• QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk

    (Part IV of IV) This is the final article of the four-part series that sets forth best practices for estimating the company-specific risk premium. This discussion of the series summarizes best practices about the analyst’s conduct of the functional analysis as one component in developing the CSRP estimate. [su_pullquote align=”right”]Resources: Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium (Part I of IV) Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium (Part II of IV) Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium (Part III of IV) [/su_pullquote] Introduction Valuation analysts (analysts) often apply income approach business valuation methods to value…

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    Intended and Actual Losses

    Briefing on Criminal Fraud Economic Loss Calculations One of the more exciting and challenging parts of our profession is learning about our judicial system. Professionals whose practice involves economic loss calculations should consider educating themselves on the similarities and differences between “actual” and “intended” losses prior to providing expert testimony or offering an opinion. In my research, I came across a publication titled PRIMER Loss Calculations Under §2B1.1.(b)(1) (United States Sentencing Commission, February 2019). I recommend anyone interested in this topic to take the time to read the publication in detail. The purpose of this QuickRead is to educate interested…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium

    (Part III of IV) This is the third of a four-part article that sets forth best practices for estimating the company-specific risk premium. This part of the discussion describes the various empirical data sources that analysts may consider as proxies—or benchmarks—or approximations—in developing the CSRP estimate. [su_pullquote align=”right”]Resources: Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium (Part I of IV) Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium (Part II of IV) [/su_pullquote] Introduction Estimating the cost of capital is one component of private company business valuation performed for financing, transaction, taxation, business planning, financial accounting, litigation, and other purposes.…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    The Repurchase Obligation of an ESOP-Owned Company

    Funding and Planning for Repurchase Obligation and the Use of COLI Understanding the potential detriments of unfunded (or under-funded) repurchase agreements, the ability to put the proper insurance in place to adequately address the financing of retirement benefits for ESOP shareholders has been proven to be a prudent financial decision for many companies. There are many significant benefits to being an employee-owned company. Management must take care to ensure that funding is planned for and available to. One of the purposes of an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)  is to provide retirement benefits to ESOP participants. Because an ESOP holds…

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    Data Reliability Issues

    When is there a Duty to Corroborate Data? NACVA’s Standards Board (SDB) was formed in 2016 with the purpose to promulgate NACVA’s Standards, including the development of interpretations, amendments, restatements, and new releases of NACVA’s Standards as deemed necessary and prudent. While being able to influence the very rule governing one’s profession is an astute […] The post Data Reliability Issues appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    Transition Planning Revisited

    Improving the Business and Positioning it for Sale An exit plan must be fluid and flexible. This article provides readers a summary of the standard processes followed by the author and potential pitfalls. You say succession, I say exit; you say leadership change, I say transition—at the end of the day does it really matter? […] The post Transition Planning Revisited appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    Representation and Warranty Insurance

    Understanding the Claims Process and Anticipating Issues The merger and acquisition (M&A) market has evolved over the last several years and faced turbulence in 2020. One increasingly popular aspect of an M&A transaction is the use of representation and warranty insurance policies. After acquiring a business, a buyer may become aware that representations and warranties […] The post Representation and Warranty Insurance appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    Paycheck Protection Program

    Valuation Considerations When PPP Has Been Used The Payroll Protection Program (PPP) is a program established in 2020 by the U.S. Congress entitled the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act known as the CARES ACT. This Act, which was in response to the President’s closing of the economy on March 13, 2020, was enacted […] The post Paycheck Protection Program appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    StraightTalk Webinar Series

    Business Valuation in a COVID-19 World—Cost of Capital, Growth Rates, and Uncertainties Jim Hitchner, Managing Member of Valuation Products and Services (VPS), unveiled the first of a series of two-hour webinars that targets business valuation and litigation support professionals seeking an intermediate level program. This is a review of the first webinar titled “Business Valuation […] The post StraightTalk Webinar Series appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    The Changing World of Business Development

    Rethinking the Role of Your BD Team (Part II of II) In the November 2020 post, an alternative way to structure your firm’s BD efforts that relies less on a central “rainmaker,” and more on an integrated team. In this post, the focus is on how to execute the various activities involved in BD, such […] The post The Changing World of Business Development appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    COVID-19 and Bottom-Line Impacts in Trademark Litigation

    A Q&A with Joel Steckel The immediate economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic extend beyond their most visible manifestations in the shutting of businesses and the dramatic rise in unemployment. A more subtle consequence that has arisen in the marketplace pertains to companies’ reputations. Brands and the public’s perception of them are impacted not only […] The post COVID-19 and Bottom-Line Impacts in Trademark Litigation appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium

    (Part I of IV) This is a four-part article that sets forth best practices for estimating the company-specific risk premium. The identification and quantification of alpha—or the subject-specific risk component—is sometimes a controversial issue in the private company valuation. This discussion summarizes best practices on what is included in—or should be considered in—the analysis of […] The post Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    Distance Mediation

    How to Increase Settlement Rates Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, distance mediation was used; however, not extensively and historically, settlement rates were significantly lower than traditional “face-to-face” mediations. With social distancing now in place, mediating by phone and/or video conferencing is getting a closer look. Although the mediation process essentially remains the same for distance […] The post Distance Mediation appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • Valuation/Appraisal

    Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium

    (Part II of IV) This is the second of a four-part article that sets forth best practices for estimating the company-specific risk premium. The first part of this series summarized where and how the CSRP applies in the various generally accepted cost of capital measurement models. This second part summarizes (1) the concepts of systematic […] The post Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium appeared first on QuickRead | News for the Financial Consulting Professional.

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium

    (Part II of IV) This is the second of a four-part article that sets forth best practices for estimating the company-specific risk premium. The first part of this series summarized where and how the CSRP applies in the various generally accepted cost of capital measurement models. This second part summarizes (1) the concepts of systematic risk and unsystematic risk and (2) the considerations of unsystematic risk in the analyst’s CSRP estimate. [su_pullquote align=”right”]Resources: Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium (Part I of IV) [/su_pullquote] Introduction This discussion is the second of a four-part series that summarizes best practices…

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    Distance Mediation

    How to Increase Settlement Rates Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, distance mediation was used; however, not extensively and historically, settlement rates were significantly lower than traditional “face-to-face” mediations. With social distancing now in place, mediating by phone and/or video conferencing is getting a closer look. Although the mediation process essentially remains the same for distance mediations, it needs review to determine what is effective and what needs to be reconsidered. There are three key areas that require investigation: technology and equipment, preparation by the mediator as well as the participants, and confidentiality. By tailoring the process for distance mediation, it…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Best Practices for Estimating the Company-Specific Risk Premium

    (Part I of IV) This is a four-part article that sets forth best practices for estimating the company-specific risk premium. The identification and quantification of alpha—or the subject-specific risk component—is sometimes a controversial issue in the private company valuation. This discussion summarizes best practices on what is included in—or should be considered in—the analysis of this Ke alpha component (or unsystematic risk component). These best practices discussion is presented in four parts. The first part of the discussion focuses on the factors that analysts may consider in developing the alpha estimate when selecting a Ke for a private company valuation.…

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    COVID-19 and Bottom-Line Impacts in Trademark Litigation

    A Q&A with Joel Steckel The immediate economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic extend beyond their most visible manifestations in the shutting of businesses and the dramatic rise in unemployment. A more subtle consequence that has arisen in the marketplace pertains to companies’ reputations. Brands and the public’s perception of them are impacted not only by a firm’s own actions but also by the actions of other market players. To explore the issues around negative effects on consumers’ brand perception in more depth, Vice President Rene Befurt and Associate Anne Cai spoke with Analysis Group’s academic affiliate Joel Steckel about…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Top Story

    The Changing World of Business Development

    Rethinking the Role of Your BD Team (Part II of II) In the November 2020 post, an alternative way to structure your firm’s BD efforts that relies less on a central “rainmaker,” and more on an integrated team. In this post, the focus is on how to execute the various activities involved in BD, such as hiring, outsourcing, or cross-training existing staff. For this exercise, do not get hung up on specific titles; in reality, team members’ skills and interests are more important than their titles. Your BD team structure might look something like what is discussed here. Rethinking Activities…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    StraightTalk Webinar Series

    Business Valuation in a COVID-19 World—Cost of Capital, Growth Rates, and Uncertainties Jim Hitchner, Managing Member of Valuation Products and Services (VPS), unveiled the first of a series of two-hour webinars that targets business valuation and litigation support professionals seeking an intermediate level program. This is a review of the first webinar titled “Business Valuation in a COVID-19 World—Cost of Capital, Growth Rates, and Uncertainties”. This article summarizes the issues discussed during this first webinar. [su_pullquote align=”right”]Resources: Best Practices in Business Valuation—A Practical Approach to Advanced Issues and Applications [/su_pullquote] On October 29, 2020, Jim Hitchner, Managing Member of Valuation…