Forensic & Valuation Services Conference 2018

The rise of Artificial Intelligence is transforming the human civilization. The application of AI in business is already changing how business is conducted. The inclusion of AI in forensics and valuation area provides new opportunities and creates new risks. This talk focuses on understanding the application of artificial intelligence in forensics and valuation, the state of the technology, upcoming innovations, and opportunities. For both practitioners and service providers, the session will show how to apply AI to improve forensics and valuation analysis, services, and expertise.

Key takeaways include:
• What is the AI revolution and how it is impacting business?
• How would AI impact forensics and valuation?
• What can practitioners do to embrace and apply AI in forensics and valuation analysis?

Click Here for Data Analytics Workshop Handouts

This workshop is not available as part of the Online or Flex Pass registration options. This hands-on workshop will focus on Excel-based data analytics and visualizations. Participants will learn and utilize Excel features and formulas commonly used by Forensic Accountants to collect, standardize/clean, analyze, and effectively present data. Additionally, the session will highlight other programs for data analysis and visualization. Participants will work through multiple real-world FVS case studies using financial and non-financial data during the session.

• Learn to use common functions and formulas to efficiently analyze data
• Learn to use tools to effectively present and visualize data
• Understand pros and cons of Excel and Google Sheets to compile and analyze data

This workshop is not available as part of the Online or Flex Pass registration options. This presentation is designed to prepare participants to more effectively obtain, service existing clients, and manage engagement situations. It presents business development planning (e.g., marketing and selling) as a process that can be consciously and systematically learned and applied. Proven selling and marketing principles/tips/tools will be discussed in this interactive session with the participants.

After the presentation the course participants will be able to better understand: 

• 1. How to begin the process looking at their existing firm and competition
• 2. How to utilize a proven business planning model to 'determine where their firm needs to go and when
• 3. Participate in interactive discussions/role plays with recommendations on how to move forward after the Conference.

This session will evaluate the issue of data reliability in damage analyses through an introduction to reliability/reasonable certainty concepts and a discussion of how the courts have evaluated the issue.

The learning objectives of this session are to: 

• 1. Orient intermediate practitioners to data reliability concepts in general. 
• 2. Provide insight into how the courts have evaluated data reliability issues through an examination of judicial opinions.

Data is becoming the fastest growing commodity. Everything we do creates data: driving our car, going for a run, watching TV, reading a book -- these activities are now monitored, quantified, and analyzed. The data collected, how it is collected, how it is used, and how it is stored is dominating the technology industry. But, just as data can be a company's greatest asset, it can quickly become its worst liability. Turn on the news in any given day and a new data breach is making the headlines; and no one is immune. The costs and long-term implications of cybersecurity breaches, unsophisticated technological systems, and weak security are hard to quantify: What is the value of a privacy violation? Has a breached system been secured effectively? Was the data collected by the company done in a transparent and compliant manner? As shown in the Yahoo-Verizon deal, these are a few of the many questions that companies need to start addressing before closing a merger or acquisition. This presentation will discuss the role that cybersecurity and data privacy need to play in the mergers and acquisitions due diligence process. We will delve into how the stakeholders of a deal can gain an accurate and comprehensive understanding of the target company's data risk profile. Incorporating cyber and data privacy into the due diligence process is more important if the target is a company valued for its data: trade secrets, intellectual property, customer lists, etc. This data is only valuable if it is collected and maintained in a secure and compliant manner. We will outline the top data risks to a company's data security and privacy and the information you should know before structuring the deal. You need to be asking how the target should prepare its data security and technology to its maximum advantage. And, also how to protect the acquiring company to ensure that it is buying an asset, and not a liability.

• (1) The areas of cybersecurity and data privacy that need to be reviewed to gain an accurate and comprehensive understanding of a target company's risk profile
• (2) Understanding the key data and network infrastructure risks that need to be reviewed prior to providing a valuation for a company
• (3) Discussing how to review a company's cybersecurity and data privacy to truly understand the assets and liabilities that are part of the deal.

Using the AICPA Calculation Engagements Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) pronouncement as a basis, this presentation will discuss the origin of the Calculation and its uses within the framework of the SSVS #1 (VS100 & VS9100).

Attendees will: 

• Learn what the Calculation Engagement means within the framework of the SSVS (VS100)
• Learn how the Calculation can be used within the SSVS (VS100)
• Learn whether and how Calculations can be used in litigation and non litigation matters
• Learn the requirements for a Calculation Engagement under the SSVS (VS100)

This session will focus on the specialized situation whereby one of the participants in a marital dissolution has undertaken to conceal assets from the other spouse and will examine specialized techniques available to the forensic accountant to identify concealed or 'hidden' assets.

This session will help the attendee: 

• Increase awareness in the participants of the various roles of the forensic accountant in a marital dissolution proceeding
• Learn how to identify behavioral patterns that imply or suggest the potential for hidden assets
• Increase awareness of lifestyle issues, types of assets commonly hidden, and techniques to identify assets commonly hidden by business owners
• Learn how to identify hidden assets through a review of the personal income tax returns

Expert testimony can cause fear or anxiety in the most seasoned expert. That anxiety is magnified when you don’t have a lot of testifying experience. Our mock trial programs will prepare you for successful expert testimony. Learn to effectively present your prior experiences, including defending your qualifications on direct and cross-examination, effectively communicate your opinions to the trier of fact, and the good, bad and ugly use of demonstratives.

After this session the attendee will be able to: 

• 1. Learn how to effectively use demonstratives to get your point across 
• 2. Understand how to make your CV say the right things about you 
• 3. Learn to apply techniques to avoid being a victim on cross examination 
• 4. Gain knowledge and skills to help you manage fear and anxiety

The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") passed at the end of 2017 has significant implications for the future tax structure on most businesses. Included among these implications is the impact on fair value measurements. The implications go beyond simply revising the effective tax rate in valuation models. This session will explain the aspects of the TCJA, a valuation specialist should consider in measuring fair value.

• Understand the provisions of the TCJA that a valuation specialist should consider in fair value measurements.
• Learn the impact of TCJA on various valuation methods in measuring fair value in financial reporting.
• Discuss the impact of tax reform on the cost of capital in fair value measurements.

We will examine current data for estimating cost of capital including updated evidence equity risk premia and size premia. We will also explore estimating company specific risk.

• 1. Learn about new source of cost of capital data 
• 2. Be better able to support cost of capital estimates

Case study of a Fraudulent Transfer of associated with a Chapter 7 Debtor. Discovery of the issue, discussion of the law, Discussion of the methods for evaluating solvency, results of the trial.

The attendee will:

• 1. Understand the methods for evaluating solvency of a debtor
• 2. Understand the application of the Fraudulent Transfer laws

• Participants will master completing a due diligence report utilizing a wealth of information: public records, legal filings, newspapers, magazines, trade journals, blogs, and open source material. You will utilize the tools and resources needed to find and vet information about companies and their owners. Additionally, we will examine professional fee-based and free tools and resources to understand their functionality and limitations to access all the information that's out there. Upon completion of this course, field investigators will be able to write reports that emphasize and highlight key findings, identify key resources available to investigators that go unused, find and vet applicant information within keystrokes, and implement handy tactics for conducting online fraud investigations.

Session covers when and why an active passive analysis is needed, how these analyses are typically done and the importance of working with engaging counsel for jurisdictional nuances.

The attendee will: 

• Understand the key elements involved in an active passive analysis. 
• Update of current practice and understand how active passive analyses are typically done around the country. 
• Discussion of jurisdictional nuances.