The coronavirus pandemic is presenting new challenges to CPAs related to fraud, according to forensic accountant and former Treasury special agent Robert Beranger, CPA/CFF.
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Topics
Forensic Engagements
Remote forensic interviews
Careful preparation and precise camera positioning can maximize the effectiveness of remote forensic interviews.
New standard proposed for forensic services engagements
A proposed standard by the AICPA Forensic and Valuation Services Committee would classify forensic services engagements as being performed for the purpose of either “litigation” or “investigation.”
Litigation, regulation expected to add to forensic and valuation workload
Forensic and valuation CPAs expect increases in litigation and regulation to add to their workload and make it challenging to hire and keep qualified employees, according to a new AICPA survey. Attracting and retaining qualified staff led the list of top challenges over the next two to five years, identified
Handling of Litigation Contingency Disclosure Facing Greater SEC Scrutiny
The SEC appears to be increasing its scrutiny of compliance with financial statement disclosure rules regarding potential court losses. The heightened attention is intersecting with a three-decades-old treaty for lawyers and accountants forged by the AICPA and the American Bar Association. The JofA spoke with attorney Michael Young, chair of Willkie
Expert Testimony Guidelines for CPA Valuation Analysts
When giving expert testimony, CPA valuation analysts should be prepared to have their reports and testimony withstand the scrutiny of litigation and cross-examination. The following guidelines can help the valuation analyst prepare for potential vulnerabilities that opposing legal counsel may try to exploit. —By Robert Reilly, CPA/ABV/CFF, (rfreilly@willamette.com) a managing
Securities Class Action Filings Decline
Federal securities class action activity declined in the first half of 2009, according to a report released Monday by the Stanford Law School’s Securities Class Action Clearinghouse and Cornerstone Research. Eighty-seven federal securities class actions were filed in the first half of 2009, a 22.3% decline from the 112 filings
Privilege Claims Under Fire
Despite some legal setbacks, the IRS has signaled it will continue to press for a strict reading of the work product privilege that protects taxpayer documents from discovery. With Action on Decision 2007-004, the IRS said it will not acquiesce in the Sixth Circuit’s holding in U.S. v. Roxworthy that
Wading Into Litigation Support
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CPAs can provide valuable services as litigation support consultants in lawsuits involving business damages. This analytical role allows CPAs to enter the litigation support business before taking on the greater challenge of being an expert witness. Before accepting an engagement, the CPA should ask
Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS With FASB affirming its implementation date for FIN 48, several organizations, including the AICPA and FASB itself, are producing educational materials or additional guidance to help issuers comply with its new requirements for recognizing and measuring tax assets and liabilities. FASB Interpretation no. 48, Accounting for
Highlights
The PCAOB proposed a standard, An Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting That Is Integrated With an Audit of Financial Statements, to replace PCAOB Audit Standard no. 2 (AS2). The proposal is designed to focus audits on the matters most significant to internal control, eliminate unnecessary
Highlights
HIGHLIGHTS The SEC enhanced the Internet-based search capability of its EDGAR database of company filings. Users now can search the contents of disclosure documents with a full-text search tool. The newly searchable information includes registration statements, annual and quarterly reports and other filings by companies and
BV Engagement Research
Gathering data is a key element of a business valuation analysis—and you must assemble enough to analyze your subject company from all sides. Client data. Once you’ve gathered the audits, the tax returns, the business descriptions and marketing materials, you will realize—with apologies to Joni Mitchell—that “you’ve looked at the
Commitments to Private Equity
Note : Includes venture capital, LBO, mezzanine, turnaround and recapitalization-focused funds. Source: Thomson Venture Economics/National Venture Capital Association; Goldman Sachs for 2005 buyout data. Determining fair value requires managers to exercise judgment. While each manager’s judgment may result in different but supportable views on valuation, using common guidelines consistent with
Discovery: Retrieving Electronic Documents
Electronic evidence often can provide vital information about the activities, motives and intent of individuals and businesses. Electronic documents thought to be deleted or lost by the user often can be recovered. In the case of electronic mail, casual and candid correspondence may be frozen in time. Additionally, the background
Alternative Routes to the ABV
In just a few short years “CPA/ABV” has become synonymous with competent, credible valuation service. The market recognizes practitioners with the credential as leaders in the valuation community. The AICPA’s new ABV Sponsor Program allows CPAs to obtain the ABV credential without taking the ABV examination. The CPA must be
Fair Value: Challenges to the Private Equity Industry
The private equity (PE) market (including venture capital, buy-out, mezzanine and similar longer-term, illiquid investments) has expanded exponentially over the past 10 years. U.S. GAAP requires private equity (PE) investments be stated at fair value. Given the nuances inherent in PE, there can be significant challenges in determining the fair
Collaborative Divorce: Better for Everyone
When it comes to divorce, emotions and the desire to be litigious often run high. The toll on a divorcing family is both emotional and financial—and it can be devastating to both children and parents. An alternative to litigation in family breakups is called “collaborative divorce,” a process begun by
Alternative Dispute Resolution: Collaborative Law Works
Is having an opponent our way of life? Is litigation an efficient and responsible means of resolving disagreements? Is advocating for a client, to the detriment of the “other” side, acceptable? Or, is there a recipe for peaceful resolution of differences? What if the disagreeing parties agree to engage in
A BV/FLS Profile
What is the primary focus of your practice? What is the size of your practice? Note : Multiple answers permitted. Source: December 2005 AICPA BV/FLS Membership Section survey. Practitioners can obtain guidance from many sources. The AICPA is currently developing valuation standards for its members; the other organizations already publish
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Flip out with the latest Tech Q&A
The September Technology Q&A column shows how to create dynamic to-do lists with Excel's checkboxes and also how to set up multifactor authentication texts that don't rely on phones. Flip through both items and view a video walkthrough in our digital format.
From The Tax Adviser
August 30, 2025
2025 tax software survey
July 31, 2025
