SME Business Valuation Insights

Valuation Intelligence
for UK Business Owners

Practical guides on business valuation, exit planning, EBITDA multiples, due diligence and what buyers actually pay for, written by Kishen Patel, ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

Kishen Patel, ICAEW Chartered Accountant and founder of Consult EFC

Kishen Patel, BFP ACA

Founder, Consult EFC · ICAEW Chartered Accountant

Over 12 years across Big Four audit, Investment Banking and corporate advisory. Every insight on this site is written from direct business valuation deal experience.

ICAEW Chartered Accountant badge

This is the Valuation Insights Vault, a growing library of guides on business valuation for UK SMEs. Browse by topic below, from EBITDA multiples and DCF methodology to exit planning, due diligence preparation and HMRC EMI share valuations. Every guide is written directly by Kishen Patel and reflects real deal experience advising UK business owners on what their company is actually worth.

Valuations

How Working Capital Affects Business Valuations for UK SMEs

Valuation is not just about profit. It is also about how much cash the business needs to keep moving every day. If…

5 June 2026 9 min read
Valuations

Asset-Based Valuation for UK SMEs When Earnings Mislead

What if last year’s profit tells the wrong story? Many SME owners expect valuation to follow earnings. Often, that’s sensible. But when…

5 June 2026 6 min read
Valuations

Debt Free Cash Free Explained: What UK SME Sellers Must Know

Exit Planning · M&A Debt Free Cash Free Explained: What UK SME Sellers Must Know Before Going to Market By Kishen Patel,…

5 June 2026 14 min read
Valuations

Independent Valuation Saves Time in Business Sale Due Diligence

Many SME sales slow down at due diligence because buyers want proof, not promises. If the numbers are unclear, the records are…

3 June 2026 18 min read
Valuations

What HMRC Looks for in an Independent Business Valuation for EMI, Share Transfers and Tax Planning

HMRC is not hunting for the lowest possible number. It wants a fair, defensible share value, backed by evidence that makes sense…

3 June 2026 10 min read
Valuations

Net Debt Adjustments in Business Valuations Explained

Net debt adjustments are the bit that turns a headline valuation into a proper price. In plain English, if a business has…

2 June 2026 18 min read
Valuations

Tangible vs Intangible Assets in SME Valuations

For most UK SMEs, the value in the business is not sitting only in the machinery, stock, or vehicles. It’s in the…

2 June 2026 20 min read
Valuations

Exit-Readiness for UK SMEs: What a Business Valuation Certificate from Consult EFC Shows

Selling a business is not the same as having a business worth selling. A company can look profitable on paper and still…

31 May 2026 10 min read
Valuations

Business Valuation Certificate vs Informal Valuation: Why It Matters When Tax or Deals Are Involved

When money, tax or a deal is on the table, a rough figure isn’t enough. An informal valuation can help with quick…

30 May 2026 19 min read

Ready to Get Your Business Properly Valued?

ICAEW-grade defensibility. Fixed fees. 7–10 day turnaround. No junior analysts.

Request My Valuation