Kathryn Burke
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Kathryn Burke

CPA, ABV

Senior Financial Analyst

Kathryn Burke is a Senior Financial Analyst with Mercer Capital. Kathryn has valuation experience in engagements related to corporate planning and reorganizations, financial reporting, fairness opinions, litigation support, employee stock ownership plans, mergers and acquisitions, and estate and gift tax planning and compliance matters.

She also has forensics and litigation support experience for marital dissolution, economic damages, shareholder disputes, and general litigation. This includes experience in a wide range of industries.

Prior to joining Mercer Capital, Kathryn was a Senior Consultant at FORVIS, LLP in their Forensics and Valuation Services practice. She also contributes to the Family Law Valuation and Forensic Insights newsletter.

Professional Designations

  • Certified Public Accountant (Texas State Board of Accountancy)

  • Accredited in Business Valuation (The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)

Education

  • University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas (M.A., Accounting, 2021)

  • University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas (B.B.A., Accounting, 2020)

Authored Content

Why Dividend Payout Ratios Don't Tell the Whole Story
Why Dividend Payout Ratios Don't Tell the Whole Story
Dividend payout ratios offer a useful benchmark, but they do not explain whether distributions are sustainable or aligned with a company’s broader capital allocation priorities. Directors should evaluate dividends alongside reinvestment opportunities, balance sheet needs, and shareholder expectations.
Family Business Director Blog
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A Financial Perspective and Overview of Marital vs. Separate Property in Divorce-Part 3
A Financial Perspective and Overview of Marital vs. Separate Property in Divorce

Part 3: Illustrative Examples

Part 3 applies these concepts through two examples which are hypothetical and simplified to illustrate the financial analysis that an expert may perform. The examples do not determine whether an asset or change in value is marital or separate. The applicable law, relevant dates, and facts of each matter govern counsel in that determination.
Family Law Valuation and Forensic Insights Newsletter
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A Financial Perspective and Overview of Marital vs. Separate Property in Divorce-Part 2
A Financial Perspective and Overview of Marital vs. Separate Property in Divorce

Part 2: Valuation, Financial, and Forensic Considerations

In Part 1, we discussed the general distinction between marital and separate property. Part 2 takes a closer look at the valuation, financial, and forensic issues that can complicate the analysis of marital vs. separate property: tracing assets over time, evaluating commingling or potential transmutation, identifying liabilities, and analyzing changes in value. The relevance and treatment of these issues vary depending on jurisdiction and the applicable legal framework.
Family Law Valuation and Forensic Insights Newsletter
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What Happens If the Formula in Our Buy-Sell Agreement Is Wrong?
What Happens If the Formula in Our Buy-Sell Agreement Is Wrong?

You Asked. We Answer.

Buy-sell agreement formulas can become outdated as a family business evolves, potentially producing values that no longer align with shareholder expectations. Regularly testing the formula against a current valuation can help identify problems before a triggering event occurs.
Family Business Director Blog
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A Financial Perspective and Overview of Marital vs. Separate Property in Divorce-Part 1
A Financial Perspective and Overview of Marital vs. Separate Property in Divorce

Part 1: Property Classification

When attorneys think about financial experts, they often think about reports, depositions, and trial testimony. Yet many of the valuable contributions a financial expert can make occur much earlier in the case. In matters involving valuation, income determination, or forensic accounting, earlier expert involvement may help counsel identify key financial issues, assist in discovery, evaluate settlement positions, among others.
Family Law Valuation and Forensic Insights Newsletter
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Why Can the Same Business Have Different Values?
Why Can the Same Business Have Different Values?

You Asked. We Answer.

Business valuation is driven by future cash flow, growth, risk, and the specific purpose of the valuation, not by a single universal formula. Understanding why a valuation is being performed helps directors and shareholders interpret differing conclusions with greater confidence.
Family Business Director Blog
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Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Cash in the Business?
Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Cash in the Business?

You Asked. We Answer.

Strong cash balances can be a strategic advantage, but only when they are tied to a clear purpose and reviewed regularly. The post argues that directors should treat excess cash as an active capital-allocation decision, not a passive default.
Family Business Director Blog
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How Buy-Sell Disputes Actually Start (and How to Prevent Them)
How Buy-Sell Disputes Actually Start (and How to Prevent Them)
Buy-sell disputes often stem from outdated agreements, unclear valuation terms, and misaligned funding assumptions rather than the triggering event itself. Regular updates, clear processes, and proactive shareholder engagement help reduce conflict and ensure smoother ownership transitions.
Family Business Director Blog
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Digital Assets and Divorce
Digital Assets and Divorce
The rapid rise of digital assets over the last several years has introduced new considerations and investigative needs for forensic accountants and family law practitioners. Once considered a niche investment vehicle, digital assets have become an increasingly common component of marital estates. Today, we must consider a broad range of digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”), assets held in digital wallets, decentralized finance (“DeFi”) accounts, token-based compensation, and other blockchain-based holdings.
Family Law Valuation and Forensic Insights Newsletter
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New Resource Available: Business Valuation 101
New Resource Available: Business Valuation 101
In our newest booklet, Mercer Capital provides a framework of business valuation. Valuation is both an art and a science requiring technical knowledge and experience, informed judgment, and a clear understanding of the context in which an opinion of value will be applied. Whether for marital dissolution, shareholder dispute, estate planning, or transaction advisory, the valuation of a privately held business or business interest demands careful consideration of purpose, standard of value, premise of value, and facts and circumstances unique to the engagement and other factors.
Family Law Valuation and Forensic Insights Newsletter
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Understanding the Company Specific Risk Premium A Component of the Discount Rate
Understanding the Company Specific Risk Premium – A Component of the Discount Rate
When valuing a business using the income approach, one of the most significant inputs is the discount rate, which is used to discount future cash flows to present value. In this piece, we focus on one of the components of the discount rate: the company specific risk premium (“CSRP”).
Family Law Valuation and Forensic Insights Newsletter
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