Fees for valuation and planning engagements are usually a function of the time involved and can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the scope and complexity of the work involved and the level of confidence required in the valuation conclusion. An “expert opinion” for a divorce settlement will usually require more extensive work than, for example, a commentary on the asking price for a business that a client is considering buying.
In all cases, for both valuations and business planning engagements, fees should be discussed and terms agreed at the start of the engagement in an effort to ensure that expectations are aligned. Potential complexities should be disclosed and discussed so that the scope is as well defined at the outset as possible.
Fees for corporate finance work, including sale arrangements , may include a contingent fee based on a successful transaction.