Arxis Financial Litigation Consulting Update e-newsletter

May 2008

This month's features:

Key valuation issue involving family law:

"Valuing Professional Goodwill -- The Ackerman Decision"

By Chris Hamilton, CPA, CFE, CVA

When valuing a professional practice there are two key elements. The first is profit, as in any other business. The second is goodwill. This factor is unique in family court since there are parallel calculations being done: income for the purpose of establishing support and income for the purpose of establishing the value of an asset. The greatest concern is that the same income is not used for both purposes – double dipping. In January, 2007 a significant case was decided by the California Court of Appeals and the results of the case have attracted national attention. It has become known as “The Ackerman Decision.” (click here for complete article)

Practice Profile:

An Overview of Our Business Valuation Practice

Simply put, business valuation is a process and a set of procedures used to estimate the economic value of an owner’s interest in a business. Arxis Financial provides valuation expertise in a variety of scenarios to determine the value of a business, the value of an ownership interest, and the change in value over a specified period of time. These valuation services are often performed in the context of commercial and civil litigation.

However, there is tremendous value in a business appraisal in estate and gift tax planning, succession planning, and buy-sell agreements. Our specialists provide clients with a comprehensible valuation that aids attorneys, business owners, management, and financial planners in decision-making. We also have extensive experience in presenting and defending our findings in the context of litigation. (click here for complete article)

The Business Valuation practice is headed by partner Chris L. Hamilton, CPA, CFE, CVA, DABFA, a nationally-recognized expert in the field. Mr. Hamilton is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Valuation Analyst, and a Diplomate with the American Board of Forensic Accounting. He is a licensed life and disability insurance agent and a General Securities Representative. Mr. Hamilton has published articles in several publications, and has made presentations at national conferences, training institutes and seminars on topics including fraud, business appraisal, and forensic accounting.

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Litigation Consulting

Update

Forensic Accounting - Fraud - Business Valuation