Business Valuation in Des Moines You Can Actually Trust
Whether you're selling your business, planning your exit, or navigating a partner dispute—you need a valuation that holds up under scrutiny.
I'm Dori Morrison, a Certified Valuation Analyst who actually understands how businesses work. With experience valuing everything from insurance to government companies, I give you the defensible numbers you need—without the big-firm runaround.
Serving the Des Moines Metropolitan Area and nationwide
Why Local Business Owners Choose Me
Most business valuators have never actually run a business. I have. As a former COO turned Certified Valuation Analyst, I understand the Des Moines Metropolitan Area's unique market dynamics and bring operational experience to every valuation. With expertise in insurance, government, agriculture, healthcare, I provide accurate business valuations that reflect local economic conditions and industry realities.
Local Market Knowledge
Deep understanding of the Des Moines Metropolitan Area's business environment and economic drivers
Industry Specialization
Expert in valuing insurance, government, agriculture, healthcare businesses common in the area
Real Operational Experience
Former COO who understands how businesses actually work, not just financial theory
Local Industries We Serve
Professional valuation services tailored to industry-specific metrics and market conditions
Professional valuation services tailored to industry-specific metrics and market conditions
Professional valuation services tailored to industry-specific metrics and market conditions
Professional valuation services tailored to industry-specific metrics and market conditions
Common valuation purposes in Des Moines:
- •Selling your Des Moines business - exit planning and pricing strategy
- •M&A transactions and due diligence - buy-side and sell-side advisory
- •Partner buyout agreements - fair value determination
- •Divorce business valuations - court-accepted reports
- •Estate planning and tax compliance - IRS-ready valuations
Des Moines Business Climate
Understanding the local economic landscape is crucial for accurate business valuations
Strong growth indicates healthy M&A market
Robust economy with diverse sectors
Reflects local purchasing power
Strong labor market
Why Des Moines Businesses Choose Professional Valuation
Des Moines's diverse economy with 54,000+ active businesses and growing business sector make accurate valuations essential for owners and investors.
Des Moines is known for its strong insurance sector, with over 0.2M people in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area.
- • Insurance business valuations
- • Government business valuations
- • Agriculture business valuations
- • Healthcare business valuations
All Des Moines business valuations meet NACVA professional standards and are accepted by courts, CPAs, and financial institutions.
- • Defensible methodologies
- • Comprehensive reporting
- • Professional liability insurance
- • Peer review available
Who Needs a NACVA-Certified Business Valuation?
Professional valuations are essential for high-stakes business decisions requiring defensible, credible analysis
Know your business's true market value before entering negotiations. A credible valuation gives you leverage and prevents leaving money on the table.
Whether buying out a partner or being bought out, a neutral third-party valuation ensures fairness and reduces conflict.
Courts require credible, defensible valuations for equitable distribution. NACVA-certified reports are widely accepted in legal proceedings.
IRS requires professional valuations for estate tax returns and gifting business interests. Avoid penalties with compliant documentation.
Lenders often require formal valuations for business acquisition loans. Professional reports strengthen your application and loan terms.
At this revenue level, the complexity of your business warrants professional valuation expertise to capture all value drivers accurately.
Understanding your current value helps guide strategic decisions, capital allocation, and growth initiatives for the future.
When disagreements arise about company value or direction, an independent valuation provides objective data to resolve conflicts.
Our Des Moines Business Valuation Process
Local Consultation
Free consultation to understand your Des Moines business and valuation needs
Market Analysis
Comprehensive analysis using Des Moines market data and industry benchmarks
Professional Report
Detailed valuation report meeting all professional standards
Why Des Moines Businesses Choose Us
See how our process compares to traditional valuation firms
| Feature | Dori Morrison CVA | Large Firms | Local CPAs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnaround Time | 2-3 weeks | 8-16 weeks | 6-12 weeks |
| Starting Price | $6,000 | $15,000+ | $10,000+ |
| Who Does the Work | Only CVA | Junior analysts | Varies |
| Operational Experience | Former COO | Limited | None |
| Des Moines Market Knowledge | ✓ Local expertise | National focus | ✓ Local |
| Report Quality | 45+ page report | 80+ page report | 30-40 pages |
All valuations performed in accordance with NACVA Professional Standards
Meet Your Des Moines Business Valuator
Dori Morrison, CVA
As a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) serving Des Moines, Dori brings rigorous training and ongoing professional development to every valuation engagement. Her expertise spans multiple industries common in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area, including insurance, government, agriculture, healthcare.
With a commitment to clear communication and practical insights, Dori helps Des Moines business owners and their advisors make informed decisions based on reliable valuation analysis. Her approach combines technical expertise with an understanding of real-world business challenges facing companies in Iowa.
Common Questions About Business Valuations
How much does a business valuation cost?
It depends on your business complexity, but most of my engagements start around $6,000. That gets you a full, NACVA-compliant report—not a one-page letter or a calculator output. For context: Big firms charge $15K-$25K+ for the same work because they're billing for partners who don't do the work and junior analysts who do. I do the work myself, which keeps costs down without cutting corners. During our free consultation, I'll give you an exact fixed-price quote based on your situation. No surprises, no hourly billing creep.
How long does a business valuation take?
Most valuations are completed within 2-3 weeks once I receive all required documentation. This is significantly faster than the industry average of 8-16 weeks, allowing you to move forward with your transaction or planning needs quickly.
Why should I hire a professional business valuator?
A professional business valuator understands local market dynamics, including the Des Moines Metropolitan Area's economic conditions and industry-specific factors affecting insurance, government, agriculture, healthcare businesses. As a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), I provide defensible valuations accepted by courts, CPAs, and financial institutions—essential for M&A transactions, partner buyouts, and legal proceedings.
What's the difference between a business appraiser and business valuator?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both perform the same function: determining the fair market value of your business. The key is finding a certified professional (CVA, ASA, or ABV) who follows recognized valuation standards like NACVA Professional Standards, ensuring your valuation is credible and defensible.
Do you serve businesses in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area?
Yes! I serve business owners throughout the Des Moines Metropolitan Area and nationwide. All valuations are conducted remotely via secure video conference and document sharing, allowing me to efficiently serve clients across Iowa while maintaining the highest professional standards.
Also Serving Nearby Iowa Areas
Professional business valuation services throughout the Des Moines Metropolitan Area and beyond
Serving business owners across Iowa with remote and in-person consultations
Ready to Know What Your Business Is Really Worth?
Whether you're planning to sell in the next 6 months or just want to know where you stand, a professional valuation gives you clarity and confidence.
Here's what happens next: Book a free 20-minute call (no pressure, no pitch—just a conversation), get a fixed-price quote based on your specific situation, and receive your valuation report in 2-3 weeks.
Serving business owners across Des Moines, the Des Moines Metropolitan Area, and nationwide
Professional Business Valuation Nationwide
Get expert business valuations anywhere in the US with local market knowledge and professional CVA credentials.