• Practice Management - QuickRead Top Story

    Four Steps to Selecting

    Engage the audience! Conducting webinars is a great way to accomplish that goal; however, it is important to understand how the topic selected can have a dramatic effect on its success. Just as a great headline can hook readers, a good webinar topic will bring in more attendees—and the more people who attend, the more opportunities will arise for the speaker and his or her firm to sell services. This article discusses what it takes to develop a winning webinar topic.

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    The Treatment of Synergistic Value

    In Dissenting Shareholder Appraisal Rights Matters (Part I of II) The Delaware Court of Chancery decisions on the treatment of synergistic value in dissenting shareholder appraisal rights cases provide meaningful guidance to valuation analysts, legal counsel, and other courts. In this two-part article, the author discusses recent judicial decisions issued by the Delaware Court of Chancery where synergistic value was a consideration in a dissenting shareholder appraisal rights matter. This discussion provides insights related to the treatment of synergistic value within the context of a statutory appraisal rights fair value controversy. [su_pullquote align=”right”]Resources: Foundations Of Financial Forensics Workshop Financial Litigation…

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    Contractor’s Lost Profits Due to Impaired Surety Bonding Capacity

    Denny Construction, Inc. v. City and County of Denver, Colorado, acting by and through its Board of Water Commissioners This article presents a case analysis wherein a general contractor sued for breach of contract and litigated the owner for breach of co bid due to its impaired bonding capacity, which resulted from defendant’s declaration of default and claim against the contractor’s performance bond. This latter act had a negative impact on the general contractor since the surety company reduced or eliminated the general contractor’s bonding capacity until the litigation was resolved. Therefore, the general contractor was unable to bid on…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Top Story

    The Value Gap

    Technology Expectations This article discusses the importance of adopting the latest technology and software and how to minimize the value gap. Most accountants have struggled to keep up with this new wave of technology and a growing value gap is arising in firms of all sizes. This value gap represents all the lost opportunities by not having the right technology solutions in place. These lost opportunities include a loss of revenue, the inability to attract new clients, realization struggles, and difficulties in hiring and retaining staff. Has your firm utilized technology to its fullest capacity to provide the highest quality…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    What is in a Purchase Price?

    It is all Based on Your Perspective In this article, the author presents three common ways that a single purchase price may be calculated and presented. With football season on the horizon, I cannot help but think about September 24, 2013—a night that many football fans will not soon forget. The Seattle Seahawks were playing the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. The game was going down to the wire and Seattle trailing 12-7 with only a few seconds remaining. With time expiring, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson heaved a 24-yard pass to receiver Golden Tate in the endzone. Green…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Finding “True North” in Recent Delaware Appraisal Cases

    Is it the Market or the Model? Petitioners in Delaware appraisal cases must necessarily argue that fair value exceeds the deal price. In contrast, financial economists tend to view prices from a well-functioning market as “true north” when valuing a stock. Valuation models—such as a discounted cash flow (DCF) model—+can be important tools but are known to be sensitive to their numerous inputs. When such a model results in a valuation that is at odds with market prices, it is imperative to understand the disconnect: Is it the market or the model that is wrong? In this Q&A, Analysis Group…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    A Method for Calculating

    The Excess Earnings Capitalization Rate This article presents a method for calculating the capitalization rate for excess earnings. The good news is that this capitalization rate can be calculated. The bad news is that with the calculated excess earnings capitalization rate, the excess earnings method gives the same value as the single period capitalization method under the Income Approach, i.e., the excess earnings method is not an independent valuation method. This article presents a method for calculating the capitalization rate for excess earnings. The good news is that this capitalization rate can be calculated. The bad news is that with…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Top Story

    Are You a Vitamin or a Painkiller?

    One Has Traction with Prospects, the Other Does Not Any product/service can almost always be viewed as either a vitamin or a painkiller. Which do you (or your firm) offer? Any product/service can almost always be viewed as either a vitamin or a painkiller. Which do you (or your firm) offer? BVFLS Services Can be Either Vitamins or Painkillers What’s the difference? Kind of obvious, but vitamins: Are condition-generic and can be found in every grocery or drug store.And so, they’re easy to come by. Don’t have universally recognized health benefits.And so, taking them may or may not make you…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    How to Value

    Privately Held Promissory Notes How should a privately held promissory note be valued? In this article Bruce Johnson answers this question. Bruce notes that the key issues to consider when valuing a privately held promissory note are the interest rate, amortization term, collateral, payment history, covenants and marketability of the note being valued. Once this information is assessed, an appraiser can conclude whether the subject note’s interest rate is below or above the market rate for a comparable investment with the same level of risk. The author advocates the use of rates from Business Development Companies because they are more…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Top Story

    The Seven Steps of Mastering

    an Effective Elevator Pitch Professionals in the accounting, valuation, and finance sectors frequently struggle with a deceptively simple task: describing in a few words what their firm does and how it stands apart from the competition. If you, the reader, have experienced this difficulty, you can make it easier on yourself by having a thoughtful and concise elevator pitch ready to deploy when the opportunity arises. The ideal elevator pitch explains in clear, straightforward language what your firm does and how it is positioned in the marketplace. In this article, I will share some proven tips on how to write…

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Top Story

    Fair Market Value Considerations for Rural Health Clinics

    Technology (Part V of V) Over the past decade, there has been a rapid adoption of technological innovations in the U.S., which has fundamentally changed the healthcare delivery system, improving the quality of patient care, as well as the efficiency of healthcare processes and practices. Research indicates that implementation of healthcare information technology (HIT) may lead to improved efficiency and quality management, especially in rural areas. This article, the last in the five-part rural healthcare series, will discuss the various technological advancements that may assist rural health clinics (RHCs) in providing more tailored and advanced care to a greater number…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Valuation Discounts

    Applicable to Real Estate Holding Companies (Part II of II) In this second of a two-part series published in QuickRead August 01, 2019, the author discusses valuation discounts applicable to real estate holding companies and the incremental adjustments in the valuation of partial, non-controlling interests. After discussing the application of a minority discount or discount for lack of control (DLOC) in the last issue of Real Estate Perspectives, I will now turn to discussing the next incremental adjustment in the valuation of partial, non-controlling interests in entities holding real estate as their primary and most valuable asset. In this article,…

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Top Story

    Fair Market Value Considerations for Rural Health Clinics

    Regulatory Issues (Part IV of V) As discussed in the first installment of this five-part series, rural health clinics (RHCs) are statutorily-created entities, established via the Rural Health Clinic Service Act of 1977. These providers face a range of federal and state legal and regulatory constraints, which affect their formation, operation, and transactions. This installment will discuss two important regulatory issues affecting RHCs: licensure requirements, and fraud and abuse law compliance. As discussed in the first installment of this five-part series, rural health clinics (RHCs) are statutorily-created entities, established via the Rural Health Clinic Service Act of 1977.[i] These providers…

  • Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning - QuickRead Top Story

    Leading with Your Heart

    How to Avoid Romance of the Deal through Cold-Hearted Diligence This paper attempts to address these issues while presenting summary critical considerations that can and do mitigate the likelihood of unintended consequences and deals that fail to deliver. Specifically, it will speak to how advisors and buyers can verify and substantiate the most critical and yet intangible value drivers in a deal. Recently, private equity has been in the news again. Roughly one month ago, Elizabeth Warren announced new proposed legislation—the Wall Street Looting Act—intended to curb “useless speculation,” encourage “economic patriotism,” while targeting “vampires” intent on “bleeding companies dry”.…

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Top Story

    Fair Market Value Considerations for Rural Health Clinics

    Reimbursement Environment (Part III of V) The U.S. government is the largest payor of medical costs, through Medicare and Medicaid, and has a strong influence on healthcare reimbursement. In 2017, Medicare and Medicaid accounted for an estimated $705.9 billion and $581.9 billion in healthcare spending, respectively. The prevalence of these public payors in the healthcare marketplace often results in their acting as a price setter and being used as a benchmark for private reimbursement rates. This is particularly true for RHCs, which tend to serve a disproportionately large Medicare population. This third installment in the five-part series on RHCs will…

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    It’s Only an Opinion

    An Appraiser in Court This is a review of Henry J. Wise’s, MAI, CBA, BVAL, CRE (Retired) recently released book, It’s Only an Opinion: An Appraiser in Court. In this book, comprised of 23 chapters, Mr. Wise is not only humorous but also insightful. He shares several nuggets from his 35-years of experience testifying in court on real estate controversies. He offers valuable information to business appraisers, real estate attorneys, and real property appraisers. This is a review of Henry J. Wise’s, MAI, CBA, BVAL, CRE (Retired), recently released book, It’s Only an Opinion: An Appraiser in Court. In this…

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    Lost Profits

    Modern New Business Rule and How it Has Been Applied by the Courts Earlier this year, the author published two articles that appeared in QuickRead discussing calculating lost profits and defense responses for lost profits calculations in cases falling under the modern new business rule. The foundation for the article on defense strategies was an article published by Victor Goldberg. Following publication, the author was contacted by Mr. Goldberg, who recommended additional reading on this topic. That has led to this article. Under the new business rule, a new or unestablished business could not recover lost profits. This rule was…

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Top Story

    Fair Market Value Considerations

    For Rural Health Clinics Competition (Part II of V) As discussed in the first installment of this five-part series regarding Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), the significant proportion of RHCs operating at a loss has led to an overall reduction in the number of RHCs. Despite this decrease, the demand for RHCs continues to rise, limiting access to care for patients in rural communities. This second installment will review the competitive environment of RHCs. As discussed in the first installment of this five-part series regarding Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), the significant proportion of RHCs operating at a loss has led to…

  • Practice Management - QuickRead Top Story

    Seven Sources for Finding Speaking Engagements

    Establish Yourself as a Sought-after Speaker Public speaking offers a range of opportunities—from professional growth, to promotion of you and your business, to breathing new life into your existing network. In addition, by doing a little preparation and research, you will find many excellent opportunities within your reach. In this article, the author helps the reader learn how to find the perfect audience for their expertise—and lay groundwork for speaking engagements that will help the expert and their company. Public speaking offers a range of opportunities—from professional growth, to promotion of you and your business, to breathing new life into…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Valuation Discounts

    Applicable to Real Estate Holding Companies (Part I of II) In this two-part series, the author discusses real estate holding companies and describes the use of minority discounts (also known as the discount for lack of control [DLOC]) in the valuation of partial, non-controlling interests in entities holding real estate as their primary and most valuable asset. Part II will address the use of the discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) and certain other discounts applicable to interests in real estate holding companies. [su_pullquote align=”right”]Resources: Discounts for Lack of Marketability (DLOM) Workshop Advanced Valuation: Applications and Models Workshop How and…