--- title: "Professional Services Firm Valuation Melbourne" url: https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/professional-services/ description: "Valuations for Melbourne law, consulting, engineering, design and advisory firms: partner pay, client ties and WIP tested. From $1,495 + GST." updated: 2026-11-10 --- # Valuations for Melbourne professional firms, where the value is in the people. For partner admissions and exits, buy-outs, mergers, restructures and succession at law, consulting, engineering, architecture and advisory firms. [Talk to a valuer (15 min)](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/contact/)[All industries](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/) A Melbourne professional services firm is valued on the profit left after every partner is paid a market salary for the work they do, adjusted for how much of the client base would stay if a partner left. Work in progress and debtors are dealt with separately from goodwill. Our valuers prepare independent valuations for partner entries and exits, buy-outs, mergers and restructures at firms from Collins Street to Richmond and the suburbs. ## Separating partner pay from partner profit In most firms, partners take a mix of salary and profit share that suits the partnership, not the market. One partner may draw well above what an employee in the same seat would earn, another well below. The valuation resets each partner's pay to a market rate for their role, and what is left over is the profit a buyer or incoming partner is paying for. The adjustment can move value a long way in either direction, so the report shows how each figure was set. Our signed reports are a fixed fee of $1,495 + GST for a small business and $2,495 + GST for a medium business, and every one is independently reviewed by a suitably qualified business valuer. A small-business report is delivered in 2 business days and a medium-business report in 3 business days. Delivery time starts once payment and all required information have been received. Business Valuations Melbourne is not a registered tax agent. Get a fixed fee[Ask the valuer first](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/contact/) ## Will the clients stay? Clients of a Melbourne law or consulting firm usually deal with a person they trust. The valuation looks at how fees are spread across partners and clients, how long the main clients have been with the firm, whether work is recurring or one-off, and what restraints and handover terms are in place. A firm where one departing partner controls a large share of fees carries more risk than one where work is spread across a stable team, and the valuation prices that risk openly. ## Work in progress, debtors and the office lease Unbilled work and unpaid invoices belong to the firm but are not goodwill. They are valued at what they are likely to bring in and are usually settled separately at completion. The valuer also reads the office lease, because a long CBD lease with fixed increases is a cost a buyer takes on, and checks any partnership or shareholders agreement for a formula that sets the price on exit. ## When Melbourne firms order a valuation - A new partner or director buying equity - A retiring or departing partner being bought out - Two firms merging and needing a fair split - A sale of the firm or a practice area to another firm - Moving from a partnership into a company or trust structure - A dispute between partners about what a share is worth ## Common questions. Can a sole practitioner's firm be valued? + Yes, but much of its goodwill may be personal and leave with the practitioner. The valuation separates what a buyer could keep, such as a recurring client list, staff and systems, from what depends on one person, and values only the first. Our partnership deed sets a buy-in price. Do we still need a valuation? + A deed formula prices a relationship between partners and can sit well away from market value. That is fine for the partners, but if the price also matters for tax or a dispute, market value is usually the test. The valuation can report both figures and explain the gap. How do restraints affect value? + A buyer pays more when the people who hold client relationships are bound by reasonable restraints and handover terms. Where there are none, the risk that clients follow a departing partner is reflected in the multiple. Whether a restraint can be enforced is a legal question for your lawyer. What does it cost and how long does it take? + The fee is fixed before work starts and set by annual turnover: $1,495 + GST under $2 million, $2,495 + GST for $2 million to $3 million, $3,495 + GST for $3 million to $10 million, and a written quote above $10 million. Small reports take 2 business days and medium and large reports 3 business days, counted from when payment and all the information we need are in. Related industries - [Accounting Practice Valuations in Melbourne](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/accounting-firms/) - [Medical and Dental Practice Valuations in Melbourne](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/medical-and-dental-practices/) - [E-commerce and Retail Business Valuations in Melbourne](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/e-commerce-and-retail/) Talk to a valuer ## Tell us what you need valued. A fifteen-minute call confirms the package, the fixed fee and the delivery date, before you commit to anything. 03 8375 4177 Mon to Fri, 9am to 5:30pm Melbourne time Send the form and we reply within one business day. No documents needed to start. Small Business Valuation $1,495 + GST For a business with annual turnover under $2 million. Signed report in 2 business days. Delivery time starts once payment and all required information have been received. The fee is fixed in writing before we start and never tied to the outcome. Larger business? Tell us in the form and we recommend the right package. [All fees](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/fees/) Last reviewed 10 November 2026 by Business Valuations Melbourne, Level 7, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne. --- Business Valuations Melbourne · Level 7, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 · 03 8375 4177 · https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/start/