Business Valuation Credentials

Business valuations are completed by qualified professionals such as a CPA Accredited in Business Valuations (ABV), Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). 

According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants "Solid credentials are critical in the practice of business valuation.  The concepts and methodologies must be understood and correctly applied to reach a conclusion of value that is reasonable and supportable – whether it's for a business or an individual asset.  Knowledge, experience, diligence and sound judgment are necessary to the process.  The marketplace is rapidly making the distinction between those professionals with and without a business valuation credential."

American Society of Appraisers (AM and ASA Designations)

Organized in 1936, the American Society of Appraisers represents the oldest and only major appraiser organization representing all disciplines of appraisal specialists.  The American Society of Appraisers offers the Accredited Member (AM) and Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designations in the business valuation discipline to its members who meet the following requirements:

• Four year college degree or equivalent

• Minimum two years (AM) or five years (ASA) of full-time appraisal experience 

• Attendance and completion of four 27 hour training courses in business valuation 

• Successful completion of four proctored examinations in business valuation 

• Approval by the Society's Board of two actual business valuation reports 

• Successful completion of a course and examination on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) of the Appraisal Foundation 

• Successful completion of an examination on the Society's Code of Ethics

Approximately 72 people currently hold the AM designation and 993 people hold the ASA designation in the business valuation discipline.   Rosanne Aumiller and Matt Silla both hold the ASA designation.  Matt Silla also holds the AM designation and Lou Maglione is a candidate member of the American Society of Appraisers.  Lou is working toward the ASA designation. 

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ABV Designation)

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) began offering the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) accreditation in business valuation in 1997.  The accreditation is offered to CPAs who have successfully completed the following:

• A member in good standing of the AICPA

• Hold a valid CPA certificate or license

• Provide evidence of ten business valuation engagements 

• Successful completion of a proctored eight hour examination 

Approximately 2,700 people hold the ABV designation.  Donald Zwilling, Robert Zunich, Lou Maglione and Rosanne Aumiller all hold the ABV designation. 

The National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (CVA Designation)

The National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) was founded in 1991 to support the needs of CPAs in their pursuit to provide business valuation and litigation support services.  NACVA offers the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation to its members who meet the following requirements:

• Must be a CPA, member of the American Institute of CPAs and/or a member of the individual's State Society of CPAs

• Attendance of a 40 hour NACVA business valuation course 

• Successful completion of a two part examination 

Approximately 4,800 professionals hold the CVA designation.

The Institute of Business Appraisers (AIBA, CBA and MCBA Designations)

The Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA) was established in 1977 and is the original national professional society devoted exclusively to the appraisal of closely held businesses.  The IBA offers the Accredited by IBA (AIBA), the Certified Business Appraiser (CBA), and the Master Certified Business Appraiser (MCBA) designations to individuals who meet the following requirements:

• Four year college degree or equivalent

• Pass one exam and submit one report for AIBA

• 10,000 hours of experience as a business appraiser or 90 classroom hours in upper level valuation coursework for CVA and MCBA 

• Successful completion of a 6 hour proctored exam for CVA and MCBA 

• Ten years of valuation experience for MCBA

• Recognition by another business valuation society for MCBA

Approximately 465 professionals hold the CBA designation. 

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA™) designation was first administered by the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts (ICFA), one of the CFA Institute predecessor organizations. The program began in June 1963.  Requirements to attain the CFA designation include:

• Four year college degree or equivalent

• Sequentially pass Level I, Level II and Level III examinations

• Three years of acceptable professional experience

Approximately 64,000 professionals hold the CFA™ designation. Matt Silla holds the CFA designation.