September / October
Showing 561–576 of 608 results
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Avoid M&A pitfalls with targeted due diligence
September / October 2009
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 765
Abstract: Anyone buying, selling or merging with a business needs to “kick the tires” before signing on the dotted line. This article explains that a financial professional can conduct due diligence procedures that target high-risk areas for any industry. The article lists seller — and buyer — M&A concerns. It also notes that do-it-yourself M&As can lead to disastrous outcomes and unexpected surprises, pointing out that engaging financial and legal professionals early in the process can save money and stress over the long run.
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How valuators assess the rising risk of fraud
September / October 2009
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 758
Abstract: The current economic downturn has produced an upswing in incidents of occupational fraud, so it’s imperative for businesses to step up efforts to deter and detect it. An important part of the valuation process is identifying potential risks and gauging whether management has taken appropriate action to mitigate those risks. This article explains how valuators evaluate internal controls and corporate culture, tailoring their analyses of fraud risks based on the subject company’s size, complexity, industry and goals. The article has an accompanying pie graph chart that shows business fraud scheme type and prevalence over the past few years.
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User-created data: Handle with care
September / October 2009
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 457
Abstract: Production of electronically stored information (ESI) has become a routine part of discovery. But the primary target of an ESI request often is user-created data — a type of information that’s constantly evolving and can prove elusive. A qualified expert can help extract all the user-created data needed.
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Broke… or dishonest? Uncovering alter ego companies
September / October 2009
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 672
Abstract: Most companies filing for bankruptcy accurately represent their assets. But a small percentage of filers that claim to have little or nothing to offer creditors aren’t being honest. Instead, they’ve diverted resources to an alter ego company or are hiding their connection to a much healthier corporate parent. Uncovering and proving this type of fraud can be difficult, but there are a variety of red flags that enable forensic accounting experts to expose such schemes. Conversely, forensic experts can help defendants prove that any alter ego accusations are unfounded.
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Pellom v. Pellom – When little things mean a lot
September / October 2009
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 745
Abstract: When one couple decided to divorce, the husband wasn’t happy when the court accepted his wife’s expert’s valuation of his share in an anesthesiology practice at $1.2 million. His own expert had arrived at a figure of $183,000. On appeal, the husband raised several technical objections, which were ultimately rejected. It appears the primary reason for the discrepancy between the two experts’ valuations was the husband’s expert’s failure to account for the practice’s goodwill.
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By the book – How fraud investigations are conducted
September / October 2009
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 866
Abstract: When a company suffers fraud, it needs the assistance of a fraud expert to find the perpetrator and collect evidence. A recent guide, published jointly by several industry associations, outlines the approach a qualified expert will take to execute a fraud investigation. After determining the appropriate process for the matter at hand, the expert will move the investigation through three stages: interviews, evidence collection, and evidence analysis. This article also describes corrective steps that can be taken before or after an investigation is complete, while a sidebar discusses factors that may influence a specific investigation’s plan.
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Dealerships are down, but not out
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 487
Abstract: The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) 2008 NADA Data report reveals that dealerships sold 16.1 million new cars and light trucks in 2007, down 2.5% from the previous year. NADA expects new vehicle unit sales to decline about 3% in 2008. The good news is that more lucrative profit centers — such as used vehicles, parts and services — are making up the difference.
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Every business needs a plan
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 504
Abstract: What is a manufacturer’s breakeven point? How many employees must a service firm hire — or lay off — next year? How long before a startup will turn a profit? Business plans help borrowers answer these tough questions and others. They also show lenders that management operates with forethought and efficiency, rather than by the seat of its pants.
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Financial statement footnotes – Why you should read between the lines
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 457
Abstract: Financial statement numbers provide lenders with limited information. But footnote disclosures can offer valuable details about account balances, accounting practices and future events that may affect performance. They can also provide fraud red flags if a company’s management is cooking the books.
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Minimizing growing pains – Expansion strategies essential for borrowers
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 936
Abstract: In the midst of the excitement of internal expansion or external acquisition, lenders can serve as the voice of reason by 1) requiring borrowers to provide financial statement projections and other analyses, and 2) reviewing expansion plans skeptically — asking key questions — before approving an expansion or acquisition loan.
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Avoid off-the-cuff offshoring
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Commercial Lending Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 733
Abstract: Offshoring is big and getting bigger. More than one-third of companies outsource at least one aspect of their business operations to offshore locations, according to a 2008 survey. But before your borrowers jump headfirst into offshore manufacturing, consulting or purchasing contracts, they should look beyond cost per unit and weigh qualitative issues.
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Estate Planning Red Flag – You don’t have a gifting plan
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 253
Abstract: If a person’s estate plan doesn’t contain a gifting strategy, he or she is missing out on a relatively simple way to pass substantial amounts of wealth to heirs and reduce his or her estate tax liability. This short article provides an example of how much a gifting strategy can shelter wealth from estate taxes.
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Do you wish to disinherit a spouse or child?
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 502
Abstract: When a relationship with a spouse or child deteriorates, it may be time to make the difficult decision to disinherit him or her. This article answers three frequently asked questions about disinheriting a family member.
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Art direction – 5 estate planning strategies for your art collection
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1025
Abstract: All too often, people overlook their art collection when planning their estates. But paintings, sculptures and other pieces of art can be very valuable, in some cases representing a significant portion of one’s estate. This article describes five tips for addressing art in an estate plan. (Updated: 12/26/12)
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Abracadabra! Sec. 1031 exchange can make capital gains tax disappear
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1189
Abstract: If a person owns a highly appreciated business or investment property that he or she would like to sell or otherwise dispose of, the person can possibly avoid capital gains tax by exchanging it for new property that he or she plans to hold (or continue exchanging) for life. A Section 1031 exchange allows a person to eliminate the tax — or at least defer it until he or she sells the new property. This article details how a Sec. 1031 exchange works and explains how it may fit into a person’s overall estate planning strategy.
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How the latest USPAP revisions affect business appraisals
September / October 2008
Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 538
Abstract: One of the first sets of comprehensive business valuation standards was the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), published in the late 1980s by the Washington, D.C.-based Appraisal Foundation. Today, USPAP is widely considered to comprise the generally accepted standards for professional appraisal practice in the United States, particularly in the federal courts. This brief article notes some recent changes to the standards, including clarification of the question of appraiser advocacy and guidance on record-keeping, signature and certification requirements in assignments involving multiple appraisers.