WRV challenges Big Four valuation models with faster delivery and lower cost

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2026-- WR Valuation (“WRV”) announces its introduction to the marketplace, bringing decades of hands-on valuation and advisory experience to the middle market under a dedicated, independent platform. WRV is built on long-standing client relationships, deep technical expertise, and a roll-up-your-sleeves approach to getting complex work done quickly, defensibly, and without unnecessary friction.

WRV's leadership draws on decades of senior experience across EY, Deloitte, BDO, Citizens Financial Group (NYSE: CFG), Western Reserve, and GBQ Partners. Across each chapter, clients have followed the firm’s advisors from company to company, drawn by a personal brand rooted in accountability and results.

“Our clients don’t work with a logo, they work with people,” said Robert M. Stutz, Senior Managing Partner of WRV and co-founder of its predecessor firm, Western Reserve Valuation. “They’ve followed us throughout our careers because they know how we operate. We understand complexity, we understand pressure, and we show up until the work is completed.”

WRV was built to deliver institutional-quality valuation work without the cost or lag time associated with the large accounting firms. The firm produces highly defensible, auditor- and attorney-friendly valuation reports informed by real-time market insight shaped by constant involvement in early-stage transaction activity.

“Our business is a leading indicator of the deal market,” Stutz added. “We’re engaged at the very front end of transactions, before capital is deployed and before headlines are written. That vantage point gives us a clear pulse on market trends, assumptions, and risk, and allows us to deliver work that holds up under scrutiny.”

WRV’s model prioritizes senior-level involvement, flexibility, and speed. While large firms often take weeks or months to deliver, WRV produces defensible work in days and, in many cases, hours.

“Why should clients pay more and wait longer for the same level of expertise?” said WRV Managing Partner David Orth, former head of EY’s business valuation technical committee. “We provide Big Four–level technical expertise at a materially lower cost with faster turnaround and direct access to senior partners. When specialized capabilities are required, we draw on trusted strategic partnerships to ensure efficient and precise execution. For our clients, that math is simple.”

It's an approach that has earned long-standing clients’ trust. Harry Ahluwalia, VP of Global Finance and FP&A at Steve Madden, said, “WRV has been a consistently reliable partner for our financial reporting needs. Whether we're managing routine deadlines or working under pressure for quarterly filings, they always deliver the support necessitated by our auditors.”

Looking ahead, WRV expects a more decisive release of capital heading into 2026. With sponsors and strategic buyers repositioning and balance sheets stabilizing, the firm anticipates accelerated transaction activity as confidence returns.

“We’re already seeing early signals that capital is preparing to move,” Stutz said. “As confidence returns, we expect 2026 to reflect a broader unleashing of capital across the middle market, and we’re positioned to support clients through that next cycle.”

Beyond valuation, WRV is being built as a broader, more comprehensive advisory platform with expanded capabilities designed to support clients across the full transaction lifecycle, including valuation, real and personal property appraisal, litigation support, diligence, and broader buy-side advisory offerings.

As part of this platform, WRV collaborates with leading service firms including Baker Tilly, WvT, Kensington Company, Align Global Consulting, Franchise Intermediary Group, and WR Equipment to bring full-service Big-4 capabilities straight to their clients. Chief among these relationships is Merchant Investment Management, which became a strategic growth partner in July 2025. The partnership brings valuation capabilities to registered investment advisors (RIAs) and their clients, addressing a missing piece in the advisor-client relationship.

“Our goal is to be a true one-stop partner,” Orth added. “Clients shouldn’t have to piece together multiple advisors to get answers. We’ve built WRV to support the full picture, with the same tenacity, flexibility, and accountability we’re known for.”

As the middle market continues to demand faster, smarter, and more relationship-driven advisory services, WRV enters the marketplace with a clear proposition: high-level expertise, defensible work, and trusted team.

To learn more about our firm and valuation services, please reach out to Senior Managing Partner Robert Stutz at rob@wrvaluation.com

ABOUT WR VALUATION

WR Valuation is a boutique, expert-led valuation and advisory firm serving public companies, middle-market firms, private equity groups, and financial sponsors. While newly introduced as an independent platform, the firm is built on decades of experience advising clients through Western Reserve and Citizens Bank. WR Valuation is known for its senior-level involvement, strong client relationships, and ability to deliver defensible, audit- and attorney-ready valuation work with speed and precision. Additional advisory capabilities will continue to roll out throughout the year.

For more information, visit www.wrvaluation.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260128604778/en/

MiddleM Creative (on behalf of WR Valuation)
Camille Cantrell-Albea
camille@middlemcreative.com
T 214.535.8848

Source: WR Valuation