Independent Share and Business Valuationsfor Clients of Other Professional Firms

The Shorts Corporate Finance team brings specialist expertise and experience in delivering robust, independent valuations, even in complex scenarios or where rigorous compliance standards must be met. This includes work that other firms may be hesitant to undertake or are prohibited from providing under audit regulations.

What types of valuation work can Shorts support?

Our valuation services cover a wide range of requirements, including reports that comply with accounting, audit, or tax regulations. Common areas of support include:

• Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning: Valuations in IHT planning are becoming increasingly complex, especially following recent Budget changes. Shorts has particular experience navigating this evolving landscape for private companies.
• Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs): These are growing in popularity as more businesses look to protect their legacy and reward staff. Our methods seek to ensure that these transactions are undertaken at market value.
• Share incentive schemes: These require in-depth financial analysis and are often too specialist or time-consuming for firms without dedicated corporate finance resources.

Common challenges for share valuations

Many accountants and tax advisers are cautious about taking on share valuation work, especially when:

• Significant one-off events or broader economic uncertainty have impacted a business’s historic performance.
• Access to credible data on historic valuation multiples is limited or prohibitively expensive.
• There’s concern over producing a valuation report that stands up to HMRC scrutiny or meets legal standards.

How Shorts can help

We have developed a streamlined approach to prepare valuations that combines technical rigour with commercial practicality.

Efficient and cost-effective 

We’ve developed a streamlined process that delivers reliable, well-supported reports without excessive cost.

Expert insight

Our team has substantial transaction experience in the owner-managed business space. We can apply a realistic and appropriately critical assessment of research data on comparable transactions when assessing value.

Collaborative

Our service flexes to the needs of clients. We work closely with your firm and your clients to ensure the valuation process is smooth and responsive to your needs.

Timely delivery

We can work to defined timelines; most of our valuations are completed within two weeks of receiving all the business information.

If your firm requires independent share valuation support (whether as a one-off or on a recurring basis) Shorts is here to help. We value strong professional relationships and are proud to act as a trusted third-party provider for many respected firms across the UK.