CFA VS CPA for Business Valuations

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Rasec

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Would anyone like to comment on which program is better for business valuations?
I know ASA is the major, but what about the CFA VS the CPA in the process of business valuation, intangible asset impairment testing, goodwill-purchase price allocations, fairness of opinion, etc.
Thanks a lot
 
CFA > ASA > CPA with the following caveats:
ASA is still king if you are doing tax or litigation work, although CFA is gaining on the litigation side
If you want to work in Big 4 and make partner eventually, CPA is basically a must.
 
They are both good. I think CPA is more recognized with attorneys who are a good source of referrals for business valuation work. However, I think the CFA is more intellectually stimulating and it seems the younger generation of analysts are gravitating towards CFA, ASA as opposed to CPA/ABV, ASA.
 
The top deal attorneys are more apt these days to refer fairness and solvency opinions to CFA because of the complex structure of the deals.
 
higgmond Wrote:
——————————————————-
> CFA > ASA > CPA with the following caveats:
>
> ASA is still king if you are doing tax or
> litigation work, although CFA is gaining on the
> litigation side
>
> If you want to work in Big 4 and make partner
> eventually, CPA is basically a must.
CPA is a must for “partners” that work in audit. I guarantee you there are lots of non-CPA partners in Big 4 firms who work in consulting or tax.
 
Just interviewed with a business valuation company who rather hire people with accounting degrees, and really value the CPA over the CFA.
 
Rasec Wrote:
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> Just interviewed with a business valuation company
> who rather hire people with accounting degrees,
> and really value the CPA over the CFA.
They’re either a tax/litigation shop, owned by/affiliated with an accounting firm, or a regional player. The top national firms all favor CFA, ASA for their BV people.
 
I’m assuming most of you are from the US, so I was wondering if anyone is aware of the credibility of the CBV designation (Chartered Business Valuator) outside of Canada with respect to firms involved with Business Valuations?
https://www.cicbv.ca/?page=home&v=1
Thanks
 
needhelp Wrote:
——————————————————-
> what is ASA?
Accredited Senior Appraiser with American Society of Appraisers.
 
glendronach Wrote:
——————————————————-
> I’m assuming most of you are from the US, so I was
> wondering if anyone is aware of the credibility of
> the CBV designation (Chartered Business Valuator)
> outside of Canada with respect to firms involved
> with Business Valuations?
>
> https://www.cicbv.ca/?page=home&v=1
>
> Thanks
Equivalent to ASA.
 
saw several jobs with accounting firms requiring ASA. do these guys get paid a lot?
 
needhelp Wrote:
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> saw several jobs with accounting firms requiring
> ASA. do these guys get paid a lot?
Depends on your definition of a lot. ASA designation requires 5 years of valuation experience. Assuming someone has just 5 years, they would likely slot in as the equivalent of a senior consultant or manager. That would bring something in the $75k-$100k range in the north east.
 
100% CFA. I used to work in valuation. I also interviewed with PWC val group in the spring. CFA is without a doubt the sought after designation. CPA is only common because a lot of people got the CPA while working in audit and then moved into the transaction groups or into independent valuation shops. It may be common among the senior guys in Big 4 but only because the designation is valued by non valuation guys in the firms.
I was specifically told by a managing partner (or whatever his goofy designation was) at PWC and the MD of a small shop that the CPA really is not necessary. They loved the fact that I had passed LIII, however.
ASA is common
 
higgmond Wrote:
——————————————————-
> glendronach Wrote:
> ————————————————–
> —–
> > I’m assuming most of you are from the US, so I
> was
> > wondering if anyone is aware of the credibility
> of
> > the CBV designation (Chartered Business
> Valuator)
> > outside of Canada with respect to firms
> involved
> > with Business Valuations?
> >
> > https://www.cicbv.ca/?page=home&v=1
> >
> > Thanks
>
>
> Equivalent to ASA.
Good to know! I had the impression that the CBV was relatively unknown / unrecognized outside of Canada.
 
glendronach Wrote:
——————————————————-
>
> Good to know! I had the impression that the CBV
> was relatively unknown / unrecognized outside of
> Canada.
Anyone actively involved in BV will know both and consider them equivalent. I’m fairly certain there is a reciprocity program between ASA and CIBV that would allow you to get ASA pretty easily if you already have CBV.
 
higgmond Wrote:
——————————————————-
>
> Anyone actively involved in BV will know both and
> consider them equivalent. I’m fairly certain
> there is a reciprocity program between ASA and
> CIBV that would allow you to get ASA pretty easily
> if you already have CBV.
Thanks again higgmond. I started researching the ASA and it does indeed give credit to CBV holders. I’m considering starting the CBV program this fall (now that I no longer have to study for the CFA), but was concerned about the credibility of the program outside of Canada. The fact that those in BV consider them equivalent is great to know!!
 
I think a lot of smaller regional and local firms prefer the AM and ASA designations because they are specifically focused on BV, respected in the industry, and they are easier to get than the CFA. To get the AM you just have to go to four 3-days classes and pass a test at the end of each, have one report reviewed, and have two years of experience. Plus, its easier to hire someone and send them to ASA classes than it is to expect someone to go through the CFA program or pay to actually hire a CFA charterholder. That being said, I think the CFA designation is more desired by the larger firms and definitely by the big-4. The CFA exams are much harder than the ASA tests and show a high level of commitment and dedication. As far as CFA vs CPA, almost all the new people I see entering the industry directly out of school have a finance degree. Most of the folks with the CPAs started out in audit and made a move to advisory services after they had gotten the CPA.
 
buyicide Wrote:
——————————————————-
> 100% CFA. I used to work in valuation. I also
> interviewed with PWC val group in the spring. CFA
> is without a doubt the sought after designation.
> CPA is only common because a lot of people got the
> CPA while working in audit and then moved into the
> transaction groups or into independent valuation
> shops. It may be common among the senior guys in
> Big 4 but only because the designation is valued
> by non valuation guys in the firms.
>
> I was specifically told by a managing partner (or
> whatever his goofy designation was) at PWC and the
> MD of a small shop that the CPA really is not
> necessary. They loved the fact that I had passed
> LIII, however.
>
> ASA is common
Did you have purchase price allocation experience prior to interviewing with PwC? From what I have heard, 141/142 work is mostly all they do.
 
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