Speaker – James Hitchner, CPA, ABV, CFF, ASA, Managing Director, Financial Valuation Advisors

The participant will learn about:

• The key issues and solutions in valuing, buying, and selling small businesses (less than $2 million in value, $2 million to $5 million in value, and $5 million to $10 million in value)
• The differences between value, price, and proceeds
• How business brokers may differ from business appraisers in their application of valuation methods
• Why the income approach can be a secondary method in deals
• Options when information is unavailable or withheld
• How to deal with normalization adjustments in the P&L and the balance sheet
• Whether there really is a buy-a-job value

Speakers – David Duffus, MBA, CPA, ABV, CFF, CFE, Partner, HKA Global, Inc.

Alex Smith, CPA, CFF, CFE, MAFF, Senior Manager, Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP

Construction projects are complex, as are the claims and damage calculations that result when a project isn’t executed as expected. This session will examine typical claims that arise on construction projects and the role of the forensic accountant in quantifying damages. We will also explore other related areas the forensic accountant is able to assist, such as construction defect litigation and construction cost analysis on behalf of the owner.

Speakers – Nidhi Rao, CPA, CFE, CFF, Managing Director, BDO USA LLP

Mansi Mehta, Director, BDO USA LLP

The year 2021 was marked by a phenomenal growth and tremendous interest in the crypto industry. The largest cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) eventually hit a new all-time high around $69,000. There were new crypto applications like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with sales of these digital assets setting new records at major auction houses. In addition, Bitcoin made strides towards mainstream acceptance with major websites like Expedia and Microsoft accepting the coin as a means of exchange. Crypto regulation was the talk of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), OFAC and regulators across the globe. We saw law enforcement agencies trace and track ransom crypto payments in order to recover funds.

With this uptick of activity, what’s ahead in 2022 for cryptocurrencies? As the popularity and focus on the crypto space will continue in 2022, financial crimes will also accelerate in direct proportion to the use of cryptocurrency. Crypto regulations and compliance programs are on the horizon and catching this new breed of crypto-criminals and stopping illicit fund transfers will be a key priority. This will lead to a deeper integration between the crypto and forensics world.

Speakers –

Robert Carter, MS, CPA/CFF, CVA, CFE, CEPA, Partner, BDO

Ronald Pachino CPA, ABV, CFF, CGMA, MBA, Partner, PBMares

Chris Rosenthal, CPA, ABV, CFF, ASA, AEP, Managing Member, Vallit Advisors, LLC

This session will go over lessons learned from over 30 years as an expert witness in over 100 matters. You will learn how to be an advocate for your opinion – not an advocate for your client and how to effectively leverage litigation services