Since the first edition was published in 1981, the profession of business appraisal has matured immensely. The IRS has come out with business valuation guidelines, and the AICPA has published their business valuation standards. While each organization’s standards or guidelines are slightly different from the others, there is unanimous agreement on the central concepts of business valuation.

The authors have endeavored to present the current state-of-the-art, thinking, and practice of the business valuation profession, which has progressed significantly since the fourth edition in 2000. Where clear consensus on positions exist, such consensus is presented. Where there are differing opinions, they try to present the issues clearly and fairly, reflecting extensive peer review (see Acknowledgments). They also present considerable documentation of various courts’ positions on controversial issues. This book promises to appeal to an even broader market.