The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 H.R.1 There was a flurry of activity within the valuation community following passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) and several complicated tax calculation models were unveiled. While we acknowledge the TCJA is beginning to show a noticeable impact on the level of our value conclusions, how much of an impact ought it really have on the way we perform our work? ...

In Financial Projections (Part I of II) This is a two-part article that considers the review and assessment of prospective financial information. Specifically, this discussion describes the behavioral bias that may influence financial projections. This discussion should inform any party involved in compiling or assessing financial projections. This discussion is particularly relevant for fiduciaries who may ...

The assurance partner responsible for the development of blockchain services at Aprio LLP shares her insights into how the technology works and how to succeed with it. To read the full article in Journal of Accountancy, click: What I’ve Learned Building a BlockChain Business. ...

Most professionals know people who talk too much, are disorganized, or are always late to meetings, or whose communication style is downright annoying. In short, these people often waste others’ time as they muddle through their work life armed with bothersome bad habits. What this signals is a lack of respect for other people’s time. To read the full article in Financial Management, click: Are You Wasting ...

How much are you worth? Or rather, is the answer to that question equal to the sum paid into your bank account by your employer? If not then you need to ask for more, and that means you have to negotiate with the person who pays your wages. It is something that puts the frighteners on a lot of people. It shouldn't. To read the full article in BBC News, click: The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting a Pay Raise. ...

The Problem with Exit Multiples Most of an Income Approach-based valuation is frequently in the terminal value. Thus, an Income Approach-based valuation that relies on an exit multiple to arrive at a terminal value is essentially a Market Approach-based valuation in disguise. Many practitioners do not use an exit multiple to arrive at a terminal value for this reason. Nevertheless, numerous practitioners pr ...

Expert Witness Industry Revenues IBISWorld, an economic and industry source used by valuation and damages professionals, issues an economic report on the expert witness industry. In this article, Michael Pakter, an expert, discusses industry revenue trends—which are mixed—and also how that may affect current and prospective valuation and damages experts. [su_pullquote align="right"]Resources: Expert Witness ...

These days, most of us understand that when we visit a website, download an app, or post on social media, we are sharing data about ourselves with companies. We also understand that the consequences of such sharing will only become more profound as we live more of our lives online. So it is perhaps unsurprising that companies are facing new pressures to protect our digital privacy. To read the full article ...

In 2014, sixth-grader Lilli Hicks was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, setting into motion a rush of tests, treatments and prescriptions that would consume her family's life for the next several years. Nearly five years later, while the family’s eldest daughter has recovered physically, the Hicks’ are fighting a protracted battle to restore their financial health. Treating cancer and the unexpected co ...

Life never follows a straight path, and neither will your career. Whether your goal is to advance from your cubicle into the corner office, strike out on your own, or move into a different profession altogether, it pays to map out a strategy for how to get there. To read the full article in Journal of Accountancy, click: Strategic Career Mapping Can Lead to Professional Fulfillment. ...

In Dissenting Shareholder Appraisal Rights Matters (Part II of II) The Delaware Court of Chancery decisions on the treatment of synergistic value in dissenting shareholder appraisal rights cases provide meaningful guidance to valuation analysts, legal counsel, and other courts. This final part of the article continues the discussion on recent judicial decisions issued by the Delaware Court of Chancery where ...

Of Your Work? What can a BVFLS professional do to stand out amongst his or her peers? In this article, Rod Burkert shares his thoughts. How do BVFLS professionals like us to demonstrate our analytical skill? How do we exhibit our problem-solving acumen? How do we showcase our report writing talent? I have an idea…turns out it is somewhat controversial…but read on and let me know what you think. All creative ...

When we see CEOs, founders, influencers and other people highlighted in our daily scrolls on our devices, the individuals almost always look polished. They are poised and confident, and they most surely achieve inbox zero at the end of every day. Yet what is rarely captured is the less photogenic stuff—the steady grind, the setbacks and sacrifices—that come on the way to success. To read the full article in ...

Planning their daily routine in retirement could be less complicated than most clients think, writes a Wall Street Journal columnist. In fact, most of what they will do as retirees are found in their current daily chores. "[T]he average day in retirement involves a fair amount of puttering," which "typically doesn't cost a lot of money," the columnist writes. It is good news for clients who are worried abou ...

When you know a high-stress event is coming up, it is natural to stress yourself out before it even happens. This common pattern is called “meta-stress,” and it occurs when you worry about stress in advance. And while tense situations are bound to happen in our personal and professional lives, there are ways to alleviate those uneasy feelings beforehand, and save yourself from the buildup of anxious thought ...

Engage the audience! Conducting webinars is a great way to accomplish that goal; however, it is important to understand how the topic selected can have a dramatic effect on its success. Just as a great headline can hook readers, a good webinar topic will bring in more attendees—and the more people who attend, the more opportunities will arise for the speaker and his or her firm to sell services. This articl ...

In Dissenting Shareholder Appraisal Rights Matters (Part I of II) The Delaware Court of Chancery decisions on the treatment of synergistic value in dissenting shareholder appraisal rights cases provide meaningful guidance to valuation analysts, legal counsel, and other courts. In this two-part article, the author discusses recent judicial decisions issued by the Delaware Court of Chancery where synergistic ...

From investing in and advising dozens of marketplace businesses for more than a decade, we have found that while simple five-star systems are good enough at identifying and weeding out very low-quality products or suppliers, they do a poor job of separating good from great products or suppliers. This may not be a big issue for marketplaces offering commodity products and services, but it can be a serious pr ...

Health care in the U.S. is a mess. Real health care reform is nowhere on the horizon. Not exactly breaking news for the general population. But for advisors it is a clear and present call to arms. Until Washington wakes up, educating clients to become knowledgeable health insurance consumers will help them save on health care expenses and add value to your practice. Here is a primer on what they need to kno ...

It is a familiar scenario. As a manager, you have tasked an employee with a large project and given them a generous allocation of time to get it done. Yet, while they appear to be busy, they are not making any progress as their deadline looms. When it comes down to the wire, they spring into action, find their focus, and get the job done, often just in the nick of time. To read the full article in Financial ...