Valuation/Lit. sup./Fraud/M&A
Showing 1249–1264 of 1569 results
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Reap the benefits of early case assessment
September / October 2010
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 484
Abstract: Attorneys can help clients manage their litigation costs, particularly those related to e-discovery, with early case assessments (ECAs). This article walks through the steps involved in an ECA and discusses how it can help facilitate cost savings. It may seem counterintuitive for an attorney to advise performing an ECA that, ultimately, could limit his or her role in a case. However, clients that know their attorney is fiscally conscious are more likely to be satisfied and return with other legal matters.
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Theory into practice: Benford’s Law finds financial fraud
September / October 2010
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 681
Abstract: Benford’s Law is a relatively old statistical precept regarding the frequency of certain numbers in random data sets. But only in recent years has it become effective in detecting fraud, thanks to technological advances. This article explains how, informed by Benford’s Law, fraud experts use spreadsheet software to identify questionable numbers and suspicious activities. Often, experts spot possible financial manipulation that would be invisible to the naked eye.
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Gift and estate taxes – Backing up valuation discounts
September / October 2010
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 721
Abstract: Regardless of whether tax rates and exemptions change, valuation discounts probably will continue to play a significant role in the ultimate tax liabilities that taxpayers shoulder. Establishing the appropriate discounts can prove complicated, though, particularly when dealing with interests that don’t have a ready market. This article examines the tools valuators use to address this problem, such as discounts for lack of marketability, restricted stock studies, pre-IPO studies, and lack-of-control or minority discounts.
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IRS addresses employment-related settlements and judgments
September / October 2010
Newsletter: Advocate's Edge / Litigation Support
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 888
Abstract: As attorneys litigate and settle an increasing number of employment-related lawsuits, certain questions related to the taxability of settlements and judgments commonly arise. A recent IRS memo may clarify some matters for both sides in employment disputes. This article looks at income and employment tax consequences of employment-related settlements and judgments, including the allocation of funds and treatment of back pay and attorneys’ fees. A sidebar shows how to determine the components of a settlement or judgment.
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Ask the Advisor – Q. Do I need a corporate development team?
August / September 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 431
Abstract: Many companies are assembling “corporate development teams” to devise and implement strategies for growing their business — particularly through mergers and acquisitions. This article explains how to staff a team, what its responsibilities should be, and how its role differs from that of an M&A deal team.
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Accentuate the positive – Revenues can drive postmerger growth
August / September 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 566
Abstract: Almost all business buyers hope that their acquisition will lead to higher revenue growth in the future. Unfortunately, a significant percentage of deals won’t. Although it may be important to cut costs, the real key to a successful acquisition is to continue growing revenues after consolidation has taken place. This article explains how to sustain current revenue and work to generate revenue growth during the integration stage.
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Hedge your bets with a hedge fund
August / September 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 514
Abstract: Hedge funds continue to play an important role in the M&A marketplace despite getting caught up in the financial market meltdown of the past few years. Although they remain a minority in the ranks of prospective business buyers, hedge funds can’t be ignored, because they have superior access to capital and healthy appetites for risk. This article discusses the different ways that hedge funds can make an acquisition, and looks at some pros and cons of partnering with these types of buyers.
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When it’s time to sell – Internal and external factors can help you decide
August / September 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 929
Abstract: One of the toughest decisions a business owner will ever make is to sell his or her company. Sometimes sales are forced, but in most cases owners must carefully assess their company’s financial and competitive position and determine the best time to sell, given their own future plans. This article looks at the internal and external factors that can influence the timing of a sale, and how to prepare a company well in advance of any planned sale so that it’s an attractive target — regardless of market conditions. A sidebar considers the personal ramifications of selling.
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How valuable is an outside expert in court? Recent decision offers an answer
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 622
Abstract: Many people believe that an outside damages expert can lend credibility and objectivity to a legal argument. But, every so often, this belief is put to the test. This article examines one court battle in which the plaintiff alleged misappropriation of trade secrets. In disputing liability for compensatory damages, the defendant argued that the damages expert provided insufficient evidence to support its lost profits calculation. But the court found that the expert’s assumptions were well supported by the evidence and testimony of several independent witnesses, and awarded the plaintiff the full amount of compensatory damages.
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Get real! – Using normalized earnings to clarify financial statements
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 656
Abstract: In a time of great economic uncertainty, the estimated value of a given company can seemingly turn on a dime. To bring clarity to the situation, appraisers can calculate a company’s “normalized earnings.” This process allows them to determine, among other things, whether a struggling business is being mismanaged or whether a prosperous company is doing as well as it seems. This article looks at the different accounting methods that may lead to a need for adjustments, and examines the kinds of adjustments that valuators make.
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Computer fraud 101
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 435
Abstract: As digital data has become indispensable in almost every industry, the incidence of computer fraud has climbed accordingly. Although the schemes can prove difficult to detect, it’s possible to help clients minimize their losses by understanding the typical methods of computer fraud and calling in qualified experts at the first sign of trouble. This article discusses three types of computer manipulation schemes.
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Impairment puts balance sheets to the test
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Expert / Valuation & Litigation Concepts
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 894
Abstract: One challenge that companies face today is identifying assets acquired before the global financial crisis that have since declined in value. Once identified, management must quantify and report the amount of impairment. But estimating and reporting impairment is a complex process, and many in-house accounting personnel lack the requisite training to test for asset impairment — or to provide testing that can withstand outside scrutiny. This article provides an overview of impairment and shows why it’s imperative to hire a credentialed appraiser to get impairment testing done right. A sidebar looks at common impairment testing pitfalls.
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Valuing pass-through entities vs. C corporations
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 638
Abstract: Valuing interests in pass-through entities can be deceptively complex. This complexity stems from a mismatch between the data commonly used to value privately held companies and the tax benefits associated with pass-through entities. But, in recent years, several analytical models have been developed which provide a more accurate picture of a pass-through entity’s economic benefits.
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Single price quote supports $10 million lost profits award
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 752
Abstract: A U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed a jury award of nearly $10 million in lost profits. Notably, the plaintiff’s damages expert based his calculation on a single price quote by the plaintiff that had never been accepted by the defendant. This case confirms that companies are entitled to compensatory damages not only for designs and other confidential information they develop, but also for the profits their intellectual property is expected to generate.
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Business contingencies – What are they and why should you care?
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 753
Abstract: In a perfect world, business contingencies — that is, gains or losses arising from an anticipated event — wouldn’t exist. In this imperfect world, however, they must be factored into many appraisals. In cases where a firm number is required, a valuator must use his or her best judgment to quantify contingent gains or losses. In other instances — such as business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, or divorce valuations — an appraiser can help the parties design provisions that adjust the terms once the contingency has been resolved.
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Zubulake revisited: New guidance on e-discovery
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 935
Abstract: A recent court case shows that sanctions can not only be awarded for deliberate destruction of discoverable data, but also when a party is grossly negligent. The court found that “failure to issue a written litigation hold constitutes gross negligence….” A sidebar to this article lists specific examples of gross negligence.