RALPH E. OSTERMUELLER, CPA, ASA, ABV, CBA, CFE, MAE

 


 

12865 Crab Thicket Lane

St. Louis, Missouri 63131-2122

Phone:  314-965-5921 / Fax: 314-821-3310

E~Mail: experts@ostermueller.com / Website: www.ostermueller.com

 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

 

1995                   Managing Member and Owner

to                       THE OSTERMUELLER GROUP, L.L.C. (“TOG”)- St. Louis, MO -  Business Valuations, Present           Litigation Support/ Testimony and Merger/ Acquisition/ Forensic Consulting. 

 

TOG is a member firm of the Financial Consulting Group (FCG).  FCG is a national organization of 60+ BV practices and related firms who have pooled their technical expertise and created large organization synergies.  FCG allows its member firms to have access to other FCG associates with specific valuation/litigation experience and industry knowledge, to work together on large projects needing additional staffing, and to develop shared processes and methodologies that increase the ultimate effectiveness and quality of services to clients.

 

TOG is a CPA firm with a niche practice, generally serving business valuation/ litigation support/ M&A/ forensic accounting needs in the U.S., Canada and UK, including mediation/dispute resolution forums and primarily serving attorneys, CPAs, healthcare networks, bank/trust companies, insurance companies and their clients.

 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE (continued)

 

1982                   OSTERMUELLER & ASSOCIATES, P.C., Certified Public Accountants - A St. Louis based

to                        CPA firm providing, primarily, management consulting services, including Compensation/Human

1994                   Resources, Management Systems and General Management Advisory Services.

 

                           MID AMERICA CORPORATE VALUATION SERVICES - A division of Ostermueller &              Associates, P.C., providing business valuation and expert witness services.

 

 

1981                   VENTURE RESOURCES GROUP (Boston) - Manager of Merger and Acquisition Services (Midwest) and St. Louis Franchisee for VR Business Brokers.  Advised on valuations for over 200 closely-held businesses.  Formed and operated brokerage for purchase/sale of small businesses.

 

 

1976                   Senior Manager

to                        GRANT THORNTON INTERNATIONAL, St. Louis, Missouri

1981                   Certified Public Accountants and Management Consultants

 

                           Initiated department serving local and state governments; promoted to Director-Management Advisory Services Department.

 

                           Additional personal assignments included

                           §        Valuation of closely held stock/expert witness services

                           §        Human resources consulting (position evaluation and compensation plans, executive search, and organization analyses)

                           §        Computer and systems' evaluations, designs and installation

                           §        Governmental operational audits (purchasing, EDP, EEOC, treasury, insurance/risk management, law enforcement)

                           §        Initially appointed Account Administrator for client services (audit, tax and consulting) and Recruiting Director for professional staff.  Named to National Recruiting Team.  Member of local office Practice Development Team.

 

1972                   National Representative

to                        HBE CORPORATION, St. Louis, Missouri

1975                   Nation's largest design/constructor of health care facilities; also, financial institutions, hospitality industry and HBE-owned ski area.

 

                           Traveled extensively to generate, develop and close leads for health care projects in U.S.  Assisted client board and management in assessment of financial needs, debt-service ability, acquisition of

 

 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE (continued):

 

                           project financing and of required planning approvals. Monitored each project until completion of design and regulatory approvals and final construction contract signatures.

 

1971                   Vice President and Controller

to                        STOCKYARDS BANK, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

1972                   Lead bank in a five-bank group (common ownership).

 

                           As Chief Financial Officer, managed the investment portfolio; set fiscal, tax, and accounting policy; and provided all internal and external financial reporting.  Operated profit planning and budgeting systems for cash management and for all other assets and liabilities.

 

1967                   Management Consultant

to                        PEAT, MARWICK, MITCHELL AND COMPANY, St. Louis, Missouri

1971                   Certified Public Accountants and Management Consultants

 

                           Performed management consulting assignments for clients, including banks (Cost of Funds and Responsibility Accounting Systems), hospitals (Patient Flow Analysis and Business Systems Design), universities (Hospital/Clinic Financial Feasibility Study), manufacturing companies (Executive Compensation Systems and Organization Development/Behavioral Science Applications). 

 

1962                   Senior Staff (Audit and Tax Departments)

to                        S.D. LEIDESDORF AND COMPANY (Now, Ernst & Young, CPAs), St. Louis, Missouri

1966

 

 

 

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

 

                           B.S. in Commerce (Accounting (M), Economics (m), Philosophy (m)), St. Louis University, 1962.

 

                           Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Missouri, 1970.

 

                           Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) - Business and Intangibles' Valuations - 1989, American Society of Appraisers - Washington, D.C., Recertification Approved (in 1994 and in 1999) to 2004.

 

                           Accredited Business Valuer (ABV) – 1998, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

 

                           Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) – 1998, Institute of Business Appraisers

 

 

 

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS (continued)

                                                                                                                                                                                      

                           Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) - The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners - 1997.

 

Practicing Member, Academy of Experts (MAE) –  (British) Academy of Experts, London – 1994.

 

 

 

TEACHING       Guest Lecturer for AICPA, AG & Co., SBA, University of Missouri (CE),

                           St. Louis University and Lindenwood University- Graduate Programs

 

                           Qualified Instructor for ASA’s & AICPA’s Business Valuation Certification Programs in the U.S.

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND COMMITTEES

 

                           American Society of Appraisers (Senior Member) - Business Valuations (1989) (Recertified to 2004)

                           Member of the Education Sub-Committee (1995) and the Public Relations Sub-Committee (1994-1995) of the Business Valuation Committee; Member of the International Board of Examiners (BV) (1996-1997).

         

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Member of the Business Valuation Subcommittee (1998-2000); Leader, Member Benefits Task Force, (1999-2000); ABV Exam Development Team Member (1998-1999)

 

                           The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners – (Practicing Member) (1997).

         

                           Missouri Society of CPA's - State Chairman, Business Valuation and Litigation Services Committee (1995 & 1996); and Business Valuation and Litigation Support Services Committee member (1992-present), formerly Public Relations State Chairman (1987-1991), and member of MAP Committee.

 

                           (British) Academy of Experts (London, UK) – (Practicing Member) (1994-Present)

 

                           Institute of Business Appraisers – (Certified Business Appraiser); Member (1996-present)

 

                           Business Damages Forum (U.S.) – Charter Member - 1998

 

         

 

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND COMMITTEES          (continued) 

 

                           American Arbitration Association (AAA) (1994) (2000-AICPA-designated as an Arbiter for AAA in Business Valuations & related matters)

 

 

 

DIRECTOR/ADVISORY APPOINTMENTS (RECENT)

 

                           Director-Enterprise Financial Advisors-(1998-Present) The trust company/personal financial planning unit of Enterbank, a Midwest US Financial Services Holding Company.

 

                           Director-White House Retreats, Inc.(2000-Present)- A Jesuit Retreat House near St. Louis, MO serving men and women with multiple venues of group and individual retreat experiences.

 

                           Director-Rotary International, Des Peres, MO Club. (Multiple years) An international community service organization.

 

 

SPEAKING/AUTHOR CREDITS (RECENT)

         

                           "Appraisal/Valuation of Closely-Held Companies" - Speeches to various industry groups and general audiences; as guest speaker for banks, industry, educational institutions, service clubs and professional bar associations, 1985-present.

 

                           "Business Appraisal Services - Expanding the Firm's Capabilities" - ASSET (MSCPA), December 1986 and January 1987.

 

                           "Business Appraisal (Valuation) Services" - Management of an Accounting Practice Handbook, (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), 1987 Edition.

 

"Effect of FHLBB Memo R-41c on Business Appraisals" - Speech to American Society of Appraisers, St. Louis Chapter and St. Louis S & L Industry representatives, April, 1987.

 

                           "Educating Your Expert to be an Effective Witness"  - Lawyers Weekly, Expert Witness Supplement, in Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, Rhode Island and Virginia, 1989.

 

                           "Business Valuation for Attorneys" - The Advocate, Indiana Trial Lawyer Association, and Lawyers'
 Weekly, Expert Witness Supplement, (ibid.), 1991.

 

                           "Valuation Issues for the '90s" - Speeches to Kansas Society of CPAs, Missouri Society of CPAs -
 Central Chapter, and Seminar presentation to Midwest Financial Planning Conference.

SPEAKING/AUTHOR CREDITS (RECENT) – Continued

 

                           "Solving Problems for Closely-Held Businesses - Value Issues & ESOPs" and "How to Get Started
 with an ESOP" -  Seminars cosponsored with major Midwest law firms, banks and trust companies,
 1992 and 1993.

 

“Discounts & Premiums in Valuation of Closely-Held Businesses” - Speech to Missouri Association
 of Tax Practitioners - Jefferson City, MO, 11/18/94.

 

Guest Lecturer on "Developing Capitalization & Discount Rates to Value Businesses," sponsored by St. Louis University - Graduate School of Business.

 

                           Speaker at Missouri Society of  CPA's - Mega Conference (multiple occasions) - Mock Trial(s) and Expert Witness Training for CPA’s.

 

“Valuation Discounts & Family Limited Partnerships” - Article in St. Louis Daily Record, 1/20/95.

 

  “Business Valuation Issues”, 2/24/95 Speech to 1995 Domestic Relations Seminar - St. Louis 
   Missouri County Bar Association.               

 

                           “Experts in England...”, Article in St. Louis Daily Record, 6/14/96.

 

                           “Academy of Experts sets high standards for members”, Article in the St. Louis Countain, 1/20/98,
 the St. Louis Daily Record, 1/20/98 and The Courier Post, 1/20/98.            

 

                           “Business valuation discounts for FLPs and LLCs”, Article in the St. Louis Daily Record, 2/4/98,   the St. Louis Countain, 2/4/98, and the The Courier Post, 2/4/98.

 

                           “Valuation discounts for FLPs, LLCs and use of appraisers in transfer tax matters”, Article in the St. Louis Daily Record, 2/24/98,   the St. Louis Countain, 2/24/98, and The Courier Post, 2/24/98.

 

                           “Academy of Experts publishes ‘Expert’s Declaration’…”, Article in the St. Louis Daily Record,
  3/12/98, St. Louis Countain, 3/12/98 and The Courier Post, 3/12/98.

 

                           “Using a model form for an expert’s report”, Article in the St. Louis Daily Record,
  4/15/98, St. Louis Countain, 4/15/98 and the The Courier Post, 4/15/98.

 

                           COMPANION to the PPC Guide to Business Valuations - 1996, 1997, 1998 Multiple template-based software (Excel 5.0 and 7.0, Lotus 4.0 and 5.0, Quattro Pro 5.0, and Lotus (DOS) 3.4

SPEAKING/AUTHOR CREDITS (RECENT) – Continued

 

                           COMPANION to the PPC Guide to Business Valuations (continued):

 

                           w/WYSIWYG).  The Companion was written to automate and document the BV process and decision-making using this annual BV practice guide which was designated as an Authoritative Publication by the ASA-BV Committee.

 

 

 

SEMINARS/CPE/SYMPOSIUMS GIVEN/ATTENDED/COMPLETED (1990-Present Only)

 

Personal Financial Planning Conference, 1990 (St. Louis), sponsored by MSCPA

 

                           Business Valuation issues of the ‘90’s, 1990 (Vancouver), sponsored jointly by ASA/CICBV

 

ASA International Appraisal Conference - Litigation Support: The Appraisers as Expert Witnesses, 1990 (Chicago), sponsored by ASA

 

10th Annual Business Valuation Conference, 1991 (Scottsdale), sponsored by ASA

 

                         "Considerations in Buying & Selling a Business in Missouri," 1991 (St. Louis), National Business Institute

 

                           "CPE Microcomputer Conference," 1992 (St. Louis), CPE Microcomputer Conference/CPE

 

                           "Tax Consequences of Workouts," 1992 (St. Louis), Bar Association of Metro St. Louis

 

ASA Business Valuation Conference - The Cutting Edge of Market Value, 1993 (Houston), sponsored by ASA

 

The Fifth Annual AICPA Conference on the CPA’s Role in Litigation Services, 1993 (Chicago), sponsored by AICPA

 

                           "Calculating Economic Damages," 1993 (St. Louis), Totaltape Publishing Company

 

Business Valuation in a changing International Environment, 1994 (San Diego), a joint ASA/CICBV presentation.

 

Annual Tax Conference, 1994 (Jefferson City), sponsored by Missouri Association of Tax Practitioners

 

Seventh Annual Institute on Estate Planning, 1995 (St. Louis), sponsored by Probate & Trust Section of the Bar Association of Metro St. Louis

SEMINARS/CPE/SYMPOSIUMS GIVEN/ATTENDED/COMPLETED (1990-Present Only) (Continued

 

14th Annual Advanced Business Valuation Conference, 1995 (Boston), sponsored by ASA

 

ASA International Appraisal Conference, 1995 (Denver), Business Education Sessions, sponsored by ASA

 

Annual Experts in Litigation Conference, 1996 (Chicago), sponsored by Illinois CPA Society & Foundation, and the A.B.A.

 

ASA International Appraisal Conference, 1996 (Toronto), sponsored by ASA)

 

15th Annual Advanced Business Valuation Conference, 1996 (Memphis), sponsored by ASA

 

1996 AICPA National Business Valuation Conference, 1996 (Phoenix), sponsored by AICPA

 

16th Annual Advanced Business Valuation Conference, 1997. (San Francisco), sponsored by ASA

 

1997 AICPA National Business Valuation Conference, 1997 (San Diego), sponsored by AICPA

                          

ASA International Appraisal Conference, 1998 (Maui), sponsored by ASA

 

1998 AICPA National Business Valuation Conference, 1998 (Palm Beach), sponsored by AICPA

 

18th Annual Advanced Business Valuation Conference, 1999 (New Orleans), sponsored by ASA

 

1999 AICPA National Business Valuation Conference, (Las Vegas), sponsored by AICPA

 

2000 BV Software / Valuation Conference, (Denver), Sponsored by the Financial Consulting Group

 

2000 Superconference, (Nashville), (Speaker “Using the Guideline Method for Valuing Smaller Companies”), Sponsored by Tennessee Society of CPAs.

 

2000 AICPA National Business Valuation Conference, (Miami), (Speaker: “Practice Makes Perfect: Valuing Professional Practices”); (Speaker: “Report-Writing Critiques”), sponsored by AICPA

 

2001-Instructor-AICPA/Federal Judicial Center joint program in Business Valuation & Use of Experts by the Federal Judiciary, (Washington, D.C.), Videotaping for distribution to the U.S. Federal Judiciary and Class Presentation to the attending Federal Judiciary from the Tax, Claims, District & Bankruptcy courts.