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Business Valuation Firms: How to Find One Near You and What to Expect

Quick Answer

Business valuation firms typically charge $3,000 to $10,000 for sub-$2M businesses, $10,000 to $50,000 for $2M-$25M, and $50,000+ for institutional-grade reports on larger companies or litigation matters. The most rigorous credential is ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser), though CVA and ABV designations from NACVA and AICPA are more cost-effective for smaller valuations. You need a paid valuation for litigation, divorce, ESOP, or IRS matters where a defensible third-party opinion is legally required; otherwise, a free valuation tool applying institutional benchmarks may suffice for pre-sale research. Find qualified firms through AICPA, NACVA, or ASA member directories, and expect the valuation to remain valid 6-12 months under stable business conditions.

Looking for a business valuation firm near you usually means one of two things: you need a defensible third-party opinion (for litigation, divorce, partnership dispute, ESOP, gift/estate tax, or IRS examination), or you’re researching what your business is worth before talking to brokers or buyers. The right resource depends on which situation you’re in.

This guide covers how to find a qualified business valuation firm, what credentials matter (ASA, CVA, ABV), typical fees, how to vet, and when a free alternative beats a paid valuation. We’re CT Acquisitions, a buy-side M&A advisory firm. We don’t do paid valuations, but we work alongside the people who do.

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What this guide covers

Three credentials matter: ASA (most rigorous), CVA/AVA (NACVA, common for CPAs), ABV (AICPA designation)
Typical fees: $3K-$10K for sub-$2M business; $10K-$50K for $2M-$25M; $50K-$200K+ for institutional reports
Free alternative: our 90-second valuation tool applies institutional-grade benchmarks
When you NEED a paid valuation: litigation, divorce, partnership dispute, ESOP, gift/estate tax, IRS examination
How to find: AICPA directory, NACVA member directory, ASA member directory, or M&A advisor referrals
Validity period: 6-12 months under stable conditions

Three credentials that matter for business valuation

ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser)

The most rigorous credential, from the American Society of Appraisers. Requires 5 years of full-time appraisal experience, 4 ASA-administered courses, USPAP-compliant work product. Most appropriate for: complex valuations, larger businesses, litigation, IRS-related matters where defensibility matters most.

CVA / AVA (NACVA Credentials)

Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) and Accredited in Business Valuation (AVA, NACVA’s alternative credential). NACVA is the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts. Most CVAs are CPAs who added valuation as a specialty. Cost-effective for sub-$10M valuations.

ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation)

AICPA’s designation for CPAs specializing in business valuation. Requires CPA license plus business valuation training and experience. Most ABVs work at CPA firms. Common choice when integrating valuation with broader tax/financial planning.

Typical fees

Business Size	Valuation Type	Typical Fee
Sub-$2M	Calculation engagement (limited scope)	$2K-$5K
Sub-$2M	Conclusion of value (full report)	$5K-$10K
$2M-$10M	Conclusion of value	$10K-$30K
$10M-$50M	Conclusion of value	$30K-$100K
$50M+	Comprehensive valuation	$100K-$500K+

Fee depends on: business size, complexity, purpose (litigation valuations cost more due to defensibility requirements), and the appraiser’s credentials and firm.

How to find qualified valuation firms

Online directories

AICPA directory: for ABV-credentialed CPAs at aicpa.org
NACVA member directory: for CVAs at nacva.com
ASA member directory: for senior appraisers at appraisers.org

Referrals (often most reliable)

Your M&A advisor or attorney
Your CPA
Local business associations
Local bar association referral service for litigation-purpose valuations

Vetting questions

What’s your credential? (ASA, CVA, ABV, or none)
How many valuations have you done in my sector and size range?
Have you handled valuations for the same purpose (sale, litigation, divorce, ESOP, etc.)?
What’s your fee for this type of engagement?
Will the report stand up if challenged?

When you actually need a paid valuation

Yes, paid valuation:

Litigation (partnership dispute, shareholder dispute, divorce)
Tax matters (gift, estate, ESOP, charitable contributions)
IRS examination
Buy-sell agreement triggers (death, retirement, terminated partnership)
Bankruptcy or restructuring
Large transactions ($25M+) where the cost is small relative to deal value

Free alternative often sufficient:

Researching what your business might sell for
Pre-broker conversations to anchor expectations
Initial planning before engaging M&A advisor
Sanity-checking a broker’s valuation

For most owners researching what their business is worth, our free 90-second valuation tool applies institutional-grade benchmarks and gives you a defensible range. For deeper context, see our valuation resources hub.

Free, 90 Seconds

Get a free starting point first

Before paying for a formal valuation, get a sector-adjusted range in 90 seconds. Same framework institutional buyers use. If you decide you need a paid valuation, you’ll have a defensible starting position.

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The five pillars of how CT Acquisitions works

$0 to Sellers

Buyer pays our fee. Founders never write a check.

No Retainer

No engagement letter. No upfront cost. No exclusivity contract.

100+ Capital Partners

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Sequential, Not Auction

Confidential introductions to the right buyers. No bidding war.

60-120 Day Close

Not 9-12 months. Not 18 months. Months, not years.

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Need a valuation referral?

We work alongside qualified valuation firms regularly. Tell us your situation and purpose; we’ll suggest 2-3 firms with appropriate credentials. No pitch, no commitment.

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Questions to ask before hiring a business valuation firm

The most expensive valuation firm in your city isn’t necessarily the right one. Vet candidates with these questions:

What’s your credential? ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser, most rigorous), CVA/AVA (NACVA, common for CPAs), or ABV (AICPA designation for CPAs). For litigation or IRS-related work, ASA carries the most weight. A valuator without any of these credentials produces work that’s more easily challenged.
How many valuations have you done in my sector and size range in the last 24 months? The valuator should be able to describe comparable engagements (with appropriate confidentiality). Vague answers are a flag.
Have you handled valuations for the same purpose? Sale-planning, divorce, partnership dispute, ESOP, gift/estate tax, and IRS examination each have different standards and procedures. You want a valuator experienced in your specific purpose.
What’s your fee for this type of engagement, and is it a calculation engagement or a conclusion of value? Get the fee and scope in writing before retaining.
Will the report hold up if challenged? For litigation or IRS purposes, ask specifically about the valuator’s experience defending reports in depositions, court, or IRS examinations.
Can you provide 2-3 references from comparable engagements? Ask references whether the report held up under scrutiny, not just whether the valuator was responsive.

Calculation engagement vs. conclusion of value: which one do you need?

Business valuations come in two scopes, and the difference matters significantly for cost and defensibility:

Calculation engagement (limited scope)

The valuator applies specific methods you agree to, doesn’t perform all the appraisal procedures, and reaches a “calculated value.” Lower cost ($2K-$15K depending on business size), faster (2-4 weeks), less defensible. Adequate for: internal planning, preliminary sale discussions, sanity-checking a broker’s number, getting a rough idea of value. Not adequate for: litigation, IRS examination, ESOP, or any contested matter.

Conclusion of value (full scope)

The valuator performs complete appraisal procedures, considers all relevant valuation methods, and reaches a “conclusion of value” that can be defended as a fair market value (or fair value) opinion. Higher cost ($5K-$200K+ depending on size), slower (4-12 weeks), fully defensible. Required for: litigation, IRS-related valuations (gift, estate, ESOP), buy-sell agreement triggers, and any matter where the value might be challenged.

Most owners researching what their business might sell for don’t need either, our free 90-second valuation tool applies institutional-grade benchmarks and is sufficient for research. Upgrade to a calculation engagement or conclusion of value only when you have a specific purpose that requires a defensible third-party opinion.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find a business valuation firm near me?

Three paths: (1) online directories (AICPA for ABV credential, NACVA for CVA, ASA for ASA credential); (2) referrals from your M&A advisor, attorney, or CPA; (3) local business associations or local bar association for litigation-purpose valuations. Vet by asking about credentials, comparable valuation experience, fees, and report defensibility.

How much does a business valuation cost?

$3K-$10K for sub-$2M businesses (calculation or limited-scope conclusion). $10K-$30K for $2M-$10M. $30K-$100K for $10M-$50M. $100K-$500K+ for institutional-grade reports on larger businesses. Litigation valuations cost more (often 1.5-2x standard fees) due to defensibility requirements.

What credential should my valuation firm have?

Three credentials carry the most weight: ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser, most rigorous), CVA or AVA (NACVA, common for CPAs), and ABV (AICPA designation). For most purposes, any of these is acceptable. For litigation or IRS-related valuations, ASA carries the most weight.

Can I get a business valuation for free?

You can get a sector-adjusted range for free using our 90-second valuation tool, which applies the same framework institutional buyers use. For most owners researching what their business might sell for, this is sufficient. A paid formal valuation becomes necessary when you need a defensible, third-party opinion (litigation, partnership dispute, ESOP, gift/estate tax).

How long does a business valuation take?

Calculation engagements: 2-4 weeks. Full conclusion of value reports: 4-8 weeks. Litigation valuations: 6-12 weeks (longer due to deposition prep and report rigor). Rush jobs sometimes possible for premium fees.

How long is a valuation valid for?

6-12 months under stable conditions. Significant changes that make a valuation stale: 10%+ change in EBITDA, loss of major customer, departure of key employee, regulatory change, or major shift in sector multiples.

What’s the difference between a calculation engagement and a conclusion of value?

A calculation engagement is limited-scope: the valuator applies specific methods you agree to, doesn’t include all the appraisal procedures, and reaches a calculated value. Lower cost, less defensible. A conclusion of value is full-scope: complete appraisal procedures, all relevant methods considered, and the reported value can be defended as a fair market value opinion. Litigation and IRS purposes require conclusion of value reports.

Should I use a local valuation firm or a national one?

For most purposes, local works fine. The valuation methodology is standardized; the appraiser’s skill matters more than location. National firms become necessary for: very large valuations ($50M+), highly specialized industries, or litigation in major federal courts. For most owners, a qualified local valuator is the right choice.