The Benefits of Obtaining a Business Valuation

With extensive experience in international and domestic taxation, Suzanne DeWitt leads her own Miami-based law practice, DeWitt PLLC. In addition, Suzanne DeWitt serves as principal of Valora, a Miami firm that advises multinational corporations, institutions, and high-net-worth families on international and domestic taxation issues, wealth restructuring, and valuation.
Companies that have not undergone an assessment of their value within the last year should consider having such an evaluation performed. A comprehensive valuation gives business owners data about asset and income values, as well as market competition. Accurate company asset information can assist business owners with obtaining proper insurance coverage as well as help in setting a selling price for their business.

Professional business valuations also have the benefit of documenting the true value of a company and its assets during a merger or acquisition. Annual business valuations that track growth year-over-year can demonstrate the company’s future growth potential, and improve the negotiating position with interested buyers or investors.

After completing a business valuation, companies should set growth goals to meet by the next annual value assessment. Tracking company losses with valuation data also can help companies target areas for improvement.

AKC Announces Labrador Retrievers Most Popular Breed for 28th Year

Suzanne DeWitt serves as principal of Valora in Miami, where she leverages more than two decades of experience to assist clients in areas such as domestic and international taxation, corporate finance, and valuation. In addition, Suzanne DeWitt is a passionate supporter of animals and especially loves dogs.

Recently, the American Kennel Club (AKC) released new data about the most popular dog breeds in the United States during 2018. Based on the organization’s data, Labrador retrievers remain the most popular breed among U.S. dog lovers. This is the 28th year in a row that labs have topped AKC’s list of most popular dog breeds. Alongside labs are German shepherds, French bulldogs, beagles, Yorkshire terriers, and golden retrievers in the top 10 most popular breeds.

Although Labs have been at the top of the AKC’s popularity list for so long, they still are not the most consistent favorite among American dog owners. That particular recognition goes to beagles, which have been in the top 10 every year since the organization began keeping records of registered dogs in the 1880s. 

The AKC compiled these results from its own registrations. Last year, 580,900 puppies and other dogs were newly registered with the organization. Of those, about 88,175 were Labs.

Factors That Affect a Business’ Valuation

As the owner of DeWitt PLLC in Miami, Suzanne DeWitt focuses on domestic and international taxation, as well as private banking. Beyond that, she serves as the principal of Valora, a Miami-based consulting firm. In the latter capacity, Suzanne DeWitt and her colleagues provide fiduciary, corporate finance, tax, wealth structuring, and valuation services to their clients.

Although there are several methodologies that can be used to determine a company’s valuation, multiple factors, including the following, are common across most of these methods:

- Growth prospects: There are two parts to this factor that are usually examined during the valuation process: growth prospects based on industry and growth prospects based on the company’s unique potential. When businesses operate in a fast-growing industry or have unique features that prime them for rapid growth, their valuation is often higher.

- Earnings record: To get an idea of a company’s future earnings, professionals will look into that business’ earnings records. As they do this, they will often place a higher value on companies with a stable, above-average earnings record. Valuation also increases when companies show an upward trend in gross income over several years instead of a downward one.

- Client relationships: A key indicator of a business’ future success is its ability to attract and retain clients. Due to this, the number of long-term client relationships and client loyalty will affect the valuation of a company. The same is true of businesses that rely heavily on a few clients. When a company receives most of its income from a few clients, it’s deemed as riskier and, thus, is valued lower.

Foundational Strategies for Lowering Taxes

A respected international tax planner in Miami, Suzanne DeWitt serves as principal of the consultancy Valora. One of Suzanne DeWitt’s areas of focus is on developing tax-efficient strategies for high-net-worth clients.

A recent CNBC article drew attention to the way in which high earners minimize taxes and decrease their effective tax rate in the United States. A core strategy involves defining income, assets, and investments within categories such as taxable, tax-free, and tax-deferred.

One major deduction pathway involves contributing money to nonprofits, with the amount that can be deducted having risen from 50 to 60 percent of adjusted gross income. A popular strategy involves setting up conservation easements that protect the natural environment while enabling a charitable deduction for the value of the land.

Equity exposure is another tax savings route. Provided that the stocks were held for a year or more, taxes on stock investment gains enjoy a significantly lower rate than wage income. With federal tax brackets assessed on wages reaching as high as 37 percent, those placed on long-term capital gains max out at 20 percent. Other complementary strategies include placing money in long-term trusts that offer estate and gift exemption advantages.

The Complexities Involved in Business Valuation

Based in Miami, Suzanne DeWitt guides her own law firm, DeWitt PLLC. She also leads the consultancy Valora, which provides cross-border tax planning services to high-net-worth clients. At Valora, Suzanne DeWitt also applies her in-depth knowledge of business valuation.

A key aspect of the valuation process centers on determining the “basis of value,” with taxation, sale, litigation, financial reporting, and acquisition being among the commonly served purposes. The specifics presented reflect the requirements of entities for which the valuation is critical in making informed decisions.

The most common type of value premise is that which assumes that the assets of the business will continue to be used, with the entity operating as a business into the future. Valuing aspects of such a business can be impacted by the fact that such valuation may be only one input within a larger process. The overall focus may be one of valuing preferred stock, stock options, or debt and involve numerous entities within an overall holding portfolio.

Common links in all valuation processes include the history of the company, as well as its ownership and management structure, and measures historical financial performance.

With so many variables in play and many entities holding properties and businesses across borders, it makes sense to seek out experienced legal and financial accounting advice at the outset of any valuation process.

Art Basel Miami Spotlights International Artists and Galleries

The owner of the law firm DeWitt PLLC in Miami, Suzanne DeWitt also develops tax-efficient strategies for corporate and institutional clients as the principal of Valora. Outside of her professional pursuits, Suzanne DeWitt is passionate about art, and she attends Art Basel in Miami each year.

With shows in Basel and Hong Kong, as well as Miami, Art Basel brings together artists, collectors, and galleries across the globe and highlights the role of galleries in nurturing artists’ careers. The organization’s initiatives reflect a dedication to the art world, and special projects include partnership collaborations and commissioned events. These efforts, combined with gallery and artist participation, have made Art Basel one of the world’s leading international art shows. 

Art Basel’s American show, which takes place annually in Miami, invites galleries from Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin and North America to showcase their most significant works. Featured artists range from modern and contemporary masters to emerging talents and members of the new generation. Works on view include an assortment of sculptures, paintings, photographs, and films. 

For information on upcoming Art Basel shows, visit www.artbasel.com. 

Common Canine Diseases and How to Prevent Them

A tax consultant and attorney with nearly two decades of experience, Suzanne DeWitt is the owner and principal of Valora in Miami, Florida. Beyond her work at the firm, Suzanne DeWitt maintains an interest in dogs. 

People who own a dog or who are in the process of adopting one must consider the health care needs of their pet. Knowing how to recognize common diseases and prevent them can ensure a dog’s health and save on veterinary bills. 

Among the most frequently occurring conditions are obesity, dental problems, and poisoning as a result of the consumption of toxic foods and substances. Veterinarians warn that obesity can damage a dog’s organs and increase the risk of diabetes, liver disease, and joint pain. However, regular exercise and proper feeding can keep dogs at a healthy weight for their breed and size. 

In regards to dental care, owners can brush their dogs’ teeth regularly and schedule oral examinations annually. To prevent the consumption of dangerous chemicals and foods, owners should make sure that these items are inaccessible to their pets. 

There are also many serious and potentially fatal conditions that owners can safeguard their dogs against through vaccinations and medications. Possibly the most widely known disease is rabies, which can also spread to humans. The highly contagious canine parvovirus infection (parvo) is also avoidable through regular vaccinations, and veterinarians state that it is especially important for puppies and older dogs. In addition to these illnesses, owners can vaccinate their pets against canine influenza, Lyme disease, and heartworm.

Suzanne DeWitt - Experienced Tax Consultant and Attorney in Miami

A tax consultant and attorney, Suzanne DeWitt brings nearly 20 years of experience in both domestic and international taxation to her role as a principal of Valora, a Miami-based tax and financial consulting firm. She is also the owner of DeWitt, PLLC, a taxation and banking law firm that is also located in Miami. Actively involved in the region's legal community, she is also a member of the Florida Bar Association’s tax section and has shared her insights in several articles in the organization’s law journal. Prior to her role current roles, Suzanne DeWitt served in associate positions at Holland & Knight, Deloitte & Touche, and Arthur Andersen, where she helped to provide tax and estate planning and other services to high-net-worth individuals.

She graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management and organization from the University of Miami. Subsequently, she went on to earn a master’s degree in business management with a concentration in international business from the institution before attending its law school, were she received both a juris doctor and a master of laws. An art lover, Suzanne DeWitt counts Art Basel, an annual local art fair in Miami, as among her favorite social gatherings.