Orth & Rumpl – Expert witnesses for business valuation in Upper Austria
Sworn and court-certified expert witnesses
Neutral. Well-founded. Recognised. – Specialised expert witness work, separate from day-to-day practice. We deliver the facts that stand up in court, with the tax authorities and in negotiations.
Our services
Independent expert opinions and advice on all questions of business valuation, accounting and tax law.
Buying & selling a business
Market value determination under KFS/BW 1, due diligence and fairness opinions for your negotiating position.
02Shareholder disputes
Neutral valuation on exit, squeeze-out or shareholder disputes.
03Divorce involving business assets
Expert opinions for family courts and bases for assessing maintenance where business interests are involved.
04Succession planning & inheritance
Valuation for tax-efficient transfers, compulsory share calculations and divisions of estates.
05Court reports
Neutral expert opinions for civil and criminal courts in accounting, tax law and valuation.
Impairment testing
Review of shareholdings, goodwill and business values under company and tax law provisions.
Tax advisory & audit
Ongoing tax advice and statutory audits under the UGB (Austrian Commercial Code) – through our firm UNICONSULT.
Assessment of maintenance
Maintenance expert opinions for self-employed persons, managing directors and shareholders: which income really counts? For family courts and the parties.
Selected engagements
Anonymised examples from our work as expert witnesses. Discretion is our top priority.
Manufacturing company, Upper Austria
Valuation of a medium-sized manufacturing business in a management buy-out. Expert opinion under KFS/BW 1 as the basis for negotiation between the former owner and management.
Expert opinion accepted as basis for negotiationTrading company, Innviertel
Arbitration expert opinion on the exit of a minority shareholder. Binding valuation for both parties – matter concluded without going to court.
Out-of-court settlement reachedGmbH shareholding, district court
Valuation of a 50% shareholding in a GmbH in divorce proceedings. Determination of the basis for assessing maintenance from managing director's remuneration and hidden profit distributions.
Fully accepted by the courtFamily business, Salzkammergut
Valuation for handing over a trading business to the next generation. Calculation of compulsory shares for three siblings and tax-efficient structuring of the transfer.
Tax-efficient handover completedWhite-collar criminal proceedings, Regional Court (LG) Wels
Court-appointed expert opinion reviewing accounting records and calculating the loss in breach-of-trust proceedings.
Expert opinion adopted in the reasons for judgmentThe experts
Two experts, one goal: independent expert opinions of the highest standard. This site is dedicated to our special assignments as sworn and court-certified expert witnesses – separate from our day-to-day practice at UNICONSULT.
Mag. René Orth
Certified auditor, tax adviser & sworn and court-certified expert witness
Managing partner, UNICONSULT WP & StB GmbH
Areas of expertise as expert witness
- Expert opinions in accounting
- Business valuation reports and expert opinions on mergers & acquisitions
- Expert opinions on tax issues
- Statutory and voluntary audits
Qualifications
- Mag. iur. (Master of Laws), University of Salzburg (2001)
- Tax adviser since 2005
- Certified auditor since 2010
- Expert witness in accounting since 2011
- Certified restructuring adviser of the KSW (2023)
- Recertification as expert witness, Regional Court (LG) Wels (2026)
Career
- 2002–2014Tax adviser/auditor and partner in a medium-sized firm
- 2014Partner at UNICONSULT
- 2025Managing partner
Publication
“Praxishandbuch Betriebliche Altersvorsorge” (Handbook of Occupational Pensions) – Lutz/Orth/Moser, Linde Verlag (2012)
Dr. Josef Rumpl
Tax adviser, sworn and court-certified expert witness in accounting
Partner & managing director, UNICONSULT Corporate Finance GmbH
Areas of expertise as expert witness
- Business valuation & corporate finance
- Business succession
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Business consolidation and strategic direction
- Business mediation
Qualifications
- Mag. rer.soc.oec. (Master of Social and Economic Sciences), University of Linz (1988)
- Dr. rer.soc.oec. (Doctorate in Social and Economic Sciences), University of Linz (1991)
- Tax adviser since 1997
- Court expert witness since 1998
- Certified business mediator
- Certified Supervisory Expert (supervisory boards/foundation boards)
- Certified Turnaround Expert (restructuring & turnaround)
Career
- 1989–1993Trainee at KPMG Alpen-Treuhand
- 1994Founding partner of UNICONSULT
Publication
“Ihr Unternehmen in guten Händen – so gelingt ein erfolgreicher Unternehmensverkauf” (2023)
Want to buy or sell a business? The price is a matter of negotiation – but the basis has to be right. We determine the fair market value under KFS/BW 1 and give you a sound basis for your negotiations.
Your advantages when buying a business
- Valuation under KFS/BW 1 – recognised by banks, courts and tax authorities in Austria
- Due diligence support – we review figures, contracts and hidden risks
- Fairness Opinion – independent statement on the fairness of the price
- Purchase price allocation – correct allocation for financial statements and tax
When shareholders no longer agree, the value of the business becomes a battleground. We value neutrally – whether we are engaged as arbitration expert or as a party's expert.
Our services in shareholder disputes
- Neutral valuation – transparent, comprehensible and court-proof
- Arbitration expert opinion – binding valuation for both parties
- Party-commissioned expert opinion – strengthening your position in the proceedings
- Mediation – on request, mediation between the parties (Dr. Rumpl is a certified business mediator and Certified Supervisory Expert)
Separation is complicated enough. When a shareholding in a GmbH or a sole proprietorship is involved, it gets really difficult. We prepare expert opinions for family courts and calculate realistic bases for assessing maintenance.
Expert opinions in divorces and on the assessment of maintenance
- Maintenance expert opinion – determining the actual income from the business
- Company valuation for divorce proceedings – comprehensible for family courts
- Pension valuation – valuation of entitlements from business interests
- Realistic assessments – no embellished figures, but reliable facts
Handing the business over to the next generation? That is not possible without a valuation. We help you structure the handover tax-efficiently and avoid disputes among heirs.
Our services in succession & inheritance
- Valuation for gifts & inheritance – recognised for tax purposes and comprehensible
- Calculation of compulsory shares – fair determination of entitlements
- Tax optimisation – structuring the transfer so that as little tax as possible arises
- Division of an estate – valuation for division or compensation
As sworn and court-certified expert witnesses, we prepare neutral expert opinions for civil and criminal courts. Since 1998. Recognised. Reliable.
What courts value in our expert opinions
- Comprehensible reasoning – no jargon, but understandable reasoning
- Independence – we value neutrally, not as a party
- Punctuality – we meet deadlines
- Experience – over 25 years as court expert witnesses
Valuation methods compared
Depending on the occasion and objective, we use different methods – always based on recognised standards.
Capitalised earnings method
under KFS/BW 1
The standard Austrian approach. Based on the future earning power of the business.
- Recognised by courts and tax authorities
- Forward-looking perspective
- Takes business risks into account
- Methodologically demanding
Use: Court expert opinions, divorce, shareholder disputes, tax matters
DCF method
Discounted Cash Flow
International standard. Values the business on the basis of discounted free cash flows.
- Internationally comparable
- Suitable for banks (financing)
- Detailed cash flow analysis
- Requires financial projections
Use: M&A transactions, fairness opinions, international matters
Multiples method
Market Approach
Quick market orientation. Compares with similar companies or transactions.
- Quick initial assessment
- Market-based and comprehensible
- Plausibility check of other methods
- Less precise than capitalised earnings
Use: Value indications, plausibility checks, basis for negotiation
How an engagement works
From initial consultation to finished expert opinion – transparent and predictable.
Initial consultation
Free and without obligation. You describe your situation; we give an initial assessment.
Scope of engagement
We define scope, methodology and fee. You receive a transparent quote.
Documents & analysis
You provide the relevant documents. We analyse figures, contracts and the overall situation.
Bewertung
Preparation of the expert opinion under recognised standards (KFS/BW 1). Careful and comprehensible.
Draft & discussion
You receive a draft for review. We clarify open questions together.
Final expert opinion
The finished expert opinion – court-proof, suitable for banks and clearly worded.
Neutral. Well-founded. Recognised.
We deliver the facts that stand up in court, with the tax authorities and in negotiations.
Mag. René Orth · Dr. Josef Rumpl
FAQ
What does a business valuation report cost?
The fee depends on the complexity and size of the business. In a free initial consultation we can give you a realistic estimate. You always receive a transparent quote in advance – no hidden costs.
How long does it take to prepare an expert opinion?
Depending on scope and availability of documents, allow 4 to 8 weeks for a complete valuation report. An initial indication of value is often possible much sooner.
What is KFS/BW 1 and why does it matter?
KFS/BW 1 is the Austrian professional standard for business valuations, issued by the Chamber of Tax Advisers and Auditors (KSW). An expert opinion prepared under this standard is recognised by courts, banks and tax authorities in Austria.
Which documents do you need from me?
Typically we need the financial statements for the last 3–5 years, current management accounts, articles of association and a business plan. In the initial consultation we discuss exactly what is required in your case.
Will my expert opinion be recognised in court?
Yes. As sworn and court-certified expert witnesses, our expert opinions stand up in court. We are entered in the list of expert witnesses of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Justice and have been preparing expert opinions for Austrian courts since 1998.
What is the difference between a court-appointed and a private expert opinion?
A court-appointed expert opinion is commissioned by the court – we are then accountable to the court, not to either party. You commission a private expert opinion directly, e.g. as a basis for negotiation or for internal decision-making. We prepare both to the same professional standards.
Does the initial consultation cost anything?
No. The first consultation is free of charge and without obligation. You describe your situation, we give an assessment and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.
Insights
Current topics from our work as expert witnesses – explained briefly and clearly.
From engagement to expert opinion
What happens between engagement and the finished expert opinion – and how you can prepare.
Read more →What is the business worth in the estate?
Which value counts for the compulsory portion – and as at which valuation date.
Read more →What does a GmbH managing director really earn?
Why the income tax assessment notice often falls short when determining maintenance.
Read more →Publications
“Ihr Unternehmen in guten Händen – so gelingt ein erfolgreicher Unternehmensverkauf” (Your business in good hands – how to sell a business successfully)
A practical guide (in German) for entrepreneurs who want to sell or hand over their business. Based on more than 25 years of experience in transaction advisory and business valuation.
“Praxishandbuch Betriebliche Altersvorsorge” (Handbook of Occupational Pensions)
The comprehensive reference work on occupational pensions in Austria (in German). An interdisciplinary account from the perspectives of employment law, insurance law, financial reporting and tax law – including all changes under the Stability Act 2012 and the 2012 amendments to the Pension Fund Act (PKG).
View at Linde VerlagBook an appointment online
Book an appointment for your free initial consultation directly – no back-and-forth by email.
Make an appointmentTalk to us
We are happy to advise you in an initial consultation without obligation. Describe your situation – we will tell you honestly whether and how we can help.
Mag. René Orth
Certified auditor, tax adviser & sworn and court-certified expert witness
Managing partner
rene.orth@uniconsult.at +43 50885 – 901Dr. Josef Rumpl
Tax adviser, sworn and court-certified expert witness in accounting
Partner & managing director, UNICONSULT Corporate Finance GmbH
josef.rumpl@uniconsult.at 0676 845452500UNICONSULT Wirtschaftsprüfungs- und Steuerberatungs GmbH
UNICONSULT Corporate Finance GmbH
Offices: Vöcklabruck & Schärding am Inn
www.uniconsult.atArrange a free initial consultation
Briefly describe your concern. We will get back to you within 48 hours.
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Mag. René Orth and Dr. Josef Rumpl, contactable via the details given in the legal notice. This English version is provided for convenience; the German version is legally binding.
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Legal notice
Mag. René Orth
Certified auditor, tax adviser
Sworn and court-certified expert witness
Vöcklabruck office
Email: rene.orth@uniconsult.at
Phone: +43 50885 – 901
Dr. Josef Rumpl
Tax adviser, sworn and court-certified expert witness in accounting
Certified business mediator
4780 Schärding/Inn, Innbruckstraße 10
Email: josef.rumpl@uniconsult.at
Phone: 0676 845452500
This website presents the expert witness work of Mag. René Orth and Dr. Josef Rumpl. Both experts are partners of the UNICONSULT Group:
UNICONSULT Wirtschaftsprüfungs- und Steuerberatungs GmbH or UNICONSULT Corporate Finance GmbH
Full company details, VAT ID number, company register number and further legal information can be found at www.uniconsult.at