What is the level of uncertainty behind why 401(k) plan sponsors don’t change default investment options?  Hazel Bradford, reporter (Washington), visits this issue and addresses some concerns. To find out more on the Pensions & Investments’ article, click: GAO: 401(k) plan executives hesitant to change default options. ...

Conflict Resolution in the Business Valuation World Conflicts exist with clients, co-workers, and with the other side on valuation issues. Most valuation cases settle well before litigation. This article focuses on steps that can be taken to enhance your perspective and work with those you find difficult to communicate with in any setting. ...

Transition Period Payments After a Business Acquisition Owner’s of closely held businesses will usually be required to remain active in the business after the same is sold. This article examines two key questions related to such post-transaction transition payments: (1) how much should the buyer pay to the sellers for these transition period services, and (2) how should these transition period payments be s ...

In Appraising Outpatient Enterprises Healthcare related outpatient enterprises provide services that do not require hospital admission and may be performed outside the premises of a hospital. Similar to valuation of any business, valuations of outpatient enterprises should include consideration of the three general approaches to valuation (i.e., the income approach, the market approach, and the asset/cost a ...

Do you and your employees know how to get the most tax savings when choosing a benefit election?  Sujan Rajbhandary, senior member of Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Valuation Group, discusses an IRC Section 83(b) election and what’s considered in making this choice. To read more about the results of this report in the Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog, click: Look Before You Leap: Evaluating a ...

Is transitioning into the CEO position all in your head?  Or are there many intricacies involved you may not have thought of?  Author David McCann for CFO Publishing, looks at Gary Burnison to share his views and his compelling narrative on the topic. To find out more on the CFO’s article, click: Moving from CFO to CEO: A Half Brainer. ...

Are you tired of the office?  Do you pine for the day you’ll have more time to see the country?  Well, Rod Burkert and his wife Amy have it figured out.  Cheryl Meyer, freelance writer, interviews the Burkerts to find out how they’ve made going mobile work for them. To find out more on the Journal of Accountancy's article, click: Going mobile. ...

Recognizing How a Position-Based Perspective Limits Communication The topic of communication, diversity, and perspective may initially seem like basic common sense. However, exploring how you and others look at things through our own lenses based on personal experiences shapes how we interact with others. In this article, the author shares his views on what limits communication and what it takes to effectiv ...

Understanding the Language of Chapter 11 Cramdown This article will examine terms of art used in a Chapter 11 cramdown. These terms go hand in hand during a contested or cramdown hearing. The court will work to assure that the bankruptcy definition of these terms is met before confirming a plan. Any expert expecting to testify at a cramdown hearing should have a working knowledge of their meaning. ...

While the vast majority of jurisdictions have moved away from the new business rule and adopted the modern new business rule, by which new/unestablished businesses can recover damages, such adoption does not diminish the requirements under the reasonable certainty standard. Given the lack of historical financial performance data and under the lens of the reasonable certainty standard, estimates of lost prof ...

Stock-based compensation is used by companies of all shapes and sizes.  Travis W. Harms, leader of Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Valuation Group, explains from a valuation standpoint, the importance of measuring its fair value. To read more about the results of this report in the Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog, click: Equity-Based Compensation: Are Non-GAAP Earnings Misleading?. This artic ...

Are you looking for new ways to evolve your own financial planning business?  Michael Kitces, Partner and Director of Research for Pinnacle Advisory Group, discusses the innovative and inspiring ideas found in Chris Anderson’s book, “Free: The Future of a Radical Price”. To find out more on the Nerd’s Eye View article, click: Freemium Pricing Models For Financial Advisors | Kitces.com. ...

Are you aware of the new reporting requirements required between an estate and anyone acquiring property from the decedent?  Alistair M. Nevius, J.D., JofA’s editor-in-chief, explains the new reporting and statement requirements. To find out more on the JofA’s article, click: New law imposes immediate estate basis and reporting requirements. ...

For those of us who spent much of our careers in the old professional services marketplace, it’s all too easy to think of our firm websites as an afterthought–something you have to have in today’s world, but not a priority. A growing body of research demonstrates, however, that this couldn’t be further from the truth. This article looks at recent research on the matter and suggests that a website may well b ...

An In-Depth Series on Healthcare Valuation, Part 2 of 4 This article focuses on utilizing an income approach to value outpatient enterprises, while subsequent articles in this topic series will address the use of a market approach and an asset/cost approach to value outpatient enterprises. ...

Calculating appropriate goodwill can create significant savings to a taxpayer.  Lucas M. Parris, senior member of Mercer Capital’s Financial Reporting Valuation Group, describes the existence of personal goodwill apart from corporate goodwill. To read more about the results of this report in the Mercer Capital's Financial Reporting Blog, click: An Overview of Personal Goodwill. This article is republished f ...

Are you aware of the warning signals when analyzing acquisition targets?  Alex Cook, president of Voyant Advisors LLC, discusses five issues to look out for when analyzing a company’s financial reporting. To find out more on the CFO article, click: Accounting Issues Mask a Seller’s True Value. ...

Moving from Facts to Opinion? ASC 820 under US GAAP and IFRS 13 issued by IASB provide a principal based framework for fair value measurement. Though fair value measurement guidance in US GAAP and IFRS are substantially in the same line, some minor differences exist. This article discusses the IFRS 13 and challenges in its implementation. ...

An In-Depth Series on Healthcare Valuation This first installment will discuss Fair Market Value, the most prevalent standard of value in the healthcare industry, and why this is the required standard of value for most healthcare transactions. This article will also discuss the premise of value, which further defines the circumstances of the transaction, and how to determine which methods may be applicable ...

Refining and Selecting the Appropriate DLOM The discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) is the result of illiquidity. It represents the inability to sell quickly when an investor decides to sell an asset. It is the economic cost of failing to realize gains or to avoid losses during the time period that the investor or closely held business owner is trying to sell the asset or securities. In this article, ...