OUR TEAM
Together, we form a unique and powerful team that combines IRS inside knowledge with private practice valuation industry experience. This gives us a distinct advantage in preparing solid, credible and defensible valuation appraisals, in providing consulting advice and expert witness testimony and in reviewing appraisal reports for potentially costly valuation issues.
Michael A. Perlmutter, JD, CPA, CVA, ABAR
(Perlmutter Law and Valuation, Inc.)
Michael Perlmutter boasts a distinguished career as a seasoned valuation expert, accumulating a substantial 27-year tenure at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Mr. Perlmutter’s professional repertoire encompasses his status as a licensed attorney and Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Furthermore, his credibility is underscored by his credentials within the valuation domain, holding designations as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) and an Accredited Business Appraisal Review (ABAR) professional.
During his IRS career, he gained invaluable insights into intricate valuation intricacies, particularly those pertaining to the appraisal of businesses and intellectual property. His role often entailed the examination of valuation matters for high-net-worth taxpayers, a considerable number of whom were represented by eminent national firms.
Mr. Perlmutter has written IRS valuation-related training materials, taught and mentored IRS attorneys, is a frequent presenter at professional national conferences and other professional gatherings, is an instructor at UCLA Extension, and an exam grader of candidates for the NACVA CVA designation.
After shifting into private practice in 2018, Mr. Perlmutter founded two valuation-related firms, Perlmutter Law and Valuation, Inc. (PLVI) and Valuation and Litigation Group (VLG). PLVI is a valuation consulting firm, while VLG consists of a team of experienced professionals who specialize in business and intellectual property valuations as well as royalty compliance audits. To date, this seasoned team has valued some of the highest-profile celebrities as well as some of the most valuable intellectual property-related assets. The valuations include name and likeness rights, music catalogs, music publishing companies, and various other assets and businesses.
Mr. Perlmutter has helped clients save millions of dollars in taxes by spotting appraisal errors, inconsistencies and omissions in methodology, assumptions and applications that resulted in the overvaluing of the subject assets as well as minimizing potential IRS audit red flags. Mr. Perlmutter also provides guidance and advice through the valuation process, whether for tax, litigation, divorce, buy/sell, internal or other purposes.
Wayne Coleman, CPA
(Armanino, LLP)
Wayne C. Coleman joined Armanino as a Managing Director on April 1, 2023, bringing over fifty years of experience in the entertainment and licensing industries. He was the Founder and Chairman of Capstone International, Inc., Financial Services Team, Inc. (“FST”), The Royalty Compliance Organization (“RCO”), and Royalty Information Technology Services, Inc. (“RITS”). Mr. Coleman was with Touche Ross & Co. before becoming a partner of Gelfand, Rennert, & Feldman (GR&F) in 1971, a partner of Coopers & Lybrand in 1989, and a joint venture partner with Moss Adams in 1994. He started the GR&F Nashville office in December 1971 as its first managing partner. He later moved to Los Angeles as the partner-in-charge of many business management clients and the royalty examination and entertainment asset valuation departments.
In 2001, Mr. Coleman established his own companies to provide financial consulting, business valuation procedures, royalty and due diligence examinations, licensee examinations, copyright administration systems, litigation support, and tour accounting support. He has directed and supervised teams from Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Nashville, and London to provide his services within the United States and throughout the world. Under his direction, his investigations and services have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars.
Mr. Coleman is a graduate of Mississippi State University and certified in California, Tennessee, and Missouri. In May 2001, he received an honorary Doctorate degree from Missouri Valley College. He has been a member of several panels including Music Expo and MIDEM, has lectured at UCLA, USC, and SWU-Law, and has written several articles. Mr. Coleman has also testified as an expert witness in judicial proceedings and has served as a mediator. He volunteers his time as a member of the ICD Post Prison Ministries, an organization that has helped former prisoners re-enter society as productive members.
Darla Y. Crain (Armanino, LLP)
Darla Y. Crain joined Armanino as a Managing Director on April 1, 2023 bringing over twenty-five years of experience in the entertainment and licensing industries. She was a partner and chief operating officer of Capstone International, Inc., Financial Services Team, Inc. and The Royalty Compliance Organization, now Armanino LLP. Ms. Crain started with McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company as an aerospace engineer. She developed an expertise in fatigue spectrum development and became a lead engineer presenting analysis to government customers. In 1991, Ms. Crain organized 3C Fatigue Engineering, Inc. to provide engineering consulting that performed fatigue and damage tolerance engineering analysis for the FAA and aircraft companies. During the years as a practicing engineer, she perfected her computer skills and began training programs to instruct businesses and individuals.
In 1998, Ms. Crain joined Capstone International, Inc., Financial Services Team, Inc., and The Royalty Compliance Organization to provide computer consulting and training, business valuation procedures, royalty and due diligence examinations, license examinations, copyright administration systems procedures, and support and litigation services. She developed a unique data management and investigative computer program, which RCO used to identify, unreported and underreported amounts due for these clients and in forensic investigations and analysis for valuations and litigation. Ms. Crain has assisted in preparing expert witness reports and has testified in court.
Ms. Crain is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Rolla, receiving a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and an M.B.A. from Maryville University. She is the past President of the Rotary Club of St. Peters and Rotary District 6060 Membership Chair.