See Also:
Valuation Methods
Value Drivers: Building Reliable Systems to Sustain Growth
Value Chain
Liquidation Valuation
Asset Market Value versus Asset Book Value

Going Concern Value Definition

The going concern value definition is the value of a company under the assumption that it will continue to operate for the foreseeable future. This is in contrast to liquidation value, which assumes the company is going out of business. The difference between going concern value and liquidation value consists of intangible assets and goodwill.
For example, if a well-known apparel company is a going concern, it can continue to sell its brand-name clothing at a markup for a profit. It would then be valued according to its going concern value. However, if the company is going out of business, it would have to sell off its assets – sewing machines, fabric, etc. – to pay creditors. The company would probably have to sell off its assets at a discount. In this case, the company would be valued according to its liquidation value.
When one company purchases another, the buyer typically pays more than the value of the target company’s assets. The price premium is due to the value of goodwill, or the value of the company as a going concern.

Going Concern Accounting Concept

The going concern accounting concept refers to the assumption that a company will continue to operate for the foreseeable future. This allows the company to include the value of intangible assets and anticipated profitability in its overall worth. Unless there is reason to believe a company is going out of business and ceasing operations, consider a company always to be a going concern.