Are We Heading Towards the Next Financial Crisis? (Part I of II) In this two-part article, the author, a valuation professional and trained economist, shares his thoughts on whether we are headed towards another financial crisis. (The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author, QuickRead invites its readers to respond or submit an article of their own on this important topic.) ...

FLPs Remain a Viable Intra-Family Transfer Option, But Act Now The Internal Revenue Service has floated the idea of making regulatory changes to the implementation of section 2704, in this article the author gives us an update on the subject and underscores the need to facilitate intra-family transfers of businesses. ...

What Firms Look at When Reviewing Resumes Average accounting and finance firms will look through 21 CVs before making a job offer, according to research from Robert Half.  Julia Irvine looks at how the research, conducted in the UK, shows firms will often focus on factors such as candidates' previous roles and how long they spent with their employers. To read the full article in Economia, click: Making Your ...

Regulations Finalize Reporting Rules for Debt Instruments The Internal Revenue Service on Wednesday issued final regulations on the rules for brokers to report transactions involving debt instruments and options, including original issue discount.  The rules finalize temporary and proposed rules issued last year, with a few changes in response to comments.  Sally P. Schreiber senior editor for The Tax Advis ...

Behavioral science says we can shape our own reality if we understand the shortcuts that our brains take, which is necessary to overcoming procrastination.  Samantha White, senior editor for CGMA Magazine, discusses the five techniques outlined by author Caroline Webb we can all employ to stop putting off tasks we dread. To read the full article in CGMA Magazine, click: 5 Ways to Overcome Procrastination. ...

Over the last several years, various officials at the SEC have expressed concern about the broadening application of fair value measurement and its impact on the reliability and consistency of valuations performed for U.S. public companies.  Lucas M. Parris, senior member of Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Valuation Group, explains. To read the full article and view the presentation in Mercer Capital's ...

Identifying the Subject Matter that You Will Speak, Write, or Talk About Finding new clients is the work nobody really wants to do. Nevertheless, it is essential for survival. Since you have to do it anyway, how can you optimize your return on effort? In this article, Dr. Frederiksen shares what the research reveals. ...

Tell-tale Signs that the Engagement is Risky This article describes, using a purely hypothetical scenario, some of the considerations that an economic damages expert should be aware of during initial telephone calls with a prospective retaining counsel—in order for a lost earnings engagement to proceed effectively and efficiently—and to control engagement risk. ...

Study: Merit Pay is Ineffective for Many Employers According to a new survey of North American employers, only 20% find merit pay to be effective at driving higher levels of employee performance.  Matthew Heller, for CFO, explains that “pay-for-performance” may not always work in an employers’ favor. To read the full article in CFO, click: Merit Pay Programs Falling Short of Goals. ...

IRS Proposes Rules for Closed Pension Plans The Internal Revenue Service has responded to the proliferation of closed defined benefit pension plans, which continue to cover older employees while prohibiting new employees from joining, by proposing regulations that would let the plans qualify under the nondiscrimination rules.  Sally P. Schreiber senior editor for The Tax Adviser, explains. To read the full ...

IRS Final Regulations are Intended to Curb Inversions The new exception from the inversion rules for companies that have substantial business activities in a foreign country is hard to satisfy.  Jesse Scott, J.D., LL.M., associate at Holthouse, Carlin & Van Trigt LLP, discusses how corporate inversions have recently returned to the forefront of American political speech. To read the full article in The ...

Fairness opinions are issued by a financial advisor at the request of a board that is contemplating a significant corporate event.  Jeff K. Davis, CFA, managing director of Mercer Capital’s Financial Institutions Group, delivered a presentation on November 30, 2015 at the IV OIV International Business Valuation Conference in Milan, Italy by addresses the topic of dual fairness opinions and the role of the v ...

Expanding the Lessors Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016 – 02, Leases (Topic 842). The existing standard has been criticized because its bright line classification criteria enabled entities to structure leases in such a way as to avoid putting them on the balance sheet. The standard aims to improve and simplify the financial repo ...

Settlement of a Valuation Case Before the U.S. Tax Court This article discusses issues found in a case that is pending before the United States Tax Court (the “Tax Court”).  The specific issues relate to issues regarding sales of closely held stock to grantor trusts in exchange for promissory notes.  Specifically, the IRS took issue with two grantor sale trust transactions.  The two cases were filed on Dece ...

5 Steps for Inspiring Passion in Your Employees Passion is the most important trait a company can have, but no class can teach leaders how to spark and sustain that quality in others, writes Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst.  What's needed are five conditions, including smart hiring practices, autonomy, and mission-driven leadership. To read the full article in the Harvard Business Review, click: How to Build a P ...

Twenty large U.S. companies have formed an alliance in an effort to rebalance relationships between corporate America and the health supply chain.  Andrew Kenney, contributing editor for CGMA, explains. To read the full article in CGMA Magazine, click: U.S. Companies Align to Control Health Care Costs. ...

Non-compete agreements are increasingly in the news, though not always in the most favorable of contexts.  Proponents argue that such agreements protect firms’ intellectual property and prevent the loss of key employees, customers, suppliers, and trade secrets.  Karolina Calhoun, senior financial analyst with Mercer Capital, explains that others would suggest that non-competes stifle innovation by limiting ...

Notable 4th Quarter 2015 Cases, Part II of II Part II of this article highlights the remaining notable 4th Quarter 2015 U.S. Tax Court Cases that will be of interest to valuation practitioners and business advisors.  Estate of Purdue reminded us that taxpayers need to address 2036(a) concerns and establish a non-tax reason.  In addition, the case reminds us that gifting an equity or LLC interest may not qua ...

Effective Interview Planning in a Fraud Investigation This article is a republication of Chapter 10 of The Corporate Fraud: The Executive’s Survival Guide, authored by Ray Dunkle of Red Flag Reporting. This article features the chapter written by James I. Marasco, CPA, CIA, CFE. In this chapter, Mr. Marasco addresses the proper approach for conducting interviews. This includes what type of questions to ask, ...

Why it Takes so Long to Hire Good CFOs CFO positions are taking longer to fill as companies and job candidates get more selective.  Many companies are now looking for people who have international experience and know how to work with activist shareholders.  However, John Touey, principal at executive search firm Salveson Stetson Group, discusses that highly qualified CFOs may be less eager to take risks and ...