The Impact of Tariffs on Small Business Valuation: Risks, Realities, and Best Practices

Co-Sponsored by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts®  (NACVA®) 

	Program Description		Who Should Attend
	How You Will Benefit		Schedule

Program Description
Tariffs have become a defining feature of the current global trade environment, with far-reaching implications for small businesses and the professionals who advise them. This course is designed to equip valuation professionals, business owners, and advisors with a comprehensive understanding of how tariffs affect the value of privately held companies.

We will begin by demystifying tariffs; exploring their role as both economic policy tools and market disruptors. Participants will gain clarity on how tariffs function, why they are imposed, and the current landscape of U.S. and international trade policy. The course will then delve into the direct and indirect ways tariffs influence small business valuation, focusing on six core areas:

1. Profitability Pressures: We will examine how tariffs increase input costs for businesses reliant on imported goods, forcing tough decisions about raising prices or absorbing costs. Both choices can compress margins and reduce cash flow, directly impacting valuation multiples and discounted cash flow calculations.
2. Supply Chain Disruptions: The course will highlight how tariffs drive supply chain reconfiguration, often requiring businesses to seek new suppliers or shift to domestic sourcing. These transitions come with significant costs and operational risks that must be factored into any valuation analysis.
3. Competitive Dynamics: Attendees will learn how tariffs can alter competitive positioning, benefiting some domestic producers while putting import-reliant firms at a disadvantage. We will discuss the implications for market share, pricing power, and long-term business prospects.
4. Inflationary and Economic Effects: The broader inflationary pressures caused by tariffs will be discussed, including their impact on consumer demand, operating expenses, and borrowing costs for small businesses.
5. Retaliatory Tariffs and Export Risks: The course will address the challenges faced by small exporters, including reduced access to international markets and the impact of foreign retaliatory measures on growth and revenue streams.
6. Industry-Specific Impacts: We will provide real-world examples from manufacturing, retail, technology, and agriculture, illustrating how tariff exposure and valuation risks vary by sector.

Throughout the course, participants will learn best practices for mitigating tariff risks, including supply chain diversification, operational efficiency improvements, and proactive monitoring of trade policy developments. We will also discuss the importance of factoring both short-term disruptions and long-term structural changes into valuation models.

By the end of this course, attendees will be equipped with actionable insights and practical frameworks for assessing and addressing the impact of tariffs on small business value. Whether you are advising clients, preparing for a transaction, or planning for succession, this course will provide the knowledge and tools needed to navigate today’s volatile trade environment with confidence.

How You Will Benefit
After completing this course, attendees will be able to:

• Explain the fundamental concepts of tariffs and their role in global trade policy as they relate to small business operations and valuation
• Analyze the direct and indirect effects of tariffs on small business profitability, including impacts on cost structures, margins, and cash flow
• Evaluate how tariffs disrupt supply chains and assess the implications for business continuity, operational risk, and valuation forecasts
• Assess the ways in which tariffs alter competitive dynamics, including shifts in market share, pricing power, and industry positioning
• Identify the inflationary pressures caused by tariffs and their influence on consumer demand, business expenses, and valuation models
• Determine the risks and valuation consequences for small businesses facing retaliatory tariffs and restricted access to export markets
• Differentiate the impact of tariffs across key industries—such as manufacturing, retail, technology, and agriculture—using real-world examples
• Recommend practical strategies for mitigating tariff-related risks and integrating these considerations into robust business valuation analyses

Take Aways
After completing this course, attendees will be able to identify and assess the specific ways tariffs impact small business valuation, including cost structures, supply chain dynamics, and competitive positioning. They will gain the skills to analyze how rising input costs, shrinking profit margins, and market uncertainty can affect valuation models and transaction outcomes. Participants will leave equipped to recognize industry-specific risks, anticipate the effects of tariff-driven market volatility, and recommend practical strategies for mitigating these risks in real-world valuation engagements. Ultimately, attendees will be prepared to provide informed, actionable guidance to clients navigating the challenges of tariffs in today’s dynamic trade environment.

Who Should Attend

Delivery Method Group Internet-Based Program Level Intermediate Advanced Preparation None Prerequisites Previous training or research on subject matter being taught. Such persons are often at a mid-level within the organization, with operational and/or supervisory responsibilities.    Finance 1 Total CPE Hours   1

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