American Business Appraisers: Business Valuation Credentials
hen
you need a business appraiser or an expert witness, you want to know
that you are hiring the best qualified person. As business valuation
professionals, we are committed to providing you with the highest levels
of expertise available. We have completed rigorous education, training,
testing and peer review to stand with the most competent, credible
experts in the industry.
ABA professionals are often hired by attorneys to value a client’s business interest or to perform expert witness and litigation support services. Legal rules allow experts to testify in court, and it is estimated that 80% of civil cases employ experts. Whether you need general business appraisal, consulting or litigation services, you can expect that the expert you retain is truly qualified if they are an ABA member.
Our members belong to many professional organizations and hold numerous professional certifications. Each organization has its own ethics and recertification requirements. Most of the professional organizations require certified members to have a minimum number of continuing education hours over each recertification period.
As individuals, some of us hold multiple business valuation credentials. As a consortium, we hold more than 120 credentials, and there are over 25 different licenses/credentials that we hold. See the list below for a brief explanation of the initials you will see after our names.
ABAR
Accredited in Business Appraisal Review —
Institute
of Business Appraisers
ABAR is a unique credential
designed to provide a level of quality assurance to stakeholders
in the business appraisal process. ABAR holders have participated
in education which teaches an innovative paradigm for appraisal review
and quality assurance, hold a recognized business valuation credential,
and demonstrated their proficiency both through examination and a
demonstration report subject to peer review.
ABV
Accredited in Business Valuation — American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants
ABV
is a business valuation credential granted to CPAs
who have demonstrated skill, education and experience critical to performing
business valuations. Current requirements for this credential include
educational and experience requirements, and successfully completing
a comprehensive valuation examination.
ASA
Accredited Senior Appraiser — American Society of Appraisers
ASA is
granted in a number of disciplines. All disciplines require a minimum
of five years of full-time appraisal experience, minimum educational
requirements, and successfully demonstrating proficiency in a demonstration
report subject to peer review. Many of the disciplines also require
passing an examination. Among us are ASAs in business valuation, real
estate, and appraisal review and management.
BVAL
Business Valuator Accredited for Litigation — Institute of Business
Appraisers
BVAL
recognizes business appraisers who demonstrate their ability
to competently present expert testimony that supports their objective
conclusions reached in business valuation assignments. The requirements
for this credential include holding a recognized business valuation
credential, completing a five-day course, demonstrating competency
in presentation and testimony and passing an examination.
CBA
Certified Business Appraiser — Institute of Business Appraisers
CBA
is
a business valuation credential granted to experienced business appraisers
who have met educational requirements, passed a comprehensive exam
and successfully demonstrated proficiency in two demonstration reports
subject to peer review. Six of our members hold the Master
Certified Business Appraiser (MCBA) certification, and two hold the Fellow
of the Institute of Business Appraisers (FIBA) designation. Fellowship
designations are earned for technical, institutional and professional
contributions.
CFA
Chartered Financial Analyst — CFA Institute
CFA,
an investment professional
designation, is awarded to those who successfully complete a graduate-level
program that combines a broad-based curriculum of investment principles,
including valuation of equity securities, with professional conduct
requirements.
CFE
Certified Fraud Examiner — Association of Certified
Fraud Examiners
The CFE
credential denotes proven expertise in fraud protection,
detection and deterrence. Current requirements include meeting minimum
academic and professional requirements, and passing a rigorous test
on the four major disciplines that comprise the fraud examination body
of knowledge.
CFFA
Certified Forensic Financial Analyst — National
Association of Certified Valuation Analysts
CFFA
is awarded to practitioners
who have demonstrated that they possess a level of experience and knowledge
to provide competent and professional forensic financial support services.
Candidates must satisfy both educational requirements and successfully
demonstrate their abilities through a case study or samples of work
product.
CM&AA
Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor — Alliance
of Merger & Acquisition Advisors
CM&AA
is awarded to middle market corporate
financial advisors who have mastered the M&A body of knowledge.
CMEA
Certified Machinery & Equipment Appraiser —
NEBB Institute
CMEA
credential holders are experts at determining substantiated
values for machinery and equipment. CMEAs must successfully complete
an intensive training and pass a comprehensive written exam, as well
as complete a demonstration report that is subject to peer review.
CPA
Certified Public Accountant
CPA is a license granted
by each state to practice public accounting. Accountants must meet
state education and/or experience requirements, and have passed the
Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. Most states require
accountants be CPAs in order to prepare audited or reviewed financial
statements.
CVA
Certified Valuation Analyst — National Association
of Certified Valuation Analysts
CVA
is a business valuation designation
awarded to CPAs who have completed business valuation training and
successfully completed rigorous testing. The testing requirement includes
completing a valuation report case study.
FRICS
Fellow, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
FRICS
are
RICS Members who are leaders in their field and have contributed to
the profession. The Member-level (MRICS) designation is granted to
candidates who usually have no less than ten years of relevant experience,
and who demonstrate significant breadth and depth of technical and
professional competence (e.g. real property and intangible asset valuation)
through a written submission and one-hour interview. Every Member is
expected to meet specific educational, professional and ethical standards.
Reciprocal membership pathways may be available for individuals holding
the MAI, ASA and or other appraisal designation from an organization
with similar high-level requirements and standards. Members are accountable
to a strict code of conduct.
JD
Juris Doctor
JD
is a professional degree granted to
individuals who have successfully completed law school. Individuals
who have earned this degree often have taken an examination (a “bar
exam”) and met other requirements in order to become licensed
in a particular state to practice law.
MAI
Member, Appraisal Institute
MAI is
granted to appraisers
who are experienced in the valuation and evaluation of real estate.
In order to be admitted as a member to the Appraisal Institute, a candidate
must pass rigorous education requirements, pass a comprehensive examination,
meet experience requirements, and successfully demonstrate proficiency
by submitting a demonstration appraisal report.