ABV – Accredited Business Valuator

Granted by: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

The mission of the ABV Credential program is to provide a community of business valuation experts with specialized access to information, education, tools and support that enhance their ability to make a genuine difference for clients and employers. The ABV Credential program allows credential holders to brand or position themselves as CPAs who are premier business valuation service providers. They differentiate themselves by going beyond the core service of reaching a conclusion of value, by also creating value for clients through the strategic application of this analysis.

Professionals: Donald R. Bays, Stephen E. Koons, Melissa E. Loughlin-Sines, Mike Metzler

AM – Accredited Member

Granted by: American Society of Appraisers 

The Accredited Member (business valuation discipline) designation demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and experience as a valuation expert and showcases their dedication to high ethical standards and professionalism. Candidates for the Accredited Member certification must complete four 3-day courses on business valuation with proctored exams, a one-day course on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice with proctored exam, a minimum of 4,000 hours of business valuation experience and a successful peer review of an actual business valuation report.

Professionals: Norman A. Kur

ASA – Accredited Senior Appraiser

Granted by: American Society of Appraisers 

Accredited Senior Appraisers must demonstrate five years of full-time equivalent experience in business valuation to get their professional designation. They have experience in appraising a wide variety of companies – public and closely held, large and small – and have experience in appraising a wide variety of business intangible assets. The American Society of Appraisers has an extensive, long-established educational program including a core series of courses, various advanced courses and seminars, an annual cross-discipline international conference and an annual advanced business valuation conference. Candidates for an ASA designation must complete the core series of four three-day courses in business valuation and successfully finish a half-day test following each course. To retain their designations, ASAs must demonstrate participation in continuing education.

Professionals: Stephen E. Koons, Mike Metzler

CFE – Certified Fraud Examiner

Granted by: Association of Certified Fraud Examiners 

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners is the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. The credential denotes proven expertise in fraud prevention, detection and deterrence. CFEs around the world help protect the global economy by uncovering fraud and implementing processes to prevent fraud from occurring in the first place.

Professionals: Melissa E. Loughlin-Sines, Norman A. Kur

CFF – Certified in Financial Forensics

Granted by: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants 

The credential Certified in Financial Forensics combines specialized forensic accounting expertise with the core knowledge and skills that make CPAs among the most trusted business advisors. The CFF encompasses fundamental and specialized forensic accounting skills that CPA practitioners apply in a variety of service areas including bankruptcy and insolvency, computer forensics, economic damages, family law, fraud investigations, litigation support, stakeholder disputes and valuations. To qualify, a CPA must be an AICPA member in good standing, have at least five years of experience in practicing accounting and meet minimum requirements in relevant business experience and continuing professional education.

Professionals: Donald R. Bays, Stephen E. Koons, Melissa E. Loughlin-Sines

CGMA – Chartered Global Management Accountant

Granted by: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

The CGMA’s mission is to promote the science of management accounting at a global level. Those who hold this designation are trusted expert strategists who connect all aspects of business and are at the forefront of today’s management accounting world.

Professionals: Mike Metzler                                                                  

CMA – Certified Management Accountant

Granted by: Institute of Management Accountants 

The CMA designation is a globally recognized, advanced-level credential for accountants and financial professionals in business. Those who hold this designation demonstrate professional expertise in financial planning, analysis, control, decision support and professional ethics.

Professionals: Norman A. Kur, Mike Metzler

CPA – Certified Public Accountant

Granted by: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

The Certified Public Accountant is state licensed and has been tested on subjects including auditing, accounting and taxation. While many CPAs perform business valuations, their education does not include the skills to competently perform business valuations. This knowledge can, however, be gained through additional education and experience. The ABV designation represents an enhancement to the CPA designation to indicate competency in the area of business valuation.

Professionals: Donald R. Bays, Stephen E. Koons, Melissa E. Loughlin-Sines, Mike Metzler

CVA – Certified Valuation Analyst

Granted by: National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts 

There are more Certified Valuation Analysts and Accredited Valuation Analysts designated (over 4,500 active) than all the other valuation credentials combined (over 18,000 trained). The National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) is the nation’s leader in standards setting for the valuation industry, demonstrated with an active body of 45 members who meet monthly and through current and past participation on the Appraisal Issues Task Force, North American Business Valuation Standards Council, IRS Valuation Policy Council and the USPAP Working Group. Our participation is requested in every major industry standards event because we can be depended upon for reasoned and clearly articulated input.

Professionals: Donald R. Bays, Melissa E. Loughlin-Sines