• Financial Forensics - QuickRead Top Story

    Untangling the Fraud: Utilizing Data Analytics to Investigate Ponzi Schemes

    April 30, 2025

    This article examines how data analytics combined with other forensic accounting tools can help investigators uncover how investors in both traditional and newer types of Ponzi schemes were victimized, and how data can be compiled to locate stolen assets and create an analytical report that aids regulators and in legal proceedings focused on recovering funds or determining investor losses. Introduction It is widely recognized that deceiving investors is the bread-and-butter of a Ponzi scheme.[1] However, the term “investors” often conjures images of Shark Tank or Wall Street, and this is far from the type of investor that many Ponzi schemes…

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    U.S. Economy Grew 2.9% in 3rd Quarter, Picking Up the Pace

    December 20, 2016

    Boosted by solid consumer spending and improving international trade, the expansion of the U.S. economy rose to 2.9% in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said.  Nelson Schwarts reports that economists said the biggest quarterly gain in two years will probably be enough to persuade the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in December. To read the full article in The New York Times, click: U.S. Economy Grew 2.9% in 3rd Quarter, Picking Up the Pace.

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    Big Banks are Fighting Robo-Advisors Head on

    July 27, 2016

    Wall Street Starts Responding to Robo-Adviser Challenge Big U.S. banks have taken their time figuring out how to deal with robo-advisers, but they’re starting to respond.  Some Wall Street banks are rolling out online advisory services, while others are acquiring them or augmenting existing internet platforms.  Jon Marino, Wall Street reporter, explains. To read the full article in CNBC, click: Big Banks are Fighting Robo-Advisors Head on.

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    It’s Not Just About China: Company Profits to Drop—Again

    January 20, 2016

    Earnings Season Likely to Confirm U.S. Profit Recession Major U.S. companies stand a good chance of reporting fourth-quarter results that show earnings have fallen two quarters in a row, marking a recession.  Forecasts call for a 4.2% decline in earnings and a 3.2% decrease in revenue for companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 index.  Bernard Condon, AP business writer, discusses the issues and what to expect. To read the full article in ABC News, click: It’s Not Just About China: Company Profits to Drop—Again.

  • Mergers and Acquisitions/Exit Planning - QuickRead Featured

    America’s Wealthiest People: Who are they?

    June 6, 2012

    Who Are America’s Wealthiest People? Small- and medium-sized businesses are the engines that drive the American economy. An IRS study of everyone who died with a net worth of at least $600,000 (and thus was required to file an estate tax return) showed America’s wealthiest citizens all have one thing in common: they all held significant blocks of stock in closely held private companies.  In a nutshell, the surest way to get rich in America is to own a business. Want to know the actual numbers?   According to  IRS reports, over six million businesses file tax returns each year: 80…