• Case Law - QuickRead Featured

    Delaware LLC Operating Agreement Sets Forth the Ownership Interest

    Failure to make capital contributions did not void the operating agreement or reduce the ownership interest of non-complying partners In Grove v Brown, the Delaware Court of Chancery, relying on the unambiguous terms of a limited liability company (LLC) operating agreement, found that a member’s failure to make an initial capital contribution to a LLC did not affect that member’s ownership interest.   Further, the Court of Chancery, applying default fiduciary duties to the managing members found that two managing members breached their fiduciary duty of loyalty under the corporate opportunity doctrine.

  • Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning - QuickRead Featured

    Calculating the Preference Claim in a Chapter 7 Liquidation

    Garner v. Knoll, Inc.—the mathematics of a hypothetical liquidation analysis A preference payment is subject to recovery by the debtor’s estate. Having to return a “preference payment” may come as a surprise. In this case, the issue before the court is whether a creditor received far more than what it would have received under a Chapter 7 liquidation. The case illustrates the mathematics used in conducting (a basic) hypothetical liquidation.

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Featured

    Accountable Care Organizations

    Value metrics and capital formation Robert Cimasi serves as chief executive officer of HEALTH CAPITAL CONSULTANTS (HCC). Mr. Cimasi’s firm is a nationally recognized healthcare financial and economic consulting agnecy headquartered in St. Louis, MO, serving clients in 49 states since 1993. He is author of a three-volume set that offers a comprehensive reference guide to the factors involved in consulting with and valuing healthcare practices. In this article, Mr. Wandtke reviews Volume Two, Professional Practices. See http://www.healthcapital.com/advisersguide.

  • Financial Forensics - QuickRead Featured

    Navigating Fraud

    Testing the high risk waters in today’s business environment The absence of a fraud risk management (FRM) program exposes a company to financial losses and legal liability if a fraud investigation is not properly handled and the employee is wrongfully discharged, or his or her privacy rights are violated. A FRM program addresses the above concerns and establishes controls every company should have to identify risk factors.

  • Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning - QuickRead Featured

    Should M & A Clients Review Anti-Trust Implications as Part of their Due-Diligence?

    Does failing to review anti-trust risk enormous penalties for being anti-competitive? M&A professionals need to take anti-trust considerations into their due diligence planning. As international manufacturing relationships continue to increase in the U.S., there is an ever-growing number of international authorities and nations ready and willing to contest your agreement.

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Subsequent Events Revisited

    So why do we, as appraisers, differ from judges when it comes to subsequent events? Traditionally, valuation and litigation support professionals only consider facts known or knowable as of the valuation date, yet courts will look at subsequent events. This article examines how a valuation and litigation support professional may address subsequent events.

  • Financial Forensics - QuickRead Featured

    Fraud Risk Management: Is Your Company Proactive?

    The fictional character Fleet Walker provides real world advice Assessing, improving and monitoring anti-fraud programs are key elements of an effective internal control structure. Many companies have a long way to go to address the challenges of fraud and corruption. In this brief article, Professor Crumbley suggests that as a starting point, we consider the steps taken by Fleet Walker (a fictional character of his novels).

  • Case Law - QuickRead Featured

    Case Law Update: Real Estate Appraisal and Government Contracts

    A closer look at real estate appraisal and government contracts A wife sells her portion of interest in a law firm in an arm’s length transaction and the timing and circumstances are questioned with regard to marital property. Adhering to cost accounting standards within government contracts and real estate valuation issues are reviewed in the latest Case Law Update.

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Featured

    Issues When Valuing Healthcare Transactions

    Medical practice sale pitfalls There are several issues to be keenly aware of when valuing a medical practice, including sources used to evaluate the efficiency of a practice and the need to determine what a benchmark is for the doctor in the practice. It is imperative to do a common sizing calculation when comparing a practice’s performance with national practice data for the medical specialty.

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Featured

    Survey: Business Development Now Tops Forensic and Valuation Services Practitioners’ List of Concerns

    Business development concerns outpacing technical issues A new survey by the AICPA reveals that priorities for forensic and valuation services (FVS) professionals have changed significantly in just the last three years. The report details what’s most important to them today and why it may not have as much to do with the economy as you think.

  • Expert Witness - QuickRead Featured

    Witness Testimony: Your Day in Court

    Preparing expert witness testimony that can go the distance Although most expert witness engagements end without an opportunity to present your findings or testimony, this is no excuse to be lax in your analysis. In the handful of occurrences where expert witness testimony will actually be required, it must be clear, concise and thorough enough to go the distance during the proceedings. It must be assumed that every engagement will go to court and each expert witness scenario must be treated as such with regard to research and attention to detail. This overview provides valuable tools to construct a case…

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Is Changing Your Fiscal Year to a Calendar Year a Trick?

    Do the missing months mask the true financial performance? In a recent study entitled, “Orphans Deserve Attention:  Financial Reporting in the Missing Month When Corporations Change Fiscal Year,” the authors of the study found that out of the 1,786 public firms reviewed from 1993 to 2008, 45.4 percent shifted their fiscal year-end by intervals of up to two months and opined that these changes could “fly under the radar of investors and regulators”—or even change it by a longer duration that is not a multiple of three months. [toggle style=”closed” title=”View Orphans Deserve Attention:  Financial Reporting in the Missing Month When Corporations…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Featured

    The Storm is Coming, Will Your Firm Survive a Natural Disaster?

    Preparing yourself and your clients for a natural disaster By taking steps before a natural disaster strikes, the firm can position itself to thrive in the aftermath. A meeting with your casualty insurance professional is suggested. The agenda should include a review of the current coverage and discussion of changes in your firm operation since the last review.

  • QuickRead Featured - Tax

    IRC Section 4958 — A Big Hammer in the IRS Toolbox

    Not for profit entities must plan and document their executive compensation packages outlined in IRC Section 4958 To ensure that not for profit entities are being good stewards of their donors, or taxpayers’ contributions, the IRS wields significant power to impose onerous penalties on over-compensated executives from 25% to 200% through the use of IRC Section 4958.