How to Become a Designated Business Valuer

Business valuation encompasses the valuation of all types of businesses. A business valuer is a professional who develops and reports an opinion of value on a assets related to the whole business or company unit including intangible assets. Business valuations are done for many reasons, including gifting and estate taxation and planning; opinions for mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and recapitalizations; financial opinions for litigation matters; transfer pricing engagements to provide clients with operations overseas inoculation against audit risk; financial opinions for exit strategy planning and retirement; and others.

What is a Designated Business Valuer?

In many countries the Government does not license business valuers. Therefore, when consumers are choosing a business valuer, it is crucial for them to pay close attention to the qualifications of that individual and make certain that the appraiser’s education and standards of practice are sufficient to produce appraisals that are independent, consistent, and objective, as well as an appraisal report that is reliable and credible. Consumers should also consider hiring a business valuer who is affiliated with an established valuation professional organization like ASA.

What are the Steps to Becoming a Designated Business Valuer?

When an appraiser joins ASA, they come in as an Applicant. When Applicants have passed the online ethics examination and a 15-hour USPAP course and exam, they become Candidates. Applicants and Candidates qualify for member discounts on courses, publications and conferences, and many other benefits. Tuition grants are available to eligible participants.

Once Candidates have fulfilled the business valuation education and testing requirements, they may apply for a designation. Accreditation from the ASA Business Valuation Discipline, includes the AM (Accredited Member) designation and the ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser) designation. Strict adherence to the ASA Code of Ethics is observed and enforced by members at all times.

To Qualify for Accredited Member (AM) or Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) Status

Accredited Members are required to have two (2) years of full-time appraisal experience and Accredited Senior Appraisers are required to have five (5) years of full-time appraisal experience in business valuation.

Ready to take the next steps to becoming a designated business valuer?

1. View the Business Valuation Guide to Professional Designations.
2. View ASA’s membership and accreditation overview for more details on becoming a designated business valuer.
3. Contact ASA at (800) 272-8258 or asainfo@appraisers.org.

ASA is the oldest and only major appraisal organization designating members in all appraisal specialties and offers its members unparalleled education, renowned appraisal events, diverse networking channels, and increased referral opportunities. Enhance your career and gain credibility by becoming a designated business valuer with ASA.

Start your path today, visit us online at www.appraisers.org/join.