Startup Gives Employees a Way to Trade in Unused Time Off Many employees do not use all of their vacation time, which can create liabilities for the companies they work for. A startup called PTO Exchange is trying to address that problem by allowing employees to exchange unused time off for perks, such as 401(k) contributions or help with college tuition. Jena McGregor introduces us to this fresh concept. To read the full article in The Washington Post, click: You May Soon be Able to Exchange Your Extra Vacation Days for Other Perks.
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Try This Instead of Traditional Performance Management A technique known as performance motivation may replace traditional performance management among companies interested in inspiring maximum effort and loyalty among employees. Instead of focusing on scoring employees and offering standardized feedback, companies can focus on creating intrinsic motivation to inspire their workers. Christine Comaford explains. To read the full article in Forbes, click: Why Performance Management is Dead and Performance Motivation is Here to Stay.
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Boosted by solid consumer spending and improving international trade, the expansion of the U.S. economy rose to 2.9% in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said. Nelson Schwarts reports that economists said the biggest quarterly gain in two years will probably be enough to persuade the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in December. Charles Paikert discusses several avenues to take advantage of tax deductions. To read the full article in Financial Planning, click: Gimme Shelter: Help Clients Leverage Real Estate’s Investment Clout and Tax Advantages.
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Brewery Value QuickRead’s Technical Editor, Roberto Castro, reviews BVRs What It’s Worth: Brewery Value. This is a market niche that is highly regulated, segmented, and one where new business models are cropping up.
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The New Revenue Recognition Standard and Accounting for Licenses Wiley author, Joanne Flood, looks at how the new revenue standard affects reporting of licensing revenue. Copyright Wiley, 2016. To be published in February 2017 in the book: Wiley Revenue Recognition plus Website: Understanding and Implementing the New Standard (Wiley Regulatory Reporting).
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With 10-year yields up 22 basis points in October, economists anticipate an end to the Treasury bond sell-off. “Now it’s a good time to buy,” said Hideo Shimomura, Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management’s chief fund investor. Anooja Debnath and Wes Goodman explain. To read the full article in Bloomberg, click: Treasury Selloff is About to End if Consensus Forecast is Right.
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Restaurateur Scott Richards is opening an eatery with a clear understanding that his employees will work there for no more than three years. His goal is to use a special development program to help employees connect with mentors and achieve career objectives. Katie Toussaint explains this innovative concept. To read the full article in CharlotteFive, click: Why a Restaurant CEO Wants His Employees to Leave After Three Years.
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Boosted by solid consumer spending and improving international trade, the expansion of the U.S. economy rose to 2.9% in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said. Nelson Schwarts reports that economists said the biggest quarterly gain in two years will probably be enough to persuade the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in December. To read the full article in The New York Times, click: U.S. Economy Grew 2.9% in 3rd Quarter, Picking Up the Pace.
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Professional Obligations for the Expert Witness Computing Damages What can a court reasonably expect of value experts? What are value experts able to contribute to the proceedings? What about mitigation of damages, i.e., how should value experts address mitigation and do so when the retaining counsel is disinterested in discussing mitigation of damages? In this article, Dr. Kreuter, a Marks Paneth, LLP partner answers the above questions.
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A Case Study (Part II of II) This is the second of a two-part article. In the first part, Dr. Needham provided factual background regarding this commercial damages case where he served as plaintiff’s damages expert—the case ultimately went to trial. In this second part, Dr. Needham describes the financial data, discovery challenges, the Daubert motion to disqualify him, how the case was decided, and then settled. QuickRead thanks Dr. Needham for sharing this case.
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Companies might be able to deliver a bigger boost to their earnings per share by making pension contributions rather than using borrowed money to fund buybacks, according to a report by Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Low interest rates may encourage companies to make stock buybacks, but these rates also tend to increase pension obligations. To read the full article in The Wall Street Journal, click: Pension Contributions Could be Bigger Boost to EPS than Buybacks: GSAM.
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More widespread use of videoconferencing could ease burdens on taxpayers who must meet in person with Internal Revenue Service Appeals personnel, but stringent privacy rules limit its use. Joseph Brophy, CPA, ABV, explores what it would take to expand this service. To read the full article in The Tax Adviser, click: Will Your Next Tax Appeal be a Videoconference?
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Switching costs for capital investment are high and do-overs are expensive. Travis Harms, Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Valuation Group lead, shares this whitepaper in order to assist directors and shareholders in evaluating proposed capital projects and contributing to capital budgeting decisions that enhance value. To read the full article in Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Blog, click: Capital Budgeting in 30 Minutes. This article is republished from Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Blog. It is reprinted with permission. To subscribe to the blog, visit: http://mercercapital.com/category/financialreportingblog/.
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About the Use of Monte Carlo Simulation QuickRead’s Technical Editor, Roberto Castro, explains that Monte Carlo is another tool valuation and litigation support professionals should embrace since courts have signaled its approval.
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A Case Study (Part I of II) Most commercial damages assignments call for the calculation of lost profits or lost business value. However, some cases, particularly those relating to lost profits, contain elements of additional economic damages. These situations require the expert to focus on multiple areas of loss while insuring each element does not contain losses claimed by another. In this two-part article, Dr. Needham shares how he approached a case that went from report preparation to deposition, and ultimately trial testimony. In the second part of this article, Dr. Needham discusses the jury verdict and settlement. The purpose…
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Critical feedback can help you grow in your career, but only if you use it effectively. William Treseder shares five ways to manage your emotions and make the most of this feedback. To read the full article in Harvard Business Review, click: Using Harsh Feedback to Fuel Your Career.
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EY looks to hire 15,200 employees by July 1, and that effort includes the use of candidate-relationship software to interact even before the application is finalized. After a hire is made, the company uses a digital learning software for onboarding. To read the full article in Fast Company, click: Hiring Lessons from the Company Adding More Than 15,000 Employees in One Year.
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Once a petition for Chapter 11 is filed with the bankruptcy court, the company usually undertakes a strategic review of its operations, including opportunities to shed assets or even lines of businesses. The Chapter 11 reorganization process concludes when the bankruptcy court confirms a reorganization plan which specifies a reorganization value and which reflects the agreed upon strategic direction and capital structure of the emerging entity. Travis Harms and Sujan Rajbhandary, both of Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Valuation Group, share some wonderful insight on this process. To read the full article in Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Blog, click: Valuation Expertise…
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Winery Value QuickRead’s Technical Editor, Roberto Castro, reviews BVR’s What It’s Worth: Winery Value
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NACVA Present at the Congressional Hearings on the Proposed Regulations In 2015, the IRS issued proposed section 2704 regulations. The proposal would severely impact valuations of family held businesses that are the subject of gifts. On December 1, 2016, hearings were held in Congress regarding the impact of the proposed regulations. NACVA members, Peter Agrapides, Robert Grossman, and Mark Hanson testified at the hearing. In this article, Mr. Agrapides shares some of what occurred at the Congressional hearing.