Priceless


Book Description

Prada stores carry a few obscenely expensive items in order to boost sales for everything else (which look like bargains in comparison). People used to download music for free, then Steve Jobs convinced them to pay. How? By charging 99 cents. That price has a hypnotic effect: the profit margin of the 99 Cents Only store is twice that of Wal-Mart. Why do text messages cost money, while e-mails are free? Why do jars of peanut butter keep getting smaller in order to keep the price the "same"? The answer is simple: prices are a collective hallucination. In Priceless, the bestselling author William Poundstone reveals the hidden psychology of value. In psychological experiments, people are unable to estimate "fair" prices accurately and are strongly influenced by the unconscious, irrational, and politically incorrect. It hasn't taken long for marketers to apply these findings. "Price consultants" advise retailers on how to convince consumers to pay more for less, and negotiation coaches offer similar advice for businesspeople cutting deals. The new psychology of price dictates the design of price tags, menus, rebates, "sale" ads, cell phone plans, supermarket aisles, real estate offers, wage packages, tort demands, and corporate buyouts. Prices are the most pervasive hidden persuaders of all. Rooted in the emerging field of behavioral decision theory, Priceless should prove indispensable to anyone who negotiates.




Fair Value Measurements


Book Description




Fair Value Measurements


Book Description

A hands-on volume for financial executives with guidance on the fair value measurement process In today's dynamic and volatile markets, whether buying or selling, what corporate officers need to know is the worth of an asset today, a task that for many has become complex and at times confusing. Fair Value Measurements: Practical Guidance and Implementation demystifies this topic, offering you a nuts-and-bolts guide of the most recent developments in preparing financial statements using fair value measurements. This straightforward book covers the best practices on measuring fair value in a business combination and how to subsequently test the value of these assets for impairment. Filters complicated insider concepts into easy-to-understand information on the valuation specialist's function Discusses the many new FASB pronouncements involving fair value Instantly familiarizes you on the ins and outs of fair value financial disclosure Well-written, conversational in tone, and filled with valuable insights, Fair Value Measurements: Practical Guidance and Implementation lifts the veil of confusion from the substantial and growing requirements for fair value disclosures.




Fair Value Accounting Fraud


Book Description

Essential guidance on the new fair value rules for accounting managers, auditors, and fraud investigators Fair Value accounting is emerging as the next prime opportunity for financial statement fraud. Explaining the many complex applications of fair value accounting in the preparation of financial statements, Fair Value Accounting Fraud offers timely guidance on an up-and-coming issue as U.S. and international accounting rules pertaining to the use of fair value accounting continue to change. You'll find discussion of U.S. GAAP and IFRS rules on fair value accounting issues, highlighting the areas most vulnerable to fraud Explanations of 75 categories of fair value accounting fraud schemes Fraud risk checklist that you can put to immediate use Practical detection techniques useful for auditors, investigators and others who rely on financial statements Expert advice from Gerard Zack, CFE, CPA, author of Fraud and Abuse in Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Prevention and Detection Comparing US accounting standards to International Financial Reporting Standards-thereby making this book useful worldwide- Fair Value Accounting Fraud helps you understand the new rules and develop new auditing and investigative techniques to enable you to detect potential fraud.




Fair Value Measurements


Book Description

A hands-on volume for financial executives with guidance on the fair value measurement process In today's dynamic and volatile markets, whether buying or selling, what corporate officers need to know is the worth of an asset today, a task that for many has become complex and at times confusing. Fair Value Measurements: Practical Guidance and Implementation demystifies this topic, offering you a nuts-and-bolts guide of the most recent developments in preparing financial statements using fair value measurements. This straightforward book covers the best practices on measuring fair value in a business combination and how to subsequently test the value of these assets for impairment. Filters complicated insider concepts into easy-to-understand information on the valuation specialist's function Discusses the many new FASB pronouncements involving fair value Instantly familiarizes you on the ins and outs of fair value financial disclosure Well-written, conversational in tone, and filled with valuable insights, Fair Value Measurements: Practical Guidance and Implementation lifts the veil of confusion from the substantial and growing requirements for fair value disclosures.




Fair Value for Financial Reporting


Book Description

Is Purchase Price Equal to Fair Value? With the FASB changing the requirements for increasing categories of assets and liabilities to be shown at current fair value, Fair Value for Financial Reporting answers this and other pertinent questions with crystal clarity. Alfred King, a top expert in the field, provides financial executives and auditors with a deep understanding of fair value reporting, the appraisal process, and appraisal services, and demystifies this topic with practical advice and helpful knowledge, making it a trusted reference on the ins and outs of fair value financial disclosure. Fair Value for Financial Reporting highlights the accounting and auditing requirements for fair value information and offers a detailed explanation of how the FASB is going to change "fair value" with topics including: the FASB's fair value proposals; determining the fair value of intangible assets; whether fair value can truly be audited; valuation of liabilities and contingent payments; valuation of hard assets and real estate; why two appraisers come up with different results; auditing of valuation reports; and selecting and working with an appraiser.




Early Stage Valuation


Book Description

Addresses significant developments in the valuation of early stage enterprises at fair value with emphasis on practical applications—features a broad selection of case studies of early stage valuation Early Stage Valuation: A Fair Value Perspective provides a comprehensive review of the current methodologies used to value Early Stage Enterprises (ESEs) at fair value for financial reporting, investment, and mergers and acquisitions. Author Antonella Puca, Senior Director with Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services in New York, provides accurate, up-to-date information on recent guidelines and new approaches for valuation assessments. This authoritative guide examines how to apply market analysis, discounted cash flows models, statistical techniques such as option pricing models (OPM) and Monte Carlo simulation, the venture capital method and non-GAAP metrics to ESE valuation. The text considers the most recent AICPA, Appraisal Foundation and IPEV guidance, and examines developments in both academic research and venture capital investor practice. Numerous real-world case studies illustrate early stage valuation suitable for structuring sound, internally consistent business transactions. Covering current trends and the latest regulatory guidance in the area, this book: Provides step-by-step guidance on practical valuation applications Reflects current standards for ESE valuation, including the AICPA Guide to the Valuation of Portfolio Company Investments, the IPEV guidelines and guidance from the Appraisal Foundation Covers new approaches to the valuation of ESEs with option pricing models, Monte Carlo Simulation, calibration and non-GAAP metrics Offers an overview of start-up valuation Discusses how intangible assets are impacting the valuation of ESEs The book also includes contributions from Neil Beaton, Andreas Dal Santo, Alexander Davie, John Jackman and Mark Zyla. Early Stage Valuation: A Fair Value Perspective is an essential resource for valuation specialists, private equity and venture capital fund managers, analysts, attorneys, investment bankers, regulators and auditors, and investors with interest in the private equity and venture capital industry.




Fair Value Measurement


Book Description

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT Practical Guidance and Implementation "Writing Fair Value Measurement was a monumental task fraught with controversy not only in the U.S., but also abroad. Having coauthored a book with Mark as well as written one myself, I was even more impressed that Mark was able to navigate these fair value minefields and produce a work that will be a tremendous help to accountants and non-accountants alike. If you are looking for a 'one-stop' book on fair value measurement, this is it!" Neil J. Beaton, CPA/ABV, CFA, ASA, Managing Director, Valuation Services, Alvarez & Marsal "In recent years, the FASB and the IASB have added many requirements for various assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value. In this book, Zyla clearly describes how to implement fair value measurement and how investors and creditors should interpret it. The crisp writing and illuminating analysis will help readers to grasp the essence of fair value accounting and to apply it wisely." J. Edward Ketz, Associate Professor of Accounting, Pennsylvania State University "The focus of the book is on fair value measurement based on level 3 inputs. This is a critical area of valuations for financial reporting due to a false comfort given by routine application of evaluating models and assumptions without real possibilities of calibration. Mark Zyla offers an extraordinary help in understanding the reliability of the inputs and the outputs of the different methodologies and the inherent biases in each of them. The book is a precious support for better valuation both in U.S. GAAP and in IFRS fair value reporting." Mauro Bini, Full Professor of Corporate Finance, Bocconi University; Chairman, Management Board OIV (Organismo Italiano di Valutazione) Essential guidance on the fair value measurement process Now in a second edition, Fair Value Measurement: Practical Guidance and Implementation helps you succeed in understanding the fair value accounting rules that entities must follow. The result is a resource that you can rely on to understand the importance of valuation and the concepts that define it. In basic, nontechnical language, author Mark Zyla presents practical direction for best practices of financial valuation as well as for understanding the many FASB pronouncements involving fair value. An essential guide for auditors and valuation specialists, Fair Value Measurement: Practical Guidance and Implementation, Second Edition brings you up to speed on what fair value really means.




Valuation for Financial Reporting


Book Description

Essential procedures for the measurement and reporting of fair value in Financial statements Trusted specialists Michael Mard, James Hitchner, and Steven Hyden present reliable and thorough guidelines, case studies, implementation aids, and sample reports for managers, auditors, and valuators who must comply with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 141, Business Combinations; 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets; 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets; and the new 157, Fair Value Measurements. This important guide: * Explains the new valuation aspects now required by SFAS No. 157 * Presents the new definition of fair value and certain empirical research * Distinguishes fair value from fair market value * Provides a case study that measures the fair values of intangible assets and goodwill under SFAS Nos. 141 and 157 * Includes a detailed case study that tests the impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets and measures the financial impact of such impairment under SFAS Nos. 142 and 144 * Cross-references and reconciles the valuation industry's reporting standards among all of the valuation organizations * Includes two sample valuation reports, one of which is a new USPAP- compliant PowerPoint? presentation format * Includes implementation aids for controlling the gathering of data necessary for analyses and for guiding the valuation work program




Economic Analysis and Infrastructure Investment


Book Description

"Policy-makers often call for expanding public spending on infrastructure, which includes a broad range of investments from roads and bridges to digital networks that will expand access to high-speed broadband. Some point to near-term macro-economic benefits and job creation, others focus on long-term effects on productivity and economic growth. This volume explores the links between infrastructure spending and economic outcomes, as well as key economic issues in the funding and management of infrastructure projects. It draws together research studies that describe the short-run stimulus effects of infrastructure spending, develop new estimates of the stock of U.S. infrastructure capital, and explore the incentive aspects of public-private partnerships (PPPs). A salient issue is the treatment of risk in evaluating publicly-funded infrastructure projects and in connection with PPPs. The goal of the volume is to provide a reference for researchers seeking to expand research on infrastructure issues, and for policy-makers tasked with determining the appropriate level of infrastructure spending"--