Forensic Accounting Requires Nuance Performing forensic accounting in front of the Justice Department is like a wild rollercoaster ride, explains John DeLuca. Here’s why.  ...

More Detail on Obligations Included in Minimum Lease Payments Required Under ASC 840  Grant Thornton's On the Horizon web publication  explains that leasing agreements vary in their specific accounting requirements when it comes to assessing — and retiring the value of  — leases.    Here's more:  ...

Find Out the Specific Requirements a Valuation Needs to Include to Pass Muster with the SBA Matt Stelzman explains in The Chattanoogan that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has loans available that can help small businesses make it to profitability, self-sufficient revenue, or at least the next round of funding  —  but in every case these loans require independent valuations.   Here's more:  ...

Requiring Valuation Analysts to Have Specialized Trainingk Credentials, and to Adhere to Professional Standards Will Protect ESOP Participants and Beneficiaries   CPA Practice Advisor reports that the President and CEO of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA, has publicly announced his organization's support for a new bill in the House of Representatives.  H.R. 2041 would mod ...

ASCs That Have CON Protection Have Higher Value—But Less Longevity.   Todd Mello, Partner and Co-founder of HealthCare Appraisers, and Nicholas Newsad, Senior Associate at HealthCare Appraisers, opine in ASC Review that many ambulatory surgical center operators perceive increased economic value for those centers with certificate of need protection, multiple practice specialties, and the participation of ort ...

California Sanctions Husband for Hidden Account. Wisconsin Finds ESOP Was Properly Governed In White v. Marshall & Isley Corporation, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin dismisses a case asserting that employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) fiduciaries violated their duty of prudence. In re: Simmons, tried in the Court of Appeals of California, found the husband subject to additi ...

Technology Has Automated Many Accounting Tasks and Lowered Margins on Traditional Core Services.  Here's How to Stay Ahead Dustin Lubertazzi opines at AccountingWeb on what accountants must do to stay competitive in the future, and how technology will change the future role of the accountant.  An excerpt:  ...

U.S. Patent Law Changes from "First to Invent" to "First to File" Standard.  Plus:  New Discount on Filing Fees for Small Businesses and Inventors   This spring, patent law in the United States moved from a first-to-invent to a first-to-file system. The new law—called the America Invents Act (AIA)—puts the U.S. in harmony with most patent systems around the world, but it’s also a big change for inventors an ...

A Disparity in Valuation Prices Between Companies Large and Small in Similar Industries Adds to Investment Challenges   Jwalit Vyas at The Economic Times (India) illustrates how a wide disparity in valuation between companies large and small offers an additional challenge for business owners, investors, and financial consultants.  Here's more:  ...

US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is Aggressively Policing Fund Valuation Practices in the Hedge Fund Industry     Kris Devasabai at Risk.net reports that hedge funds, under pressure from regulators and investors, are establishing robust pricing policies for hard-to-value assets.  They are also hiring independent experts to price complex and illiquid assets as investors and regulators intensify th ...

An Overly High Valuation Can Scare Away Investors or Spark a Down Round that Dilutes an Earlier Angel Investment      Mark Boslet at PE Hub explains that with IPOs on track to have their biggest year since 2010 and some major technology disruptions sparking infectious excitement, it's important to keep in mind key fundamentals including not accepting too high a valuation for your business or investment prop ...

Industry Moves to Enhance Transparency of Investments Holding More Than $93 Billion in Assets  The Investment Program Association (IPA), a trade association for non-listed, direct-investment vehicles, announced recently the adoption of the IPA Practice Guideline for the valuation of publicly registered, non-listed real estate investment trusts, The Wall Street Journal reported.   Here's more from a Globe Ne ...

 On the Horizon Offers Two Examples of Appropriate Ways to Apply FASB Guidance.  Plus: New Guidance on Reporting Discontinued Operations and Not-for-Profit Entities Grant Thornton recently published a useful article on applying the equity method in its On the Horizon web-based publication, which also notes that the Fair Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has suggested new guidelines for reporting discontinue ...

Plus: Bishop v. Commissioner Rules on When and Whether a Bad Debt Loss Can Be a Claimed Deduction In Schwab v. Commissioner, a case turns on when a variable universal life insurance policy is a taxable event.  In Boone Operations Co., LLC v. Commissioner, find out when contributing fill dirt to the city of Tucson is or isn’t a charitable or taxable event. ...

The Most Critical Challenges Confronting Medical Practices Physician practices face a common set of challenges today, and Reed Tinsley explains key issues that practice owners, valuators, and financial consultants should focus on together in order to control costs, build incentives, ease management, and strengthen growth. ...

Over 85 Percent of the World’s Information is Stored Electronically, and Over 50 Percent of that Information is Never Printed Out With over 85 percent of the world’s information stored electronically, and over 50 percent of that information never printed out, it’s more important than ever to make sure that electronic discovery related to pending litigation is performed thoroughly—and tracks information on m ...

Why VCs and Private Equity Pros are Sensitive to IRC 409A Valuations Rand Curtiss weighs in on why IRC 409A option-related valuations for small businesses do not solve real business problems for them. They set minimum exercise prices, asserts Curtiss—but that’s all they do. ...

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It’s Responsible and Efficient to Begin Appraisals by Granting Certain Assumptions and Respecting Precedent. Here’s Why. All kinds of news, findings, and rulings come out that might affect the work of financial consultants and appraisers every day. When can you know when a precedent is important or something you can ignore? Or, put another way: what information is most important to pay attention to? Rand Cu ...

What is Considered Good Business Sense Today May Be Considered a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Tomorrow. Pay Special Attention to Fairness Opinions. Are your clients risking liability as they complete their daily tasks? What is considered good business sense today may be considered a breach of fiduciary duty tomorrow. That possibility is increasing. Business appraisers should pay special attention to fairness op ...