• Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning - QuickRead Top Story

    Exit Planning

    October 29, 2025

    Examining Available Sale Options and Steps to Maximize the Financial Outcome (Part I of II) Effective exit planning is essential for business owners to maximize financial outcomes when selling or transferring their business. This two-part comprehensive guide explores the strategic options available, the timing required for preparation, and key value drivers to enhance sale success. Effective exit planning is essential for business owners to maximize financial outcomes when selling or transferring their business. This comprehensive guide explores the strategic options available, the timing required for preparation, and key value drivers to enhance sale success. I have been involved in buying…

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    Expert Witness E-mail Blunders That Can Sink Your Case

    October 29, 2025

    Don’t Say That! What is protected communications in one jurisdiction might be discoverable in another. Yet, many expert witnesses draft e-mails as if their words will never see the light of a courtroom projector. The author shares what she has experienced and makes suggestions. Words live forever, especially when they are typed into e-mails during litigation. As an expert witness, your casual Monday morning thoughts could become Thursday’s courtroom exhibit, projected on a screen for all to see. The discoverability rules governing expert communications vary significantly across jurisdictions.[1] What is protected in an arbitration in Michigan might be fair game…

  • Financial Forensics - QuickRead Top Story

    First Brands

    October 22, 2025

    How Exactly Did $2.3 Billion Vanish? First Brands Group Holdings has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, capping weeks of turmoil sparked by creditor concern over the auto-supplier’s use of opaque off-balance sheet financing. The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to this company’s collapse. In late September 2025, U.S. auto parts maker, First Brands, filed for bankruptcy relief. A key issue that is under investigation is a $2 billion factoring arrangement. The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to this company’s collapse. This article raises several initial questions…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    SBA SOP 50 10 8

    October 22, 2025

    Updated Valuation Guidance for 7(a) and 504 Loans (Effective June 1, 2025) SOP 50 10 8 provides specific thresholds and scenarios dictating what type of valuation is required and by whom for 7(a) and 504 loans. Valuation professionals including CVAs, CPAs, and other appraisers should understand these guidelines to ensure their appraisals meet SBA standards. All requirements cited here are drawn directly from this SOP. Effective June 1, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) SOP 50 10 8 (Lender and Development Company Loan Programs), brought important updates and clarifications to business valuation requirements for 7(a) and 504 loan programs.…

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Top Story

    2026 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule

    October 15, 2025

    Increases Payments Earlier this year, the CMS released its proposed MPFS for 2026. In addition to the agency’s suggested increase to physician payments, the proposed rule also announces a new payment model and more telehealth flexibilities. This article summarizes the proposed fee schedule changes. On July 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year (CY) 2026. In addition to the agency’s suggested increase to physician payments, the proposed rule also announces a new payment model and more telehealth flexibilities.[1] According to CMS, the “proposed rule is one…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Top Story

    The Referral Reciprocity Dilemma

    October 15, 2025

    Thoughts on Thought Leadership When an attorney, banker, CPA, or wealth planner refers business to us, it can feel like we should refer business back to them. But we can’t refer to everyone because we likely don’t have that many referrals to make. The author provides insight on what it takes to become the recommended expert vis-à-vis a referral. When an attorney, banker, CPA, or wealth planner refers business to us, it can feel like we should refer business back to them (because, surely, everyone is keeping score). And we do that when we can. But we can’t refer to…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Understanding What Drives Business Value

    October 8, 2025

    And How to Maximize It What truly influences value is the quality, consistency, and transferability of the earnings. Buyers are not solely purchasing a history of profitability; buyers are seeking future income that is sustainable and independent of the current owner’s direct involvement. Most business owners do not know what their business is worth. In many cases, they have never measured it in a formal or objective manner. Yet for most entrepreneurs, their business represents their single largest asset. It may be central to their retirement plan, their family’s financial well-being, or even their legacy. Despite its significance, the topic…

  • Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning - QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Emerging Company M&A

    October 8, 2025

    Pre-Sale Accounting Best Practices for Buyers and Sellers In today’s market, it is especially important that prospective acquirers of emerging companies understand exactly what they are purchasing and how to allocate the purchase price among the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This article discusses the importance of quality of earnings and impact on the acquisition price. As buyers tighten their purse strings in a volatile economy, parties on both sides of startup M&A deals must ensure they are prepared to effectuate the transaction from a financing perspective as well as address the related financial reporting and other accounting implications. This…

  • Financial Forensics - QuickRead Top Story

    AI Washing

    October 1, 2025

    The Hidden Risk Behind the Hype Among the most pressing concerns is the phenomenon of AI washing, which can be the practice of overstating or misrepresenting a company’s AI capabilities or can be the increased acceptance of low-quality output. While it may be a trendy marketing tactic, AI washing can also carry significant legal liabilities and valuation distortions that demand scrutiny. The author discusses her views on AI washing and the implications for companies and professionals that view it as a panacea. With all the Artificial Intelligence (AI) prefixes affixed to articles, software, and paid gateway add-ons, buyer’s remorse and…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Clients Turning to AI

    October 1, 2025

    Evaluating Your Work Product and Professional Services The author states that over the past year, he has seen clients use AI tools to “check” his work, draft their own valuation commentary, and even generate critique his reports. While he welcomes their curiosity, some encounters have been alarming. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a topic for webinars or conference panels. It is now part of daily client interactions. Over the past year, I have seen clients use AI tools to “check” my work, draft their own valuation commentary, and even generate critiques of my reports. While I welcome curiosity,…

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Addressing Client Data Privacy Concerns with ChatGPT

    October 1, 2025

    Data privacy with AI chatbots How to deal with the risks. Many consultants are understandably concerned about uploading client information into ChatGPT. The biggest fear is that sensitive, identifiable data could be exposed, shared with others, or even used to train future AI models. Watch this video to show you how to deal with the risks. Colin Brown is the CTO of Syncnet.com and helps consultants implement AI into their practice. He can be contacted at https://Syncnet.com or cto@syncnet.com.