This annual conference is the best way to build broad expertise in valuations and litigation support and stay current on developments impacting your services. Gain the know how to produce accurate, thorough and meaningful results for clients.
DESIGNED FOR
CPAs, attorneys, business valuation experts, forensic accountants, appraisers and other financial professionals.
BENEFITS
This year’s event will provide guidance in several areas, including establishing reasonable certainty and providing effective testimony, implementing tax updates affecting business valuations and matrimonial matters, and performing Monte Carlo simulations in valuing a business or asset.
HIGHLIGHTS
8-8:50 a.m.
Best Practices for Presentation of Testimony and the Art of Persuasion
David H. Stein, Esq. and Hon. Frank M. Ciuffani (retired) – Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer
Testifying can be a daunting experience. This session will cover the following:
- Making the most of live testimony
- Credibility, appearance and demeanor
- Preparation and building blocks for testimony
- Differences between lay and expert testimony
- Standards for admission of expert testimony
8:50-8:55 a.m.
Break
8:55-9:45 a.m.
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: A Holistic View for the Valuation Professional
Heather Tullar, ASA, CPA/ABV – Valuation Research Corporation
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changed more than tax rates – it also changed tax structure. Valuation professionals are often tasked with determining value under a variety of scenarios, including dispute, compliance, consulting and more. This session will offer a holistic overview of the changes brought by the TCJA where changes in personal, corporate, pass-through tax and structures intersect with valuation assumptions.
9:45-9:50 a.m.
Break
9:50-11:05 a.m.
Tax Issues that Impact Divorce Settlements
Donald J. DeGrazia, CPA, ABV, CFF – Gold Gerstein Group LLC
The TCJA had a dramatic impact on post-2018 divorces by eliminating the deduction for alimony, dependency exemptions and the deductibility for divorce related professional fees. However, CPAs practicing in family law engagements should not assume that effective tax planning is no longer a critical element to marital settlements. Learn 25 key tax planning tips to consider as part of marital settlement agreements, including:
- Shifting retirement plan assets in lieu of alimony
- Transferring assets to settle present and future alimony claims at very favorable tax rates
- Whether real estate can really replace alimony
- The illiquid assets that can create the source of liquidity to settle the case under the right circumstances
- Why non-existent dependency exemptions are still important
- Planning for future law changes
11:05-11:20 a.m.
Break
11:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
Managing a Remote Workforce
Laura C. Osborn – Crothers Consulting LLC
FVS professionals historically operated in person due to the nature of their work. Observing operations and locations, conducting interviews and providing litigation testimony all have to be done virtually now. With remote work rare and firms not always prepared for this "new normal," many are left with more questions than answers. This session will teach you how to manage remote teams effectively. Topics include:
- Today's reality and how burnout is impacting efficiency
- Tips to help avoid burnout
- How to communicate more effectively with your remote team (especially those who tend to be introverted)
- Managing performance remotely
- Holding efficient remote meetings with your team, attorneys and clients
- Tools to facilitate collaboration with your team
12:10-12:40 p.m.
Lunch
12:40-2:45 p.m.
Lost Profits and Complex Damages Analysis
Hubert Klein CPA, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CVA, CFE – EisnerAmper LLP
P. Dermot O’Neill, CPA, ABV, CVA, MAFF, ABAR – O’Neill Forensics
Professional opinions are expressed with a “reasonable degree of certainty.” However, what is “reasonable certainty” from the plaintiff's perspective? How does the defense expert evaluate a plaintiff’s “reasonable certainty?” These standards are determined by the judiciary in the applicable jurisdiction. This session will discuss the elements of reasonable certainty as they relate to plaintiff and defense experts. How does the defense expert critique the plaintiff’s expert report with “reasonable certainty?” Remember, numbers are not the story, but numbers tell the story.
2:45-3 p.m.
Break
3-3:50 p.m.
Monte Carlo Simulations in Business Valuation
Neil J. Beaton, CPA, CFA, ASA, CFF, ABV – Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services LLC
Monte Carlo simulations are statistical methodologies that utilize computer programs to estimate the range of possible outcomes and the probabilities they will occur from changes in variables. A Monte Carlo simulation is useful for business valuation when there are numerous uncertainties with different potential outcomes. This session will:
- Introduce the concept of Monte Carlo simulations – original background and evolution into business valuation
- Identify circumstances under which a Monte Carlo simulation could provide good insights into the valuation of an asset or business
- Provide examples that trace the inputs and outputs of a Monte Carlo simulation in valuing a specific asset
- Discuss tips on how to present the outcome of a Monte Carlo simulation to clients and/or triers of fact
COURSE LEVEL
Intermediate
PREREQUISITES
None
ADVANCE PREPARATION
None