When to Apply 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 intr ...

Legal Cases and Statutory Factors Used to Assess the Reasonableness of Compensation 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 bu ...

(Part I of V) 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 ...

Core Finance Team Affiliates, LLC v. Maine Medical Center—The Distinction Between Quantum Meruit and Unjust Enrichment 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 ...

Ethical AI Parameters for Valuation Professionals 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 ab ...

Increased Misuse and Sophistication of AI to Commit Digital Fraud 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 ...

It’s About Them 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 marketi ...

Healthcare Cost Drivers 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, pu ...

Navigating Climate Risks, Financial Forensics, and Innovative Solutions 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 pr ...

Budget Cuts, Payment Freezes, and Tariffs In an attempt to continue tracking the latest actions of the federal government’s legislative and executive branches affecting the healthcare industry since the last article was released in March, this article summarizes recent events in Washington and the impact of these changes on providers and patients. During the early months of the Republican Party’s government ...

Dissecting the Impact on Valuation Drivers What impact, if any, will the imposition of tariffs have on the valuation of assets? How will the imposition of tariffs impact modeling? In this article, the author shares his thoughts on the various factors and industries that valuation professionals must weigh to prepare a valuation. Economic Uncertainty in Valuation Economic uncertainty arises when key macroecon ...

Whether to Establish an ESOP Not all companies are fit for an ESOP. The decision to create an ESOP is a significant one, and it requires careful evaluation beyond enthusiasm or the appeal of tax deferral. Two critical considerations stand out when evaluating whether to move forward: (1) independence of the valuation expert, and (2) whether the company is operationally, financially, and structurally suited f ...

For Preventing Fraud and Driving Business Growth The importance of strong internal controls cannot be overstated. They form the foundation for financial integrity, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and, ultimately, long-term business success. This article explores how strong internal controls not only safeguard against fraud but also serve as a catalyst for business growth and sustainability. I ...

From a Forensic Expert’s Perspective The authors share personal stories regarding the challenges they have faced in cases that involve people with diagnosed and undiagnosed narcissists disorders. Men and women with this disorder are especially challenging and the authors share what they have learned to mitigate the damage a person with this disorder may have in a case. My (Michele’s) path into the world of ...

It is About Solving the Dollar Value Problem How do you price your business valuation engagement? What about a litigation support engagement? In this article, Rod Burkert discusses how to value your professional engagements. Let’s talk pricing. Specifically, why do we struggle to price the value of a business valuation? Or a forensic accounting assignment? Or the mother of all unknowns, a litigation support ...

A Review of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Pfeifer Decision For those interested in working in the personal damages area, a review of the U.S. Supreme Courts’ Pfeifer decision is essential. It provides a great outline as to what the courts expect from an expert’s work. This article reviews the Pfeifer decision and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ Culver II decision, which expands on the definitions for discoun ...

Impact on Business Valuations Tariffs have long served as a tool for national governments to protect domestic industries, correct trade imbalances, or as leverage in international negotiations. This article explores the cascading impacts of recent U.S. tariffs and reciprocal trade barriers on U.S. goods and services. Tariffs have long served as a tool for national governments to protect domestic industries, ...

Court Dismisses Accounting Expert’s Testimony in Packaging Lawsuit Daubert motions are commonly raised to exclude experts. In this article, the author underscores the importance of questioning a client’s representations and documenting the basis for damages calculations. The failure to do so exposes the expert to challenges on the basis that the opinion is flawed because it is based on speculation and quest ...

A Case Study In this article, the author uses a case study to explore how forensic accountants used analytics to identify discrepancies in financial records and support financial investigations. Introduction While we traditionally think of forensic accounting as the specialized area of accounting that focuses primarily on the investigation of financial crimes, forensic accountants are also well equipped to ...

Galiotos v. Galiotos—The Tale of a Sibling Feud This legal update provides a summary of how the trial and appellate courts addressed a dispute amongst siblings that were co-trustees of trusts holding commercial real estate assets. The case provides valuation and litigation support professionals an opportunity to assess what has happened when an impasse of this nature results in litigation. “If you ever star ...