At Viking M&A, we always express to our clients that performing a valuation of their business is the first step in planning an ideal and successful exit strategy. There are many moving parts to a valuation and understanding certain aspects that play a part in the valuation process can give an entrepreneur an idea of what his/her business is worth. Our firm uses EBITDA as a common and valuable measure of profitability and ultimately cash flow. It is one of the primary foundations in determining an accurate and realistic valuation.
What is EBITDA? What is it used for?
EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. EBITDA is one of the indicators our firm uses in determining the value of a business, as well as its future financial performance and earning potential. EBITDA is net income with interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization added back, and is used as a calculation for determining the cash flow of the business. At Viking M&A, our experienced financial analysts use this proxy in calculating the value of a business. An EBITDA analysis is essential when comparing similar companies within a single industry during the valuation process.
Let’s look at the aspects involved in an EBITDA calculation:
Interest
Interest expense is found on a company’s income statement or profit and loss statement and is added back in our valuations. Interest is a non-operating expense and will differ between individuals. The interest expense line item can consist of interest from loans, lines of credit, or other forms of debt. In order to perform an accurate valuation, we always ask business owners to provide us with appropriate financial statements which will include interest expense. These include the last two years of federal tax returns, two years of Profit & Loss Statements (P&L) including balance sheet, and interim financials.
Taxes
At Viking, we use the net income on the first page of the tax return and only add back items that have been expensed from that net income. This includes the expenses listed on the first page and expenses on the Other Deductions Statement. The tax portion of EBITDA rarely comes into play in our valuations because of this. However, when looking at a P&L, estimated tax payments to the State or Federal Government will be part of EBITDA.
Depreciation
To understand depreciation, you must first recognize the importance of fixed assets. Fixed assets are tangible assets, meaning that they have a physical form and can be touched. Tangible assets include equipment, machinery, land, etc. Depreciation involves the expensing of fixed assets over its useful life. Useful life is the predicted lifespan of a depreciable fixed asset. Depreciation is a non-cash expense that restores the cost of a fixed asset.
Amortization
Amortization involves the expensing of intangible assets rather than tangible assets. Intangible assets are non-physical assets that include goodwill, copyrights, patents, trade names, customer lists, franchise agreements, etc. These assets are included on a company’s balance sheet and have a multi-period useful life. Intangible assets are typically difficult to evaluate compared to fixed assets.
Calculating EBITDA
Calculating EBITDA involves reviewing a business’s income statement and can be expressed in two different ways:
- EBITDA = Earnings + Interest + Taxes + Depreciation + Amortization
- EBITDA = Operating Profit + Depreciation + Amortization
Both calculations result in the arriving of EBITDA.
Business valuations are our specialty here at Viking M&A. Determining the value of a business is the first step in preparing for its future. Our intermediaries and analysts have an immense amount of experience in calculating the value of a business based on cash flow and comparable statistics. If you are thinking about selling your business, contact us today for a no cost, no obligation valuation. Viking can help you prepare for your future and explain the valuation and sales process professionally and confidentially.
