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Persuasive Valuation Rebuttal Reports
In a valuation dispute, the opposing expert’s report is rarely the last word. A well-built rebuttal can reshape settlement discussions, reduce the weight a court gives the other side’s conclusions, and in some cases lead to exclusion of the report altogether. But a rebuttal that reads as a list of grievances accomplishes little. The ones…
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Executive Compensation and Benefits
When one spouse is an executive, a physician-owner, or a senior employee at a public company, the W-2 rarely tells the full story. Stock options, restricted stock, performance awards, deferred bonuses, and pensions can account for a large share of the marital estate, and each carries its own tax treatment, timing rules, and legal characterization.…
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Why Financial Tracing Matters
Following the movement of money is one of the most consequential skills in forensic accounting. Whether a divorce proceeding, an embezzlement investigation, a bankruptcy filing, or a criminal fraud case, the ability to trace funds from their origin to their ultimate destination often determines the outcome for clients, courts, and victims alike. Financial tracing is…
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Extreme Valuation Assumptions
The credibility of a business valuation expert’s entire opinion can hinge on a handful of assumptions. Growth rates, discount rates, normalization adjustments, and premiums or discounts applied to value are where business valuations can be vulnerable to challenge. “Extreme” assumptions even more so. However, extreme assumptions can be built and defended (or dismantled) from both…
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How to Value: Plumbing & HVAC Contractors
Industry Description The plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors industry in the U.S. comprises establishments primarily engaged in installing and servicing plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning equipment (NAICS 238220). Contractors in this industry may provide both parts and labor, and the work performed includes new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. The industry excludes establishments installing electrical…
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Valuation of Distressed Businesses
Most valuation professionals learn valuing healthy, stable businesses. But when a company’s finances start to unravel, shrinking margins, mounting debt, a cash position that keeps getting thinner, the rules change. The Professional Framework Distressed valuation doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Practitioners are expected to work within a web of standards. Valuation shows up throughout the…
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DOJ: $6.8 Billion in False Claims Act Recoveries
The Justice Department announced that settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act reached more than $6.8 billion in fiscal year 2025, marking the highest annual total in the statute’s history. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the Civil Division, announced the results, which push cumulative recoveries…
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How to Value: Packaging & Labeling Services
Industry Description The packaging & labeling services industry in the U.S. comprises contract-based packaging services for client-owned materials, along with related labeling and imprinting capabilities (NAICS 56191). The industry excludes the manufacturing of packaging materials and labeling products. The following are some basic characteristics of the packaging & labeling services industry: Industry Trends The Packaging…
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Donor-Advised Funds
Donor-advised funds have become an increasingly prominent feature in modern financial planning, offering a flexible and tax-efficient approach to charitable giving. Although often associated with year-end contributions, their benefits extend throughout the year, making them a valuable tool for both clients and advisors seeking to integrate philanthropy into broader financial strategies. Simply defined, a donor-advised…
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Locating Lost Retirement Savings
People who have lost track of retirement savings from previous employers can now utilize a valuable resource: the Labor Department’s Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database. Launched in late December 2024, this initiative aims to help individuals reconnect with their forgotten funds. Key Statistics Although the Labor Department does not track the outcomes after users…
