Valuation: It’s Not That Complicated! That was the bold opening line of our Valuation Masterclass with Professor Aswath Damodaran in Q1 2025, one of the world’s most respected voices in valuation. He reminded us that valuation is not an academic exercise, but a way to understand the reality of a business: its risks, its potential, and the story behind its numbers.

In a world where valuation is often treated with endless formulas, spreadsheets and disclaimers, Damodaran’s message was about telling the story of a business – not just crunching its numbers. A narrative wrapped in numbers. 

For those of us in the business of assessing value, whether for deals, reporting, intragroup restructuring, or strategic planning, it is a powerful reminder that valuation is as much art as it is science.

Valuing businesses in a changing world:

Today’s business environment is more dynamic than ever. Geopolitical shifts, economic uncertainty, and global disruptions, from inflationary pressures to supply chain volatility, are reshaping markets. At the same time, the rise of AI, the growing importance of ESG factors, and the acceleration of digital business models are challenging the relevance of traditional valuation frameworks. These forces call for a more adaptive and forward-looking approach to valuation, reflecting today’s realities and tomorrow’s potential. 

At Baker Tilly South East Europe, our valuation and transaction advisory team help clients see value from every angle, whether undertaking a transaction, preparing financial statements, or planning your next strategic move. We provide insights that go beyond numbers to help guide negotiations and decisions with confidence.

When valuing a business for an M&A purpose, shareholder disputes, corporate restructurings or exit planning, we provide objective and defensible valuations.

From intellectual property and brand value to AI driven innovation and sustainability performance, we assess what’s not always visible on the balance sheet but might be a company’s most valuable asset.

For young and growth companies operating in tech-driven or ESG-conscious sectors, we defy traditional valuation logic by tailoring our approach to account for early-stage uncertainty, market potential, and the story that drives the business.

We also support fair value measurement requirements from purchase price allocations to impairment testing.

Every valuation starts with a conversation understanding where your business is headed, how it’s shaped by innovation and global change, and what that means for value. 

Let’s start a conversation, about value and vision. Now, for tomorrow.

Rita Beyrouthy, CFA Transaction Advisory Services, Baker Tilly South East Europe