Business Details
41 Years
experience
Trusted Business Valuations and Forensic Accounting Services in Houston
Since 1985, J Richard Claywell & Associates has built a reputation for integrity and delivering expert solutions to clients in the legal and business communities across Houston, Texas, and beyond. Our firm specializes in business valuations, forensic accounting, and litigation support, combining decades of practical experience with advanced professional accreditations. We serve a diverse clientele including attorneys, business owners, and private individuals, offering tailored services such as financial reporting valuations, tax planning, and economic damages analysis. Our team holds prestigious certifications including CPA, ABV, ASA, and CVA, reflecting our commitment to excellence and continuous professional development. We have taught at universities and professional institutions, authored publications, and developed industry software, establishing ourselves as thought leaders in valuation and forensic accounting.Our approach emphasizes clarity, thoroughness, and client education, ensuring complex financial concepts are communicated effectively for legal and business decision-making. With extensive courtroom experience and a track record of IRS-accepted valuations, we provide reliable, defensible analyses that withstand scrutiny. Our client testimonials highlight our ability to simplify complex issues, deliver precise results, and maintain the highest ethical standards. We serve multiple industries across Texas and nationwide, addressing challenges from shareholder disputes to business interruption claims. This combination of technical expertise, educational contributions, and client-focused service positions us as trusted advisors in our field.
Services
Business Valuations
Forensic Accounting
Economic Damages
Exit Planning
Litigation Support
Shareholder Disputes
Tax Planning
Expert Testimony
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of specialized experience in business valuations and forensic accounting.
- Our team holds elite accreditations including CPA, ABV, ASA, and CVA certifications.
- We have testified in Texas State Court, Bankruptcy Court, and Federal District Court.
- Our work has been accepted without question by the Internal Revenue Service.
- We serve clients across multiple states with industry-specific valuation expertise.
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
- National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA)
- Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA)
What people say
Best I have ever seen
Meticulous and thorough
Excellent communicator
IRS-accepted reports
Court-tested expertise
Services
Business Valuations
We determine fair market value for businesses using comprehensive analysis of financial performance, industry conditions, and economic factors. Our valuations support financial reporting, tax planning, and legal proceedings. Clients rely on our IRS-accepted reports for estate tax filings, mergers, and shareholder disputes.
Forensic Accounting
Our experts investigate financial discrepancies, fraud, and embezzlement through detailed record analysis. Services include asset tracing, solvency assessments, and expert testimony. We support legal cases involving business interruption, wrongful termination, and divorce proceedings with defensible findings.
Economic Damages
We quantify financial losses from breaches of contract, personal injury, or business interruptions. Our analyses use regression modeling and trend analysis to determine lost profits and future earnings. Results are presented clearly for courtroom comprehension and settlement negotiations.
Litigation Support
We assist attorneys with complex financial aspects of litigation through expert reports and testimony. Services include rebuttal analyses, damage quantification, and valuation dispute resolution. Our court-tested expertise covers bankruptcy, intellectual property, and shareholder conflicts.
Exit Planning
We develop strategies for business owners preparing to sell or transfer ownership. Services include valuation for sale pricing, tax-efficient structuring, and succession planning. Our approach ensures smooth transitions while maximizing value for closely held companies.
People
J Richard Claywell & Associates
Principal
CPA with 40+ years of experience in business valuations and forensic accounting. Testified in multiple courts, developed industry software, and taught at universities. Holds 15+ professional accreditations including ABV, ASA, and CVA.
Ngoc Hanh Ta
Valuation Analyst
Certified Valuation Analyst with 17+ years of experience in business valuations and forensic accounting. Holds CVA and CBA credentials. Provides analysis for litigation matters and business valuations, fluent in Vietnamese.
Mason NeSmith
Valuation Analyst
Certified Valuation Analyst with expertise in forensic investigations and business valuations. Specializes in tracing international funds and divorce-related financial disputes. Joined the firm in 2021.
Questions
What types of business valuation services do you offer?
We provide valuations for financial reporting, tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder disputes, and estate tax filings using industry-standard methodologies.
Do you handle forensic accounting for legal cases?
Yes, we investigate fraud, embezzlement, and financial disputes with services including asset tracing, solvency analysis, and expert courtroom testimony.
Can you assist with economic damage calculations?
We quantify lost profits, breach of contract damages, and personal injury losses using statistical analysis and financial modeling for litigation support.
What areas do you serve?
While based in Houston, we serve clients nationwide including Texas cities, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
What accreditations do your professionals hold?
Our team maintains 15+ credentials including CPA, ABV, ASA, CVA, and CFD, ensuring technical excellence and industry recognition.
