ARTICLES

When you buy a new car, what exactly are you purchasing? You are buying a tangible asset, a method of transportation and often a symbol of taste and stature. When someone buys a company or an interest in a company, what are they purchasing? Not...

Accountants and valuations analysts are often asked by clients to prepare a valuation of their business, but sometimes they have to pass on the work. Why? If the CPA or analyst’s firm also performs audit engagements for the company, there could be...

Attorneys who use forensic accountants are familiar with the analysis and testimony an expert can provide in matrimonial cases, commercial disputes, lost profits claims, criminal and civil cases, and many other types of litigation. Typically,...

Financial experts are used in civil and criminal cases by both the plaintiff and defendant in litigation relating to personal injury, divorce, lost profits, breach of contract, shareholder disputes, theft arson, murder and many other areas. A...

Attorneys often need help evaluating whether a defendant company's settlement offer is reasonable. Financial statements or tax returns purporting to support the company's claim of ill health may be provided. The CPA's ability to find hidden...

What is the value of your business? Most people answer that question in terms of the dollar amount they hope they could sell the business for. That's one definition of value. But, the value of your business can also be expressed in its contribution...

What adds value to a business from the buyer's viewpoint? What takes away from value? Here's a list of each. Value Enhancers Trained, stable work force Established, creative management team Product/service with a clear competitive advantage Stable...

According to the IRS, fair market value is defined as "the price at which the property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, when the former is not under any compulsion to buy and the latter is not under any compulsion to...

In a case involving the donation of a conservation easement, the Tax Court ruled that the charitable contribution deduction was 100 times less than estimated by the appraiser. Although the $3.245 million contribution deduction was supported by an...

A real-life case can provide valuable insights into valuation issues and how to resolve them. Each case requires thoughtful analysis and the creation of a work program designed specifically for the situation at hand. This article was written by a...

An economic loss analysis should be done by an economist, shouldn't it? Not necessarily. Choosing an economist to conduct economic loss analyses might seem an obvious choice, but there are several reasons why choosing a CPA may make more sense....

During the discovery process, CPAs can play a key role in ensuring that important financial facts are disclosed and all relevant financial documents are obtained. CPAs are skilled in such areas as financial auditing procedures, accounting...