Valuation, Forensic Accounting & Litigation Services Conference (VFALS)
Alan B. Levan Center of Innovation At Nova Southeastern University
3100 Ray Ferrero Jr Blvd
Ft Lauderdale, FL
33314
16.0 Credits
Member Price $750.00
Non-Member Price $1,000.00
Overview
This elite, long-standing conference provides insight into business valuation and litigation services for CPAs, attorneys, and other accounting professionals. The event features in-demand sessions on the industry’s major and hot, new topics, including our “From the Bench” judge’s panel.
Sessions and speakers will be announced but recent topics of interest include:
- ChatGPT and AI in the marketplace
- Business valuation
- Family law and alimony reform
- Technical and non-technical litigation
- Depositions and trial prep
The ever popular “From the Bench” judge’s panel covers what to do (and what not do) when testifying, the Daubert standard, how experts tend to get into trouble, and more from the perspective of those who have “the best seat in the courtroom.”
$tack the $avings!
In addition to FICPA member and early registration discounts, you can save up to 15% when registering groups of five or more from the same organization. Contact FICPA Member Services at MSC@ficpa.org or 850-224-2727, ext. 1 for details.
CPE Credit
This conference qualifies for up to 16 hours of CPE credit and is subject to change. CPE credit is subject to approval by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The type of credit is dependent upon breakout selection.
Social Media
Follow the FICPA on Linked in, Facebook, Instagram and X and share news about this conference using the hashtag #FICPAVFALS.
Highlights
- Business Valuation
- Litigation Services
- Forensic Accounting
- Family Law
- Fraud Investigation
- Case Law
- Law Regulations
- Best Practices Business Interruption
- Court/Testifying issues
- Economic Update
- Bankruptcy and Solvency - Solvency Analysis
- Private Equity
- GPC Quantitative Adjustments and Adjustments of Multiples
- Transaction Method
- Personal Goodwill
- Valuation Discounts
- Daubert Standard
- Executive Compensation
Prerequisites
This event will benefit practitioners at all levels.
Designed For
This conference brings together nationally recognized thought leaders to provide insights into Business Valuation and Litigation Services for CPAs, attorneys, and other accounting professionals working in this field of expertise.
Objectives
Preparation
none
Notice
Accommodations:
Conference Site
Alan B. Levan NSU Broward Center of Innovation
3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314
Hotel Location
Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West Hotel
1230 South Pine Island Rd.
Plantation, FL 33324
Hotel Cutoff Deadline, Thursday, January 2, 2025*
*Reservations made after the cutoff date will be subject to availability and current room rate. Please note that the conference accommodation rate is subject to sell out prior to the advertised reservation cut off date.
*** Upon completion of your registration for the conference, you will receive an email confirmation with the hotel link to book your accommodations***
Monday, February 3rd
General Session
- Breakfast and Registration
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Understanding the Intersection of AI and Automation
Abigail Hawkins, DataSnipperAbigail Hawkins
Abby Hawkins is a finance and compliance technology professional specializing in the intersection of financial reporting, data analytics, and SaaS. With expertise in US GAAP, GASB, SOX, and AI, she continues to assist CPAs and financial professionals with optimizing their workflows using DataSnipper’s innovative Excel-based and AI driven tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
Abby is dedicated to driving process improvements, technology adoption, and client success through strategic insights and hands-on collaboration. Her background in SaaS sales and experience in high-pressure environments have equipped her to support CPAs and finance teams in adapting to evolving compliance standards and leveraging automation effectively across industries.
Alex Maher
Alex Maher is a seasoned leader and innovator with over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology, engineering, and auditing. As CEO and Co-Founder of UpLink, he led the development of an AI-powered platform that transformed PBC management in auditing, ultimately leading to its acquisition by DataSnipper in October 2024. Prior to UpLink, Alex started his career at a Big 4 Accounting firm as a CPA doing mostly IT audits. After teaching himself to code, he switched into an internal role at the firm managing software development teams. He left the accounting world in 2018 to become the Director of Software Development at a publicly traded telcom construction company, where he worked for 4 years before leaving to start UpLink in May of 2022.
This presentation explores the transformative impact of intelligent automation and AI across the financial industry, with a spotlight on the emergence of Generative AI (Gen-AI). Participants will gain insights into how AI can drive productivity, streamline workflows, and enhance job satisfaction, all while underscoring the indispensable role of professional judgment. By examining four high-impact AI principles and their practical applications, this session offers actionable strategies for implementing AI effectively and maximizing its value for teams and organizations.
Takeaways:
1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of intelligent automation, its components, and how it integrates with AI to optimize processes and drive efficiencies across the financial industry.
2. Explore the capabilities of Generative AI (Gen-AI) and how it creates content based on input to enhance decision-making and streamline operations across the financial industry.
3. Understand four high-impact AI principles and how they guide the development and implementation of valuable AI features.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Hit It Out of the Park! Tips and tricks for Depositions and Trial Prep - Part 1
Brian Koch, Holland & Knight, LLP
Sheri Schultz, Managing Partner, Fiske & CompanySheri Schultz
Director of the Valuation Services Department
Fiske & Company
Sheri Schultz brings over 20 years of experience to her clients, offering both professional expertise and practical insight toward business valuations and litigation support services. In addition to being a licensed CPA, Sheri is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), and holds the designation of Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV).
Since joining Fiske & Company in 1990 as Director of the Valuation Services Department, Sheri has provided business valuation services and counsel to manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, medical practices, restaurants, service entities, and public companies. A frequent speaker on topics such as business valuation, tax planning and estate planning, she also has broad-based tax experience in business mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, estate issues and tax compliance.
Sheri's certifications and professional background enable her to provide expert advice and counsel to outside CPAs as well as lawyers representing clients in business litigation where business valuation is involved. Her practice focus is in business damages claims, fraud, and business transitions of all kinds including family succession. Sheri has provided expert witness testimony and consulting services in complex estate and accounting matters.
As Chair of the Business Valuation/Litigation Committee for the FICPA, Sheri helped to develop the Valuation and Litigation Section for the State of Florida; she recently stepped down from the Board of Governors for the FICPA where she served for 6 years. Her position on the National Business Valuation Committee for the AICPA has been instrumental in the advancement of the business valuation discipline. Sheri currently serves on the AICPA's ABV Credential Committee and as the Chair of the AICPA's Champion Task Force.
Sheri assisted in writing and gaining approval for the AICPA Statement on Standards for Valuation Services No.1, Valuation of a Business, Business Ownership Interest, Security or Intangible Asset, which became effective January 1, 2008. All CPA's must comply with these standards when writing business valuation reports.
Sheri's recent awards include being named a "Key Partner" in Accounting by the South Florida Business Journal in 2012, a "Woman Extraordinaire" by Business Leader Magazine, and a "Top CPA in Litigation Support" by the South Florida Legal Guide. Professional articles she has authored have been published in the South Florida Business Journal, the Daily Business Review, the South Florida Legal Guide, and the Broward Barrister. Sheri spends a great deal of time assisting charitable organizations and has been a Board of Trustee member of Jewish Federation of Broward County for many years and is past Chair of their Professional Advisory Committee.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Accounting, University of Florida (1984)
Master of Science, Taxation, University of Florida (1985)
Professional/Civic Affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
– Chair, Champion Task Force
– Member of ABV Credential Committee
– Member of Business Valuation Committee, 2001-2004
– Member of AICPA Business Valuation Conference Committee, 2001 and 2003
Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA)
– Board of Governors, 2006-2012
– Chair of FICPA Business Valuation/Litigation Section 2004-2005
– Chair of Business Valuation/Litigation Conference
– President, Gold Coast Chapter, 1999-2000
– Member of Woman's Executive Leadership Group
Fort Lauderdale Estate Tax Council, Board of Directors
Jewish Federation of Broward County, Board of Trustees
– Allocation & Budget Committee
Israeli Bond Leadership Group, Cabinet Member
Kathryn Gilden
Katie Gilden has recently joined Fiske & Company in the Forensic Accounting and Litigation Services Practice of the firm. Katie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in these specialized fields. Prior to joining Fiske & Company, Katie was a Principal at a boutique consulting firm, specializing in forensic accounting investigations of complex financial matters related to civil litigation and bankruptcy. She has also provided accounting and litigation support in the areas of fraud and professional negligence; evaluating and assessing accounting and audit work papers; assisting Trustees, Receivers, Debtors-in-possession, and Assignees for the Benefit of Creditors in carrying out various accounting and financial aspects of their fiduciary duties.
Significant experiences include performance of complex forensic investigation for Receiver and Trustee of a $220 million factoring fraud, including providing forensic accounting and support in matters leading to jury verdicts of $170 million in compensatory and $351 million in punitive damages against BDO Seidman as well as performance of forensic accounting and litigation support for Trustee of failed real estate condo conversion in Orlando, FL consisting of a 276-unit complex and $10 million in unregistered REIT funds.
In addition, Katie previously has worked for two "Big 5? accounting firms in the areas of state and local tax consulting and has performed extensive analysis of various tax and financial planning strategies; arranged financial analysis models to compute monetary savings resulting from planning ideas and developed pro-active strategies to mitigate future tax exposure.
Katie's recent awards include being named a "Top CPA in Litigation Support" by the South Florida Legal Guide since 2012, and an "Up and Comer" in Professional Services by Lifestyle Media Group. Articles she has co-authored have been published in the Daily Business Review and the South Florida Legal Guide in 2013 and 2014.
Attendees will learn the ins and outs of deposition and trial preparation when serving as a financial expert witness. Presenters will share guidelines to help make the expert's testimony more effective, more persuasive and less complex, as well as tips, tricks, and war stories from years of deposition and trial testimony.
Learning Objectives:
• How to weave depo and trial prep throughout your engagement, starting with retention.
• Differences between deposition testimony and trial testimony.
• Effectively telling the "story" as a financial expert
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Hit It Out of the Park! Tips and tricks for Depositions and Trial Prep - Part 2
Brian Koch, Holland & Knight, LLP
Sheri Schultz, Managing Partner, Fiske & CompanySheri Schultz
Director of the Valuation Services Department
Fiske & Company
Sheri Schultz brings over 20 years of experience to her clients, offering both professional expertise and practical insight toward business valuations and litigation support services. In addition to being a licensed CPA, Sheri is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), and holds the designation of Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV).
Since joining Fiske & Company in 1990 as Director of the Valuation Services Department, Sheri has provided business valuation services and counsel to manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, medical practices, restaurants, service entities, and public companies. A frequent speaker on topics such as business valuation, tax planning and estate planning, she also has broad-based tax experience in business mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, estate issues and tax compliance.
Sheri's certifications and professional background enable her to provide expert advice and counsel to outside CPAs as well as lawyers representing clients in business litigation where business valuation is involved. Her practice focus is in business damages claims, fraud, and business transitions of all kinds including family succession. Sheri has provided expert witness testimony and consulting services in complex estate and accounting matters.
As Chair of the Business Valuation/Litigation Committee for the FICPA, Sheri helped to develop the Valuation and Litigation Section for the State of Florida; she recently stepped down from the Board of Governors for the FICPA where she served for 6 years. Her position on the National Business Valuation Committee for the AICPA has been instrumental in the advancement of the business valuation discipline. Sheri currently serves on the AICPA's ABV Credential Committee and as the Chair of the AICPA's Champion Task Force.
Sheri assisted in writing and gaining approval for the AICPA Statement on Standards for Valuation Services No.1, Valuation of a Business, Business Ownership Interest, Security or Intangible Asset, which became effective January 1, 2008. All CPA's must comply with these standards when writing business valuation reports.
Sheri's recent awards include being named a "Key Partner" in Accounting by the South Florida Business Journal in 2012, a "Woman Extraordinaire" by Business Leader Magazine, and a "Top CPA in Litigation Support" by the South Florida Legal Guide. Professional articles she has authored have been published in the South Florida Business Journal, the Daily Business Review, the South Florida Legal Guide, and the Broward Barrister. Sheri spends a great deal of time assisting charitable organizations and has been a Board of Trustee member of Jewish Federation of Broward County for many years and is past Chair of their Professional Advisory Committee.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Accounting, University of Florida (1984)
Master of Science, Taxation, University of Florida (1985)
Professional/Civic Affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
– Chair, Champion Task Force
– Member of ABV Credential Committee
– Member of Business Valuation Committee, 2001-2004
– Member of AICPA Business Valuation Conference Committee, 2001 and 2003
Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA)
– Board of Governors, 2006-2012
– Chair of FICPA Business Valuation/Litigation Section 2004-2005
– Chair of Business Valuation/Litigation Conference
– President, Gold Coast Chapter, 1999-2000
– Member of Woman's Executive Leadership Group
Fort Lauderdale Estate Tax Council, Board of Directors
Jewish Federation of Broward County, Board of Trustees
– Allocation & Budget Committee
Israeli Bond Leadership Group, Cabinet Member
Kathryn Gilden
Katie Gilden has recently joined Fiske & Company in the Forensic Accounting and Litigation Services Practice of the firm. Katie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in these specialized fields. Prior to joining Fiske & Company, Katie was a Principal at a boutique consulting firm, specializing in forensic accounting investigations of complex financial matters related to civil litigation and bankruptcy. She has also provided accounting and litigation support in the areas of fraud and professional negligence; evaluating and assessing accounting and audit work papers; assisting Trustees, Receivers, Debtors-in-possession, and Assignees for the Benefit of Creditors in carrying out various accounting and financial aspects of their fiduciary duties.
Significant experiences include performance of complex forensic investigation for Receiver and Trustee of a $220 million factoring fraud, including providing forensic accounting and support in matters leading to jury verdicts of $170 million in compensatory and $351 million in punitive damages against BDO Seidman as well as performance of forensic accounting and litigation support for Trustee of failed real estate condo conversion in Orlando, FL consisting of a 276-unit complex and $10 million in unregistered REIT funds.
In addition, Katie previously has worked for two "Big 5? accounting firms in the areas of state and local tax consulting and has performed extensive analysis of various tax and financial planning strategies; arranged financial analysis models to compute monetary savings resulting from planning ideas and developed pro-active strategies to mitigate future tax exposure.
Katie's recent awards include being named a "Top CPA in Litigation Support" by the South Florida Legal Guide since 2012, and an "Up and Comer" in Professional Services by Lifestyle Media Group. Articles she has co-authored have been published in the Daily Business Review and the South Florida Legal Guide in 2013 and 2014.
Attendees will learn the ins and outs of deposition and trial preparation when serving as a financial expert witness. Presenters will share guidelines to help make the expert’s testimony more effective, more persuasive and less complex, as well as tips, tricks, and war stories from years of deposition and trial testimony.
Learning Objectives:
• How to weave depo and trial prep throughout your engagement, starting with retention.
• Differences between deposition testimony and trial testimony.
• Effectively telling the “story” as a financial expert
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- How To Be A Great Manager
Elzbieta Bijlani, Founder and Executive Coach, Consulting and Coaching Solutions LLCElzbieta Bijlani
Ela Bijlani is a leadership coach and a CPA with an extensive background in business and leadership. With over two decades of experience in various accounting sectors, she has developed a deep expertise in strategy and operations, as well as how effective leadership can transform careers, unify teams, and deliver positive outcomes. Ela’s approach uniquely combines business insight with coaching expertise, focusing on both the metrics that drive performance and the motivations that inspire individuals within an organization. This dual perspective underpins her coaching engagements, team development workshops, and speaking initiatives, allowing her to facilitate meaningful transformations and achieve tangible outcomes for the teams and professionals she works with. She is the founder of Consulting and Coaching Solutions, LLC and offers training on topics related to leadership development, personal effectiveness, and team collaboration. Ela is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA).
Credits: 1 - Behavioral
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Dining With A Demo: Valid8 AI Demonstration
Presentation Overview:
Financial investigations can be complex and time-consuming. This session provides an overview of how Valid8 enhances the speed and precision of financial investigations. This session will also guide participants through each step in the process, from analyzing banking evidence to constructing a compelling narrative, highlighting common obstacles and best practices.
Key Topics:
- Identify key capabilities required for effective technology in financial investigations
- Recognize the features and functionality of Valid8
- Determine best practices to employ and pitfalls to avoid in financial investigations
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Valuation Adjustments: Normalization, Non-operating items, Excess / Deficient Items, NWC
Brett Cooper, Managing Director Valuation & Advisor, Rivero, Gordimer & Co, PABrett Cooper
C. Brett Cooper is the Managing Director of Valuation and Advisory Services. He has nearly 25 years of experience performing valuation and forensic-related consulting services and has been a part of an investment banking firm, a CFO of a privately owned light manufacturing firm, and with public accounting firms over his 35-plus-year career.
Rivero, Gordimer & Company, P.A. is the largest locally owned and operated CPA and Advisory firm in Tampa. The Firm provides attest, tax, and advisory services. The Valuation and Advisory Service Group assists clients with the valuation of businesses, business interests, and intangible property, litigation support in a wide variety of circumstances, financial forensic investigation, M&A transaction assistance, and ESOP implementation.
This session will discuss the items to consider when attempting to determine the true economic income of the operations of the valuation subject.
• Valuation adjustments identification and the proper treatment of the adjustments to the balance sheet and to economic income, as appropriate.
• Determination of the amounts of the adjustments.
Determine when the adjustments must be added to the operating value.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- High Stakes: The Unique Landscape of Cannabis Valuations
Stacey Udell, Director, HBK Professionals and ConsultantsStacey Udell
Stacey Udell, a graduate of University of Delaware, is a Partner in Gold Gerstein Group LLC, specializing in valuation, forensic accounting, economic damages, and litigation support services. In addition, Ms. Udell provides accounting and tax services for closely-held and family businesses including financial statement preparation, business and personal income tax planning and compliance, estate and business succession planning. Ms. Udell is Co-Chair of the 2016 and 2017 Forensic and Valuation Services Conferences and has been a committee member for the conference since 2013. She currently serves on the Forensic and Litigation Services Committee and is chair of the Family Law Task Force. Ms. Udell was a member of the initial CFF Exam Development Committee, serving from 2009 to 2014. She held numerous committee positions at the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) including serving on the Valuation Exam and Grading Committee, the 2009 Annual Conference planning committee, and the Litigation Forensics Board (including chairperson from 2010 to 2011). Ms. Udell was a founding member of the course development team for the Advanced Matrimonial Litigation Support Workshop and a member of the course development team and instructor for the Matrimonial Litigation Support Workshop from 2010 to 2012. At the statewide level, she served as Vice President of the New Jersey State NACVA Chapter from 2008 to 2013 and was Co-Chair of the Annual Conference from 2009 to 2013. Ms. Udell is a founding member and board member of the South Jersey Collaborative Divorce Professionals.
An apple is an apple. A pear is a pear. A dispensary in MyTown USA is not the same as a dispensary in NextDoor USA. A cultivation facility in Michigan is not the same as a cultivation facility in Illinois. This webinar will focus on adult use legalization, Section 280E, geography, research and resources and other important issues impacting valuations in the cannabis space.
• Realize tax law drives accounting in the cannabis industry
• Appreciate considerations in income and market approaches
• Learn about useful resources
Credits: 1 - Accounting and Auditing
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Legislative Update
Jason Harrell, Chief External Affairs Officer, Florida Institute of CPAsJason Harrell
Jason Harrell is the FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer responsible for leading all aspects of the Institute’s public policy, advocacy, governmental affairs and regulatory affairs. He serves as the liaison to the DBPR and Board of Accountancy and is responsible for all advocacy-related external communications and campaigns to increase the value of the CPA license. Jason brings numerous years of experience to this role, previously serving as director of government relations for Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers Association and budget and communications director for the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation, serving in key roles under two Speakers in the Florida House, and serving in the Executive Office of the Governor in the Office of Policy and Budget and Chief Inspector General’s Office.
This session will provide an overview of the Florida legislative process with a focus on the FICPA’s advocacy efforts to promote the CPA profession.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Uses and Abuses of the “Known or Knowable” Doctrine
Neil Beaton, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services, LLCNeil Beaton
Managing Director
Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services, LLC
Neil Beaton is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services, LLC. Mr. Beaton specializes in the valuation of public and privately held businesses and intangible assets for purposes of litigation support (shareholder disputes, lost profits claims, marriage dissolutions, and others), acquisitions, sales, buy-sell agreements, ESOPs, incentive stock options, and estate planning and taxation. He also performs economic analysis for personal injury claims, wrongful termination and wrongful death actions. Mr. Beaton earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University and a master's degree in finance from National University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA). Additionally, he is Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF). Mr. Beaton is a frequent lecturer at universities, is an instructor for various business valuation courses, and speaks nationally on business valuation with a special emphasis on early stage and high technology companies. Mr. Beaton has written two books on early-stage company valuation, has contributed to chapters to a number of other books on valuation and damages issues and has written numerous articles on these topics. He is a former Co-Chair of the AICPA's Valuation of Private Equity Securities Task Force, a former member of the AICPA's ABV Exam Committee the AICPA's Mergers & Acquisitions Disputes Task Force. He is currently a member of the Business Valuation Update Editorial Advisory Board, a member of the Board of Experts for the publication, Financial Valuation and Litigation Expert, and on the Editorial Board of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts' Value Examiner.
Many times, a valuation is performed at a specific point in time. Based on valuation standards, generally only information "known or knowable" at the date of valuation is to be considered. However, depending on the type of engagement, say a divorce, a shareholder dispute or a tax-based engagement, valuation-affecting-events subsequent to the valuation date may be helpful in coming to a more accurate valuation as of the date of valuation. This session explores various circumstances when subsequent events could be used at a prior valuation date.
• After this session, you will gain a good understanding of how to identify potential subsequent events that could be used as of an earlier valuation date.
• You will obtain a grasp of previous court cases and valuation principles that will allow you to utilize subsequent events to achieve a more accurate valuation.
• Finally, you gain an understanding of how to discern appropriate subsequent events in your valuations.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- From the Bench: Judges' Panel 2025
Keathan Frink, Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit Court State of FloridaKeathan Frink
In 2016, Judge Keathan Frink was appointed to Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County, Florida. Judge Frink is currently assigned to the Circuit Civil Division presiding over a broad category of cases, including tort cases, contract disputes, products liability and malpractice cases, infringements of intellectual property, enforcement of non-compete contracts, and petitions for injunctive relief. Judge Frink is also on the panel that hears county to circuit appeals. Prior to serving in the Circuit Civil Division, Judge Frink was assigned to the Unified Family Court Division presiding over Dissolution of Marriage, Child Custody and Support, Name Changes, Adoptions, Paternity Suits, and Modification proceedings. Judge Frink obtained his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in 1997 and his law degree from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law in 2000. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2000 and he is also admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, the U.S. Southern District of Florida, the U.S. Middle District of Florida and the United States Supreme Court. Prior to his appointment, Judge Frink was a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Kelley Kronenberg, P.A., where he practiced in the areas of product liability, construction defect, negligent security, wrongful death, premises liability and insurance subrogation. Judge Frink gained significant trial experience by working as an Assistant Public Defender in Broward County, FL in 2003. He also served as Assistant Regional Counsel for the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Fourth District where he was the supervisor of the homicide division.
Martin Bidwill
Martin J. Bidwill has served as a Circuit Court Judge in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Fort Lauderdale since 2005. He served in the Criminal Division from 2005-2017, including seven years as the Administrative Judge of the Division. Since 2017, he has served in the Civil Division, where he presides over a general civil division and the Asbestos Litigation Division. In 2008, he served as an Associate Judge on the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
At the time of his appointment to the bench, he was the Chief Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida. He served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender from 1995-2005. Judge Bidwill also served as an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County from 1992-1995. From 1990-1992, he served as a law clerk to United States District Judge Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. in the Southern District of Florida. He earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law in 1990 and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Wittenberg University in 1987. Since 2012, he has served on the Florida Courts Technology Commission (FCTC), and the Supreme Court appointed him recently to serve as chair of the Commission.
Elaine Carbuccia
A first-generation American born, native Floridian from Broward County. Judge Carbuccia earned her undergraduate degrees from Broward Community College and Nova Southeastern University and her law degree from St. Thomas University College of Law in 2016. Appointed on May 15, 2023, to serve as a Circuit Judge on the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court assigned to the Unified Family Courts division, handling all circuit family and domestic relations matters. Judge Carbuccia is an adjunct professor of law for the Legal Writing Departing at St. Thomas University, College of Law; serves on the Board of Advisors for St. Thomas University, College of Law; and is a co-author of the 16th Edition of the Florida Family Law & Practice book. Judge Carbuccia was recognized by the Cuban American Bar Association as the 2023 Judge of the Year for her exceptional commitment to service and dedication to justice.
Catalina Avalos, 17th Judicial Circuit Court State of Florida
Sheri Schultz, Managing Partner, Fiske & CompanySheri Schultz
Director of the Valuation Services Department
Fiske & Company
Sheri Schultz brings over 20 years of experience to her clients, offering both professional expertise and practical insight toward business valuations and litigation support services. In addition to being a licensed CPA, Sheri is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), and holds the designation of Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV).
Since joining Fiske & Company in 1990 as Director of the Valuation Services Department, Sheri has provided business valuation services and counsel to manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, medical practices, restaurants, service entities, and public companies. A frequent speaker on topics such as business valuation, tax planning and estate planning, she also has broad-based tax experience in business mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, estate issues and tax compliance.
Sheri's certifications and professional background enable her to provide expert advice and counsel to outside CPAs as well as lawyers representing clients in business litigation where business valuation is involved. Her practice focus is in business damages claims, fraud, and business transitions of all kinds including family succession. Sheri has provided expert witness testimony and consulting services in complex estate and accounting matters.
As Chair of the Business Valuation/Litigation Committee for the FICPA, Sheri helped to develop the Valuation and Litigation Section for the State of Florida; she recently stepped down from the Board of Governors for the FICPA where she served for 6 years. Her position on the National Business Valuation Committee for the AICPA has been instrumental in the advancement of the business valuation discipline. Sheri currently serves on the AICPA's ABV Credential Committee and as the Chair of the AICPA's Champion Task Force.
Sheri assisted in writing and gaining approval for the AICPA Statement on Standards for Valuation Services No.1, Valuation of a Business, Business Ownership Interest, Security or Intangible Asset, which became effective January 1, 2008. All CPA's must comply with these standards when writing business valuation reports.
Sheri's recent awards include being named a "Key Partner" in Accounting by the South Florida Business Journal in 2012, a "Woman Extraordinaire" by Business Leader Magazine, and a "Top CPA in Litigation Support" by the South Florida Legal Guide. Professional articles she has authored have been published in the South Florida Business Journal, the Daily Business Review, the South Florida Legal Guide, and the Broward Barrister. Sheri spends a great deal of time assisting charitable organizations and has been a Board of Trustee member of Jewish Federation of Broward County for many years and is past Chair of their Professional Advisory Committee.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Accounting, University of Florida (1984)
Master of Science, Taxation, University of Florida (1985)
Professional/Civic Affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
– Chair, Champion Task Force
– Member of ABV Credential Committee
– Member of Business Valuation Committee, 2001-2004
– Member of AICPA Business Valuation Conference Committee, 2001 and 2003
Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA)
– Board of Governors, 2006-2012
– Chair of FICPA Business Valuation/Litigation Section 2004-2005
– Chair of Business Valuation/Litigation Conference
– President, Gold Coast Chapter, 1999-2000
– Member of Woman's Executive Leadership Group
Fort Lauderdale Estate Tax Council, Board of Directors
Jewish Federation of Broward County, Board of Trustees
– Allocation & Budget Committee
Israeli Bond Leadership Group, Cabinet Member
A conference favorite - join us as our panel of Judges provide you with their views from the bench. Learn what to anticipate when testifying, what to do, and what not to do. This session will be interactive and the Judges will answer your questions.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
Tuesday, February 4th
General Session
- Breakfast
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Hardball with Hitchner
James Hitchner, Managing Director, Financial Valuation Advisors, IncJames Hitchner
Jim Hitchner is managing director of Financial Valuation Advisors www.finvaluation.com and is president of The Financial Consulting Group www.gofcg.org. He is also CEO of Valuation Products and Services (VPS) www.valuationproducts.com.
Mr. Hitchner is editor/coauthor of the books the Hitchner Pratt Fishman Consensus View Q&A Guide to Financial Valuation and the VPS DLOM Guide and Toolkit, published by VPS. He is also editor/coauthor of Financial Valuation Applications and Models (FVAM), fourth edition; Financial Valuation Workbook (FVW), fourth edition; and Valuation for Financial Reporting: Fair Value, Business Combinations, Intangible Assets, Goodwill, and Impairment Analysis, third edition, all published by Wiley. He is also coauthor of PPC’s Guide To Business Valuations, 28th edition, published by Thomson Reuters. FVAM and FVW have been adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for its five-day Business Valuation School course and by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) for its two-day Advanced Business Valuation course. The VPS DLOM Guide and Toolkit is the core resource for NACVA’s one-day DLOM course. Mr. Hitchner designed all three courses.
He has spent over 38 years in valuation services, including as a shareholder with Phillips Hitchner Group, partner-in-charge of valuation services for the Southern Region of Coopers & Lybrand (currently PricewaterhouseCoopers), and senior appraiser with American Appraisal Associates. In the valuation area he has coauthored over 20 courses, taught over 60 courses, published over 140 articles, and has made over 350 conference and webinar presentations.
He is also an inductee in the AICPA Business Valuation Hall of Fame and a two-time recipient of the AICPA’s Business Valuation Volunteer of the Year award. He was also one of the four original members of the AICPA Business Valuation Standards Writing Task Force and served for the entire six years, up to the June 2007 official release of the standards.
Ask Hitchner anything you want in business valuation.
Hitchner will cover several topics including:
• Cost of capital
• DCF Mistakes to avoid
• New MythBusters
• Issues about "Known" or "Knowable"
• Transaction databases
Testimony tips
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Cost of Capital Case Study - What's Good and What's Not
James Hitchner, Managing Director, Financial Valuation Advisors, IncJames Hitchner
Jim Hitchner is managing director of Financial Valuation Advisors www.finvaluation.com and is president of The Financial Consulting Group www.gofcg.org. He is also CEO of Valuation Products and Services (VPS) www.valuationproducts.com.
Mr. Hitchner is editor/coauthor of the books the Hitchner Pratt Fishman Consensus View Q&A Guide to Financial Valuation and the VPS DLOM Guide and Toolkit, published by VPS. He is also editor/coauthor of Financial Valuation Applications and Models (FVAM), fourth edition; Financial Valuation Workbook (FVW), fourth edition; and Valuation for Financial Reporting: Fair Value, Business Combinations, Intangible Assets, Goodwill, and Impairment Analysis, third edition, all published by Wiley. He is also coauthor of PPC’s Guide To Business Valuations, 28th edition, published by Thomson Reuters. FVAM and FVW have been adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for its five-day Business Valuation School course and by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) for its two-day Advanced Business Valuation course. The VPS DLOM Guide and Toolkit is the core resource for NACVA’s one-day DLOM course. Mr. Hitchner designed all three courses.
He has spent over 38 years in valuation services, including as a shareholder with Phillips Hitchner Group, partner-in-charge of valuation services for the Southern Region of Coopers & Lybrand (currently PricewaterhouseCoopers), and senior appraiser with American Appraisal Associates. In the valuation area he has coauthored over 20 courses, taught over 60 courses, published over 140 articles, and has made over 350 conference and webinar presentations.
He is also an inductee in the AICPA Business Valuation Hall of Fame and a two-time recipient of the AICPA’s Business Valuation Volunteer of the Year award. He was also one of the four original members of the AICPA Business Valuation Standards Writing Task Force and served for the entire six years, up to the June 2007 official release of the standards.
In this session, Hitchner will share a detailed case study on determining a cost of equity, a cost of debt, and a weighted average cost of capital.
You will learn about the following areas:
• What is the best ERP source to use: historical, surveys, or implied ERPs?
• When should you use the Modified Capital Asset Pricing Model?
• When should you use the Build-up Model?
• What are the best risk premium data, sources, and supportability?
• How do you use benchmark data?
• How do you apply company-specific risk without double counting the size premium?
• How do you reconcile the cost of capital?
What reasonableness tests do you apply, if any?
Credits: 1 - Accounting and Auditing
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Florida Family Law: Executive and Complex Compensation Issues & Valuation of Retirement Benefits
Beth Mascetta, HBK Valuation Litigation & Forensics
An update on Florida Family Law, concerning Executive and Complex Compensation Issues & Valuation of Retirement Benefits.
This session covers: Mandatory Disclosure Requirements, Components of Gross Income, Allowable Deductions, Short and Long-term Incentive Compensation, Stock Options and more!
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Case Studies on Management Projections
Brian Rohl, Manager, Gampel Forensic and Valuation, Inc.Brian Rohl
Brian Rohl, CPA/ABV/CFF, is a Manager with Gampel Forensic & Valuation, a professional services firm focusing on forensic accounting, business valuation and commercial damages. Brian began his career in audit services at Deloitte before transitioning to litigation and valuation services in 2018. Brian’s services with forensic accounting services in connection with economic damages (lost profits) in business litigation, individual damages (lost earnings) as well as damages in intellectual property disputes. Brian has testified as direct expert witness in litigation and as the primary accountant performing investigative accounting for various complex joint ventures. Brian has also served as the outsourced CFO for a company for several years, including during its eventual acquisition for a purchase price exceeding $30 million. Brian sits on the Valuation, Forensic Accounting & Litigation Services Committee of the Florida Institute of CPAs and serves in various AICPA CFF credential committee task forces.
Peter Gampel
Peter Gampel is a Managing Director at Gampel Forensic and Valuation in the Business Valuation, Forensic Accounting and Litigation Services Practice of the firm. Mr. Gampel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in these specialized fields and has advised many business owners and attorneys over the years. His career spans over 30 years with a considerable portion of that time with a Big 5 accounting firm where he was a principal in charge of the Florida Valuation Practice.
Mr. Gampel has prepared over 1,000 reports for both business valuation and economic damages. Valuations include those for complex accounting matters such as purchase price allocation, goodwill and intangible asset impairment and stock options. Other valuations include those for estate and gift tax purposes, purchases and sales of businesses or minority interests therein and corporate tax planning. Litigation and forensic cases have included many high profile cases pertaining to breach of contract, shareholder and marital disputes, business and construction damages, personal injury, wrongful termination, patent infringement and false advertising.
Mr. Gampel has provided expert testimony on many occasions for Circuit Courts, US Tax Court, US Bankruptcy Court, American Arbitration Association and in Canada. He has written numerous articles in his field and has presented to various organizations and professionals.
The objectives of this session are:
- Differentiate different types of prospective financial information (PFI)
- Describe from guidance ways of handling PFI
- Provide illustrative examples
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Lunch
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Economic Update
Benjamin Streed, Deep Blue Investment AdvisorsBenjamin Streed
Benjamin Streed is the Chief Investment Officer. As CIO, he is an integral component of our firmwide commitment to attract and retain industry leaders who will better service our clients and local communities. His focused efforts are to build out our front, middle, and back offices will position us for continued growth.
Before becoming CIO, he served as Director of Fixed Income for several years. In this role he worked with investment professionals to deliver comprehensive, custom, diversified portfolio management strategies for separately managed accounts, consulting clients, and the U.S. Fixed Income Trust local government investment pools. Benjamin will continue directing the Portfolio Management team and serving on the firm’s investment and credit committees. He will further develop as a thought leader in the investment space — attending industry seminars and speaking engagements to educate our clients and prospects.
Prior to joining Deep Blue, Benjamin served as a general strategist with Wells Fargo Private Bank and previously was a fixed income portfolio strategist with Raymond James. There, he was a member of the investment strategy committee and the strategic and tactical asset allocation sub-committees. He has also served as an investment analyst and portfolio manager where he focused on providing unique investment solutions for high-net-worth families.
Benjamin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a focus on finance from Emory University and a Master of Science in finance (MSF) from Georgetown University where he graduated as class valedictorian. He is a CFA® charter holder and frequently volunteers his time grading CFA exams and serves on the CFA curriculum advisory committee and the Georgetown MSF alumni council.
Where is the U.S. economy now, and where might we be headed in 2025? We'll analyze the current environment and provide thoughts on interest rates and the impact to local economies.
Takeaways:
• Analyze how the economy is performing post-election.
• Assess the direction of interest rates in 2025.
• Examine economic factors that will increasingly become important beyond 2025.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Professional Liability
Gary Shendell, Managing Partner, Shendell & Pollock, P.L.Gary Shendell
As managing Partner, Gary R. Shendell is responsible for the overall management and supervision of Shendell & Pollock, P.L. He is recognized as a Florida Leading Attorney, is AV Rated, and is nationally recognized in complex high- exposure professional malpractice and commercial litigation. He has defended a wide array of professionals including Accountants, Lawyers, Real Estate Professionals, Insurance Agents & Brokers, Architects & Engineers, Physicians and other Healthcare Professionals. Mr. Shendell has also served as Lead counsel on a broad spectrum of Commercial & Corporate Litigation actions, ranging from Investor Suits to Enforcement of Non-competes to Fraudulent Misappropriation suits. He also handles EPL and D&O Cases in both Federal and State courts. As a former Certified Public and Tax Accountant, Mr. Shendell has a unique combination of accounting, corporate and legal skills which makes him highly sought after in the representation of Multi-Party Commercial Litigation, Estates and Trusts Litigation as well as Securities Arbitrations & Investigations Administered and/or conducted by FINRA and the SEC. His primary practice is throughout the states of Florida and New Jersey.
In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Shendell is heavily involved in Coverage matters, including Time Limit/Policy Limit Demands & Bad Faith and has been appointed as Special Counsel to assist numerous clients in the defense and avoidance of such claims.
Mr. Shendell, as outside General Counsel to numerous major developers throughout Florida, also devotes considerable time in matters concerning Construction, Contract, Fraud, Deceptive Trade Practice Actions, and Business Torts. His Construction Litigation practice involves a wide variety of construction related issues, including Construction and Design Defects, disputes among owners and contractors/subcontractors, and homeowner and community associations.
Mr. Shendell provides webinars on Accountant’s Liability, Risk Management, Real Estate Agents & Brokers Liability, Bad Faith Coverage, and Ethics, before numerous professional groups and associations, brokers, companies, and firms nationally.
Gary Shendell is also the recipient of the 2019 Top Lawyer Award and America’s Most Honored Professionals 2019 Award! Mr. Shendell received the award for 2021 Top Lawyers in South Florida selected by Peer Recognition.
Matthew Tornincasa
Matt Tornincasa graduated from the University of Florida in 2003 with degrees in Political Science and Psychology. He earned his Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Board Law Center in 2008. While at Nova, Matt received the Leo Goodwin Scholarship and was the Marketing Editor for the Law Review.
Matt began working for Shendell & Pollock in 2007 as a summer clerk. When he was licensed in September 2008 he began working as an Associate Attorney. In December 2015, Matt was made a Partner of the firm. His focus of practice is on the Defense of Professional Liability Claims against Accountants and Attorneys. In addition to Civil Litigation, Matt also frequently appears before the Florida Bar, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, the Board of Accountancy and the Department of Business & Professional Regulation on behalf of professionals and applicants charged with violating the ethical rules of their professions. Matt has also litigated multiple estate and trust planning and administration issues on behalf of fiduciaries, planners and beneficiaries regarding issues of reformation of Documents, termination, undue influence, lack of capacity, compliance with the prudent investor rule, tax planning concerns, principal and income allocation issues and conflict of interest claims.
In addition to Florida’s state courts, Matt is admitted to practice before the federal District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida.
The presentation will focus on specific steps CPAs can take to mitigate litigation risk in their day to day activities, including addressing client onboarding and due diligence before being hired. The presentation provides specific examples of claims asserted in the past against CPA firms, with discussion of the steps that could have been taken to mitigate or eliminate the claims brought in each example.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Forensic Accounting 2025 - Stories and Tales Over the Past 30 Years
Steven Wolf, President, Wolf ForensicsSteven Wolf
Steve is President of Wolf Forensics and specializes in forensic accounting, disputes and investigations, business valuation, transactional due diligence and exit planning. Wolf Forensics assists clients by offering tailored solutions designed to objectively analyze data and quantify the economic value associated with an unprecedented event. Clients often seek his guidance on complex commercial contract disputes, partnership and shareholder disputes, internal investigations, bankruptcy disputes and fraudulent conveyance and alter ego actions, corporate malfeasance, business divorces, insurance claims, post-acquisition disputes, intellectual property infringement, economic damages, wage earnings loss calculations, accounting irregularities and professional liability claims. His vast experience makes him uniquely qualified to provide a myriad of transaction advisory services to clients.
This session will present real stories about forensic accounting assignments with practical tips gained over 30+ years experience
• To better understand the evolution of forensic accounting in 2025
• Learn what forensic accountants actually do and learn about real assignments told through stories
• Gain practical tips on how to approach assignments and be effective with clients
Credits: 1 - Accounting and Auditing
This session is available to registrants only.
Leader(s):
- Abigail Hawkins, DataSnipper
- Alex Maher, DataSnipper
- Benjamin Streed, Deep Blue Investment Advisors
- Beth Mascetta, HBK Valuation Litigation & Forensics
- Brett Cooper, Managing Director Valuation & Advisor, Rivero, Gordimer & Co, PA
- Brian Koch, Holland & Knight, LLP
- Brian Rohl, Manager, Gampel Forensic and Valuation, Inc.
- Catalina Avalos, 17th Judicial Circuit Court State of Florida
- Elaine Carbuccia, 17th Judicial Circuit Court State of Florida
- Elzbieta Bijlani, Founder and Executive Coach, Consulting and Coaching Solutions LLC
- Gary Shendell, Managing Partner, Shendell & Pollock, P.L.
- James Hitchner, Managing Director, Financial Valuation Advisors, Inc
- Jason Harrell, Chief External Affairs Officer, Florida Institute of CPAs
- Kathryn Gilden, Partner/COO, Fiske & Company
- Keathan Frink, Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit Court State of Florida
- Martin Bidwill, 17th Judicial Circuit Court State of Florida
- Matthew Tornincasa, Senior Partner, Shendell & Pollock, P.L.
- Neil Beaton, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services, LLC
- Peter Gampel, Managing Director - Litigation Services, Gampel Forensic and Valuation, Inc.
- Sheri Schultz, Managing Partner, Fiske & Company
- Stacey Udell, Director, HBK Professionals and Consultants
- Steven Wolf, President, Wolf Forensics
Leader Bios
Abigail Hawkins, DataSnipper
Abby Hawkins is a finance and compliance technology professional specializing in the intersection of financial reporting, data analytics, and SaaS. With expertise in US GAAP, GASB, SOX, and AI, she continues to assist CPAs and financial professionals with optimizing their workflows using DataSnipper’s innovative Excel-based and AI driven tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
Abby is dedicated to driving process improvements, technology adoption, and client success through strategic insights and hands-on collaboration. Her background in SaaS sales and experience in high-pressure environments have equipped her to support CPAs and finance teams in adapting to evolving compliance standards and leveraging automation effectively across industries.
Alex Maher, DataSnipper
Alex Maher is a seasoned leader and innovator with over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology, engineering, and auditing. As CEO and Co-Founder of UpLink, he led the development of an AI-powered platform that transformed PBC management in auditing, ultimately leading to its acquisition by DataSnipper in October 2024. Prior to UpLink, Alex started his career at a Big 4 Accounting firm as a CPA doing mostly IT audits. After teaching himself to code, he switched into an internal role at the firm managing software development teams. He left the accounting world in 2018 to become the Director of Software Development at a publicly traded telcom construction company, where he worked for 4 years before leaving to start UpLink in May of 2022.
Benjamin Streed, Deep Blue Investment Advisors
Benjamin Streed is the Chief Investment Officer. As CIO, he is an integral component of our firmwide commitment to attract and retain industry leaders who will better service our clients and local communities. His focused efforts are to build out our front, middle, and back offices will position us for continued growth.
Before becoming CIO, he served as Director of Fixed Income for several years. In this role he worked with investment professionals to deliver comprehensive, custom, diversified portfolio management strategies for separately managed accounts, consulting clients, and the U.S. Fixed Income Trust local government investment pools. Benjamin will continue directing the Portfolio Management team and serving on the firm’s investment and credit committees. He will further develop as a thought leader in the investment space — attending industry seminars and speaking engagements to educate our clients and prospects.
Prior to joining Deep Blue, Benjamin served as a general strategist with Wells Fargo Private Bank and previously was a fixed income portfolio strategist with Raymond James. There, he was a member of the investment strategy committee and the strategic and tactical asset allocation sub-committees. He has also served as an investment analyst and portfolio manager where he focused on providing unique investment solutions for high-net-worth families.
Benjamin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a focus on finance from Emory University and a Master of Science in finance (MSF) from Georgetown University where he graduated as class valedictorian. He is a CFA® charter holder and frequently volunteers his time grading CFA exams and serves on the CFA curriculum advisory committee and the Georgetown MSF alumni council.
Brett Cooper, Managing Director Valuation & Advisor, Rivero, Gordimer & Co, PA
C. Brett Cooper is the Managing Director of Valuation and Advisory Services. He has nearly 25 years of experience performing valuation and forensic-related consulting services and has been a part of an investment banking firm, a CFO of a privately owned light manufacturing firm, and with public accounting firms over his 35-plus-year career.
Rivero, Gordimer & Company, P.A. is the largest locally owned and operated CPA and Advisory firm in Tampa. The Firm provides attest, tax, and advisory services. The Valuation and Advisory Service Group assists clients with the valuation of businesses, business interests, and intangible property, litigation support in a wide variety of circumstances, financial forensic investigation, M&A transaction assistance, and ESOP implementation.
Brian Rohl, Manager, Gampel Forensic and Valuation, Inc.
Brian Rohl, CPA/ABV/CFF, is a Manager with Gampel Forensic & Valuation, a professional services firm focusing on forensic accounting, business valuation and commercial damages. Brian began his career in audit services at Deloitte before transitioning to litigation and valuation services in 2018. Brian’s services with forensic accounting services in connection with economic damages (lost profits) in business litigation, individual damages (lost earnings) as well as damages in intellectual property disputes. Brian has testified as direct expert witness in litigation and as the primary accountant performing investigative accounting for various complex joint ventures. Brian has also served as the outsourced CFO for a company for several years, including during its eventual acquisition for a purchase price exceeding $30 million. Brian sits on the Valuation, Forensic Accounting & Litigation Services Committee of the Florida Institute of CPAs and serves in various AICPA CFF credential committee task forces.
Elaine Carbuccia, 17th Judicial Circuit Court State of Florida
A first-generation American born, native Floridian from Broward County. Judge Carbuccia earned her undergraduate degrees from Broward Community College and Nova Southeastern University and her law degree from St. Thomas University College of Law in 2016. Appointed on May 15, 2023, to serve as a Circuit Judge on the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court assigned to the Unified Family Courts division, handling all circuit family and domestic relations matters. Judge Carbuccia is an adjunct professor of law for the Legal Writing Departing at St. Thomas University, College of Law; serves on the Board of Advisors for St. Thomas University, College of Law; and is a co-author of the 16th Edition of the Florida Family Law & Practice book. Judge Carbuccia was recognized by the Cuban American Bar Association as the 2023 Judge of the Year for her exceptional commitment to service and dedication to justice.
Elzbieta Bijlani, Founder and Executive Coach, Consulting and Coaching Solutions LLC
Ela Bijlani is a leadership coach and a CPA with an extensive background in business and leadership. With over two decades of experience in various accounting sectors, she has developed a deep expertise in strategy and operations, as well as how effective leadership can transform careers, unify teams, and deliver positive outcomes. Ela’s approach uniquely combines business insight with coaching expertise, focusing on both the metrics that drive performance and the motivations that inspire individuals within an organization. This dual perspective underpins her coaching engagements, team development workshops, and speaking initiatives, allowing her to facilitate meaningful transformations and achieve tangible outcomes for the teams and professionals she works with. She is the founder of Consulting and Coaching Solutions, LLC and offers training on topics related to leadership development, personal effectiveness, and team collaboration. Ela is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA).
Gary Shendell, Managing Partner, Shendell & Pollock, P.L.
As managing Partner, Gary R. Shendell is responsible for the overall management and supervision of Shendell & Pollock, P.L. He is recognized as a Florida Leading Attorney, is AV Rated, and is nationally recognized in complex high- exposure professional malpractice and commercial litigation. He has defended a wide array of professionals including Accountants, Lawyers, Real Estate Professionals, Insurance Agents & Brokers, Architects & Engineers, Physicians and other Healthcare Professionals. Mr. Shendell has also served as Lead counsel on a broad spectrum of Commercial & Corporate Litigation actions, ranging from Investor Suits to Enforcement of Non-competes to Fraudulent Misappropriation suits. He also handles EPL and D&O Cases in both Federal and State courts. As a former Certified Public and Tax Accountant, Mr. Shendell has a unique combination of accounting, corporate and legal skills which makes him highly sought after in the representation of Multi-Party Commercial Litigation, Estates and Trusts Litigation as well as Securities Arbitrations & Investigations Administered and/or conducted by FINRA and the SEC. His primary practice is throughout the states of Florida and New Jersey.
In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Shendell is heavily involved in Coverage matters, including Time Limit/Policy Limit Demands & Bad Faith and has been appointed as Special Counsel to assist numerous clients in the defense and avoidance of such claims.
Mr. Shendell, as outside General Counsel to numerous major developers throughout Florida, also devotes considerable time in matters concerning Construction, Contract, Fraud, Deceptive Trade Practice Actions, and Business Torts. His Construction Litigation practice involves a wide variety of construction related issues, including Construction and Design Defects, disputes among owners and contractors/subcontractors, and homeowner and community associations.
Mr. Shendell provides webinars on Accountant’s Liability, Risk Management, Real Estate Agents & Brokers Liability, Bad Faith Coverage, and Ethics, before numerous professional groups and associations, brokers, companies, and firms nationally.
Gary Shendell is also the recipient of the 2019 Top Lawyer Award and America’s Most Honored Professionals 2019 Award! Mr. Shendell received the award for 2021 Top Lawyers in South Florida selected by Peer Recognition.
James Hitchner, Managing Director, Financial Valuation Advisors, Inc
Jim Hitchner is managing director of Financial Valuation Advisors www.finvaluation.com and is president of The Financial Consulting Group www.gofcg.org. He is also CEO of Valuation Products and Services (VPS) www.valuationproducts.com.
Mr. Hitchner is editor/coauthor of the books the Hitchner Pratt Fishman Consensus View Q&A Guide to Financial Valuation and the VPS DLOM Guide and Toolkit, published by VPS. He is also editor/coauthor of Financial Valuation Applications and Models (FVAM), fourth edition; Financial Valuation Workbook (FVW), fourth edition; and Valuation for Financial Reporting: Fair Value, Business Combinations, Intangible Assets, Goodwill, and Impairment Analysis, third edition, all published by Wiley. He is also coauthor of PPC’s Guide To Business Valuations, 28th edition, published by Thomson Reuters. FVAM and FVW have been adopted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) for its five-day Business Valuation School course and by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) for its two-day Advanced Business Valuation course. The VPS DLOM Guide and Toolkit is the core resource for NACVA’s one-day DLOM course. Mr. Hitchner designed all three courses.
He has spent over 38 years in valuation services, including as a shareholder with Phillips Hitchner Group, partner-in-charge of valuation services for the Southern Region of Coopers & Lybrand (currently PricewaterhouseCoopers), and senior appraiser with American Appraisal Associates. In the valuation area he has coauthored over 20 courses, taught over 60 courses, published over 140 articles, and has made over 350 conference and webinar presentations.
He is also an inductee in the AICPA Business Valuation Hall of Fame and a two-time recipient of the AICPA’s Business Valuation Volunteer of the Year award. He was also one of the four original members of the AICPA Business Valuation Standards Writing Task Force and served for the entire six years, up to the June 2007 official release of the standards.
Jason Harrell, Chief External Affairs Officer, Florida Institute of CPAs
Jason Harrell is the FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer responsible for leading all aspects of the Institute’s public policy, advocacy, governmental affairs and regulatory affairs. He serves as the liaison to the DBPR and Board of Accountancy and is responsible for all advocacy-related external communications and campaigns to increase the value of the CPA license. Jason brings numerous years of experience to this role, previously serving as director of government relations for Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers Association and budget and communications director for the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation, serving in key roles under two Speakers in the Florida House, and serving in the Executive Office of the Governor in the Office of Policy and Budget and Chief Inspector General’s Office.
Kathryn Gilden, Partner/COO, Fiske & Company
Katie Gilden has recently joined Fiske & Company in the Forensic Accounting and Litigation Services Practice of the firm. Katie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in these specialized fields. Prior to joining Fiske & Company, Katie was a Principal at a boutique consulting firm, specializing in forensic accounting investigations of complex financial matters related to civil litigation and bankruptcy. She has also provided accounting and litigation support in the areas of fraud and professional negligence; evaluating and assessing accounting and audit work papers; assisting Trustees, Receivers, Debtors-in-possession, and Assignees for the Benefit of Creditors in carrying out various accounting and financial aspects of their fiduciary duties.
Significant experiences include performance of complex forensic investigation for Receiver and Trustee of a $220 million factoring fraud, including providing forensic accounting and support in matters leading to jury verdicts of $170 million in compensatory and $351 million in punitive damages against BDO Seidman as well as performance of forensic accounting and litigation support for Trustee of failed real estate condo conversion in Orlando, FL consisting of a 276-unit complex and $10 million in unregistered REIT funds.
In addition, Katie previously has worked for two "Big 5? accounting firms in the areas of state and local tax consulting and has performed extensive analysis of various tax and financial planning strategies; arranged financial analysis models to compute monetary savings resulting from planning ideas and developed pro-active strategies to mitigate future tax exposure.
Katie's recent awards include being named a "Top CPA in Litigation Support" by the South Florida Legal Guide since 2012, and an "Up and Comer" in Professional Services by Lifestyle Media Group. Articles she has co-authored have been published in the Daily Business Review and the South Florida Legal Guide in 2013 and 2014.
Keathan Frink, Judge, 17th Judicial Circuit Court State of Florida
In 2016, Judge Keathan Frink was appointed to Circuit Court of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County, Florida. Judge Frink is currently assigned to the Circuit Civil Division presiding over a broad category of cases, including tort cases, contract disputes, products liability and malpractice cases, infringements of intellectual property, enforcement of non-compete contracts, and petitions for injunctive relief. Judge Frink is also on the panel that hears county to circuit appeals. Prior to serving in the Circuit Civil Division, Judge Frink was assigned to the Unified Family Court Division presiding over Dissolution of Marriage, Child Custody and Support, Name Changes, Adoptions, Paternity Suits, and Modification proceedings. Judge Frink obtained his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in 1997 and his law degree from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law in 2000. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2000 and he is also admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, the U.S. Southern District of Florida, the U.S. Middle District of Florida and the United States Supreme Court. Prior to his appointment, Judge Frink was a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Kelley Kronenberg, P.A., where he practiced in the areas of product liability, construction defect, negligent security, wrongful death, premises liability and insurance subrogation. Judge Frink gained significant trial experience by working as an Assistant Public Defender in Broward County, FL in 2003. He also served as Assistant Regional Counsel for the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, Fourth District where he was the supervisor of the homicide division.
Martin Bidwill, 17th Judicial Circuit Court State of Florida
Martin J. Bidwill has served as a Circuit Court Judge in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Fort Lauderdale since 2005. He served in the Criminal Division from 2005-2017, including seven years as the Administrative Judge of the Division. Since 2017, he has served in the Civil Division, where he presides over a general civil division and the Asbestos Litigation Division. In 2008, he served as an Associate Judge on the Fourth District Court of Appeal.
At the time of his appointment to the bench, he was the Chief Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida. He served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender from 1995-2005. Judge Bidwill also served as an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County from 1992-1995. From 1990-1992, he served as a law clerk to United States District Judge Jose A. Gonzalez, Jr. in the Southern District of Florida. He earned his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law in 1990 and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Wittenberg University in 1987. Since 2012, he has served on the Florida Courts Technology Commission (FCTC), and the Supreme Court appointed him recently to serve as chair of the Commission.
Matthew Tornincasa, Senior Partner, Shendell & Pollock, P.L.
Matt Tornincasa graduated from the University of Florida in 2003 with degrees in Political Science and Psychology. He earned his Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Board Law Center in 2008. While at Nova, Matt received the Leo Goodwin Scholarship and was the Marketing Editor for the Law Review.
Matt began working for Shendell & Pollock in 2007 as a summer clerk. When he was licensed in September 2008 he began working as an Associate Attorney. In December 2015, Matt was made a Partner of the firm. His focus of practice is on the Defense of Professional Liability Claims against Accountants and Attorneys. In addition to Civil Litigation, Matt also frequently appears before the Florida Bar, the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, the Board of Accountancy and the Department of Business & Professional Regulation on behalf of professionals and applicants charged with violating the ethical rules of their professions. Matt has also litigated multiple estate and trust planning and administration issues on behalf of fiduciaries, planners and beneficiaries regarding issues of reformation of Documents, termination, undue influence, lack of capacity, compliance with the prudent investor rule, tax planning concerns, principal and income allocation issues and conflict of interest claims.
In addition to Florida’s state courts, Matt is admitted to practice before the federal District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida.
Neil Beaton, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services, LLC
Managing Director
Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services, LLC
Neil Beaton is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Valuation Services, LLC. Mr. Beaton specializes in the valuation of public and privately held businesses and intangible assets for purposes of litigation support (shareholder disputes, lost profits claims, marriage dissolutions, and others), acquisitions, sales, buy-sell agreements, ESOPs, incentive stock options, and estate planning and taxation. He also performs economic analysis for personal injury claims, wrongful termination and wrongful death actions. Mr. Beaton earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Stanford University and a master's degree in finance from National University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA). Additionally, he is Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF). Mr. Beaton is a frequent lecturer at universities, is an instructor for various business valuation courses, and speaks nationally on business valuation with a special emphasis on early stage and high technology companies. Mr. Beaton has written two books on early-stage company valuation, has contributed to chapters to a number of other books on valuation and damages issues and has written numerous articles on these topics. He is a former Co-Chair of the AICPA's Valuation of Private Equity Securities Task Force, a former member of the AICPA's ABV Exam Committee the AICPA's Mergers & Acquisitions Disputes Task Force. He is currently a member of the Business Valuation Update Editorial Advisory Board, a member of the Board of Experts for the publication, Financial Valuation and Litigation Expert, and on the Editorial Board of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts' Value Examiner.
Peter Gampel, Managing Director - Litigation Services, Gampel Forensic and Valuation, Inc.
Peter Gampel is a Managing Director at Gampel Forensic and Valuation in the Business Valuation, Forensic Accounting and Litigation Services Practice of the firm. Mr. Gampel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in these specialized fields and has advised many business owners and attorneys over the years. His career spans over 30 years with a considerable portion of that time with a Big 5 accounting firm where he was a principal in charge of the Florida Valuation Practice.
Mr. Gampel has prepared over 1,000 reports for both business valuation and economic damages. Valuations include those for complex accounting matters such as purchase price allocation, goodwill and intangible asset impairment and stock options. Other valuations include those for estate and gift tax purposes, purchases and sales of businesses or minority interests therein and corporate tax planning. Litigation and forensic cases have included many high profile cases pertaining to breach of contract, shareholder and marital disputes, business and construction damages, personal injury, wrongful termination, patent infringement and false advertising.
Mr. Gampel has provided expert testimony on many occasions for Circuit Courts, US Tax Court, US Bankruptcy Court, American Arbitration Association and in Canada. He has written numerous articles in his field and has presented to various organizations and professionals.
Sheri Schultz, Managing Partner, Fiske & Company
Director of the Valuation Services Department
Fiske & Company
Sheri Schultz brings over 20 years of experience to her clients, offering both professional expertise and practical insight toward business valuations and litigation support services. In addition to being a licensed CPA, Sheri is Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF), and holds the designation of Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV).
Since joining Fiske & Company in 1990 as Director of the Valuation Services Department, Sheri has provided business valuation services and counsel to manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, medical practices, restaurants, service entities, and public companies. A frequent speaker on topics such as business valuation, tax planning and estate planning, she also has broad-based tax experience in business mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, estate issues and tax compliance.
Sheri's certifications and professional background enable her to provide expert advice and counsel to outside CPAs as well as lawyers representing clients in business litigation where business valuation is involved. Her practice focus is in business damages claims, fraud, and business transitions of all kinds including family succession. Sheri has provided expert witness testimony and consulting services in complex estate and accounting matters.
As Chair of the Business Valuation/Litigation Committee for the FICPA, Sheri helped to develop the Valuation and Litigation Section for the State of Florida; she recently stepped down from the Board of Governors for the FICPA where she served for 6 years. Her position on the National Business Valuation Committee for the AICPA has been instrumental in the advancement of the business valuation discipline. Sheri currently serves on the AICPA's ABV Credential Committee and as the Chair of the AICPA's Champion Task Force.
Sheri assisted in writing and gaining approval for the AICPA Statement on Standards for Valuation Services No.1, Valuation of a Business, Business Ownership Interest, Security or Intangible Asset, which became effective January 1, 2008. All CPA's must comply with these standards when writing business valuation reports.
Sheri's recent awards include being named a "Key Partner" in Accounting by the South Florida Business Journal in 2012, a "Woman Extraordinaire" by Business Leader Magazine, and a "Top CPA in Litigation Support" by the South Florida Legal Guide. Professional articles she has authored have been published in the South Florida Business Journal, the Daily Business Review, the South Florida Legal Guide, and the Broward Barrister. Sheri spends a great deal of time assisting charitable organizations and has been a Board of Trustee member of Jewish Federation of Broward County for many years and is past Chair of their Professional Advisory Committee.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Accounting, University of Florida (1984)
Master of Science, Taxation, University of Florida (1985)
Professional/Civic Affiliations
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
– Chair, Champion Task Force
– Member of ABV Credential Committee
– Member of Business Valuation Committee, 2001-2004
– Member of AICPA Business Valuation Conference Committee, 2001 and 2003
Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA)
– Board of Governors, 2006-2012
– Chair of FICPA Business Valuation/Litigation Section 2004-2005
– Chair of Business Valuation/Litigation Conference
– President, Gold Coast Chapter, 1999-2000
– Member of Woman's Executive Leadership Group
Fort Lauderdale Estate Tax Council, Board of Directors
Jewish Federation of Broward County, Board of Trustees
– Allocation & Budget Committee
Israeli Bond Leadership Group, Cabinet Member
Stacey Udell, Director, HBK Professionals and Consultants
Stacey Udell, a graduate of University of Delaware, is a Partner in Gold Gerstein Group LLC, specializing in valuation, forensic accounting, economic damages, and litigation support services. In addition, Ms. Udell provides accounting and tax services for closely-held and family businesses including financial statement preparation, business and personal income tax planning and compliance, estate and business succession planning. Ms. Udell is Co-Chair of the 2016 and 2017 Forensic and Valuation Services Conferences and has been a committee member for the conference since 2013. She currently serves on the Forensic and Litigation Services Committee and is chair of the Family Law Task Force. Ms. Udell was a member of the initial CFF Exam Development Committee, serving from 2009 to 2014. She held numerous committee positions at the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) including serving on the Valuation Exam and Grading Committee, the 2009 Annual Conference planning committee, and the Litigation Forensics Board (including chairperson from 2010 to 2011). Ms. Udell was a founding member of the course development team for the Advanced Matrimonial Litigation Support Workshop and a member of the course development team and instructor for the Matrimonial Litigation Support Workshop from 2010 to 2012. At the statewide level, she served as Vice President of the New Jersey State NACVA Chapter from 2008 to 2013 and was Co-Chair of the Annual Conference from 2009 to 2013. Ms. Udell is a founding member and board member of the South Jersey Collaborative Divorce Professionals.
Steven Wolf, President, Wolf Forensics
Steve is President of Wolf Forensics and specializes in forensic accounting, disputes and investigations, business valuation, transactional due diligence and exit planning. Wolf Forensics assists clients by offering tailored solutions designed to objectively analyze data and quantify the economic value associated with an unprecedented event. Clients often seek his guidance on complex commercial contract disputes, partnership and shareholder disputes, internal investigations, bankruptcy disputes and fraudulent conveyance and alter ego actions, corporate malfeasance, business divorces, insurance claims, post-acquisition disputes, intellectual property infringement, economic damages, wage earnings loss calculations, accounting irregularities and professional liability claims. His vast experience makes him uniquely qualified to provide a myriad of transaction advisory services to clients.
Non-Member Price $1,000.00
Member Price $750.00