Bank for International Settlements sees global trouble brewing   Several major factors are converging and posing a threat to the global economy, the Bank for International Settlements said in a report.  China's slowdown is hurting emerging markets dependent on commodity exports, the bank said, even as the rising value of the U.S. dollar adds stress in markets where much debt is dollar-denominated.  Bri ...

There are many reasons why clients need solid financial advice in these turbulent times.  This article lays out four of them, starting with the observation that nobody—or almost nobody—can time the markets.  Bob Clark, Editor-at-Large for Investment Advisor Magazine, explains the importance of speaking to the client’s understanding and the importance of a financial advisor’s role.   To find out more on ...

Are you covered for data breaches?  The skinny on cyber liability insurance   Finding out that clients' data was stolen or accessed would be a nightmare for any CPA.  To make it worse, the recovery costs may not be entirely covered by standard insurance policies.  Valrie Chambers, CPA, explores cyber liability insurance and offers key points to consider as filing season approaches.   To find out m ...

In recent years, appraisal arbitrage cases seem to be a more strategy.  Karolina Grabowicz, a senior financial analyst with Mercer Capital, looks at some current cases and their outcomes.   To read more about the results of this report in the Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog, click: To (Appraisal) Arbitrage or Not?  This article is republished from Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog.  I ...

Tools to Make You More Effective Enhancing effectiveness revolves around listening to employees, providing timely quality feedback, providing resources needed by the employee and giving employees a chance to shine. Several models are presented to allow an employee and the firm to enhance effectiveness including the tips from Stephen Covey’s book, management by wandering around, and the Pareto rule. ...

When Using Guideline Transaction Data Income taxes play a major role in the pricing and structure of business transactions because income tax consequences associated with the sale or purchase of a business can substantially reduce the seller’s net proceeds and/or lower the net cost of a purchased ownership interest to the buyer. Because of this issue, it seems appropriate to assume that actual transactions ...

Background and Objectives of the Job Aid (Part 1 of 3) The release of this series of Job Aids has been hailed by many as a new era of communication and understanding between the Internal Revenue Service, taxpayers, and practitioners. However, in the opinion of this author, and others, releasing these additional documents in such a formal manner seems to be an attempt to influence practitioner behaviors in s ...

The annual Southern Capital Forum sponsored by Mercer Capital brought to light several interesting comments.  Matthew Crow, President of Mercer Capital, looks at some of these dealing with stretched valuations. To read more about the results of this report in the Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog, click: Valuation concerns mark Southern Capital Forum: Are VC trends the canary in the RIA coal mine?  ...

The IRS issues long-awaited rules on taxation of gifts and bequests from covered expatriates.  Sally P. Schreiber, Journal of Accountancy senior editor, discusses the recently proposed regulations and what’s to be expected. To find out more on the AICPA’s article, click: Proposed rules govern taxation of gifts and bequests from covered expatriates. ...

Push past estate planning fatigue and build a better relationship with your clients and their descendants.  Many advisors find difficulty and obstacles when guiding their clients through this process.  Kimberly Bernatz, Senior Vice President and Director, Wealth Management Advisory Services, First American Trust, FSB, walks you through some important steps to keep in mind when developing an estate plan.  To ...

Reduce Your Stress and Those Around You This article addresses time management, avoiding time wasters, prioritizing what is important to you, setting goals and writing them down, and looking at life holistically to help bring peace to our otherwise turbulent hectic life style. ...

Thoughts From the Field on Whether to Cite Legal Precedent in a Report Should a valuation analyst include legal citations in a report? Calculation engagement? In this article, Peter Agrapides, MBA, CVA, shares his thoughts on that question. ...

Not all Social Networks Are Created Equal Has your firm embraced social media? Be ready! The days of ignoring social media are long gone. Professional services firms looking to accelerate their growth need to embrace social media and dedicate the resources needed to create a strategy, implement it, and track it. In this article, the author presents research on the impact and value of social media to profess ...

The SEC is casting an eye to examine public company filings.  Samantha Albert, Senior financial analyst with Mercer Capital, looks at how their tools have been successful thus far. To read more about the results of this report in the Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog, click: In the Eye of the Beholder: Increasing SEC Scrutiny of Public Company Fair Value Marks. This article is republished from Merce ...

The AICPA's Center for Plain English Accounting conducted an investigation into the applicability of the disclosure requirement of open tax years associated with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.  Robert Durak, Director- Center for Plain English Accounting, American Institute of CPAs, discusses a CPEA investigation into the matter. ...

The AICPA’s Accounting Inclusion Maturity Model helps organizations assess their current diversity and inclusion practices in four core areas: workforce, workplace, marketplace, and community and supplier relations. To find out more on AICPA’s tools, click: Where does your firm stand on Diversity and Inclusion? ...

Demonstrate Leadership to Get Ahead Training leaders means developing a partnership between the employer and employees. This involves both bottom line and business metrics, as well as behavioral and team building skills. The issues related to soft skills such as behavioral and team-building skills are explored in depth in Mike Gregory’s book, The Servant Manager, 203 tips from the best places to work in Ame ...

Tax Controversy Insights In matters argued before the U.S. Tax Court, valuation professionals are frequently asked to provide opinions related to the value of closely held businesses and of fractional ownership interests in closely held businesses. This discussion relates to a recent appeal of a U.S. Tax Court decision involving such valuation issues. The case in question is Natale B. Giustina v. Commission ...

Unicorn valuations are not directly comparable to public company valuations.  Travis Harms, leader of Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Valuation Group, looks at how the numbers could potentially be misleading. To read more about the results of this report in the Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog, click: Unicorn Valuations: What’s Obvious Isn’t Real, and What’s Real Isn’t Obvious.  This article i ...

Is Zero-Base Budgeting (ZBB) making a comeback and will it stick around this time?  Matt Fitzpatrick and Kyle Hawke for McKinsey, examine five key elements of success and share their tips for a new beginning. To find out more on the McKinsey and Company’s article, click: The return of zero-base budgeting. ...