January / February
Showing 577–592 of 623 results
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Statistics add value to appraisals
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 604
Abstract: Statistical analyses can supplement an appraiser’s professional judgment, adding sophistication and credibility to the business valuation. This article looks at regression analysis and uses an example to illustrate how a regression analysis can help an appraiser build stronger, more defendable valuations. The article points out that regression analysis, like any statistical tool, cannot substitute for a valuator’s judgment and experience.
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How fraud affects value — and valuation
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1455
Abstract: Businesses lose an average of 7% of their annual revenues to fraud, according to the 2008 Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud & Abuse issued by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. This article discusses what fraud consists of, how it may affect value, and how appraisers take fraud risk into account when valuing companies. The article points out, however, that appraisers need to beware of double-counting the effect of fraud risk on value, which may cause them to undervalue business interests.
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Only words? Forensic document examinations consider content and context
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 725
Abstract: Fraud investigations almost inevitably require documentary evidence to be examined — and it’s not a job for amateurs. Professional forensic document examiners review not only the content of documents. They also consider physical and latent evidence, such as handwriting, alterations and faded or decomposed material. To ensure accuracy and opinions that will stand up in court, experts follow scientific procedures and use technologies such as electrostatic detection apparatus.
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Home run – FLLCs enjoy a Tax Court victory
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 898
Abstract: In recent years, taxpayers have found themselves on the losing end in cases questioning the legitimacy of FLPs and FLLCs. But, in a 2008 case, Estate of Mirowski v. Commissioner, the U.S. Tax Court threw a curve ball, allowing family FLLC assets to be excluded from the decedent’s gross estate. This article summarizes the case and suggests that taxpayers can use the court’s findings to form and operate these vehicles.
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Financial statement analysis – Don’t value a business without it
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 708
Abstract: Merely accepting a company’s financial statements at face value can lead to seriously undervaluing or, more likely, overvaluing a business. Often, closely held companies fail to comply with GAAP, and financial data may be shaped to favor the owner’s interests. This article explains how experts review several years of financial statements and make normalizing adjustments such as removing nonrecurring items and adjusting expenses that a potential buyer wouldn’t likely incur. They also look for suspicious trends and relationships.
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Discounting future losses for lost profits
January / February 2009
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1042
Abstract: In many business litigation cases, financial experts must project damages for losses that the plaintiff will incur in the future because of the injury involved. Discounted future losses represent the amount of compensation needed now to replace that future lost income. But, as this article discusses, losses in a litigation context are different from the lost income that comes up in business valuation situations, requiring an expert to calculate a discount rate based on relevant risks.
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Stop the domino effect – The link between management ethics and corporate fraud
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 502
Abstract: Unethical managers foster an unethical work environment — giving employees the opportunity, motivation and rationalization to commit fraud and other crimes against their employers. This article explains how lenders should assess qualitative factors to protect loan portfolios against fraud losses. These include management’s ethics and its establishment and maintenance of internal controls. (Updated 9/27/12)
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Auditing standards provide rules for the dating game
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 333
Abstract: This short article discusses the requirements of the Auditing Standards Board’s Statement No. 103, Audit Documentation, which requires auditors to date financial statements when “sufficient appropriate audit evidence” has been obtained to support financial statement opinions.
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Why the warehousing sector has staying power
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 829
Abstract: Contrary to analyst predictions, many warehouses and distribution centers are thriving, and can benefit loan portfolios. This article talks about what to look for in warehousing borrowers, including strict attention to safety, efficient receiving, logical inventory layouts and value-added service enhancements.
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Is your portfolio going the way of the subprime market?
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 628
Abstract: As interest rates have risen, balloon payments have come due, the housing market has slumped and many subprime borrowers have defaulted. Commercial loan portfolios aren’t immune to the subprime market’s woes. As this article explains, homebuilders, retailers and small businesses generally are being affected by tighter credit standards.
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Another Inconvenient Truth – Going green could cause some borrowers to see red
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 584
Abstract: Although most environmental legislation singles out utilities, oil companies and automakers, at some point legislators likely will ask every business to do its part to mitigate environmental damage. Businesses that conserve energy can enjoy lower costs, but for many, going green will be costly. Lenders should be ready to evaluate their borrowers for the financial consequences of current and future legislation.
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Estate Planning Red Flag – Your estate plan benefits your grandchildren or other “skip” persons
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 307
Abstract: The federal generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax is one of the harshest in the tax code: It’s a flat tax (currently 35%) — in addition to gift or estate taxes — on transfers to a “skip person.” This short article explains how to minimize or avoid triggering GST tax. (Updated 4/27/12)
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GRAT expectations – A zeroed-out GRAT can transfer wealth tax-free
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 562
Abstract: A zeroed-out grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) may be an attractive addition to an estate plan if a person has a large estate and has used up the $1 million lifetime gift tax exemption (or wishes to preserve the exemption for other purposes). This article details how a zeroed-out GRAT works.
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6 postmortem strategies for revitalizing an estate plan
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 920
Abstract: Estate planning is an inexact science. No matter how much time is put into a plan, changing tax laws and personal circumstances can hamper its ability to achieve an estate planner’s objectives. Fortunately, there are postmortem strategies a spouse, executor and beneficiaries can use to reduce estate taxes. This article explores six postmortem estate planning strategies.
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Pondering your policy – Watch out for a little-known tax trap – the transfer-for-value rule
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1141
Abstract: Life insurance is an essential building block in an estate plan. But it’s important to handle life insurance policies carefully. Beneficiaries typically are exempt from income taxes on death benefit proceeds. But if a policy is transferred for valuable consideration, the risk of triggering income taxes arises because of a little-known, yet lethal, provision of the Internal Revenue Code called the transfer-for-value rule. This article explains the transfer-for-value rule.
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The digital detective: Using statistics to uncover fraud
January / February 2008
Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 335
Abstract: This article explains how Benford’s Law can help uncover financial fraud by examining patterns in tabulated data. It’s almost impossible for someone to manipulate digits so that they appear to conform to Benford’s Law, so analysts use the technique to find suspicious numbers that merit further investigation. (Updated 5/7/12)