Prepare a concise valuation enquiry

The following information helps a valuer understand scope before discussing fees and timing.

Suggested message format

Copy the template, replace the bracketed prompts and send it by email, WhatsApp or an enquiry form.

Purpose: [transaction / audit / tax / dispute / internal planning]

Target: [company, asset, instrument or obligation and ownership interest]

Business nature: [industry, business model, locations]

Financials: [approx. turnover, profit, total assets, net equity and records available]

Valuation date(s): [date]

Deadline (if any): [date and reason]

Reviewers/users: [board, investor, auditor, authority, court, counterparty]

Other special request: [report format, language, meeting, confidentiality or other needs]

This short message is for initial scoping. Detailed supporting documents can follow once the purpose and expected deliverable are understood.

See the full information checklist →

Information commonly needed

Prepare the evidence that fits the assignment

Not every item is required in every case. Start with reliable information at or near the valuation date and clearly identify whether it is audited, management-prepared, forecast or provisional.

Business scope and ownership

Company profile, history, products and services
Business model, revenue streams and operating locations
Group structure and legal entities
Cap table and interest being valued
Share rights, shareholder agreements and transfer restrictions
Key management, licences and concentration risks

Historical financial information

Audited financial statements, where available
Management accounts at or near the valuation date
Monthly or segment results where relevant
Debt, cash, working capital and non-operating assets
One-off, owner-related and non-recurring items
Reconciliations to statutory accounts

Forecasts for income or DCF models

Management-approved projections and budgets
Revenue, pricing, volume and market assumptions
Margins, headcount, costs and taxes
Capital expenditure and working capital
Funding needs, debt terms and cash runway
Base, upside and downside cases when material

Asset-heavy businesses

Fixed asset register and locations
Cost, accumulated depreciation and book value
Invoices or contracts for significant assets
Ownership, leases, maintenance and condition
Recent appraisals and disposal history
Idle, obsolete or specialised assets

Key contracts and agreements

Material customer and supplier contracts
Leases, licences and distribution agreements
Loan, security, preference share and convertible terms
Employment and incentive arrangements
Joint ventures, related parties and guarantees
Litigation, claims and contingent liabilities

Patents, trademarks and intangibles

Registration, ownership and renewal status
Territories where rights are protected or used
Products and business units using the asset
Associated revenue, savings or licence income
Royalty, co-development and restriction terms
Useful life, obsolescence and disputes

Startups and early-stage companies

Investor deck and business plan
Current and fully diluted cap table
Financing history, term sheets and security rights
Cash burn, runway and projections
KPIs, pipeline, unit economics and traction
Product stage, roadmap and competition

Purpose-specific information

Transaction: offers, terms, structure and due diligence
HKFRS / audit: relevant standard, budgets and reviewer expectations
HKEX: transaction classification, circular timetable and disclosure context
Tax: filing purpose and authority correspondence
Dispute: pleadings, legal assumptions and evidence cut-off
Planning: decision question and scenarios

What happens after the first message?

The valuer will normally clarify the subject interest, basis, purpose, valuation date and expected report, then issue a tailored information request. Forecasts may be required for a discounted cash flow model, an asset register for tangible asset work, instrument terms for complex securities, or an employee census for HKAS 19 measurement.