When shareholders need to agree on a business's value
An independent business valuation — fixed price, plain language, built for the transactions where you have to keep working together.
Call Bruce: 021 245 8881 | Email: bruce@fealty.co.nz
No forms. No obligation. Start with a conversation.
A word from Bruce
The real problem isn't the number
In a shareholder transaction — a buyout, a management succession, a triggered buy-out provision — the hard part isn’t the arithmetic.
It’s agreeing on a figure that feels fair to everyone, when you still have to work together afterwards. A number pushed by one side, even with good intentions, can create resentment that lasts years. A vague estimate leaves both parties wondering if they’ve been done over.
What you actually need is a number neither side chose — one that was reached independently, explained clearly, and can be defended if anyone asks “how did you get there?”
What I do
I produce an independent business valuation that both parties can trust.
I act for the company — not for one shareholder against another. I look at the financials, adjust for one-off items, apply the appropriate valuation methods, and write it up in plain English — not accounting jargon.
You get a 40-page report that explains the number, how it was reached, and why it’s reasonable. Then we go through the findings together in a video call so you can take the report into your shareholder discussions with confidence.
$3,900 + GST. Fixed fee. No hourly surprises, no scope creep.
You know what it costs before we start. Compare that to the cost of a stalled negotiation, a lawyer’s letter, or a relationship that never recovers.
When this is the right fit
Shareholder transaction — Whether you’re buying shares or selling them, both sides need a price that’s fair and defensible.
Management succession — The next generation is taking over and you need an agreed value for the transition.
Buy-out provisions — You’re setting up or triggering the buy-out provisions in your shareholders’ agreement and need the share price determined independently.
Family transfer or gifting — Ownership is moving to family or a trust. You need a defensible number for tax and for fairness between family members.
Selling the business — You want to know what it’s worth before you go to market.
Relationship dispute or deadlock — Shareholders can’t agree. An independent expert sets the price so the business can move forward.
How it works (9 steps)
1. Initial conversation — Ring or email. Tell me about your situation. I’ll help you work out what you need. No charge, no obligation.
2. Information gathering — You provide financial statements and background on the business. I’ll tell you exactly what I need upfront — no drip-feeding of requests.
3. Analysis and valuation — I analyse the data, normalise earnings, and apply the relevant valuation methods. This typically takes 3–4 weeks once I have everything.
4. Report and discussion — You receive a clear, plain-language report. I walk you through the findings by video call so you understand the number and can ask questions.
5. Use it with confidence — Take the valuation into your shareholder discussions, your buy-out agreement, or your meetings with your lawyer and accountant. It’s written so everyone involved can understand it — not just the numbers people.
About Bruce
I’m a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), accredited through NACVA. The CVA is a credential dedicated entirely to business valuation — it’s not an accounting qualification repurposed for valuation work. There are only four CVA holders practising in Australia and New Zealand.
I’ve completed 86 business valuations over the past nine years across a wide range of New Zealand industries: tourism operators, software companies, architectural partnerships, hospitality groups, seafood businesses, wholesale distributors, manufacturing firms, commercial construction companies, and professional services practices.
I also advise on business acquisitions and sales. I’ve worked across all phases of M&A transactions — from assessing whether an acquisition makes sense, through financial due diligence, forecasting, negotiation, and deal completion. That transaction experience shapes the way I approach valuations: I know how these numbers get used in the real world, because I’ve sat on both sides of the deal.
Before specialising in valuation and M&A, I was the New Zealand partner for ONEtoONE Corporate Finance, an international valuation and M&A firm, and prior to that spent five years as an M&A advisor with Mandanex Capital in Sydney. My earlier career included analyst, management, and consulting roles with companies including Vodafone, DB Breweries, and Fletcher Building.
Certified Valuation Analyst (1 of 4 in Australia and NZ)
86 valuations completed
Fixed fee $3,900 + GST
Takes 3–4 weeks
Questions you're probably asking
“My accountant already knows my business — why wouldn’t they do the valuation?”
Your accountant knows your financials inside out, and they’ll stay involved throughout the process. But turning financial statements into a defensible business value is a separate discipline. The CVA credential exists specifically for this — it’s a dedicated valuation qualification, not an accounting qualification with a valuation component. Your accountant and I work as a team: they bring the deep knowledge of your numbers, and I bring the valuation methodology and independence. The result is stronger for both contributions.
“How do I know the other party will accept it?”
Independence is what makes a valuation stick. I act for the company rather than for one shareholder over another, and the report shows exactly how the number was reached — the methodology, the adjustments, the reasoning. That transparency is what gives both parties confidence in the result. When people can see the working, they’re far more likely to accept the conclusion.
“$3,900 feels like a lot.”
The fee is based on the average hours an engagement takes — it’s not an arbitrary figure. And compare it to the alternative: a disagreement over the price of a business can stall a transition for months. Legal fees add up fast. A relationship that breaks down over money rarely recovers fully. The valuation fee is a known cost that prevents a much larger unknown one.
“How long does it take?”
Typically 3–4 weeks from when I receive all the information. If you’re working to a tight deadline — a shareholders’ agreement date, a settlement condition — expedite options are available. Ring me and we’ll work out the timing.
For accountants and lawyers
If you’re advising a client on a shareholder transaction, succession plan, or buy-out provision, and they need an independent valuation, I’m happy to work alongside you. The valuation complements your advice — it doesn’t replace it. Your client gets an independent number; you keep the relationship.
Ring Bruce on 021 245 8881 or email bruce@fealty.co.nz to discuss a client situation.
Start with a conversation
The simplest way to work out what you need is a conversation. No obligation, no charge for the initial discussion.
Ring Bruce: 021 245 8881 Email: bruce@fealty.co.nz