Mantras Ambulance Services, Inc. Case 2: A Buyer-Side Business Valuation Case

Author
Janet R. Jones, University of Minnesota – Duluth
Region
North America
Topic
Accounting & Finance
Length
11 pages
Keywords
Negotiations
business valuation
Ratio Analysis
market approach
Student Price
$4.00
Target Audience
Graduate Students
Undergraduate Students

The purpose of this decision case is to discuss business valuation in the context of a privatelyowned service company. Daniel Gustafson has worked in the healthcare industry since his college days and has purchased two medical transport companies which he turned into successful, thriving businesses. He would like to increase market presence for his company by purchasing existing “mom-and-pop” type ambulance companies in the Northeast region of the United States. With the help of his Chief Financial Officer, Penny Nicholson, he has identified Mantras Ambulance Services, Inc. as a company he is interested in purchasing. Students are asked to assume the role of Penny Nicholson to assist Daniel in the process of identifying relevant information and preparing an analysis for business valuation.

Learning Outcomes
  • Identify various factors that can impact the purchase price of a privately held business.
  • Formulate a estimated business valuation range based on analysis of financial information.
  • Produce a written communication in a business setting to communicate relevant information for decision making.

In addition, if both Mantras cases are used to analyze information from both the buyer and seller perspectives, the students will be able to:

  • Negotiate a sale price for the purchase of Mantras Ambulance Services, Inc.
  • Demonstrate effective oral communication skills through buyer/seller discussions and negotiations.