The International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR) recently released its second annual Survey of Inspection Findings for the year 2013. The report includes findings from IFIAR members’ (international audit regulators independent of the audit profession) inspections of audit firms, primarily those associated with the largest international audit firm networks. Findings from audit firm activities ...

Expert witness do's and don'ts In this article, Ted Blodgett offers 10 do's and don'ts to consider when serving as an expert witness. ...

(…and possibly their valuation consultant?) Rev. Proc. 2014-18 provides a simplified method for certain taxpayers to obtain an extension to elect portability under Code Sec. 2010(c)(5)(A). This method allows a widow or widower to apply a deceased spouses unused exclusion (DSUE) amount to the surviving spouse's subsequent transfers during life or at death. In these situations, the ability to file and use the ...

Comcast recently filed its public interest statement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) explaining how the American public will benefit from its $45 billion planned merger with Time Warner Cable. Comcast claims the merger is necessary because it can’t compete with the likes of Google, Apple, Verizon and Netflix--companies with a national footprint. On the flipside, over 50 public interest grou ...

Forensic accounting examinations of not-for-profit entities The keys to performing a successful expert forensic accounting fraud engagement is to gain an understanding of the present internal control system, including policies [or lack thereof] in place to prevent fraud and abuse, as well as other key steps and procedures, as John J. DeLuca outlines in this article. ...

Management techniques from new China Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinese warlord, wrote the military treatise titled The Art of War. On a lighter note, similar 21st century business management techniques can be found in fortune cookies. ...

With Colorado and Washington state legalizing casual use of marijuana, more states considering it and 20 allowing medicinal usage, at least 60 publicly traded entities have scrambled to cash in by offering pot penny stocks. Virtually none emerged through an IPO to avoid disclosure scrutiny. Real estate, marketing and even oil outfits have gotten into the game, either through reverse mergers or declaring a n ...

The average major league baseball (MLB) team today is worth $811 million, up 9 percent from last year. That’s not too bad for being in the middle of the pack. To make it to the top, however, a lucrative deal and strong regional network are essential. For the first time, five teams combine the right ingredients to make it over the $1 billion mark. The increase in value for the teams was more than double the ...

Can private companies really increase their value 80-100 percent by limiting unsystematic (controllable) risks? The November/December 2013 issue of The Value Examiner featured Ken Sanginario’s article entitled, “The Valuation Business: A Strategic Road Map for Success.” In this article, Sanginario answers questions raised by skeptics to make the case that value doubling for private companies is possible. ...

The digital age represents both forensic challenge and opportunity Forensic financial analysts can increase their effectiveness and value by expanding their training and knowledge in IT forensics. ...

Where the IRS stands on the classification of Bitcoin and the purchases made with it has been ambiguous. There are a lot of questions surrounding the virtual currency, not the least of which is how it factors in tax matters. While Bitcoin operates like real currency in some situations, the fact still stands that it has no legal recognition as currency in any jurisdiction. In spite of this contradiction, the ...

In a recent Grant Thornton survey, more than two thirds (69 percent) of internal audit professionals say they’d love to focus on strategic risks, but regulatory compliance duties and the rising costs they incur are getting in the way. An additional 36 percent said these obstacles prevent resources from being allocated to higher-value priorities. Since almost the beginning of the recent financial global cris ...

The choice and use of an ex-ante or ex-post analysis can lead to divergent results in protracted litigation. The article provides an illustration of how and why the results may differ. Litigation consultants are advised to consider the above and await instruction from legal counsel regarding the approach that needs to be taken. ...

Undervaluation can be costly The recent U.S. Supreme Court case, U.S. v. Woods, overturned legal precedent and signaled that accuracy-related penalties can be imposed in more instances. This broad interpretation exposes clients and practitioners to substantial penalties. In this article, three recent cases are summarized on how, when, and why accuracy-related penalties are applied. ...

All members of the American Board of Forensic Accounting, the advisory board behind the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute’s (ACFEI) Certified Forensic Accountant credential have recently resigned. The unanimous resignation comes amid questions about the legitimacy of the credential and the organization, as a whole. According to accountingtoday.com, the board resigned en masse after learning f ...

Fifteen U.S. Representatives have sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) seeking clarification as to why the agency changed its requirements regarding real estate appraisers handling going concern appraisals for special use properties. In 2011, the SBA allowed appraisers to take on such projects after completing an eligibility course. As of January 2014, the agency changed its valuati ...

While most don’t see a benefit to speaking a second language in their personal or professional life, the increasing diversity of large cities and unexpected international elements in business deals is stressing its importance. Even though you may not remember any of your high school Spanish or German, it’s never too late start again, if for no other reason than the financial incentive involved. The Economis ...

Misuse of university endowments and school funding tax dollars Money laundering is usually associated with criminal activity, but that is a narrow view. Money laundering takes many forms. In this article, Professor Larry Crumbley contends that money laundering occurs in multiple instances—from the local school board to the university setting. Learn the keys to identify the misappropriation and misuse of fun ...

Understanding the different aspects of an industry is key to evaluating a company’s future performance Understanding a subject entity’s industry is a hallmark of any good valuation report. Conducting a very detailed and intense industry analysis can provide valuation analysts with specific knowledge needed to determine an appropriate conclusion of value. As a general rule, a company’s performance is commens ...

At the end of 2013, private equity firms were sitting on a cache of at least $1 trillion, according to a report from Bain & Company.  This marks a $159 billion increase from the closeout at the end of 2012.  The expected result of this capital bubble isn’t just more deals, but at much higher valuations, as well.  As Fortune magazine put it, “…the capital tail will wag the deal dog.”  For more informatio ...