Focus & Commitment

A small firm can offer your case the attention it deserves. Dr. Laura Savory Miller’s approach to serving clients is both personal and professional. To this end, she understands that each client / case is unique with a different set of facts and circumstances. Armed with case specifics, she employs subject matter expertise and experience to tackle complex engagements.

About

Dr. Laura Savory Miller began her career as an associate with Rufus & Rufus, A.C. under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Rufus. After thirteen years with the firm, she became a partner of Rufus, Miller & Associates, A.C. in 2017. She continued working with Dr. Rufus for another three years until his retirement, at which time Miller Valuation & Consulting, LLC was formed.

Miller Valuation & Consulting, LLC offers forensic accounting and litigation support services. This work involves the use of specialized knowledge, experience, and training (e.g., fraud, business valuation, economic damages, family law) in a legal setting— consulting and expert witness testimony. The firm is committed to the advancement of this specialized field, supplementing professional practice with contributions to education and research.

Forensic Accounting

Forensic accounting is the application of accounting concepts and principles in a legal context. This field of practice extends far beyond “traditional” accounting, incorporating knowledge from several other disciplines, such as finance, economics, statistics, law, research, and investigative methods.

Although most people equate forensic accounting with fraud investigation, the scope of forensic accounting work is actually much broader. Forensic accounting services can be divided into two major components: investigative services and litigation services.

Investigative services include all engagements that do not involve actual or threatened litigation. Such engagements are generally related to corporate investigations, which are initiated for the purpose of protecting the organization and its assets from internal or external threats.
Litigation services are provided in connection with actual or potential legal or regulatory proceedings, which may be criminal or civil. These services are segregated into expert witness (testifying) services and consulting (non-testifying) services. An expert witness, whose task is to assist the court in understanding scientific or technical evidence, must present an independent and objective opinion. In contrast, a consulting expert assists engaging counsel in advocating for the client.

See our Services for information on specific types of forensic accounting engagements.

Forensic Accounting Textbook

In 2014, Dr. Robert Rufus and Dr. Laura Miller co-authored a textbook on forensic accounting, the first of its kind to offer a comprehensive and authentic view of forensic accounting practice. This text, which is intended for use at both the senior undergraduate and graduate levels, is published by Pearson Higher Education and is available for purchase from their online catalog.

Learn More/Purchase the Textbook

Services

Business Valuations

The firm performs business valuations of closely held companies for a variety of purposes. Common drivers of these engagements include:

Litigation – such as divorce, shareholder disputes, and economic damages
Transactions – such as buy-sell agreements, merger/acquisition proposals, and exit planning
Tax – such as gift or estate tax filings

Unlike public companies, which are valued in the capital markets via competitive bidding among buyers and sellers, values of private (or closely held) companies are not easily determined. Essentially, the value of a business (like any asset) is the present value of its future benefits. Based on various factors related to the economy, the industry, and the specific company, a valuation professional applies expertise and judgment to identify a reasonable value.

Economic Damages

The firm is engaged by attorneys (both plaintiff and defendant) to calculate economic damages related to civil litigation, such as tort or breach of contract claims. Common examples of such claims include personal injury, wrongful death, wrongful termination, and business interruption. Economic damages are the monetary compensation that is awarded to a plaintiff that has been injured as a result the defendant’s alleged action/s.

Expert Witness Testimony

Dr. Laura Savory Miller has provided expert witness testimony in multiple jurisdictions.

Associates

Dr. Laura Savory Miller, CFA, CVA

View the Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Laura Savory Miller

Dr. Laura Savory Miller has worked as a forensic analyst since 2003. She has authored or co-authored more than 250 expert opinion reports and has testified in multiple jurisdictions. She also provides investment advisory services through Advanced Investment Strategies, Inc. Dr. Miller was an instructor in the University of Charleston’s Master of Forensic Accounting program from 2008 to May of 2018. She received her B.S. in Finance from Marshall University, her M.A. in Economics from Ohio University, and her D.B.A. in Finance from Nova Southeastern University. Her professional designations include Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Valuation Analyst.