Josh Schaeffer, PhD

480.428.1175
josh.schaeffer@equitymethods.com

Josh Schaeffer is a managing director and practice leader for Equity Methods’ valuation practice. He leads the delivery of valuation and advisory services related to complex securities.

Josh takes some of the most complicated financial instruments around and breaks them down so that anyone can understand them. These include a wide array of derivative securities pertaining to compensation agreements, private companies, partnerships, earnouts, and guarantees. Other areas of expertise include business investments and employee compensation awards. Josh is familiar with the approach external auditors take to these instruments, building that knowledge into the solutions he builds for clients and often communicating with auditors on their behalf.

Besides complex securities, Josh brings his academic and practical experience in economics, finance, and statistics to a range of other challenges. One is helping companies assess pay equity. Another is determining median employee compensation for purposes of CEO pay ratio calculation. He enjoys solving unique problems and mentors employees who share this aptitude.

Josh works closely with finance executives across a broad array of public and private firms. His clients range from early-stage, pre-IPO upstarts to some of the largest public companies in the world. He’s a frequent presenter for the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, the American Society of Appraisers, and other industry organizations.

Prior to joining Equity Methods, Josh worked with Deloitte Financial Advisory Services and Cornerstone Research. In these roles, he focused on valuations and statistical analyses of businesses and investments for financial reporting, tax, consulting, litigation, and arbitration purposes.

When he’s not working with clients, Josh is a spokesperson for the Caped Crusader. Yes, it turns out that Batman’s many passions include offering a respite for children affected by significant life challenges. But this is one area the dark knight can’t handle alone. So Josh (and his son) pitch in with everything from helping kids get in and out of the Batmobile to showing them around Wayne Manor and the gadget-filled Batcave.

Josh also aspires to visit every major league baseball park in the United States. There still are some on his bucket list, which means there’s a good chance he’ll invite a client out to the game — especially if his beloved Cubs are in town.

Josh holds a BA in economics and a BA in mathematics from the University of Rochester, as well as a PhD and MBA in finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.