--- title: How to Choose an Independent Valuation Firm | Assetica description: What to check on fees, relationships and methodology before you engage a valuation firm a bank, buyer or court will actually trust. url: https://assetica.net/blog/independent-business-valuation-firm/ source: Assetica, independent business valuation firm, Dubai and the UK --- # How to Choose an Independent Business Valuation Firm: Why Independence Isn't Optional By **Bill Anderson**, FCCA, Chief Executive Officer, Assetica — 2026-08-01 ![How to Choose an Independent Business Valuation Firm: Why Independence Isn't Optional — Assetica, independent business valuation, Dubai](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1573496359142-b8d87734a5a2?auto=format&fit=crop&w=1100&q=65) Direct Answer: What to check on fees, relationships and methodology before you engage a valuation firm a bank, buyer or court will actually trust. What to check on fees, relationships and methodology before you engage a valuation firm a bank, buyer or court will actually trust. ## What independence actually means An independent valuer is paid a fixed or time-based fee with no link to the resulting figure, has no audit or brokerage relationship with the company being valued, discloses any prior relationships in the report, and forms its own view rather than adopting the instructing party's preferred conclusion. ## Why a company's own auditor should not value it Auditing and valuing the same set of accounts creates a self-review conflict. Banks, buyers and courts routinely discount or reject a valuation from a company's own auditor, regardless of whether the figure itself was calculated correctly. ## Why a broker's valuation is not independent A broker selling the business is typically paid a commission on the sale price, creating a direct financial incentive toward a higher headline figure, which is why sophisticated buyers commission their own independent valuation rather than relying on the seller's broker. ## Credentials and standards to check Look for adherence to International Valuation Standards (IVS) and the RICS Red Book or a recognised local equivalent, professional body membership such as FCCA, ACA or CFA, and in Saudi Arabia, Taqeem accreditation, which is mandatory for anyone providing valuation services in the Kingdom. ## The clearest red flag A fee quoted as a percentage of the valuation figure, or any pressure to reach a predetermined number, are the strongest signals that a firm is not operating independently, regardless of how professional the rest of the pitch sounds. ## Frequently Asked Questions What makes a business valuation firm genuinely independent? A fixed or time-based fee with no link to the resulting figure, no audit or brokerage relationship with the company being valued, disclosure of any prior relationships, and a methodology the firm forms its own view on rather than adopting the instructing party's preferred conclusion. Can my company's own auditor provide the business valuation? This is generally discouraged and often rejected by banks, buyers and courts, because auditing and valuing the same set of accounts creates a self-review conflict, even where the figure itself is technically correct. Is a valuation from the broker selling my business independent? No. A broker is typically paid a commission on the sale price, creating a direct incentive toward a higher headline figure, which is why buyers routinely commission their own independent valuation instead. What is the difference between IVS and the RICS Red Book? IVS is the global framework for bases of value and methodology, published by the International Valuation Standards Council. The RICS Red Book Global Standards incorporate IVS and add further reporting, conduct and independence requirements. Is business valuation a licensed profession everywhere? No. In Saudi Arabia it is formally regulated and requires Taqeem accreditation. In the UAE, UK, Europe and Australia, professional body membership and adherence to IVS are the primary markers of standing rather than a single government licence. What is the biggest red flag when choosing a valuation firm? A fee quoted as a percentage of the valuation figure, or any pressure to reach a predetermined number, are the clearest signals the firm is not operating independently. ## Speak to Assetica about Business Valuation Assetica is an independent business valuation firm in Dubai. We do not audit and we do not broker deals, so the number carries no conflict. Read more about [business valuation](https://assetica.net/services/business-valuation/), or [book a free scoping call](https://assetica.net/contact/). Standard reports are issued in five to seven business days. ## Related Guides - [Choosing a Business Valuation Firm in Dubai: 9 Checks Before You Sign](https://assetica.net/blog/how-to-choose-business-valuation-firm-dubai/) - [How Much Does a Business Valuation Cost in Dubai? A 2026 Pricing Guide](https://assetica.net/blog/business-valuation-cost-dubai/) - [Business Valuation Standards Explained: IVS, RICS Red Book and IFRS 13](https://assetica.net/blog/business-valuation-standards-ivs-rics-ifrs/) ## Independent business valuation across the UAE, UK and Europe ### Valuation services - [Business valuation Dubai](https://assetica.net/services/business-valuation/) - [Golden Visa business valuation](https://assetica.net/golden-visa-valuation/) - [UAE corporate tax valuation](https://assetica.net/corporate-tax-valuation/) - [M&A and transaction valuation](https://assetica.net/ma-transaction-valuation/) - [Financial due diligence](https://assetica.net/financial-due-diligence/) - [Succession planning valuation](https://assetica.net/succession-valuation-uae/) - [Family office valuation](https://assetica.net/family-office-valuation/) - [Feasibility study Dubai](https://assetica.net/feasibility-study-dubai/) - [All advisory services](https://assetica.net/services/) ### Where we work - [Abu Dhabi](https://assetica.net/abu-dhabi-business-valuation/) - [Sharjah](https://assetica.net/sharjah-business-valuation/) - [Ras Al Khaimah](https://assetica.net/ras-al-khaimah-business-valuation/) - [DIFC](https://assetica.net/difc-business-valuation/) - [ADGM](https://assetica.net/adgm-business-valuation/) - [United Kingdom](https://assetica.net/uk-business-valuation/) - [Europe](https://assetica.net/europe-business-valuation/) - [South Africa](https://assetica.net/south-africa-business-valuation/) - [Australia](https://assetica.net/australia-business-valuation/) ### Resources - [How much is my business worth?](https://assetica.net/how-much-is-my-business-worth-dubai/) - [Free business valuation calculator](https://assetica.net/business-valuation-calculator/) - [Startup and technology valuation](https://assetica.net/startup-technology-valuation/) - [UAE valuation facts and figures](https://assetica.net/uae-business-valuation-facts/) - [Valuation insights and guides](https://assetica.net/blog/) - [Latest insights](https://assetica.net/insights/) - [Industries we value](https://assetica.net/industries/) - [For lawyers and accountants](https://assetica.net/for-advisors/) ### About Assetica - [Business valuation Dubai and UAE](https://assetica.net/) - [About Assetica](https://assetica.net/about/) - [Bill Anderson, FCCA, CEO](https://assetica.net/team/bill-anderson/) - [Contact us](https://assetica.net/contact/) ### Browse by topic - [Business valuation articles](https://assetica.net/blog/category/business-valuation/) - [Selling a business](https://assetica.net/blog/category/business-sale/) - [Strategic value advisory](https://assetica.net/blog/category/strategic-advisory/) - [Financial reporting valuation](https://assetica.net/blog/category/financial-valuation/) - [Valuation risk management](https://assetica.net/blog/category/risk-management/) - [Pitch decks and fundraising](https://assetica.net/blog/category/pitch-deck/) - [Cross-border relocation](https://assetica.net/blog/category/cross-border/) - [Golden Visa valuation](https://assetica.net/blog/category/golden-visa/) - [UK valuation](https://assetica.net/blog/category/uk-valuation/) - [UK tax](https://assetica.net/blog/category/uk-tax/) Assetica, Office 304, Icon Tower, Barsha Heights (Tecom), Dubai, UAE. 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