Purchase Price Allocation

Transparent presentation of the acquired company’s assets and liabilities at fair value, systematically and audit-proof.
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Purchase Price Allocation Challenges

The central challenge of a PPA lies in the identification and objective valuation of intangible assets such as customer bases, brands or patents, for which there are often no active markets. Cash flows must be consistently broken down to individual assets and discounted with an appropriate WACC.

The valued net assets form the basis for future performance measurement, as the amortization of capitalized assets will reduce operating income in the future. The remaining goodwill is calculated as a residual amount and assigned to the benefiting cash-generating units.

Assessment Requirements

Every asset and liability requires a reliable, comprehensible valuation model, including clearly defined and objectified assumptions.

Plausibility Check

All procedures and assumptions must provide a consistent overall picture. The WACCs used must match the forecast return on capital and the valuation of assets and liabilities must balance consistently.

Documentation

The entire purchase price allocation must be documented in a complete and clearly structured manner, comprehensible to auditors, investors and internal stakeholders.

Our Support

We carry out the purchase price allocation with specialist expertise and many years of experience.

Identification of intangible assets and differentiation from goodwill
Valuation using established valuation methods and well-founded parameter derivation
Presentation in the consolidated financial statements and audit-proof documentation
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This is how we assist you with a Purchase Price Allocation

Data Collection and Identification

We analyse your transaction documents and business plans and conduct expert interviews on site to identify all intangible assets such as customer bases, technologies or trademark rights.

Modelling of Fair Values

Using recognized valuation methods, we asess the fair values of the identified positions and derive the associated useful lives.

Valuation Report

We document the entire process in an audit-proof report, which makes the derivation of goodwill and the discovery of hidden reserves completely comprehensible to your auditor.

FAQ

Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.

What is a Purchase Price Allocation?

A purchase price allocation is the systematic distribution of the price paid for a company among the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. As part of this process, previously unaccounted intangible assets such as customer relationships or brand names are also revalued at their fair values. The remaining balance after this distribution is finally reported as goodwill in the consolidated balance sheet.

Which reasons require purchase price allocations under IFRS?

A purchase price allocation is always mandatory when a company gains control of a business through the acquisition of shares or assets.

This process is used in the context of business combinations in order to properly distribute the purchase price in the consolidated financial statements. Acquiring joint ventures or associates , the fair values of the identifiable net assets must be determined, too.

What are the challenges with purchase price allocations?

The biggest challenge lies in identifying and precisely valuing previously not recognized intangible assets such as customer bases or technologies. For this purpose, complex valuation models must be used, which are based on long-term planning calculations and market-related capitalization rates.

Since these parameters often involve considerable discretionary powers, a well-sophisticated deduction vis-à-vis the auditors is crucial.

How are purchase price allocations actually carried out?

Every business combination must be accounted for using the acquisition method under IFRS 3. The process comprises five steps: identifying the acquirer, determining the acquisition date, measuring the consideration transferred at fair value, recognising all identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition-date fair values, and determining goodwill or — where applicable — a gain from a bargain purchase. A rigorous Purchase Price Allocation is the prerequisite for IFRS-compliant subsequent measurement and the annual goodwill impairment test under IAS 36.

Get in touch with us and let us advise you.