The Choice of Valuation Techniques in Practice: Education Versus Profession

Abstract

We use a survey approach to learn about valuation professionals’ choices and implementations of valuation techniques in practice. Most use both multiples and DCF, but implement DCF in a way that almost turns it into a multiples exercise. Confusion reigns with respect to interest tax shields and the WACC. Higher educational levels do not reduce the confusion. The survey design allows us to control for a respondent’s professional subgroup(e.g., consulting), education, experience, and valuation-purpose characteristics. We find that profession matters more than education; different professions have different valuation cultures. Other factors are less important. The relative unimportance of education raises questions about the role, benefit, and optimal mode of higher level finance education.