Richard Pearlman is an audit and consulting partner with Shepard Schwartz & Harris LLP. He is responsible for providing business and tax consulting to privately owned companies in the real estate, construction, manufacturing and distribution industries. Mr. Pearlman applies his expertise to a wide range of accounting and tax issues, including:Financial forecasting, budgeting and feasibility studies for real estate, manufacturing, distribution and construction companies. Operational audits, and cost control and paper flow studies for manufacturers and distributors with operations throughout the country. Due diligence and consulting for mergers, acquisitions and dispositions of a variety of companies and their assets, including manufacturing, distribution and construction entities. Financing and equity arrangements for manufacturing, distribution, construction and real estate development companies.Mr. Pearlman has also consulted with closely held companies regarding business succession planning to determine the benefits of a related versus unrelated party transactions. Specifically, he has helped clients analyze the dynamics, structure, financing of a sole shareholder sale of a company to an ESOP, a majority shareholder sale of a company to beneficiaries, as well as establishing a gifting program to succeeding generation of owners. Prior to joining Shepard Schwartz & Harris in 1971, Mr. Pearlman worked at two other Chicago accounting firms.Publications ESOPs - A Valuable Tool in the Right Situation.