Option valuation analysis is prevalent for most firms. Many healthcare and technology start-ups are likely candidates for cheap stock valuations, and these firms have issued significant options to employees and founders. It is no secret that healthcare, technology, and Internet companies use sizable option grants to motivate and retain employees. These payments are often in lieu of cash salary or bonuses. Growth industries frequently have multiple layers of participating preferred equity from venture capital funding and other financial sponsor investments. The core focus of our cheap stock valuation practice is centered on firms in the aforementioned industries. 

In the dynamic world of new business, all start-ups plan on a liquidity event, whether it is a possible acquisition of eventual IPO. For the successful firms that reach this tremendous milestone, accounting regulators prior to an IPO heavily scrutinize the fair value of equity-driven securities. Why? The issuance of equity securities triggers a compensation expense on the income statement, and all expenses in the immediate time frame before an IPO generally receive detailed review. Furthermore, in many IPOs, the fair value or price of equity securities is significantly lower than the IPO price. This differential between private equity share price and post-IPO public equity price produces the "cheap stock" characterization of these early-stage valuations.

What is At Stake?

ASC 718 valuations have far-reaching implications. For starters, option valuation directly affects the option compensation expense that flows through through the income statement. This total can be substantial for a technology or healthcare company utilizing employee stock options and incentive options to retain and attract talent. The nature of ASC 718 assignment warrants a valuation expert with both deep M&A experience and early-stage valuation expertise. Both areas are well-suited to NAV's strengths.

Secondly, ASC 718 valuations are often challenged when capital classes compete for larger portions of struggling enterprise. We prepare detailed financial reporting valuations, as well as assist company management in internal valuation support, for these inherently challenging and occasionally litigious assignments. 

How We Assist Clients

NAV's team deliver cost-effective and supportable valuation services such as internal valuation support, summary valuation report, and detailed valuation reports. We also offer clients the flexibility to select their reporting option and shift service levels upward or downward during the engagement process. 

How We Are Transparent

We perform our services on a flat-fee or hourly basis with leading attorneys, alternative investment funds, CFOs, CPAs, and other C-suite corporate executives. We strongly feel engagement scope and fee ranges should be communicated effectively and efficiently.

We accordingly serve clients in stages, and we encourage clients to take a methodical, calculated approach to deciding which professional offerings are necessary or optional. 

Our first service stage is dubbed the NAV Situation Scan (TM). The Situation Scan helps both our clients and our teams diagnose the services necessary for fulfilment of client objectives. We then communicate the results of the Situation Scan to derive a suggested road-map. The NAV team next proposes a time frame for delivery of service milestones. We are inherently flexible, and our Situation Scans outline a proposed plan of action and not a mandatory obligation. We have found clients cherish this "ramp-up or ramp-down" flexibility that can be implemented at any time.