GCFValuation and its appraisers belong to the most respected appraisal associations in the country and hold the highest industry designations, making them experts in their field. The firm’s partners, Steve Mize, ASA and Darren Mize, ASA are both accredited senior appraisers in business valuation (accredited by the American Society of Appraisers). All other GCFValuation employees are accredited or in the process of being accredited through various organizations.

When engaging a business appraiser, the client must assess the appraiser’s credentials. Since a state license is not required in business valuation (as with real estate), the client must review the appraiser’s qualifications and designations. CBA, ASA/AM, CVA and ABV are widely known throughout the business valuation community as the only four (4) organizations in the United States that meet the IRS, SBA and ERISA "Qualified Appraiser" guideline.

Business Valuation Credentials

 

  ASA/AM CBA CVA ABV
Education College/Equivalent College/Equivalent College/Equivalent College/Equivalent
Experience 5 Years for ASA; 2 years for AM Minimum of two assignments -
reports must be submitted & approved		 No Minimum Involved in 10 Business Valuations
Qualifying Exam Proctored, Closed Book
Must pass an Ethics Exam.
USPAP exam must be passed every 5 years		 Proctored, Closed Book
Started in 1999.
Includes a report writing portion.		 Proctored, Closed Book Proctored, Closed Book Proctored, Closed Book
Report Review Requirement Yes, two reports rigorously reviewed by leading Business Appraisers Yes, two reports rigorously reviewed by leading Business Appraisers None other than portion of qualifying exam. None
Continuing Professional
Education		 Yes, 100 credits every five years Yes, 24 credits every two years or equivalent Must maintain CPA credential. Must maintain CPA credential.
Other classes in business valuation
are required to maintain designation.		 60 credits and involvement in
five reports every three years
Organization has
Professional Standards		 Yes, for over ten years Yes, for over ten years Yes, since 1995 Yes, since June 2007
CBA, Certified Business Appraiser from The Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc. | ASA/AM, Accredited Senior Appraiser/Accredited member from the American Society of Appraisers
CVA, Certified Valuation Analyst from the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts | ABV, Accredited in Business Valuation awarded to CPAs by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants