Business Valuation

Business Valuation & Franchise Advisor

Job Purpose:

To provide expert, holistic advisory services to SMEs, investors, and entrepreneurs in Singapore. The role focuses on guiding clients through critical business decisions by leveraging deep expertise in business valuation for transactions and litigation, understanding financial health through audit principles, and developing growth strategies through franchising as a model for expansion or investment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Business Valuation Services:

Conduct comprehensive business valuations for various purposes: mergers & acquisitions (M&A), shareholder disputes, divorce proceedings, fundraising, and financial reporting (e.g., impairment testing, purchase price allocation).

Perform detailed financial analysis, including discounted cash flow (DCF), comparable company analysis, and precedent transaction analysis.

Prepare and present detailed valuation reports that are robust, defensible, and compliant with international valuation standards (IVS) and Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS).

Provide expert witness testimony in court for litigation support cases, where required.

• Business Audit & Financial Advisory:

Utilize knowledge of auditing standards (Singapore Standards on Auditing, SSA) to analyze the reliability and integrity of financial information.

Conduct financial due diligence for clients considering acquisitions or investments.

Advise clients on internal controls, risk management, and improving financial processes based on audit best practices.

Interpret complex financial statements to assess a company's historical performance and future sustainability.

• Franchise Advisory:

Guide Singaporean businesses on franchising their brand: developing the franchise model, preparing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and setting up franchisee support systems.

Advise potential investors (franchisees) on evaluating franchise opportunities: assessing the franchisor's financial health, the terms of the franchise agreement, and the viability of the business model.

Conduct market research and feasibility studies for new franchise concepts entering the Singapore market.

Facilitate negotiations between franchisors and franchisees.

• General Business Advisory:

Act as a trusted advisor to clients on strategic planning, business model optimization, and exit planning.

Identify key issues affecting business performance and provide actionable recommendations.

Manage multiple client engagements simultaneously, ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget.

Develop and maintain strong, long-term client relationships and actively contribute to business development efforts.

Required Skills and Competencies:

Technical Skills: Mastery of valuation methodologies, advanced financial modeling in Excel, and thorough understanding of SFRS and SSA.

Analytical Skills: Exceptional ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data to solve complex business problems.

Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to non-financial clients and produce clear, concise reports.

Commercial Acumen: Strong business sense and understanding of the Singapore and regional economic landscape.

Professionalism: High degree of ethics, integrity, and confidentiality.

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Education and Certification Requirements in Singapore

This is a highly specialized role requiring a strong academic and professional foundation.

• Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's degree in Accountancy, Finance, Business Administration, or Economics from a recognized university.

• Essential Professional Qualifications (One or more is mandatory):

Chartered Accountant of Singapore (CA Singapore): Administered by the ISCA (Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants). This is a gold standard, especially given the audit component.

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): Highly regarded for investment analysis and valuation expertise.

Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) from the AICPA or a similar credential, though less common in Singapore than CA/CFA.

• Highly Advantageous Certifications:

Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) from the International Franchise Association (IFA) or similar franchise-specific certification.

Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) or Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) – these are specialized global valuation credentials.

• Experience:

3 - 5 years of relevant experience in a combination of:

Audit: Preferably within an audit firm (e.g., Big 4, mid-tier) with experience auditing SMEs.

Valuation: In a dedicated valuation team within an accounting firm, a corporate finance advisory, or a boutique valuation firm.

Franchising: Experience working with a franchisor, a franchisee, or a consultancy that specializes in franchising.

Proven track record of managing client engagements and delivering valuation/franchise projects.

• Additional Requirements:

Familiarity with Singapore's Regulatory Environment: Understanding of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) requirements, the Singapore Code on Take-overs and Mergers, and the Companies Act.