FAQs: What Documents Do I Need for a Valuation?

What Documents Do I Need for a Valuation?

To get a business valuation, you'll typically need 3–5 years of financial documentation, along with key business records that explain how your company operates. These documents allow a valuation expert to accurately assess your company’s financial performance, industry position, and growth potential.

Why This Question Matters

Whether you’re preparing to sell your business, apply for an SBA loan, or plan for growth, a professional valuation relies on thorough and accurate records. Missing or incomplete documents can delay the process or lead to an unreliable result.

Gathering the right paperwork up front makes the valuation process smoother and more efficient—and increases the credibility of the final report.

Core Financial Documents You’ll Need

Valuation professionals typically request:

• 3–5 years of tax returns (business returns, not personal)

• 3 years of income statements (P&L)

• 3 years of balance sheets

• Current year-to-date financials

• Cash flow statements, if available

• General ledger access (optional, but helpful)

Additional Documents That May Be Required

Depending on your business, the valuation expert may also request:

• Business debt schedules

• List of major assets and equipment

• Customer contracts or recurring revenue data

• Leases and real estate agreements

• Ownership structure and cap table (for corporations)

• Employee headcount and compensation summary

• Marketing or operational summaries (especially for service-based businesses)

Related Questions Clients Often Ask

• “Can I get a valuation without full fina

• ncials?”

• Not reliably. Estimates can be made, but they lack the depth and accuracy of a full report.

  
  

• “Do I need audited financials?”

• No—internally prepared financials are usually acceptable, but they must be accurate.

  
  

• “Will my personal tax returns help?”

• Only if you’re a sole proprietor or using a Schedule C; otherwise, they’re not necessary.

  
  

Tips to Prepare for a Valuation

✅ Organize your documents digitally, with clear labels by year and type.

✅ Reconcile your books before sending financials—clean records make analysis easier.

✅ Ask your CPA or bookkeeper to help if records are incomplete or disorganized.

✅ Disclose unusual events, such as PPP loans or one-time expenses, in a summary note.

✅ Be honest about challenges. Valuation professionals appreciate transparency and context.

Final Thought

Having your valuation paperwork ready is one of the most important steps in getting an accurate and credible business valuation. The more complete and organized your documents are, the better the final report will reflect your company’s true worth.

📘 For a full list of what we’ll need and how we handle business valuations, visit our Business Valuation Services page.