Table of Contents
- What Is the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA)?
- Understanding the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA)
- Certifications
- Membership
- How Do I Become a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)?
- How Long Does It Take to Become a CVA?
- What Does a Valuation Analyst Do?
What Is the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA)?
I'm here to explain the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) directly to you—it's a trade organization for professionals who handle valuation and litigation services in corporate transactions. As a member, you get training, education, and certification in asset valuation disciplines that you can apply in your work, and the group enforces ethical standards among everyone involved. They go by the axiom: 'The Authority in Matters of Value.' Let me break down the key points: NACVA focuses on training and certifying in asset valuation, members work in fields like mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and bankruptcy, and they offer specific accreditations including Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Master Analyst in Financial Forensics (MAFF), Accredited in Business Appraisal Review (ABAR), Certified Business Appraiser (CBA), and Master Certified Business Appraiser (MCBA).
Understanding the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA)
Founded in 1991 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah, NACVA supports careers in valuation and litigation services, covering areas like mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and bankruptcy. You can access their accreditations such as CVA, MAFF, ABAR, CBA, and MCBA. Through databases, software, certifications, and professional standards, NACVA's mission is to equip you with resources that boost your efficiency and give you a competitive edge as a consultant. As business valuation gets more complex, NACVA positions you to handle these challenges with ongoing education, peer support, and standards. In this field, NACVA stands out as the only organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Certifications
NACVA's certifications target different areas of analysis and litigation. The Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) focuses on business valuations for consulting firms and clients. The Master Analyst in Financial Forensics (MAFF) provides assurance in financial litigation, requiring prerequisites, experience, and a five-hour exam on NACVA's Financial Forensics Body of Knowledge. The Accredited in Business Appraisal Review (ABAR) is the top standard for appraisal reports, but it's ceased for new members—active ones recertify every three years. The Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) and Master Certified Business Appraiser (MCBA) are the toughest to get, but they've also stopped being offered due to low demand.
Membership
NACVA offers memberships tailored to various needs and qualifications, including Practitioner, Ultimate, Professional, Affiliate, Academician, Government Employee, Student, and Legal Professional. Annual costs range from $79 to $599, with benefits varying by type, such as access to education, certifications, online learning, publications, and industry-specific training in areas like healthcare, software, databases, litigation, and management. You get a full support network for building a career in business valuation, plus groups like a writer's guild, mentor support, pro-bono group, training team, and speakers bureau. According to their site, NACVA has trained over 40,000 CPAs and other professionals in business valuation, financial forensics, litigation, and related services.
How Do I Become a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)?
To become a CVA, follow these six steps: meet the qualifications and apply, pay the designation fee or join NACVA, study the exam materials, pass the CVA exam, participate in a peer-reviewed business valuation report, and maintain it with membership fees and continuing education every three years.
How Long Does It Take to Become a CVA?
Becoming a CVA involves studying and passing the exam, but you need prerequisites first: a bachelor's in business or an MBA, two or more years in valuation or related fields, and experience with 10 or more business valuations. The time varies based on your background.
What Does a Valuation Analyst Do?
A valuation analyst appraises businesses by examining costs, risks, industry trends, budgets, timelines, cash flows, and other metrics to determine the business's value.
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