David Harper is responsible for the performance and oversight of engagements involving business valuation, forensic accounting, and business transactions. Mr. Harper has performed hundreds of valuations of closely held business interests in a variety of industries that span the economic spectrum. He and his team are extensively involved in working with business owners to position their companies for sale. Mr. Harper is qualified as an expert witness in business valuations and forensic accounting and has provided litigation support and consulting services to over 100 law firms. He has lectured and presented on business valuation and other financial matters dozens of times at colleges and universities, business forums, professional organizations, and statewide conferences.
Mr. Harper holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Virginia. Prior to that, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and a Finance concentration. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – certified in the states of Florida and Georgia. He is also Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), and Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, Mr. Harper is a Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) through the Institute of Business Appraisers and a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) through the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA). Mr. Harper has also received advanced training in the collaborative process as a financial neutral and is also a trainer of collaborative practice. His past experience as an investment advisor representative and general securities representative (Series 7 and Series 66 licensed) through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) enables him to better serve clients in a neutral capacity.
Mr. Harper’s range of experience in business valuation, forensic accounting, and business consulting includes:
• Business transactions (mergers and acquisitions)
• Gift and estate tax valuations
• Forensic investigations and funds tracing
• Business transition and succession planning
• Business operations consulting
• Owner & executive compensation strategies
• Shareholder disputes
• Financial modeling
Mr. Harper began his career with Ernst & Young in its Assurance and Advisory Business Services practice. After several years with E&Y, he worked with Retirement Capital Group specializing in executive compensation and benefit strategies, business valuation, and financial planning. After that, Mr. Harper was with Brauer & Harper CPAs for a stent before founding Westbay CPAs in 2013, specializing in business valuation, forensic accounting and litigation support services. On January 1, 2023, Mr. Harper and the Westbay team merged with the SBF team.
He and his wife, Laurie, are the proud parents of four children.