Virtual firm tools and digital technology removes barriers and excuses In this third installment (moving toward the virtual firm) of her five-part series, Simone Hoover examines who is the best candidate for a virtual firm transition and the logistics to consider for both remote employees and business owners. ...

In early 2009, Carl Pohlad, investor and principle owner of the Minnesota Twins, passed away, leaving controlling ownership of the team to his sons.  In settling the estate, the new owners now find themselves embroiled in a tax tangle with the IRS.  The primary point of contention exists with what Pohlad’s share in the team was actually worth at the time of death.  According to the IRS, Pohlad’s ownership i ...

According to The Hill, Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Max Baucus (D-Mont) has put the committee on notice to expect a comprehensive tax reform overhaul this fall. While not committing to a specific start date, Baucus has promised a thorough rewrite of the tax code sometime after August. Frenzied lobbying has already begun on which allowances should stay and which should go. The move to draft and debate ...

Depreciation is not a “paper” expense. It is very real. Fully depreciating capital assets distorts the income statement and balance sheet. The depreciation recorded for tax and financial reporting purposes also tends to distort the net asset value of the asset. Depreciation is not a “paper” expense. It is very real. ...

Appraising marina properties is a challenging niche with as many variables as there are bodies of water Just like appraisals on dry land, location plays a major role in developing an opinion of value for a marina property, but the criteria for an appraisal can be a little different from those of landlocked commercial enterprises. Here are a few of the questions that must be considered when valuing marina pr ...

Digital technology removes barriers and excuses In this second part of her five-part series, Simone Hoover provides an in-depth explanation of the technical language surrounding online cloud services, contractual conditions and the literal forces of nature that pushed her into the virtual office environment. ...

Healthcare revenue planning challenges Beware of valuing a healthcare practice based on 2012 revenue. Reimbursement rates are lower in 2013, and penalties are being assigned by Medicare. This could further reduce a healthcare practice's value. ...

The value of California-based electric automaker, Tesla Motors’ earning potential and share price are analyzed after a triple-fold increase from earlier this year.  Roben Farzad of Bloomberg Businessweek takes a closer look at attempts by Goldman Sachs to dampen optimism surrounding Tesla’s increasing profit margins.  Do the numbers really show Tesla has power to remain consistent with this kind of growth? ...

In a fast and concise analysis, Bill Conerly of Forbes.com examines whether the rise in interest rates, particularly with commercial mortgages, automatically translates into a drop in commercial property value.  Conerly explains that your decision-making all depends on whether you take an internal or external view of the process.   How can this logic be wrong? Why doesn’t the table show clear real esta ...

Digital technology removes barriers and excuses Most professional services organizations are already adopting some form of digital identity. It takes just a bit more to embrace the cloud and reap the benefits of becoming a virtual firm. ...

A frequently missed opportunity for appraisers This article provides an overview of some of the complex rules relating to the built-in gains tax. It is intended only to acquaint business valuators with the structure of the tax and some of the key considerations which the business valuator must address. ...

When are “subsequent events” knowable, and what about IRC Sec. 6662(g)(2) penalties? Trout Ranch, LLC v. Commissioner raises additional causes for concern, including subsequent events in appraisal documentation and failures to include them, which may create more valuation penalties on tax filings. ...

Practice techniques used to serve as an effective expert witness In this final part of Mark Shirley’s litigation services series, the focus turns to practical tips for new and experienced expert witnesses. These include what to consider before engaging, how to organize the file, the need to understand the vernacular and preparation, as well as the need to understand the discovery process. Impressions are al ...

On June 4, 2013, Florida Governor, Rick Scott signed HB 7015, joining the Federal Courts and other jurisdictions in adopting the Daubert test for admission of expert testimony. Just weeks ago, Florida followed the Frye Standard which allowed experts to testify if their expertise was “generally accepted” in the field in which it belongs. Many had felt that is allowed “phony science” or strange testimony from ...

Diversify your practice and expand your skillset Valuation analysts can develop the necessary skillset to perform economic damages calculations and construct detailed reports. This is the case despite the differences in how economic damages calculations are prepared vis-à-vis commercial damages calculations. ...

Has the new federal tax regime set forth the grounds to reconsider an ESOP? An ESOP is a qualified retirement plan that can use debt financing to buy company stock from the company’s owner(s). It’s a serious option for any business owner who wants to liquidate some or all of his or her ownership. Martin Staubus reviews how ESOPs work, as well as the benefits they provide to buyers (employees) and sellers (o ...

The financial neutral plays an important role in the collaborative law process One of the team members in the collaborative law process of divorce is the financial neutral. This article explains the role of the financial neutral as an impartial expert. ...

An overview of the Federal Rules of Evidence, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and leading pre- and post-Daubert cases In this third part of a four-part series, the focus turns to the rules of evidence and standards used to admit the testimony of expert witnesses. While a minority of jurisdictions follows the Frye standard, the majority has adopted the Daubert standard. Objective testimony is critical, whic ...

According to Bloomberg News, financial regulators have reported that new measures on the Dodd-Frank Act should be mostly complete by the end of 2013.  The law, created in 2010, was designed to prevent a repeat of the 2008 worldwide credit crisis.  Among the new rules are tougher leverage requirements for eight of the nation’s largest banks, a risk-based capital surcharge for systemically important banks and ...

Jumpstarting a career as a litigation consultant and expert witness Getting started as a litigation consultant or expert witness takes time. The service is cyclical, and the first engagement may be the last engagement. You’ll need to be well-prepared and knowledgeable in each field. ...