Cottrill Arbutina helps business owners answer this critical question – "What is my business worth?" John P. ("Jack") Ellsworth, who heads this practice, is a certified public accountant and certified valuation analyst.

We utilize a variety of accepted valuation methodologies and follow established professional standards to complete a thorough business valuation analysis to meet our clients needs in a number of areas:

• Maximize growth opportunities
• Equitable distribution of assets
• Estate and gift tax planning and preparation
• Litigation support

Maximize Growth Opportunities – Cottrill Arbutina works to give clients critical, reliable information when growth opportunities arise for their business, such as a purchase, sale, merger, or bank financing. A properly prepared business valuation analysis can also identify areas for potential improvement and contribute to long-range strategic business plans designed to increase the value of a company.

Equitable Distribution of Assets – Providing a thorough financial analysis and valuation of a business and its intangible assets, our firm helps clients determine an equitable distribution of assets in circumstances such as marital divorce involving a business owner or disputes among shareholders or partners in a business.

Estate and Gift Taxes – We help clients determine the value of their business and the impact of this value on their overall estate tax situation. We can also use the results of our business valuation analysis to help clients identify and pursue appropriate estate planning and gifting strategies to minimize estate and gift taxes.

Litigation Support – When the value of a business becomes an issue of litigation, our business valuation services can help clients defend their legal position. These litigation issues may include contractual interference, loss of income, economic damages, fraud and many others.