• Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning

    The Value Opportunity to Private Companies

    Can private companies really increase their value 80-100 percent by limiting unsystematic (controllable) risks? The November/December 2013 issue of The Value Examiner featured Ken Sanginario’s article entitled, “The Valuation Business: A Strategic Road Map for Success.” In this article, Sanginario answers questions raised by skeptics to make the case that value doubling for private companies is possible.

  • Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning - QuickRead Top Story

    Building Value from the Inside-Out

    Maximizing value by minimizing risk Most private company owners are not aware of the impact of company-specific risk on the value of their businesses. When they are faced with a need to increase the value of their businesses in order to close a value gap, they typically only focus on growing sales, reducing costs, or making an acquisition. None of those strategies are the most effective initial way to increase value. Adopting measures to reduce company-specific risk is the best initial way to maximize value.

  • QuickRead Top Story - Tax

    Top Five Things Missed in Valuing Equity in Most Asset Holding Entities

    The days of applying Mandelbaum and referencing a few IPO and restricted stock studies are over. This article addresses what is often omitted from most asset holding entity valuation reports. By failing to include issues like the ones outlined, the resulting adjustments are less empirical and more a “guesstimate”. Valuation practitioners and their advisory clients have a duty to the users of our reports to accurately address equity level risks.

  • Healthcare - QuickRead Top Story

    Dissecting the Medical Practice Revenue Stream—Part 1

    Four things valuators should know about medical claims and coding While all valuators need to be able to cite specific factors considered in the determination of fair market value, many times the measures selected could be applied to a variety of industries. In this first of a two-part series, Jeffry Moffatt examines why revenue is most often a primary area of interest for valuation, because without revenue, there can be no cash flow. However, not all revenue streams are created equal, and therefore, specialized knowledge of certain industries is needed to qualify the underlying value of cash flow. The healthcare…

  • Case Law - QuickRead Featured

    Federal Case Law Update

    A summary of recent federal court cases involving gross misstatement of valuation. This month’s federal court case summaries feature seven cases that highlight the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision involving gross misstatement of valuation. In addition, the summary features cases that delineate the consequences to valuation professionals who fail to comply with Tax Court pre-trial orders under Tax Ct. R. 91 and more.

  • Expert Witness - QuickRead Featured

    Expert Witness or Hired Gun?

    Business valuation in divorce In this article, Brian Murray examines the risks taken by clients when valuators are hired to “get the numbers” needed to support a desired outcome in divorce proceedings. In most cases, such a preplanned agenda backfires and creates more problems in the end.

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Implied Private Company Pricing Line Provides Cost of Capital Comfort

    New private company cost of capital model delivers consistent and observable results The Implied Private Company Pricing Line (IPCPL) Cost of Capital Model seeks to eliminate pitfalls for unsystematic risk, liquidity, small stock premium, PTE taxes, and cash/leverage by utilizing real transaction, market-clearing prices between buyers and sellers of comparable small private businesses.

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    How to Determine a DLOM for the IRS

    Historical perspective and current recommendations The Internal Revenue Service published Discount for Lack of Marketability: Job Aid for IRS Professionals (Job Aid) in August of 2013.  Now, two new books provide  advice on how to prepare a DLOM and which methods valuators  should consider and why.  These will help any business valuation practice, whether working on a DLOM for the IRS or any other purpose.

  • Case Law - QuickRead Featured

    Case Law Update

    A summary of recent federal and state court cases involving final partner administrative adjustments, mergers, and matrimonial law This month we highlight four cases.  The first is Rovakat, a federal appellate court decision where a claimed redemption was deemed a sale of stock. The In re MFW Shareholder Litigation case involves a motion for summary judgment where a majority of the minority shareholders approved a merger transaction; this was deemed a “cleansing device” that led to the dismissal of plaintiff’s leading claim, which involved an allegation of breach of fiduciary duty.   In Matter of Central N.Y. Oil & Gas, the…

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Valuation Impossible

    Reality TV offers more than entertainment Reality turnaround TV shows provide valuators lessons that go a long way toward improving their consulting and valuation skills, and client deliverable. Those lessons could result in more opportunities and greater credibility.

  • QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Structuring the Intangible Asset Analysis Assignment

    The standard 10 stages to use in an intangible asset engagement In this second installment, Robert F. Reilly completes his review of the 10 typical stages of any intangible asset analysis engagement. For purposes of this article, an intangible asset analysis may include a valuation, damages analysis, transfer price study, or other economic analysis. The business appraiser will typically consider these stages, or elements, before, during, and after performing any quantitative or qualitative analyses.

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Structuring the Intangible Asset Analysis Assignment

    The standard 10 stages In this first half of his two-part series, Robert F. Reilly summarizes six of the ten typical stages of any intangible asset analysis assignment. For purposes of this article, an intangible asset analysis may include a valuation, damages analysis, transfer price study, or other economic analysis. The business appraiser will typically consider these stages, or elements, before, during, and after performing any quantitative or qualitative analyses.

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story

    A Bankrupt “Kodak Moment”

    Equity creditor appointment standards and lessons for hiring business valuation professionals from Kodak’s bankruptcy This article provides an overview of the Eastman Kodak bankruptcy case and focuses on the standard a bankruptcy court will use deciding whether to appoint an official equity creditors’ committee. It also explains why the bankruptcy court granted Kodak’s motion in limine to exclude‒under Daubert‒the opinion of two expert witnesses retained at the eleventh hour by the shareholders.

  • 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.

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    On the Waterfront

    Appraising marina properties is a challenging niche with as many variables as there are bodies of water Just like appraisals on dry land, location plays a major role in developing an opinion of value for a marina property, but the criteria for an appraisal can be a little different from those of landlocked commercial enterprises. Here are a few of the questions that must be considered when valuing marina property.

  • Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning - QuickRead Featured

    Using Valuation Skills to Help Prepare a Business for Sale

    A proactive approach pays off for selling shareholders A business valuation analyst has the training, valuation skills, and experience to provide meaningful feedback to owners seeking to exit their businesses. When and how to conduct the pre-sale valuation is crucial to maximizing profit potential. This article will provide insight into using your valuation skills to help prepare a business for sale.

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Rigging the Cost of Equity

    Suggested benchmark analysis to assess the reasonableness of the cost of equity In the February/March 2013 issue of the Financial Valuation & Litigation Expert (FVLE), Issue 41, Jim Hitchner authored “How to ‘Rig’ a Valuation: The Discount Rate.” This is the first of a two-part FVLE series. The article provides suggested guidance to unmask the intentional “rig.”