A Comprehensive Framework for Risk Assessment and Methodical Adjustments The escalation of global trade tensions and tariff implementations in 2025 has altered the business valuation landscape and created additional challenges for valuation professionals and stakeholders. Using a multi-factor risk assessment model combined with adjusted valuation methodologies, the author shows how tariff exposure significantly impacts enterprise values across industries. Introduction The global trade environment has undergone dramatic transformation since 2025. The implementation of sweeping tariff policies that has altered cost structures, competitive dynamics, and risk profiles across industries. The weighted average U.S. tariff rate has surged from 2.2% to over 17%…
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And How to Maximize It What truly influences value is the quality, consistency, and transferability of the earnings. Buyers are not solely purchasing a history of profitability; buyers are seeking future income that is sustainable and independent of the current owner’s direct involvement. Most business owners do not know what their business is worth. In many cases, they have never measured it in a formal or objective manner. Yet for most entrepreneurs, their business represents their single largest asset. It may be central to their retirement plan, their family’s financial well-being, or even their legacy. Despite its significance, the topic…
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Knowing the Business is Critical to Effective Risk Oversight In this article, the author shares excerpts of a speech he presented to board members regarding the importance of managing risk and sources of risk.
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Officials at the SEC and FINRA have been talking a lot lately about how they have been ramping up their use of sophisticated technologies to root out questionable conduct among the firms they regulate. It turns out that they are expecting advisors and brokers to do the same. To read the full article in FinancialPlanning, click: Regulators Want Firms to Ramp Up Fintech Accountability.
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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).
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How Forensic Accountants Can Aid Auditors in Risk Assessment Should an assessment of corporate culture be a factor auditors should consider as part of a risk assessment process? These authors think so. Find out why.
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Here’s How a Systematic Review of Risk Can Help Valuators Assign Appropriate Discounts and Premiums Industry risk can vary widely from company to company and industry to industry. Here are 20 questions valuation analysts can use to identify risk related to market segment; competitive position; political, environmental, and legal factors; pricing trends; profit margins, and more.
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Nerd’s Eye View, which provides commentary on financial planning news and developments, points out that a growing body of research shows our brains are not quite the logical, rational decision-making machines we think they are – or at least, wish they could be. Instead, our brains take shortcuts; we substitute easier questions for difficult ones, often without realizing it, and respond accordingly with our words and our actions. This can be especially problematic in the world of financial planning, where we often ask clients to make difficult decisions with limited information. As a result, questions like “what is…