Forensic & Valuation Services Conference 2019

No two litigation or forensic accounting engagements are the same. They often have multiple parties, varied allegations, possible counter-claims and a number of different financial issues. Having a methodical approach and well-structured organization will make it easier for you and your staff to quickly locate key records and maintain consistency across case files. Ultimately, you will be better-prepared for communication with your team and the clients, as well as the final reporting and testimony. Participants in this session will be equipped to:

This presentation provides guidance on best practices when estimating the value of financial instruments such as debt, embedded derivatives, options, warrants, incremental borrowing rates, etc. That means identifying the appropriate model for the class of financial instrument, inputs needed, assumptions, use of judgement, as well as type of deliverables and new requirements related to deliverables.

Often there is a need to consider causality in measuring business interruption losses. It may mean isolating the effects of wide-area damage caused by a disastrous catastrophe, accounting for changing economic conditions, or accounting for business model changes. This course will start with a precursor explaining the purpose of business interruption insurance policies and then advance to illustrate best practices in isolating cause and effect in measuring such losses.

In the past four years, the Delaware Supreme Court has issued several major opinions that addressed transaction-related corporate valuations. The presentation will discuss these opinions, as well as numerous valuation-related Court of Chancery in the same period. It will contrast the Delaware courts’ views on arm’s-length transactions vs. related party transactions and will discuss the impact of those view on statutory appraisals. It will also discuss the courts’ views on valuation methods, with a focus on inputs into DCF calculations.

The session will outline the technological, forensic, and legal tools available to trace and recover cryptocurrency.

Interpret the intersection of Big Data and patent valuation and ways to use Big Data to augment and defend patent valuation opinions.

Whether searching for red flags at the start of a fraud risk assessment or evaluating financial condition for the purpose of a business valuation, financial statement analysis is a cornerstone of most any forensic or valuation assignment. This course will utilize an interactive case study to illustrate comprehensive financial statement analysis, focusing not only on how to complete relevant calculations but also how to interpret them. Participants will be guided through how to measure key metrics and then, in small groups, will utilize a Microsoft Excel template to conduct their own analysis and share their findings with the class.

After attending this course attendees will be better able to:

This session will provide information on how professionals and firms have been implementing the CEIV program into their practice. An emphasis will be on the Mandatory Performance Framework (MPF) and the Application of the MPF and how this has impacted and influenced both internal and external expectations.

Attendees will learn about:

A panel comprised of experienced practitioners discuss practical issues and potential pitfalls that arise in the context of internal investigations. The panel will offer insights on lessons learned in prior investigations and also discuss several investigations that suffered from serious missteps. This session will review the forensic accountants role in internal corporate investigations. It will explore how the forensic accountant works with In-House and Outside Counsel in these type of engagements. There will be an Outside Counsel and In-House Counsel co-presenting with the forensic accountant to ensure a view from the various perspectives of the scope, duties, and various tasks the forensic accountant my be asked to due by counsel. In addition, there will be a discussion of the legal framework and limitations that the forensic accountant needs to be aware of when assisting in internal corporate investigations.

Valuations of a closely held business in the context of litigation such as in a contentious divorce, shareholder dispute, damages matter or other litigated corporate matter can be multifaceted and may require additional forensic investigative scrutiny. As such, it is important to consider the potential forensic implications of valuation adjustments as they may lead to other analyses. For example, in a divorce business appraisal, a valuation adjustment for discretionary (personal) expenses may, in turn, provide an implied “true income” and pay ability of a spouse. In a dissenting shareholder matter, a valuation adjustment to true-up margins for variations in expenses not consistent with the industry/peers may insinuate dissipation of business assets and require further forensic investigations. These are but two examples - this session will address other examples you will likely face.

Courts have accepted the increase or “gross-up” of damages claims to account for an increase in taxes owed on a lump-sum award versus the taxes that would have been owed but-for the alleged wrongful act. The presentation will touch on supportive case law and methods for quantifying such impacts.

Structuring a business sale transaction can affect the cash flow from a potential sale as well as the taxes that would be paid on a sale. The structure ultimately affects the value a buyer is willing to pay or a seller is willing to accept for a transaction. In this presentation you will learn about how the structure of a transaction could affect the ultimate cash flow a seller receives and impacts the price the parties negotiate.

In measuring economic damages, or in assessing business value, the economic environment within which a business operates is commonly a key factor. As economic conditions change, so too may expectations of a business’s future financial performance. This course will introduce core macroeconomic principals and resources to consider in assessing, or defending, the reasonableness of your projections.

The purpose of this session is to provide insights into conducting international investigations from both a legal and accounting perspective. The session will explore challenges and solutions faced while performing investigation across borders.

As financial analysts and experts we are often required to explain complex financial topics to the layperson; whether a judge, a jury, or even our client. This session will provide helpful techniques to improve your ability to communicate effectively and persuasively with an audience that may not share your unique knowledge and experience with a complex topic. Specific techniques covered will include effective use of visual communication tools.