May 2026
There are a number of business valuation designations. The major ones are ASA, ABV and CVA. It is estimated that there are about 10,000 people with business valuation designations, broken down as ASA - 14%, ABV - 28%, CVA - 55% and other - 3%.
Accredited Senior Appraiser “ASA” is issued by the American Society of Appraisers. Accredited in Business Valuation “ABV” is issued by the American Institute of CPAs and Certified Valuation Analyst “CVA” is issued by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (“NACVA”).
The ASA designation requires five years of fulltime business valuation experience, passing a series of business valuation exams and adherence to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. ASA is a multi-discipline, non-profit, international organization of professional appraisers representing all appraisal disciplines: Appraisal Review & Management, Business Valuation, Gems & Jewelry, Machinery & Technical Specialties, Personal Property and Real Property.
The ABV designation requires being a CPA, 1,500 hours of business valuation experience in the last five years, completing 75 hours of related continuing education and passing an exam. ABV is a professional certification for accountants that demonstrate expertise in business valuation.
The CVA designation requires passing an exam, the completion of specified training and having relevant experience. NACVA is a professional association that provides training, certification, and support for business valuation professionals, litigation experts, and financial professionals.
Other lesser-known designations for business valuation include Certified Business Appraiser “CBA”, Master Certified Business Appraiser “MCBA” and Accredited in Business Appraisal Review “ABAR”, which has been discontinued but existing holders are recognized and supported by NACVA.
Relevant Court Cases
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Saari v. Fieweger,
The Court of Appeals of Ohio,
No. 48L-25-00084,
decided May 1, 2026
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Harris v. Harris,
The Court of Appeals of North Carolina,
No. COA25-596,
filed April 15, 2026
Recent Business Valuation Articles
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“The Pre-tax WACC:
Not Pre-tax and Not Useful,”
by Ralph W. Sanders, Jr.,
posted April 20, 2026
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“Facebook v. Commissioner: ‘Like’ on
New Regulaions, but ‘It’s Complicated’ on
Valuations,”
by Poonam Khaira Sidhu,
posted May 7, 2026
Recent Engagements
- Valuation of the common stock
of a general contracting company
on a closely-held minority
interest basis, a freely-traded
minority interest basis and a
controlling interest basis, for
compensation and planning purposes.
- Valuation of 100% of the
common stock of a specialty
distributor on a controlling
interest basis for phantom
stock purposes.
- Consulting regarding
100% of the equity of
a niche design firm on
a controlling interest basis
for planning purposes.
- Valuation of member interests
of a mostly real estate
holding company on a
minority interest basis
for gift tax reporting
purposes.
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