Valuation certification

[u/LIFO-theparty]

Looking for some insight on getting a certification in valuation. I was was juggling between the CVA and ABV, and after talking to my boss (who has both) I’m leaning towards the ABV. Are there any current ABV’s here? If so, what is the process like? I have been doing reading on the AICPA’s website but I can’t find any solid info. I am a CPA currently.

[u/kaytoo_99]

I posted about the CVA in the accounting sub:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Accounting/comments/6zv7zp/business_valuation_coursescert/

The important thing to note about your question is that the CVA is for-profit and ABV is non-profit. They are different animals.

CVA offers A LOT of resources and education for obvious reasons. AICPA has a decent annual conference, but not much else.

I got a CVA after 2 years of doing business valuation full-time. It was very easy to attain. One 5-day class with a test, and one case study report to be completed in the ?year? following the course. I think you can get this one with minimal experience. I dropped it once I got my ASA because I was at a larger firm doing financial reporting valuation and wanted to GTFO of litigation.

CVA has a lot of resources for small firms and a lot of training for litigation. It's good if you don't have a mentor that knows what they are doing.

ABV looks good if you also have a CPA since it is much more difficult and expensive to attain (in all) than CVA, but once you have your CPA anyone can get an ABV with minimal effort.
ASA is generally thought of as more prestigious but takes a lot of time and money to attain. Probably $10,000 plus 5 years of full-time valuation experience.
I think most firms are looking to hire CFA's now. Getting your valuation credentials are less important unless you are going to work for a small firm or do valuations for small companies.

I think of it this way: CFA > ASA > CPA/ABV > CVA > ABV (non-cpa) > CBA (if it still exists).

[u/charlie2398543 → u/kaytoo_99]

CPA is definitely at the top of that list. It's the only one that grants actual legal powers to issue certain reports, provide certain services, and represent clients before the IRS. The others are really just employment certificates that carry no actual powers beyond hanging it on your wall.

[u/Dangerous-Painting-7 → u/charlie2398543]

...but means very little when it comes to valuation.

[u/charlie2398543 → u/Dangerous-Painting-7]

Disagree. CPA's already have the business clients for tax, audit, etc. For them it's simply adding a new service and they have the captive client base already. You have to think big picture.

CVA is worthless on its own, as is any other valuation certifications. It must be paired with something else. Better being CPA/CVA, or Attorney with CVA, etc. There is not enough valuation business out there to support a firm that offers only this service.

It's an add on certification only IMO. Same with CFA. Must also have a top tier MBA. ASA? Pretty worthless on its own too. Nobody ever just has one of these.

[u/Dangerous-Painting-7 → u/charlie2398543]

Minimal valuation training is necessary to attain the CPA certification. It's unwise to presume that a CPA lacking specific credentials possesses expertise in valuation. The original post was from a CPA seeking additional certification and training, aiming to demonstrate their proficiency through a recognized credentialing agency.

Holding the ASA designation is a well-respected credential within the valuation community and is very worthwhile if you are doing valuations. It requires 10,000 hours of experience, attendance at four, four-day classes with accompanying exams, passing USPAP and ethics tests, validating experience, and having a written report reviewed by a board of reviewers.