Holly founded ExitPromise.com as well as StartupPromise.com and so far has answered more than 3,000 questions asked by business owners about starting, growing and selling a business.
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Net equity value is the fair market value of a business’s assets minus its liabilities. This measured value is used to determine a business’s net worth – or the funds that would be left over and available to shareholders if all liabilities and debts were paid off.
The Net Equity Value Equation
Net Equity Value = (enterprise value + cash and cash equivalents + short and long term investments) – (short term debt + long term debt + minority interests).
Why Net Equity Value is Important to Small Businesses
Banks use net equity value to determine the financial health of a company. When determining whether or not to underwrite a business loan, most banks will first analyze the this equation or equity value. Because this measurement weighs a business’s current assets against its current liabilities, net equity value offers an analysis of how much the business is worth as collateral for a loan.
Many business owners mistakenly believe it’s okay to show net losses on the business’s tax return each year. Intentionally doing so may contribute to a long-term problem when it’s time to obtain business capital, or to increase the company’s working capital line of credit. Bank lenders track the Net Equity for the business applicant over time going back as far as five or even ten years. The bank loan underwriter looks for at this long-term trend and finds it favorable when there is increasing Net Equity over time. When that’s not the case, especially if the trend is declining Net Equity, obtaining bank capital is very difficult.
Net Equity vs. Net Assets
Although similar, net equity and net assets differ in one important way. Net assets are defined as total assets minus total liabilities – where inventory is included in the company’s assets. Conversely, the net equity value calculation does not include inventory as a part of the business’s assets. Fluctuating inventory will affect a company’s net assets day-to-day, but will not affect the net equity value in the same manner.
How do I calculate net equity for my business if my business doesn’t own any assets or debt?
Hi Brian,
If you take a look at your Balance Sheet, you should have at least one asset — cash or checking account.
If you have absolutely no debt, then it would be reasonable to assume that your net equity for your business would be the balance in your checking account.
Hope this helps…
Please could you help me with a pro forma of how to calculate net equity rollover for one of the director/shareholder selling his share in the business. I know what rollover equity is, just need guidance or formulae for how to calculate it please. Thank you.
I am seperating with partner and going to step down as director of our business. We agree on the value of the business and her mum an accountant for 30 years has worked out the net equity of business for my payout from the value of the business that we have agreed on and we will split net equity 50/50. All of the outstanding bills to pay are on the deduction side in her calculations. But she says that I still need to pay 50% of outstanding bills after settlement is this correct? I don’t believe it is as that will mean that I will be paying these bills twice (in the loss of net equity pay out and then again from my share of equity payout)
Hi Greg,
I agree with your assessment if the outstanding business’ bills are a reduction to the net equity value.
They’re double dipping.
All the best…