Kelly Schmid, director of valuation services at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the process of estimating depreciation expenses and capital expenditures in a cash flow forecast. She also examines how an incorrect estimate can impact a business valuation.
Kelly Schmid
Director of Valuation Services
Kelly Schmid is the director of valuation services at Forensic Strategic Solutions. Ms. Schmid has provided a broad range of valuation services, valuing intangible assets and business enterprises for purposes of litigation, family law, gift and estate, financial reporting, and tax matters across a wide variety of industries.
Active Passive Appreciation Analysis
A settlement offer made by a husband to his wife during the course of their divorce and equitable distribution case was declined by the wife. She subsequently hired a business valuation expert. The Husband’s attorney hired FSS to value the business interests in the marital estate, opine on active passive appreciation issues, rebut the opinions […]
READ FULL CASE STUDYThe Power of Advanced Data Analytics | Lindsay H. Gill
Lindsay H. Gill, director of forensic technology, explains the benefits advanced data analytics bring to financial investigations Advanced data analytics can provide unparalleled insights when attorneys enlist forensic investigators, helping to ensure vital information does not go undetected.
WATCH VIDEOAnalyzing the Variety of Data | Lindsay H. Gill
Lindsay H. Gill, director of forensic technology, discusses the differences between structured data – or “traditional” data – and unstructured data, which investigators use to help fill the holes or see the bigger picture within a case. Lindsay also explains how forensic investigators should use and compare structured and unstructured data.
WATCH VIDEOSpeech, Voice and Body Language as a Lie Detector | Kelly J. Todd
Kelly J. Todd, managing member and member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses how investigators can use vocal tone and body language as a lie detector. Kelly also outlines how statement analysis can help an investigator understand the meaning behind the words, and highlights body language red flags to look for in an interview.
WATCH VIDEODetecting Deception: Determining the Baseline | Kelly J. Todd
Kelly J. Todd, managing member and member in charge of forensic investigations, explains that everyone has a “norm”– a basic pattern of behavior that they exhibit under normal amounts of stress, which is also known as their baseline. In this video, Kelly outlines the steps to take to determine the baseline during an interview. She […]
WATCH VIDEOMyths in Detecting Deception | Kelly J. Todd
Kelly J. Todd, managing member and member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses common myths in detecting deception. Contrary to popular belief, detecting deception can be a challenge, as people tend to focus on the wrong signals. Kelly explains misconceptions about the behaviors and body language of someone who is lying, and how to increase […]
WATCH VIDEOActive Efforts of Individuals in an Active Passive Analysis | William C. Dameworth
William C. Dameworth, managing member and member in charge of valuation services, discusses the need for businesses appraisers to perform active passive analyses to assist legal counsel and the court in the jurisdiction-specific process of determining what part of separate property asset appreciation caused by the efforts of individuals might be divisible. Bill discusses helpful […]
WATCH VIDEOMarket Forces in an Active Passive Analysis | William C. Dameworth
William C. Dameworth, managing member and member in charge of valuation services, focuses on market forces in an active passive analysis, and how business appraisers might approach market forces when performing an active passive analysis. Bill discusses the potential steps that can be taken to determine the increase in value caused by market forces versus […]
WATCH VIDEOCausation in an Active Passive Analysis | Bill Dameworth
William C. Dameworth, managing member and member in charge of valuation services, discusses various components of an active passive analysis, and the jurisdictional differences that can exist. In this video, Bill focuses on a common theme that runs throughout active passive analyses – causation. He also discusses the allocation of appreciation between the various factors […]
WATCH VIDEOTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Effects on Alimony Litigation | Kelly Schmid
Kelly Schmid, director of valuation services, examines how divorces executed after December 31, 2018 will be affected by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Kelly discusses the numerous ways that the Act will affect how alimony is negotiated, as well its possible impact on prior divorce agreements, which should be revisited.
WATCH VIDEOTax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Effects on Business Valuations | Kelly Schmid
Kelly Schmid, director of valuation services, explores how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 might affect businesses valuations. Kelly explains the importance of business appraisers proactively discussing with management the expected utilization of enhanced cash flows from tax savings. Kelly also discusses the need for business appraisers to consider using longer-term discounted cash […]
WATCH VIDEOUsing Data to Tell a Story & Find the Answers | Kelly J. Todd
Kelly J. Todd, managing member and member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses how FSS uses advanced data analytics to ferret out the truth in fraud investigations via data visualization. Kelly explains how electronic evidence and data can be leveraged in forensic investigations, from verifying or challenging a plaintiff’s testimony to identifying trends and patterns […]
WATCH VIDEOLeveraging Technology in Auditing | Ralph Q. Summerford
Ralph Q. Summerford, president, discusses technology’s presence in the world of forensic accounting, focusing on the old – data mining – and the new – artificial intelligence and digital currency, such as bitcoin. He explains how FSS has extensive experience in leveraging these technologies to take their work to the next level, and stresses the […]
WATCH VIDEOThe Benefits of Technology in Auditing | Ralph Q. Summerford
Ralph Q. Summerford, president, examines the benefits data mining and artificial intelligence provide to auditors. Ralph discusses the differences between these technologies, and how they help auditors spot trends and unusual transactions. While auditors are beginning to introduce data mining and artificial intelligence into their processes, Ralph stresses that these technologies do not allow auditors […]
WATCH VIDEOAccounting Malpractice Lawsuits: The Importance of CPAs Seeking Outside Counsel | Ralph Q. Summerford
Ralph Summerford, president of Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the importance and benefits of CPAs hiring outside counsel if they are at the center of an accounting malpractice case. He also discusses confusion that CPAs often have surrounding accounting malpractice insurance.
WATCH VIDEOAccounting Malpractice Lawsuits: The Value a CFE Brings to Attorneys | Ralph Q. Summerford
Ralph Summerford, president of Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the critical value a certified public accountant (CPA) who is also a certified fraud examiner (CFE) can add to an accounting malpractice case for attorneys, whether the attorney is prosecuting or defending an accountant. One of the greatest values a CFE can add is their ability to translate […]
WATCH VIDEODepreciation & Capital Expenditures – Business Valuations | Kelly Schmid
Kelly Schmid, director of valuation services at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the process of estimating depreciation expenses and capital expenditures in a cash flow forecast. She also examines how an incorrect estimate can impact a business valuation.
WATCH VIDEOWhat Are Capital Expenditures & How Do They Depreciate? | Kelly Schmid
Kelly Schmid, director of valuation services at Forensic Strategic Solutions, explains what capital expenditures are (also known as fixed assets). She also discusses the replacement and depreciation of capital expenditures, as well as the common misconception that depreciation and capital expenditures should always be equal in a normalized cash flow forecast.
WATCH VIDEOConflicts of Interest: Educational Tools for Employers | Kelly J. Todd
Kelly Todd, managing member at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses how conflicts of interest can arise in the workplace and challenges associated with conflicts of interests that employers often face. She also discusses educating employees on conflicts and how to detect conflicts.
WATCH VIDEOThe Common Denominator of Corruption: Conflicts of Interest | Kelly J. Todd
Kelly Todd, managing member at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the close relationship between conflicts of interest and corruption. She also discusses preventative measures that can be taken to minimize opportunities for conflicts of interest to morph into corruption.
WATCH VIDEOActive/Passive Appreciation in Divorce Litigation: Part Two | William C. Dameworth
WATCH VIDEOActive/Passive Appreciation in Divorce Litigation: Part One | William C. Dameworth
WATCH VIDEOLeveraging Social Media in Fraud Investigations – II | Lindsay H. Gill
Lindsay Gill, director of forensic technology at Forensic Strategic Solutions, shares insight into the benefits associated with attorneys hiring forensic investigators to uncover evidence on suspects’ social media accounts. She also discusses how to authenticate the evidence gathered and the methods to do so.
WATCH VIDEOLeveraging Social Media in Fraud Investigations – I | Lindsay H. Gill
Lindsay Gill, director of forensic technology at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses social media and its role as a helpful tool to uncover fraudulent electronic evidence in an investigation. She also describes best practices for forensic investigators to collect, analyze and interpret findings to connect the dots.
WATCH VIDEOWhat to do When You Suspect Fraud at Your Organization – II | Kelly J. Todd
Kelly Todd, member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses how to handle the alleged perpetrator, including notifying the perpetrator, conducting an admission-seeking interview and restricting the wrongdoing employee from company access. She also notes the importance of notifying your insurer when you think you might have fraud occurring in your organization.
WATCH VIDEOWhat to do When You Suspect Fraud at Your Organization – I | Kelly J. Todd
Kelly Todd, member in charge of forensic investigations, discusses the prevalence of fraud in businesses and actions one should take when they suspect fraud in their organization, including assembling a team for the fraud investigation and securing potential evidence.
WATCH VIDEOAccounting Malpractice: When CPAs Miss the Fraud | Leslie P. Littrell
Leslie Littrell, forensic analyst at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses accounting malpractice and the recent increase in claims as well as the importance of fraud education. Ms. Parker cites FSS’ work with Auburn University to develop its forensic accounting courses within its Master of Accountancy program as an effort to help expand the knowledge of fraud […]
WATCH VIDEOData Analytics with a Focus on Technology | Lindsay H. Gill
Lindsay Gill, director of technology at Forensic Strategic Solutions, reviews the key areas in which technology has changed the landscape of fraud investigation and how data continues to become a growing risk for businesses.
WATCH VIDEOBusiness Valuation for Private Companies | William C. Dameworth
Bill Dameworth, member in charge of valuation services at Forensic Strategic Solutions, discusses the differences between the valuation of privately-held and publicly-held companies and those focused on profit maximization versus tax minimization.
WATCH VIDEOEmployee Fraud Awareness Training | Kelly J. Todd
Kelly Todd, member in charge of forensic investigations, gives fraud prevention tips aligning with the ACFE 2014 Report to the Nations research describing employee fraud awareness training as an extremely effective way to reinforce fraud policies, encourage anonymous tips from whistleblowers and establish compliance.
WATCH VIDEOFraud in Charitable Non-Profit Organizations | Ralph Q. Summerford
Ralph Summerford, president of Forensic Strategic Solutions, cites recent New York Times statistics to help reveal some reasons for the high frequency of fraud in non-profits, including high turnover, poor management and lack of tax audit enforcement. All of these issues make it increasingly difficult for the IRS and law enforcement to uncover and prosecute […]
WATCH VIDEOCapital Expenditures, Depreciation and Amortization in a Cash Flow Forecast and the Impact of the New Tax Law | Kelly Schmid
The US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) passed by Congress on December 20, 2017, will impact forecasts of a company’s cash flow and thereby will likely impact the valuation of a company. One of the forecast elements impacted is the forecast of capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization. The lowering of the C Corporation income […]
READ FULL BLOGActive Passive Appreciation – Active Efforts of Individuals | William C. Dameworth
As discussed previously, once it has been determined that a separate business interest appreciated in value during a marriage, learned treatises and case law often delineate the active passive analysis into the following elements: Identifying and quantifying market forces that caused the separate property appreciation. Identifying and quantifying the separate property appreciation caused by the […]
READ FULL BLOGActive Passive Appreciation – Market Forces | William C. Dameworth
As discussed previously, once it has been determined that a separate business interest appreciated in value during a marriage, learned treatises and case law often delineate the active passive analysis into the following elements: Identifying and quantifying market forces that caused the separate property appreciation. Identifying and quantifying the separate property appreciation caused by the […]
READ FULL BLOGActive Passive Appreciation – Causation | William C. Dameworth
The business appraiser performing an active passive appreciation analysis looks to their engaging legal counsel to define and interpret state law in the particular jurisdiction. An active passive analysis is performed when state divorce law requires a determination of whether, and under what circumstances, appreciation in otherwise separate property is classified as a divisible marital […]
READ FULL BLOGWorking Capital Changes in a Free Cash Flow Forecast– Part III | Kelly Schmid
Part II of my working capital blog identified methods often used by business appraisers when forecasting working capital. In this installment, I will present some additional thoughts regarding this topic. Depending on the facts and circumstances, it is typically appropriate to consider the company’s historical working capital ratios and industry working capital metrics at the composite level (e.g. total working capital), as well as each separate component of working capital (e.g. accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable, etc.).
READ FULL BLOGWorking Capital Changes in a Free Cash Flow Forecast– Part II | Kelly Schmid
Part I of my working capital related blog addressed the impact on free cash flow of changes in current assets and changes in current liabilities, which are the two components that comprise working capital (calculated as current assets minus current liabilities). The combined impact of changes in current assets and changes in current liabilities equals the impact of changes in working capital on free cash flow. Part II of this blog identifies methods often used by business appraisers when forecasting working capital.
READ FULL BLOGWorking Capital Changes in a Free Cash Flow Forecast – Part I | Kelly Schmid
In a business valuation income approach, the income stream being capitalized (in a capitalized income method) or discounted (in a discounted income method) is often the free cash flow generated by the entity being valued. Free cash flow is typically calculated on an after-tax basis, and represents the cash available to a company’s owners after […]
READ FULL BLOGCapital Expenditures, Depreciation and Amortization in a Cash Flow Forecast | Kelly Schmid
When valuing a private operating company, an appraiser is likely to use an income approach, either as the main valuation method or in conjunction with another method. Whether the appraiser capitalizes cash flows in a capitalized cash flow (“CCF”) model or uses forecasts of future cash flows in a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model, they have incorporated both explicit and implicit assumptions into the cash flows used in their model.
READ FULL BLOGAnalyzing Assumptions in a Cash Flow Forecast | Kelly Schmid
Forecasts of future cash flows within the income approach to business valuation are loaded with assumptions. During my nearly two decades of business valuation experience, I have reviewed hundreds of valuation reports prepared by other experts that serve as a constant reminder that mathematical accuracy does not always equate to a reasonable value. I have seen erroneous assumptions made by business appraisers that range from illogical disconnects within the valuation to outright errors or unsubstantiated speculation.
READ FULL BLOGAdding the Value: Business Valuation Expertise in Divorce Litigation – Part Two | William C. Dameworth
In my last blog post, I explained what an active/passive appreciation study is, scenarios in which it would be conducted and the value that a business valuation expert brings to the table when performing the analysis. As a refresher, an active/passive appreciation study is often required in matrimonial litigation when an existing business or business interest is owned by one spouse prior to the marriage, or is gifted or bequeathed to one spouse during the marriage. Since we have covered the basics, we can now dive deeper and discuss the various phases and steps of an active/passive appreciation study.
READ FULL BLOGAdding the Value: Business Valuation Expertise in Divorce Litigation | William C. Dameworth
When going through a divorce, determining the marital value of private business interests can often get tricky – this is especially true if one spouse has a separate ownership interest in a business. An active/passive appreciation study is often required in matrimonial litigation when an existing business or business interest is owned by one spouse prior to the marriage, or is gifted or bequeathed to one spouse during the marriage.
READ FULL BLOGPre-divorce Business Downturn Syndrome | William C. Dameworth
Reflecting back on the performance of more than 1,000 business valuations over the last 20-plus years, I have observed the regular occurrence of an economic event in many divorce-related engagements that I have named the Pre-divorce Business Downturn Syndrome (“PBDS” for short).
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