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A poor valuation doesn’t just cost you thousands—it can cost you millions $$$, along with wasted time and stress. I help searchers, private equity groups, and business owners value private small to midsize businesses for investment, partner buyouts, tax, and litigation purposes. Unlike many finance freelancers on Upwork, I’ve personally invested in, operated, bought & sold, made and lost money on private acquisitions and investments. That real-world risk taught me the stakes of an inaccurate valuation. For the past 15 years, I’ve analyzed thousands of startups and small- and mid-sized businesses and have become certified across multiple SME appraisal and finance bodies. I am certified by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) and the International Society of Business Appraisers (ISBA). I follow a structured process that documents every step, explains conclusions, and ensures credibility. Services Include: 🤝 Partner Buyouts - deliver certified, accurate and defensible valuations when an owner is considering selling to a business partner or related party. 📑 Business Acquisition Investment Review & LBO Analysis – get value of a private business you are considering acquiring or investing in. 🧾 Tax & Estate Valuation – independent certified business valuations for estate and gift tax reporting as required by the IRS. ⚖️ Litigation Valuation – lost profits and economic damage reports based on court-tested techniques that deliver accurate estimates of SME private business value. 🚀 Startup & Venture Capital Valuation – get an accurate and defensible pre-money value for your startup or investment. 📈 Strategic Planning – provides owners, leadership teams, and investors with a clear view of business value to guide growth strategies. 🚚 Equipment Valuation – Certified desktop appraisals for machinery, vehicles, and other equipment assets. 🧮 Quality of Earnings - assess the quality of reported EBITDA adjustments and discretionary earnings of the business 💵 Proof of Cash – our best defender against fraud and manipulation of financial statements 🔄 Working Capital – create accurate estimates for operating working capital needs and target PEG for negotiations. 💼 Acquisition CFO – support from post-acquisition accounting integration and cash flow forecasting. Why Work With Me: ✔️ Authoritative knowledge: thousands of businesses analyzed ✔️ Certified across multiple Institutes (CVA®, BCA®, CMEA®, FMVA®, and more) ✔️ Proven structured process that documents every step for credibility ✔️ Deliver fast turnaround (24–48 hours) when deadlines are tight ✔️ Top Rated on Upwork with 100% job satisfaction rating What Upwork Clients Say: 💬 “Josh is exceptional at what he does and provided the exact skills I needed for a potential business acquisition. Accountants might be able to review financials, but Josh knows exactly what to look for. 💬 "Josh is hands down one of the best consultants I’ve worked with on up work. He is perhaps the most professional person I’ve worked with, as well as the most talented business valuation expert I’ve ever worked with." 💬"Working with Josh has been one of the best decisions we've made. We're happy to recommend him to anyone looking to understand the value of their company." About Me: I’m Josh and 15 years ago when I got out of the military I wanted to buy a business. When I got the numbers from the business I wanted to buy, despite having a degree in finance, I could not come up with how they put the numbers together. I outsourced the analysis to different financial professionals but got conflicting information on the business’s value. The pressure mounted as I was about to put up a significant amount of my net worth, and I could not sleep. From that moment, I vowed to never be put in this position again and have been on a quest to know how these companies are valued. This past decade I’ve analyzed thousands of these businesses along with gaining multiple business appraisal institute certifications. To go along with my degrees and certifications, I have read over 400 books on private business valuation and transaction analysis. My credentials include: ✸ Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)® ✸ Business Certified Appraiser (BCA)® ✸ Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraiser (CMEA)® ✸ Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® ✸ Professional Bookkeeper (PB)® ✸ QuickBooks Specialist (QS)® ✸ Profit and Growth Expert (PGE)® ✸ Certified Turnaround Analyst (CTA)® ✸ Accredited Small Business Consultant (ASBC)® ✸ M.S. in Applied Economics (MSAE) – Johns Hopkins University ✸ M.S. in Finance (MSF) – George Washington University ✸ B.B.A. in Finance—Radford University ✸ Certificate in Forecasting in Organizations—Johns Hopkins University ✸ Certificate in Real Estate Finance and Investment—New York University I’m new to Upwork and offering introductory pricing to build client relationships here. I offer a free consultation, so send me a message.

🏆TOP RATED PLUS🏆 $100+ Billion in deals over 20+ years. I started my career on Wall Street in Corporate, M&A, and Securities Laws. I now provide strategic legal counsel and business consulting tailored to high-stakes business initiatives as well as critical advice to startups and companies raising capital. 💬"Joe helped me buy back my company from my former partners and navigate difficult waters where soured friendships turned ugly. He was gracious and understanding, yet also highly astute, often saving me from myself. He was conscious of our budget and mindful of necessary next steps. He was time sensitive and readily available. He saved my business." 💬"I have consulted with Joe on several occasions myself and referred to him, and he has delivered above and beyond each time. He is extremely knowledgeable in his field, transparent, and very responsive. Highly recommend Raetzer PLLC!" 🔴CORE PRACTICE AREAS: Capital Raising: Structuring and preparing Private Placement Memorandums (PPMs), SAFE Notes, Convertible Notes, Promissory Notes, Bridge Notes, Warrants, Reg A, Reg CF, Reg D, and Reg S offerings. Business Consulting: Strategic review of current business, new business/product lines and market entrance. Business Transactions: Representing buyers and sellers in domestic and cross-border M&A. Startups and Growth-Stage Businesses: Formation, structuring, scaling, and preparing businesses for investment or acquisition. Exit Planning: Legal strategy and execution for business sales and investor exits. Strategic Advisory: Advising boards of directors, C-suite executives and founders on overall business strategy and business acquisition/disposition matters. 💬"Joe is incredibly knowledgeable and has been great to work with! He helped us initially with writing and reviewing our sales agreements and has become indispensable as we navigate a tricky situation with a finance merchant. Highly recommend" 💬"Outstanding legal expertise and absolutely great to work with. Highly recommend." 🔴LEGAL EXPERTISE: Structuring and negotiating complex M&A and capital markets transactions. Drafting core transactional documents: purchase agreements, subscription agreements, operating/shareholder agreements, and corporate governance materials. Advising on securities compliance, including Reg A, Reg D, and Reg S offerings, Blue Sky compliance, and SEC filings. Fund formation and structured finance: extensive experience with CDOs, CMBS/RMBS, and Investment Company Act issues. Partnering with senior management and boards to align legal strategies with business objectives. Collaborating with international counsel and multidisciplinary teams on multijurisdictional deals. 💬"Raetzer PLLC has been incredibly helpful for my business. Super honest, trustworthy and legitimate service! I will be hiring them again for my next acquisition deal." 💬"Professional service and extremely fast turn around. I enjoyed working with Joseph who drafted high quality contracts and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a top notch service!" 🔴TRACK RECORD: Former Senior Associate Attorney at international Corporate M&A powerhouse Clifford Chance and top Corporate & Structured Finance law firm Thacher Proffitt & Wood both in Manhattan (New York City), where I represented investment banks, public and private companies, private equity sponsors, startups and hedge funds on strategic transactions. Closed and supported multi-billion-dollar deals across industries and jurisdictions. Delivered practical legal solutions to drive successful outcomes for clients ranging from startups to global financial institutions. I am licensed to practice law in New York and Texas. Corporate & Securities Attorney | Strategic Deal Advisor | M&A and Capital Raising Specialist 💬"Joseph Raetzer assisted me with drafting my asset purchase agreement. He provided excellent legal support for a fraction of the cost compared to a larger law firm." 💬"Joseph and the Raetzer PLLC team were exceptional — professional, responsive, and thorough from start to finish. They provided clear guidance, moved quickly, and made what could have been a complex process seamless. Highly recommend their firm for anyone seeking reliable and efficient legal support." 💬"Raetzer PLLC worked closely with us to successfully execute the lease for our new office on Wall Street, providing valuable counsel throughout the process. Joe is punctual, meticulous, and an exceptional attorney — highly professional and a pleasure to work with." 💬"Joe always kept my best interest at heart and helped me navigate a sensitive business contract. Highly recommended. Thanks again"

As a seasoned Mergers & Acquisitions and Finance Professional with ~20 years of i) investment banking (analyst to managing partner); ii) valuation consulting; iii) equity research; and iv) private equity experience, I am your go-to expert for comprehensive and accurate M&A work and Business Valuations. My services are tailored for M&A, shareholder buy-outs, carve-outs, fundraising, and any other business owner need. Why choose me? Proven Expertise: CFA Charterholder with a deep understanding of financial markets and valuation techniques. Comprehensive Services: From independent business valuations to financial modeling and investor pitch decks, I offer a full suite of services to meet your needs. Track Record of Success: With a strong academic background and professional certifications, I deliver high-quality, reliable results. Let's work together to unlock the true value of your business. Contact me today to discuss how I can assist with your valuation needs. Licenses/Certifications/Achievements Include: -CFA Charterholder -Series 7, 63, 79, 87 -3.98/4.00 GPA from University of Florida Primary Services Include: -Certified Business Valuations (for M&A, shareholder buy-outs, banks, fundraising, etc.) -Financial Modeling (Professional LBO, DCF, M&A models in excel) -Investor / Pitch Decks (Full PowerPoint-based memorandum for business plans and/or investments) -Equity Research Reports (Research reports on a specific equity or an entire industry) -Portfolio Advisory (investment selection, portfolio management) -Capital Markets Advisory -Fundamental Finance & Capital Markets Education Expertise Includes: -Mergers & Acquisitions -Valuation -Financial Modeling -CFA Examinations -Equity Investments -Fixed Income -Equity Analysis -Derivative Trading -Industry & Competitive Analysis -Bloomerberg, Cap IQ, Pitchbook, Apollo.ai, ZoomInfo, Placer.ai, Thompson One, Factset -Microsoft Excel/PowerPoint/Word

Greetings: I don’t sell models or pitch decks. I help companies get funded, bought or sold, get valued correctly, and get deals done. z FINRA-licensed investment banker (Series 7, 79, 63), CPA, and Kellogg MBA with over 25 years of experience in investment banking, M&A, and business development. He has successfully executed more than 250 M&A and capital- raising transactions totaling over $3 billion across technology, oil & gas, healthcare, e- commerce, and other industries. He has held senior leadership positions at Bear Stearns, Thomas Weisel Partners, and PaineWebber, and has directed investment-banking efforts at three boutique firms. I’ve been in thousands of investor meetings and have led hundreds of transactions. I know what works—and what gets rejected. What I do Most companies don’t fail because they lack a model or a deck. They fail because: The story doesn’t support the valuation The numbers don’t survive scrutiny The positioning doesn’t resonate with investors I fix that. Core Services Valuation to Narrative Alignment What is your business actually worth—and can you defend it? Investor-grade valuation range Alignment of valuation with your story Identification of pushback points Clear guidance on how to position and defend it Typical engagement: $750 – $1,250 Investor Readiness / Deal Review Before you go to market, I evaluate your business the way an investment committee would. Pressure-test assumptions Identify weaknesses Refine positioning Typical engagement: $1,000 – $2,000 Capital Raising Strategy How to structure, position, and execute your raise. Equity and debt strategy Investor targeting Narrative refinement Typical engagement: $1,500 – $3,000+ M&A Advisory (Buy-side / Sell-side) Support on valuation, structure, and negotiation. Deal positioning Valuation framing Process strategy Engagements: custom Presentation & Pitch Coaching Where deals are actually won or lost. Live pitch review and coaching Messaging, structure, and delivery Handling investor questions Sessions: $300 – $500 How I work Direct, honest, and outcome-focused No templates, no generic advice Built on real transaction experience If something doesn’t work, I’ll tell you—and fix it. Who I work best with Founders preparing to raise capital Companies evaluating a sale or acquisition Investors and operators who want an institutional perspective

Hello! I am a financial analyst specializing in high-powered LBO models and Fractional CFO services. My primary work involves (1) developing detailed buy-side (acquisition) models and (2) managing a company's finance function via budgeting, forecasting, and strategic advisory. I've been building LBO models for the last 8 years, constantly pushing to create the most interactive, user-friendly, and visually appealing models. My objective is to make it easier for investors and operators to decide whether to purchase a particular business and to then find a price/structure that will both manage risk and maximize returns. I have worked with family offices, private equity firms, and individual investors, primarily involving deals within the $1mm-$10mm EBITDA range. CFO/FP&A: Outside of transactions, I enjoy working side-by-side with business owners, navigating challenges and powering the decisions that fuel growth and efficiency. Crafting a well-formulated fiancial plan ensures that owners no longer have to fly blind and provides a comprehensive roadmap to success. I am passionate about working hand in hand with business owners to help give them better insight into performance, to identify potential weaknesses, and to map out an effective growth path. I seek to build comprehensive 3-statement models that can accurately forecast near-term and long-term cash flows. I use this as a baseline to inform future strategy layering in strategic decision making such as: (1) Expansion planning (2) Growth by Acquisition (3) Capital Planning Finally, I integrate interactive dashboards and variance analyses into my projects to communicate performance to key stakeholders and help shape future strategy.

I’m the Top 1%, Expert-Vetted, Finance Freelancer who Upwork clients turn to who don't want to risk leaving money on the closing table. I have become a go-to consultant with the secret sauce recipe here on Upwork for supporting M&A client transactions, as well as business brokers who are seeking that "ultimate monetization outcome". A.I. offers many promises but in the financial services industry the "human in the loop" is that measure of additional security that helps prevent those embarrassing A.I.-generated outcomes that kill deals and opportunities. I have over 30 years of experience in due diligence, QoE reporting, negotiations, fraud elimination programs, transaction structuring, and selling businesses. I will help you keep it out of the ditch and sleep at night. You don’t have to settle when you can have the best for a fraction of what I used to charge on Wall Street - and that makes me the obvious choice for all your business management consulting needs. I also have decades of capital markets experience with Reg. D offerings (506(b) and 506(c) private placements), Reg. A offerings, crowdfunding, and Rule 241 Testing-The-Waters money hunts that include commercial real estate, B2B, B2C, and e-comm engagements, as well as a large practice experience in tax-advantaged offering engagements such as Delaware Statutory Trust (i.e., DST) underwriting due diligence, and documentation. Key experiences you will want in your corner for this engagement: * Proven history of cost-efficient business reviews of investment, bank, and transaction documents, as well as document drafting and transaction structuring. * Millions raised for my own projects. * $2 Billion+ in valuations for Upwork clients. * $15 Billion+ in underwriting, feasibility, and capital raise projects over the years. * Over 100 client assignments complete with rock-solid 95%+ Client Success Rating. * Former FINRA Compliance Vendor - SEC compliance is in my bones for crowdfundings, Reg A. and Reg D securities offerings. * Buy-Side/Sell-Side - Always the Guy on Your Side. Note project listings below for those must have services for small business transactions. * Maximized Equity Monetization Program (for qualifying businesses) aimed at getting you that top quartile valuation/sale price outcome. You can get there from here, but it starts with reaching out to the professional who just doesn’t stop. I love this business, and you will too – I guarantee it. In most cases, your initial consultation fee will be applied to the engagement, so why go anywhere else when the go-to Freelancer is the obvious choice?