There are a number of questions that I have encountered and explained to both clients and attorney’s related to reviewing business valuation reports. These are often called review reports or rebuttal reports. The Accredited in Business Appraisal Review (“ABAR”) is a certification that teaches business valuation professionals on various techniques for reviewing a business valuation report.
The Accredited in Business Appraisal Review (ABAR)
The ABAR credential is grounded on a unique approach. Two areas of focus are: (1) the stakeholders n the appraisal process, (2) a level of quality assurance, by reviewing the business appraiser in the same fashion that legal tribunals do, as an “Expert”, and the ABAR Reviewer as an “Expert’s Expert” serving the stakeholders.
Credibility
The ABAR Concept of Creditability is grounded on consideration of inclusion of all known facts and circumstances (the good, the bad and the ugly ones) in the business valuation report. “Creditability” can be defined by seven basis processes, applied throughout the assignment. “Creditability is defined as “Worthy of belief”.
The creditability factors are: (1) relevance, (2) reliability, (3) general acceptance of chosen methodologies, (4) transparency, (5) adequate disclosures, (6) non advocacy, (7) completeness.
The expert issuing the original report has followed their professional standards.
Statement of Relevant Limiting Conditions and Assumptions
A reviewer should carefully select the limiting conditions and assumptions and consider them in conjunction with the review scope undertaken.
The limiting conditions and assumptions should guide the stakeholders and reviewer as to what to expect as to how the company was valued.
Reporting
It is common for the reviewer to issue a rebuttal report so as to assist the attorney or stakeholder in understanding the issues uncovered by the reviewer.