XPX Northern California: Valuation Art, Science, or Magic? (Members Only)

Kelly Ackel Crug and Ross Slutsky will lead an interactive XPX panel, moderated by Robert Thomas, on “Valuation: Art, Science, or Magic?” for exit-planning professionals advising closely held businesses. The discussion will cover core valuation approaches, what drives value, how purpose and assumptions can produce different reasonable conclusions, and when advisors should involve valuation specialists. The panel will emphasize practical examples, including owner dependency, hypothetical conditions, growth, risk, profitability, and pre-exit planning considerations, with time reserved for audience Q&A.

Our Speakers:

Robert Thomas
Partner
WithumSmith+Brown, PC

Rob Thomas is a Partner at Withum, bringing over 14 years of experience in accounting. Based in San Francisco, he specializes in helping life sciences, technology, and emerging growth companies ensure their financial statements align with investor expectations. Rob has extensive expertise in IPOs, secondary offerings, and complex accounting areas such as revenue recognition, leases, and stock-based compensation. He is a thought leader, co-authoring industry articles and presenting at advisory events.

Ross Slutsky
Manager
Valuation Services, WithumSmith+Brown, PC

Ross leads the national tax valuation practice and serves as the Florida Valuation Lead for Withum and the Vice President of Tampa’s ASA chapter specializing in valuations for income tax planning, gift and estate tax returns and QSBS purposes. Ross advises clients providing strategic consulting on complex tax issues. Ross has been published in trade journals such as STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practicioners) journal, Trusts and Estates, and Wealthmanagement.com and has spoken to charitable giving, and estate planning councils as well as PNC and Northern Trust and is scheduled to speak at the AICPAs national fair value conference.

Kelly Ackel Crug
Managing Director
Valuation Services at Andersen

Kelly is a Managing Director at Andersen with more than 24 years of experience with the valuation of closely held businesses, business interests, intangible assets, derivatives (including stock options and option-embedded securities), intellectual property, and debt instruments. These appraisal engagements were conducted for a variety of purposes, including tax planning and reporting (409A and gift/estate), financial reporting, mergers and acquisitions, litigation support, and strategic planning. Kelly holds the Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designation and is a member of the San Francisco Estate Planning Council and San Francisco Tax Club.

Agenda:

4:30 - 5:00 Networking
5:00 - 6:45 Panel and Table Discussions
6:45 - 7:00 Wrap up and Close

Registration Fees:

XPX Northern California Members: $0. There will be drinks and light hors d’oeuvres.

There is no charge for this event but registration is required for catering planning and building access.

This is a Members Only event.  If you are new to XPX and would like to be our guest please contact Adrian Bray: abray@consultstellar.com +1-415-690-9713

Please apply to become a member at:

https://my.exitplanningexchange.com/application/northern-california