The Alta Group’s presenters at the Equipment Management Conference Feb. 25-27 in St. Petersburg, FL include Shawn Halladay, Alta’s director of professional development, who will discuss best practices in the accounting process of residual write-downs.

More equipment lessors have been experiencing write-downs over the past several years, Halladay said. His presentation will provide equipment managers with insight and ways to collaborate with accounting teams for more effective residual impairment processes.

“The recent residual write-downs have been a combination of regulatory change and the move away from coal in railcars, design and functionality changes in aircraft and, to some extent, companies’ lack of understanding of the differences between operating lease and direct financing lease impairment methodologies,” said Halladay.

“I will examine the lease accounting rules (current and prospective) related to residual impairments, the audit requirements for residual reviews, and the critical role that asset managers play in this process,” Halladay added.  In addition, he plans to discuss the impact of the new CECL rules and the new tax bill on asset management. CECL, or current expected credit loss, is a new accounting standard that will change how financial institutions account for expected credit losses.

Carl Chrappa, the leader of Alta’s asset management practice —well known for his annual “What’s Hot, What’s Not” reports — will introduce Halladay at this Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) conference.

Under Chrappa’s leadership in the U.S., Alta provides consulting expertise and hands-on services throughout the life of equipment, from inspections and appraisals to portfolio management, residual risk analysis, end-of-lease consulting, and remarketing. The team includes qualified court-tested experts.

Kim Esposito, a director in Alta’s asset management practice and a member of the ELFA equipment management steering committee is scheduled to moderate the medical sector panel featuring speakers from Equipment Placement Services and Nationwide Imaging Services.

She also will provide an off-site tour of the storage yard of a Caterpillar dealer. This will give attendees an opportunity to see the very latest in construction equipment.

This conference attracts equipment managers, appraisers, remarketers and service providers active in the equipment leasing and finance industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore what’s new in specific equipment categories, in session on medical, construction, trucks/trailers, machine tools, alternative energy (solar), plastics and others.