When it comes to selling your business, you only get one chance to do it right. And for many entrepreneurs, that moment can define their legacy and financial future. That’s why a high-quality, comprehensive valuation isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

At Zatara Transaction Advisors, our Comprehensive MVA valuation is designed to give business owners a crystal-clear picture of what their company is worth, what’s driving that value, and where opportunities lie to increase it. This isn’t a back-of-the-napkin estimate—it’s a detailed, data-backed report built to withstand scrutiny from buyers, investors, and banks.

Let’s break down exactly what goes into our most advanced valuation product—and why it could be the smartest investment you make this year.

What Makes the Comprehensive MVA Different?

Our MVA (Market Value Assessment) is a high-resolution snapshot of your business’s financial and operational health. It covers far more than just numbers on a balance sheet. We evaluate earnings, risk, transferability, industry positioning, and dozens of other critical metrics to paint a full picture of what your business is truly worth on the open market.

Whether you’re preparing for an exit, seeking investors, or just want to get your house in order, this document becomes your strategic roadmap.

What’s Included in the Valuation?

Here’s what you’ll find inside the Comprehensive MVA report:

  • Executive Summary

  • Earnings & Historical Financial Analysis

  • Risk and Marketability Assessments

  • Industry Benchmarks & Multiples

  • Income, Market, and Asset-Based Valuation Approaches

  • Most Probable Selling Price (MPSP) Range

  • Value Enhancement Strategies

  • Buyer Type Comparisons & Insights

  • Working Capital Calculations

  • Tax Implication Scenarios

  • Deal Structuring Guidance

  • Appendices with Full Financials and Definitions

Each section is meticulously designed to give owners clarity—not confusion.

Key Insights From a Real Valuation

To illustrate what this looks like in action, here’s a breakdown of a recent MVA valuation:

Most Probable Selling Price:
Our analysis showed a likely sale price of approximately $40 million, based on weighted Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE), EBITDA multiples, ROI calculations, and industry cap rates. Strategic buyers were estimated to potentially offer as much as $48 million.

Return Timelines for Buyers:

  • Return on Invested Capital (ROIC): 11.36 years

  • Return on Down Payment: 6.66 years

  • Estimated ROI: 8.38%

  • Estimated Cap Rate: 13.48%

This helps frame how buyers will view your business through their financial lens.

Understanding Risk & Buyer Perception

We don’t just look at earnings—we analyze seven different risk categories, including operational, growth, capital, and marketability risk. In this case, the total assessed risk score came in at 76%, with a strong 70.47 average grade across all categories.

The goal is to identify where you’re most exposed and what can be done to improve that score before going to market.

We also simulate how various types of buyers will assess and value your business:

  • Family transfers often yield the lowest price.

  • Management buyouts (MBOs) and serial entrepreneurs tend to offer higher multiples.

  • Strategic buyers often provide top-dollar, especially when synergy is at play.

Each buyer type comes with pros and cons, and we give you a full breakdown of expectations, payment structures, and fit.

The Value Enhancement Plan

This isn’t just a report—it’s a tool for growth.

We don’t just tell you what your business is worth today. We show you how to increase that number. For example, by addressing a few key areas—like reducing key person dependency, improving systems, and boosting your net profit margin—you could unlock as much as $5 million in additional value.

We identify value gaps and offer tangible strategies to close them. From operational fixes to market positioning and capital structuring, you’ll know exactly where to focus your efforts.

Real Financial Intelligence

We go far beyond standard financials. Our report includes:

  • Working Capital Analysis: Using advanced M&A methodologies (not just current assets – liabilities), we calculate excess capital, sustainable levels, and performance benchmarks.

  • Efficiency Metrics: Current ratio, quick ratio, breakeven points, and sustainability growth ratios are benchmarked against industry norms.

  • Cash at Close Forecasting: Early vs. late tax planning scenarios are modeled to show the real, post-tax proceeds of a potential sale.

This gives you real financial intelligence—something most business owners never have until it’s too late.

Why Timing Matters

One of the most overlooked insights? Timing.

Starting this valuation process 3–5 years before you plan to sell gives you the best chance of improving value, minimizing taxes, and structuring the deal on your terms.

We’ve seen it too many times—owners wait until they’re burned out or hit with a life event. That’s when they leave millions on the table. But with proper planning, owners can walk away with life-changing exits.

Why The MVA Matters

A good valuation does more than give you a number—it gives you leverage.

Whether you’re negotiating with buyers, raising capital, or planning your estate, having a thorough, independent valuation signals to the world that you take your business—and its worth—seriously.

At Zatara, we don’t believe in half-measures. Our Comprehensive MVA valuation is designed to deliver everything you need to make an informed, strategic decision about your business’s future.

Ready to Know What Your Business is Really Worth?

Don’t wait until you’re ready to exit to understand your company’s value. Take control of your future now with a powerful, bank-ready valuation that gives you leverage, clarity, and peace of mind.

👉 Book a free discovery call today and see how our Comprehensive MVA valuation can unlock your company’s true potential.
Click here to schedule your consultation

You only get one shot to sell your business—make it count.