Certifications Held by Our Professionals

Comment: 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 their clients and employers. The ABV Credential program allows credential holders to brand or position themselves as CPAs who are premier business valuation service providers. ABV Credential holders 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.

Comment: ASAs must demonstrate five years of full-time equivalent experience in business valuation to get their professional designation. ASAs 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. ASA 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.

Granted by: Institute of Business Appraisers

Comment: Accreditation as a Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) is available to those members of The Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. who are able to demonstrate that they have attained a high level of professional competence and conduct. The CBA accreditation designates the appraiser as a true professional in his/her field, worthy of the admiration of fellow appraisers and deserving the fullest confidence of clients and potential clients.

Comment: First awarded in 1963, the CFA charter has become known as the designation of professional excellence within the global investment community. Around the world, employers and investors recognize the CFA designation as the definitive standard for measuring competence and integrity in the fields of portfolio management, investment analysis, and valuation. This designation is relevant not just to business valuation, but also to the analysis and valuation of all types of investments (debt, equity, derivative securities, and real estate) as well as the construction and management of investment portfolios. To obtain this designation, the candidate must pass three sequential examinations that include such topics as securities analysis and valuation, portfolio analysis, economics, finance, statistics and accounting. As the CFA program is postgraduate, the program examinations are geared for individuals who are prepared to deal with "masters" level course work. Individuals passing these examinations have demonstrated knowledge about the securities markets, and similar topics encountered in business valuation on a regular basis. Apart from the examinations, CFA charterholders must have a minimum of three years of acceptable professional experience working in the investment decision-making process. Finally, all CFA charterholders must comply with AIMR's Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. Most national business valuation firms typically require their senior business valuation staff to have either the CFA or ASA designations.

CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner): DJ Kosmacek

Comment: The ACFE administers the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential, which denotes proven expertise in fraud prevention, detection, deterrence and investigation. CFEs must meet stringent academic, professional and character requirements; comply with the ACFE Code of Professional Ethics; and continually build their skills through ongoing professional education.

CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics): Lynton Kotzin, Don Wenk

Comment: 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 advisers. 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.

Comment: The Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor designation is relevant to the areas of bankruptcy and turnaround management and is promulgated by the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors. Requirements to obtain the CIRA designation include completion of five years of accounting or financial experience with a public accounting, consulting, financial or investment banking firm, and completion of 4,000 hours of specialized underperforming business, reorganization and insolvency experience. The experience may be as an insolvency and reorganization accountant for trustee or debtor, creditor or equity holder committees, or specific creditors or equity holders; a troubled business workout specialist, including business receivers and reorganization management or consultants; a bankruptcy trustee; a bankruptcy examiner or accountant for examiner; an educator and/or author of published works in the area of bankruptcy/insolvency; or an expert witness regarding bankruptcy issues.

Granted by: Individual state boards

MAI (Member of the Appraisal Institute): Larry Bloom