Business Combinations & Internal Reorganization Webinar

After completing this course, participants will be able to distinguish among business combinations, asset acquisitions, joint venture formations, and internal reorganizations; apply the appropriate recognition and measurement model; evaluate purchase accounting and fair value evidence; and identify the reporting, tax, disclosure, and control considerations associated with each transaction type.

• Transaction scoping and the definition of a business 
• Business combinations and asset acquisitions under ASC 805 
• Joint venture formation accounting under ASU 2023-05 
• Accounting-acquirer considerations under ASU 2025-03 
• Purchase-price allocation and fair value measurement 
• Goodwill and contingent consideration 
• Common-control transfers and carryover-basis accounting 
• Pushdown accounting and parent-basis considerations 
• Financial reporting, disclosure, and implementation controls

Bill Witt, Director, Highspring

Bill Witt is a Director in the Accounting and Transaction Services (A&TS) practice at Highspring, where he specializes in advising clients on complex initial public offering (IPO) transactions, SEC filings, and technical accounting matters. With over 25 years of experience in technical accounting and financial reporting leadership, Bill is a trusted advisor to clients navigating high-stakes financial events.

His technical expertise spans a range of industries including fintech, biotechnology, and SaaS, with a proven track record supporting multiple IPOs and leading engagements involving ASC 606, lease accounting, and other critical accounting standards. Bill has developed and delivered training programs on the IPO process and technical accounting topics, positioning him as both a subject-matter expert and educator.

In addition to IPO readiness, Bill has extensive experience in financial transformation, including the optimization of close processes, the development of robust forecasting models, and the preparation of companies for complex equity and debt transactions. He is skilled in leading cross-functional teams and managing high-complexity projects involving corporate governance, post-merger integration, and strategic financial planning.

Prior to joining Highspring, Bill was a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young LLP, serving clients in both San Jose, California, and Atlanta, Georgia. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in California, Georgia, and Ohio.

After completing this course, participants will be able to distinguish among business combinations, asset acquisitions, joint venture formations, and internal reorganizations; apply the appropriate recognition and measurement model; evaluate purchase accounting and fair value evidence; and identify the reporting, tax, disclosure, and control considerations associated with each transaction type.

DETAILED LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify transactions that qualify as business combinations under ASC 805

• Determine whether an acquired set is a business by applying the optional concentration test

• Identify the appropriate accounting treatment for transaction costs incurred in a business combination

• Identify the factors used to determine the accounting acquirer in an equity-exchange acquisition involving a variable interest entity under ASU 2025-03

• Explain how a newly formed joint venture measures its assets and liabilities under ASU 2023-05

• Identify the market-participant assumptions used to measure fair value under ASC 820

• Determine how acquired contract assets and contract liabilities are measured under ASU 2021-08

• Explain how an inventory fair value step-up affects earnings following a business combination

• Transaction scoping and the definition of a business 
• Business combinations and asset acquisitions under ASC 805 
• Joint venture formation accounting under ASU 2023-05 
• Accounting-acquirer considerations under ASU 2025-03 
• Purchase-price allocation and fair value measurement 
• Goodwill and contingent consideration 
• Common-control transfers and carryover-basis accounting 
• Pushdown accounting and parent-basis considerations 
• Financial reporting, disclosure, and implementation controls

Bill Witt, Director, Highspring

Bill Witt is a Director in the Accounting and Transaction Services (A&TS) practice at Highspring, where he specializes in advising clients on complex initial public offering (IPO) transactions, SEC filings, and technical accounting matters. With over 25 years of experience in technical accounting and financial reporting leadership, Bill is a trusted advisor to clients navigating high-stakes financial events.

His technical expertise spans a range of industries including fintech, biotechnology, and SaaS, with a proven track record supporting multiple IPOs and leading engagements involving ASC 606, lease accounting, and other critical accounting standards. Bill has developed and delivered training programs on the IPO process and technical accounting topics, positioning him as both a subject-matter expert and educator.

In addition to IPO readiness, Bill has extensive experience in financial transformation, including the optimization of close processes, the development of robust forecasting models, and the preparation of companies for complex equity and debt transactions. He is skilled in leading cross-functional teams and managing high-complexity projects involving corporate governance, post-merger integration, and strategic financial planning.

Prior to joining Highspring, Bill was a Senior Manager at Ernst & Young LLP, serving clients in both San Jose, California, and Atlanta, Georgia. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in California, Georgia, and Ohio.