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In 2020, I found myself reconsidering what I wanted for my professional life. I knew that I wanted a job that would put a premium on technical knowledge of finance and accounting topics. The position I applied for at Withum highlighted just about every valuation topic that I found interesting and, ultimately, I got the job and started as an associate in November 2020.
I worked on various gift and estate valuation engagements until the SPAC (special purpose acquisition company) boom in 2021, then I worked on SPAC warrant valuations, which was my first step into complex financial instrument (CFI) valuations. These engagements taught me how to use Black-Scholes option pricing models, lattice models, and Monte Carlo valuation methods. I also started to work on other non-SPAC financial instruments such as earnouts, convertible notes, and SAFE note valuations for external clients, as well as assisting our internal audit team on assessing the fair value of these types of instruments.
As the number of CFI valuation engagements rose, my team needed to expand to meet the high demand. During this growth period, while still a senior associate, I started taking on managerial responsibilities and, recently, I was promoted to manager. My trajectory into the valuation industry is somewhat unique, and the skills I have picked up along the way have proven useful. One of my favorite aspects about my current position is providing training and helping our staff with questions related to complex financial instruments. This culminated in the highlight of my year: speaking at the 2024 AICPA & CIMA Forensic & Valuation Services Conference on the effective use of the Monte Carlo method in valuations.