When selecting a business valuation firm, it is important to consider the credentials and experience of the firm’s professional staff.  A comparison of the primary business valuation credentials is shown below.

There is the Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) credential offered by the American Society of Appraisers, the Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) credential offered by the AICPA, the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential offered by the National Association of Valuation Analysts (NACVA), and the Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) and Master Certified Business Appraiser (MCBA) credentials offered by the Institute of Business Appraisers (IBA). Both NACVA and the IBA are owned by the Consultants Training Institute (CTI).

The credentials and experience of an appraiser are two of the most important areas of consideration when hiring a business appraiser.  This is particularly true when the appraisal may be challenged (i.e. tax valuations, ESOP valuations, litigation valuations, etc.).  A number of court cases over the years have commented on the inadequacy of a business appraiser’s training, certification and competence to testify as a business valuation expert.

Atlantic Management Company views the requirements as the most important component of professional certifications.  Currently, our professional staff maintain the following credentials: ASA, CVA, ABV, MCBA and CBA.