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

    Bridging the Valuation Perception Gap: Key Personnel Dependence in Sell-Side Business Valuation

    August 27, 2025

    This article examines one of the primary issues that CVAs encounter when advising clients who are preparing to sell. By identifying challenges early in the valuation process, CVAs can better educate sellers on weak points in their business and prepare them for potential poor reception that they may face from prospective buyers. Introduction Business owners preparing to sell often underestimate the risks that prospective buyers perceive in their companies. This misalignment stems from two primary factors: an owner’s intimate familiarity with firm operations and the buyer’s lack of direct involvement or institutional knowledge. These opposing forces prompt both parties to…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    The Unit Valuation Principle for Property Tax Purposes: Issues and Caveats (Part V of V)

    August 27, 2025

    This final of a five-article series discusses the application of the unit valuation principle. This installment describes many of the application issues and caveats related to the use of the unit principle to value the unit of taxable property. Read Part I here. Read Part II here. Read Part III here. Read Part IV here. Introduction This is the fifth installment of a five-part series related to the application of the unit valuation principle for property tax compliance, administration, and controversy purposes. Previous installments of the series summarized what analysts need to know about the application fundamentals of the unit valuation principle.…

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Excel’s New =COPILOT() Formula: What Valuation Analysts Can Do on Day One

    August 27, 2025

    Use the new =COPILOT() formula and super charge your productivity in Excel. The Problem with Excel (and Why This Matters Now) If you work in business valuation or consulting, Excel is still your daily driver. We use it for everything; normalizing financial statements, running DCF models, cleaning client exports, and building rolling KPI dashboards. But as powerful as Excel is, the bottleneck has always been formulas. Even seasoned analysts can spend too much time Googling “Excel formula to calculate CAGR,” or untangling nested IFERROR statements. For consultants who bill by the hour—or who simply need speed to keep up—this is…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    The Unit Valuation Principle for Property Tax Purposes: Valuation Procedures

    August 20, 2025

    This fourth of a five-article series discusses the application of the unit valuation principle. This installment summarizes the generally accepted unit valuation procedures. But first, this discussion describes the generally accepted summation valuation approaches and methods as a comparison to the unit valuation approaches and methods. Read Part I here. Read Part II here. Read Part III here. Introduction This is the fourth installment of a five-part series regarding the development of unit principle valuations for property tax compliance, administration, and controversy purposes. Previous installments described when and why to develop a unit principle valuation—instead of a summation principle valuation—particularly for…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    From Vine to Valuation: Understanding Wine Businesses

    August 20, 2025

    This article is designed as a primer for valuation professionals, giving you the foundational knowledge of wine industry terms and business structures you need to navigate this highly specialized field. By building this knowledge, you will be better prepared to ask the right questions, interpret key details, and deliver valuations that truly reflect the complexities and risks behind a wine business. Have you ever stood in the wine aisle staring at a label and thought, “I have no idea what any of this means”? What exactly does Gran Reserva mean? What is a blended wine? Why do some bottles say…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    The Unit Valuation Principle for Property Tax Purposes: Approaches and Methods

    August 13, 2025

    This third of a five-article installment discusses the application of the unit valuation principle. The discussion continues with a summary of the generally accepted unit valuation approaches, methods, and procedures. Read Part I here. Read Part II here. Introduction This installment is part three of a five-article series related to the unit valuation principle for ad valorem property tax purposes. Part I summarized what analysts need to know about the application fundamentals related to the unit principle valuation of complex, utility-type properties for property tax compliance, administration, and controversy purposes. Part II explained when it was appropriate to apply the…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Top Story

    Are You a Service Provider or an Expert? Excel and Position Yourself as the Expert

    August 13, 2025

    There is an important difference between a service provider and an expert. In this article, Rod Burkert discusses why the differentiation is important and how to position yourself to be an expert. When it comes to the work you do, are you a service provider or an expert? Have you thought about the differences? Do you realize there are differences? Our BVFLS industry/profession/world is changing: The number of appraisers (choices) is increasing The valuation mechanics are more intricate The businesses we value are more complex The audience of leads, prospects, clients, and referral sources we hope to serve are more…

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Battle of the Bots: Comparing Today’s Most Popular AI Chatbots

    August 13, 2025

    Compare the results of the top AI chatbot models. In the past few years, AI chatbots have gone from a niche experiment to everyday tools powering work, creativity, and conversation. But with so many options—ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and more—how do you know which one is right for you? In this video, we will put the most popular AI chatbots head-to-head, using the same prompt to see what kind of results we get. Now it is your turn to test your favorite prompt you use on a daily basis in your business with each of the popular AI Chatbots. Post…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    The Unit of Valuation Principle for Property Tax Purposes: When to Apply

    August 6, 2025

    This second of a five-article installment discusses the application of the unit valuation principle. Guidance is provided for when to apply the unit of valuation principle. Read Part I here. Introduction This discussion is the second installment of a five-part series related to unit principle valuations prepared for property tax compliance, administration, and controversy purposes. As was introduced in the first installment, the unit principle is often applied to collectively value a large assemblage (or a unit) of taxpayer property. This principle is typically applied to value complex, utility-type property that is physically, functionally, and economically integrated. Unit Valuation Principle…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Factors to be Considered in Setting Compensation: Legal Cases and Statutory Factors Used to Assess the Reasonableness of Compensation

    August 6, 2025

    U.S. courts have established multiple factors and guidelines to assess reasonableness in compensation. This article reviews the factors and statutory criteria used to assess the reasonableness of compensation. Determining reasonable compensation for shareholder employees in closely held companies remains a key concern for businesses, valuation professionals, and forensic accountants. U.S. courts, particularly the Tax Court, have established multiple factors and guidelines to assess reasonableness in compensation, most notably detailed in the cases of Mayson Manufacturing Co. v. Commissioner (1949) and Elliotts, Inc. v. Commissioner (1984). The 6th Circuit Court’s opinion in Mayson Manufacturing includes the following description of key factors:…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    The Unit of Valuation Principle for Property Tax Purposes: Applications: (Part I of V)

    July 30, 2025

    This is the first article of a five-installment discussion that will summarize the application of the unit valuation principle. As will be described, a unit principle valuation is not a business valuation. However, business valuation analysts are often more comfortable with the development of unit principle valuations than are real estate or personal property appraisers. Introduction This five-installment discussion will summarize the application of the unit valuation principle. As will be described, a unit principle valuation is not a business valuation. However, business valuation analysts (hereinafter “analysts”) are often more comfortable with the development of unit principle valuations than are…

  • Case Law - QuickRead Top Story

    Legal Update: July 2025 | Core Finance Team Affiliates, LLC v. Maine Medical Center—The Distinction Between Quantum Meruit and Unjust Enrichment

    July 30, 2025

    What is the difference between a claim of quantum meruit and unjust enrichment? This very issue was addressed in Core Finance Team Affiliates, LLC v. Maine Medical Center and is discussed in this article. The legal profession is famously hidebound; for goodness’ sake, they still where robes and wigs in English courts. As a result, they still throw around many Latin phrases, which can lead to confusion. In Core Finance Team Affiliates, LLC v. Maine Medical Center, 2024 ME 78, 2024 Me. LEXIS 85 (November 26, 2024), the Maine Supreme Court addressed the distinction between two contract-like remedies: quantum meruit…

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Autonomous AI Agents are Here! And They Are Easy to Implement!

    July 30, 2025

    Use ChatGPT’s newly released agents to automate every task you can define. ChatGPT’s new AI agents are purpose-built digital assistants designed to handle specific tasks autonomously, making them a powerful tool for business consultants. These agents can research competitors, summarize client documents, generate reports, follow workflows, or even respond to e-mails; all with minimal input. For consultants juggling multiple clients and projects, AI agents can act like virtual team members, saving hours of manual work and helping you deliver faster, smarter results. Now it is your turn to create your own autonomous AI agent. Post your ideas below the video…

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Unimpeachable AI Guardrails: Ethical AI Parameters for Valuation Professionals

    July 23, 2025

    In the world of valuation, particularly at the intersection of professional judgement and AI, this 21st article of the Unimpeachable Neutrality Series begs the question now facing us: what kind of AI guardrails should exist? And how do we keep them from becoming runaway lanes, or worse, launchpads, into unintended consequences? There is something charming about a good guardrail. Whether you are navigating the hairpin curves of a West Virginia backroad or the shifting terrain of emerging technologies, there is comfort in knowing you will not plummet into the ravine of professional ruin, so long as the guardrail holds. This…

  • Financial Forensics

    Integrating Data Analytics into a Financial Investigation: The Use of Structured Data and Information Systems

    July 23, 2025

    This article provides a hypothetical case study that walks readers through the process of a financial investigation in which the data extraction, analysis, and forensic reconciliation are integrated seamlessly by accounting and data experts who understand both sides of an investigation. Introduction Structured data and information systems are increasingly utilized to improve the efficiency and efficacy of financial investigations. Forensic accountants and investigation experts have more frequently engaged skilled analysts to perform certain data extraction and complex technical analyses. However, certain matters force a bifurcated approach where the analytics team is left struggling to understand which results to produce, and…

  • Financial Forensics - Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    The Evolution of Fraudulent Schemes: Increased Misuse and Sophistication of AI to Commit Digital Fraud

    July 16, 2025

    The level of sophistication used by fraudsters continues to increase. Fraudsters are using voice recognition and voice swapping, as well as other generative AI tools that continue to evolve. It is critical to constantly reassess internal controls and understand how AI is used and misused. In this article, the author shares some of the schemes used and issues a challenge to entities as well as to accounting and fraud examiners. At this point, the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) generating content is nothing new. You have likely seen plenty of videos and pictures of AI-generated content on Facebook, YouTube, etc.…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Top Story

    Marketing Isn’t About Us: It’s About Them

    July 16, 2025

    What is the purpose of marketing? While credentials are helpful, the profession needs to reevaluate the strategies used. In this article, Rod Burkert reminds us of what the profession may consider to market the services effectively. Have you wondered why it’s getting harder to reach the leads and prospects we want to sell to and serve? What if almost everything we’ve considered to be marketing … is wrong? Let me give you a bit of history. We first complained about certain valuation organizations’ very existence. The IBA came first. Then the ASA. Apparently two organizations was all the industry needed.…

  • Artificial Intelligence

    Create a Pricing Calculator for Your Services with AI

    July 16, 2025

    Use Canva and ChatGPT to Create a Pricing Calculator you can use on your website. AI is changing the game when it comes to coding. Now, even if you do not know a thing about programming, you can still bring your ideas to life. With AI-powered tools, all you need to do is describe what you want and the AI will handle the code for you. It is as simple as telling the system what you need—whether it is building a website, creating an app, or automating a task—and watching the AI turn your request into functional code. This opens…

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Top Story

    Healthcare Spending Projected to Exceed $8.5 Trillion by 2033: Healthcare Cost Drivers

    July 9, 2025

    CMS found that overall healthcare spending growth has decreased slightly but is still elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels and is expected to continue to moderately grow. This article examines the factors underlying the forecasts. On June 25, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its forecast on U.S. healthcare spending through 2033. The analysis, published in Health Affairs, estimated healthcare spending growth in 2024 and projected the growth into 2033. CMS found that overall healthcare spending growth has decreased slightly but is still elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, and is expected to continue to moderately grow. This…

  • Financial Forensics - QuickRead Top Story

    Recalibrating the Destabilized U.S. Property Insurance Industry: Navigating Climate Risks, Financial Forensics, and Innovative Solutions

    July 9, 2025

    Forensic accounting plays a crucial role in modernizing climate risk insurance models. As climate change intensifies extreme weather events, insurers are struggling to accurately price risk, detect fraudulent claims, and maintain financial stability. This article explores how fraud, forensic accounting, and innovative risk management practices intersect with these challenges, while examining alternatives to traditional property insurance and the global implications of climate change. The effects of global warming and climate change are increasingly evident, with extreme weather events, rapid-onset, and slow-onset, wreaking havoc across the globe. In the United States, localized catastrophes like hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding have led to…