Showing posts with label James R. Hitchner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James R. Hitchner. Show all posts

11/19/2009

Review of Valuation for Financial Reporting : Fair Value Measurements and Reporting, Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Impairment (Hardcover)

As a graduate accounting student, I read this book for an Accounting Information Systems seminar course.I found the book to be not only full of useful information, but also very reader-friendly.The authors' organization of the book, which is broken into three main sections: 1) Introduction and History, 2) FAS 141 and, 3) FAS 142 was very clear and easy to follow.Additionally, and perhaps the most important feature of the book were the in-depth examples of how to value various intangible assets given in following the explanation of FAS 141.Then, the author continued with the same examples when discussing application of impairment testing found in FAS 142.

For many accounting students, myself included, the idea of auditing the values placed on intangible assets is rather daunting; however, the authors' did an excellent job giving valuers a jumping point from which to begin their analysis.The book also provided a timeline of FASB statements and pronouncements dealing with valuation of mergers and acquisitions.Particularly interesting was the discussion of the need for new guidance as the numbers of mergers and acquisitions increased heavily over the last decade.

The only criticism of the book was the lack of future-looking information regarding upcoming changes to the current practices.Additionally, the issues of valuing existing at-will workforces, as well as the future of R&D costs were only touched on, and further information would have been appreciated.Finally, I might have included some analysis of the differences between the FASB's requirements for merger and acquisition accounting compared to the International Standards available on the issues.Other than these small issues, however, I found the book invaluably useful.

I would sincerely recommend this book to any person interested in understanding the implications and application of FAS 141 and 142.




Click Here to see more reviews about: Valuation for Financial Reporting : Fair Value Measurements and Reporting, Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Impairment (Hardcover)

11/12/2009

Review of Financial Valuation: Applications and Models (Wiley Finance) (Hardcover)

Jim Hitchner, a name well-known to ABVs and other valuation practitioners, conceived the novel idea of bringing together twenty-five highly visible and well-respected valuation professionals to present the group's collective views and positions on business valuation concepts and applications. Each of the authors is a coauthor of the entire book. The authors, many of whom are ABVs and instructors for the AICPA's national business valuation educational program, include Mel Abraham, Jim Alerding, Terry Allen, Larry Cook, Mike Crain, Bob Duffy, Ed Dupke, Nancy Fannon, John Gilbert, Tom Hilton, Jim Hitchner, Steve Hyden, Greg Koonsman, Eva Lang, Mike Mard, Harold Martin, Mike Mattson, Ray Moran, Charles Phillips, Jim Rigby, Ron Seigneur, Robin Taylor, Linda Trugman, Don Wisehart, and Mark Zyla.

The result of this collective effort is "Financial Valuation" - a text that presents a compilation of "best practices" for the business appraiser.

"Financial Valuation" covers the obligatory fundamentals found in most other introductory texts. What sets this text apart from others is its focus on applications and methods. The text contains numerous practical examples and discusses alternative approaches for tackling those complex issues that are often encountered in the real world of valuation practice. This focus makes "Financial Valuation" an indispensable tool for even the most experienced appraisers. Some of the text's highlights include:

Chapter 4, Income Approach to Value, discusses the alternative income valuation methodologies and includes a detailed example of the excess cash flow (earnings) method.

Chapter 5, Cost of Capital/Rates of Return, includes a comprehensive presentation on the application of Ibbotson data for determining risk premiums in discount and capitalization
rates.

Chapter 6, Market Approach to Value, discusses alternative market valuation methodologies and presents a quantitative method for using and adjusting guideline public company multiples for size and growth differences.

Chapter 9, Report Writing, presents a detailed valuation report with numerous comments on why certain items were included or excluded.

Chapter 12, Family Limited Partnerships, presents a detailed case study on the valuation of a Family Limited Partnership including the selection of discounts for lack of control and
lack of marketability.

Chapter 13, Court Case Issues and Review, includes synopses of over 40 tax court cases organized by major valuation areas of dispute.

Chapter 16, Valuation in the Divorce Setting, discusses the complexities of valuing ownership interests in closely held businesses for divorce purposes, including a discussion of relevant state case law, standard of value, applicability of discounts and premiums, etc.

Chapter 18, Valuation Issues in Professional Practices, provides an overview of the issues involved in valuing professional practices such as medical, law, and accounting practices.

Chapter 19, Valuation of Healthcare Entities, includes two detailed case studies: a surgery center and a hospital.

Chapter 20, Valuation of Intangible Assets, includes a detailed case study on an allocation of purchase price for a business combination under new SFAS 141.

Chapter 21, Marketing, Managing, and Making Money in a Valuation Services Group, presents practical guidance on how to operate a valuation practice.

Chapter 24, Valuation Views and Controversial Issues, presents a discussion of subjective and difficult areas of valuation in the form of a case study/report format.

The text also includes hundreds of "ValTips" which alert the reader to important and often controversial topics. The accompanying "Financial Valuation Workbook" provides a detailed case study, models, and exercises that can substantially reduce a beginner's learning curve and assist the experienced practitioner in better organizing the valuation process. The Workbook follows the valuation engagement format and is organized by standard, easily identifiable sections that allow for easy reference.

SUMMARY
"Financial Valuation" gets two enthusiastic thumbs up!



Click Here to see more reviews about: Financial Valuation: Applications and Models (Wiley Finance) (Hardcover)