Relevant experience
Ask about similar purposes, industries, instruments and reviewer expectations. Experience valuing a simple services company does not automatically transfer to a regulated financial institution or multinational group.
How to choose a business valuer
The right choice depends on who will use the work and what could happen if the conclusion is poorly supported.
Who is actually doing the work?
Clarify the responsible professional, day-to-day team, review process and use of offshore or automated workflows. Meet the signatory for important assignments.
Professional and accounting background
ACRA’s IVAS is Singapore’s professional body for business valuation, and the CVA designation is positioned as a mark of quality. For IFRS or SFRS(I) work, accounting knowledge can materially improve communication with auditors.
Scope clarity
A good proposal states the subject interest, purpose, valuation date, methods contemplated, deliverable, timetable, fee assumptions, exclusions and support after delivery.
Ability to explain judgement
The valuer should be able to explain why a method fits, how assumptions were selected, what evidence was used and which variables matter most.
Independence and conflicts
Understand relationships with parties to the transaction, contingent fees, advocacy roles and whether any services could impair objectivity.
Private companies, public companies and financial institutions
Private companies
Information can be less standardised, shares are illiquid and owner-related adjustments may be important. Share rights and transfer restrictions need careful review.
Public companies
Market prices provide evidence, but regulatory, announcement, circular, audit and governance expectations can raise documentation and timing demands.
Financial institutions
Banking, insurance, funds and fintech models can require sector-specific understanding of regulation, capital, credit risk, assets under management and financial instruments.
Multinational exposure
Overseas operations introduce country risk, currency, tax, transfer pricing, local market data and group allocation issues. Singapore incorporation alone does not make the valuation purely local.
Should you ask for a template report?
It is reasonable to ask about report structure and typical contents, but client reports are confidential and every assignment differs. A generic or AI-generated template proves little about the final analysis. More useful evidence includes the professional’s explanation of process, anonymised table of contents where appropriate, credentials and examples of relevant issues handled.
Preparing documents?
Review the practical checklist of financial, business, asset, contract, intangible-asset and startup information commonly requested.
Primary references
This guide is educational and not legal, tax, accounting or investment advice. Requirements change; confirm the current position with the relevant adviser or authority.