuation‑based analyses assessing financial condition in transactions, restructurings, or disputes where creditor rights or fiduciary duties are implicated.

Chapter 11 restructuring valuations in upstate Ny

Business Valuation for Bankruptcy & Reorganization (Chapter 11)

Chapter 11 bankruptcy valuations are used to estimate the business’s reorganization value and to support decisions related to restructuring, creditor recoveries, and plan development.

Gato Consulting gathered several differentiators to deliver robust, accurate, and defensible valuations for every purpose.

👉 Whether you are in Syracuse, Utica, Albany, or, in fact, most areas in Upstate NY, we strive to bring the best Business Valuation Services to you.

     What sets Gato Consulting logo valuations apart

NACVA Certified Valuation Analyst CVA b&w logo icon

Certified & Standards-Driven

20 years M&A and continuous valuation experience icon

Real Transaction & Continuous Valuation Experience

Independent valuation peer review process icon

Independent Peer Review on Every Engagement

Business valuation supported by institutional-grade financial databases icon

Powered by Institutional-Grade Databases

Court-ready, litigation-ready, IRS-ready business valuations icon

Court-Ready Work

Business valuation with timeline guarantee icon

Guaranteed Timelines - or you pay less

A Valuation you can Trust • A Report you can defend • A process that follows your timeline

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