• Financial Forensics - QuickRead Top Story

    Discerning the Differences Between Audits and Forensic Investigations (Part I of II)

    May 27, 2026

    This is the first of two articles comparing the roles of the auditor and the forensic accountant, specifically their differing objectives, responsibilities, professional standards, and engagement terms. This article, which focuses on fraud investigations conducted by forensic accountants, also discusses how each professional approaches risk assessment, the concept of materiality, and building teams. Gathering information and reporting will be examined in the second article. Introduction There is a popular misconception that audits of financial statements are conducted with the primary objective of detecting fraud. Since the collapse of Enron, independent external financial statement auditors have made great strides in communicating…

  • QuickPress

    Critical Audit Matters Coming into Focus

    November 28, 2018

    As public company auditors prepare to deliver new information in auditors’ reports, firms need to develop consistent processes for determining what should be disclosed. As auditors prepare for a new auditing standard requiring the disclosure of critical audit matters (CAMs) in their reports, they are traveling in uncharted territory and contemplating new information that they will be providing to investors. To read the full article in the Journal of Accountancy, click: Critical Audit Matters Coming into Focus.

  • QuickRead Featured - QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    60-Second Method

    May 17, 2017

    Ascertaining the Financial Status of a Business in a Few Quick Glances The 60-Second Method is a system of ascertaining the financial status of a business or other entity in a few quick glances. It is a training tool that can be used to demonstrate how financial analysis works, or instruct decision-makers beginning to read and understand financial statement content.

  • Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning - QuickRead Top Story

    The Role of Earnouts in Acquisitions

    April 8, 2013

    Earnout Variables Often Account for 15 to 25 percent of Purchase Price in many Middle Market Acquisitions. Here are Tips for Structuring Them Carefully Earnouts typically appear in a large number of middle-market deals, usually accounting for 15 to 25 percent of the total purchase price.  While an earnout can to be an elegant solution to “close the gap” between seller and buyer, the fact is earnouts are complicated and subject to a number of limitations.  Ron Stacey explains some issues surrounding earnouts, including their appeal, shortcomings, possible structures, appropriate metrics, duration, tax treatment, and value. 

  • QuickPress - Valuation/Appraisal

    Caveat Emptor: Business Valuation in a 21st-Century Economy—VentureCapital.org

    March 29, 2013

    Past Performance is No Longer a Viable Valuation Tactic: Learn to Anticipate Future Prospects with Data Mining, Proprietary Benchmark Techniques, and a Close Look at Both Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures.    Caleb Slabbert, writing at VentureCapital.org, which bills itself as a non-profit organization that has been “a premier resource for both entrepreneurs seeking funding and for investors who want to help promising young companies achieve their potential,”  asserted this week (3/26/13) that past performance of a company is no longer a viable valuation tactic.   What matters?   Newer techniques that many firms aren’t taking advantage of:  

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Featured

    What Data Valuators Need from Physician Practices—and Why!

    March 27, 2013

    Physicians Practices are Undergoing Consolidation. Most Often, Practices are Acquired by Hospitals—and a Prerequisite to Acquisition by a Hospital is Having a Practice Valuation Performed. Here’s Why. Physician practices are increasingly undergoing consolidation, and any acquisition requires a valuation performed by an independent third-party valuator. Here’s the low down on what valuators need and why they need it.