Litigation & Dispute Resolution

April 14, 2020

AICPA Issues New Forensic Services Standard Effective January 1, 2020

Statements on Standards for Forensic Services (“SSFS No. 1”) are issued by the AICPA’s Forensic and Valuation Services Executive Committee. SSFS No. 1 provides guidance and establishes enforceable standards for members performing certain forensic and valuation services, specifically, for litigation and investigation engagements. These engagements are defined by SSFS No. 1 as follows:

  • Litigation. An actual or potential legal or regulatory proceeding before a trier of fact or a regulatory body as an expert witness, consultant, neutral, mediator, or arbitrator in connection with the resolution of disputes between parties. The term litigation as used herein is not limited to formal litigation but is inclusive of disputes and all forms of alternative dispute resolution.
  • Investigation. A matter conducted in response to specific concerns of wrongdoing in which the member is engaged to perform procedures to collect, analyze, evaluate, or interpret certain evidential matter to assist the stakeholders (for example, client, board of directors, independent auditor, or regulator) in reaching a conclusion on the merits of the concerns
Prior to the issuance of these standards, litigation and investigation engagements were covered by the AICPA Statement on Standards for Consulting Services No. 1 and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. As the need for forensic services has grown and evolved, SSFS No. 1 serves to protect the public interest and increase the level of consistency across the profession. The issuance of SSFS No. 1 reflects a consolidation of relevant forensic services standards into one single standard. These forensic standards are effective for engagements accepted on or after January 1, 2020. Ensure that your hired expert, if applicable, is aware of these new requirements and is aware of the applicable standards for the engagement. To download the Statement on Standards for Forensic Services click here.
Originally published in Mercer Capital’s Tennessee Family Law Newsletter, Volume 3, No. 1, 2020.

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Mercer Capital Professionals to Present at TSCPA’s 2026 Forensic and Valuation Services Conference
Mercer Capital Professionals to Present at TSCPA’s 2026 Forensic and Valuation Services Conference
Three Mercer Capital professionals will be featured speakers at the Tennessee Society of CPAs’ 2026 Forensic and Valuation Services Conference, taking place October 27-29, 2026, at TSCPA’s offices in Brentwood, Tennessee. Barbara Walters Price, Nikki McNeel, and David W. R. Harkins, CFA, CPA, ABV, CFF, will present consecutive sessions during the afternoon of Wednesday, October 28.Designed for CPAs working in forensic accounting, business valuation, and litigation support, the three-day conference will offer technical updates and practical guidance from professionals across the field.Barbara Price and Nikki McNeel will present “From Expertise to Opportunity: Marketing Strategies for Valuation Professionals.” Their session will explore how valuation professionals can communicate their expertise, create useful content, strengthen outreach, and market their skills alongside billable work. They will also discuss how AI is increasing the importance of credibility, judgment, and an authentic professional voice.David Harkins will follow with “The Art of Defining the Engagement: Turning Inquiries into Engagements.” His session will trace the process from the initial client conversation through the signed engagement letter, with practical guidance on gathering information, discussing fees and timelines, defining scope, managing expectations, and reducing scope creep.Barbara Walters Price serves as Chief Marketing Officer of Mercer Capital and is also a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. She leads the firm’s marketing strategy and oversees corporate communications, business development, digital strategy, and thought leadership initiatives. Price frequently speaks and writes about professional services marketing and leadership, particularly within the business valuation profession.Nikki McNeel is the Brand Manager at Mercer Capital, where she oversees the firm’s brand design and continuity across digital, web, and print platforms. She supports the firm’s broader marketing efforts, including website development, newsletters, social media, conferences, webinars, and corporate communications. McNeel also serves on Mercer Capital’s AI Committee, helping guide the firm’s evaluation and thoughtful implementation of artificial intelligence tools.David W. R. Harkins, CFA, CPA, ABV, CFF, is a Vice President at Mercer Capital and leads the firm’s Auto Dealership Industry team. He provides valuation and litigation support services for family law, commercial litigation, gift and estate tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, fairness and solvency opinions, and employee stock ownership plans. Harkins also publishes research in Mercer Capital’s Value Focus: Auto Dealer Industry newsletter and contributes regularly to the firm’s Auto Dealer Valuation Insights blog.For more information about the conference, visit the TSCPA conference website.
The Tariff Hangover: How a Year of Trade Volatility Is Reshaping Transportation
The Tariff Hangover: How a Year of Trade Volatility Is Reshaping Transportation
The past year has been defined by a series of rapid and often unpredictable shifts in trade policy. New tariffs, temporary pauses, retaliatory measures, and evolving global supply chains have left a measurable impact on the transportation and logistics industry. These developments have influenced freight volumes, pricing dynamics, capital allocation, and ultimately the valuation of transportation companies.

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