[Anonymous]

Hi guys. I was just wondering if any of you have taken or have heard of anyone taking this exam. Is it as difficult as the CPA exam? Thanks

[Anonymous]

What is the CVA? Is it Certified Valuation Analyst https://www.nacva.com/certifications/c_cva.asp ?

If so, I haven't, but thought that clarifying could help others who are familiar with it. 🙂 My initial thoughts would be that it is likely both harder and easier – easier because it covers a more narrow set of information (valuation instead of the million topics on the CPA), and harder because it covers information in much more detail (knowing the basics of a topic isn't enough, you have to know it inside and out, frontwards and backwards, etc.). Whether the “harder” or “easier” was the biggest player for you would probably be determined by whether you're better as a jack-of-all-trades or master-of-one!

That being said though, the CVA exam is shorter than the CPA exams altogether. It's 5 hours of MCQs. If SIMs and essays are your weakness, then the CVA is probably going to be easier for you…I don't see how many MCQs it is, but I'm going to guess it's less than the 4 sections of the CPA exam added together. However, the tough part of that is that it's 5 hours straight of testing. Granted one could do it in less time, but that's still a big exam – kinda like how the CPA exams used to be. So, if you think you could have taken 2 CPA exams back-to-back, that's about what this exam sounds like it will be like.

Like I said, I haven't known anyone who has taken this, so my only thought beyond that analysis would be, is this a designation that is broadly enough known to be useful? I'm guessing valuation is more on the finance side of things, and I'm definitely not familiar with their exams and designations, but just wanted to make sure this was something that was known in its field.

[Anonymous]

What is the CVA? Is it Certified Valuation Analyst https://www.nacva.com/certifications/c_cva.asp ?

If so, I haven't, but thought that clarifying could help others who are familiar with it. 🙂 My initial thoughts would be that it is likely both harder and easier – easier because it covers a more narrow set of information (valuation instead of the million topics on the CPA), and harder because it covers information in much more detail (knowing the basics of a topic isn't enough, you have to know it inside and out, frontwards and backwards, etc.). Whether the “harder” or “easier” was the biggest player for you would probably be determined by whether you're better as a jack-of-all-trades or master-of-one!

That being said though, the CVA exam is shorter than the CPA exams altogether. It's 5 hours of MCQs. If SIMs and essays are your weakness, then the CVA is probably going to be easier for you…I don't see how many MCQs it is, but I'm going to guess it's less than the 4 sections of the CPA exam added together. However, the tough part of that is that it's 5 hours straight of testing. Granted one could do it in less time, but that's still a big exam – kinda like how the CPA exams used to be. So, if you think you could have taken 2 CPA exams back-to-back, that's about what this exam sounds like it will be like.

Like I said, I haven't known anyone who has taken this, so my only thought beyond that analysis would be, is this a designation that is broadly enough known to be useful? I'm guessing valuation is more on the finance side of things, and I'm definitely not familiar with their exams and designations, but just wanted to make sure this was something that was known in its field.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your thoughts!

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your thoughts!

[Study Monk]

Never heard of it…and I have looked up many articles about most valued certifications when I was trying to do anything but study.

Even Wikipedia draws a blank…so I would spend your valuable time on something else. Perhaps CFA or CFP if your into finance. Or the CMA if you want another accounting certification.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

Never heard of it…and I have looked up many articles about most valued certifications when I was trying to do anything but study.

Even Wikipedia draws a blank…so I would spend your valuable time on something else. Perhaps CFA or CFP if your into finance. Or the CMA if you want another accounting certification.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

It is a lesser known certification, but I know that a lot of forensic accountants have this cert

[Anonymous]

It is a lesser known certification, but I know that a lot of forensic accountants have this cert

[jaredo155]

I don't have this certification and haven't attempted it, but I know several of the partners in my area (Louisville, KY) who have started larger local firms hold this designation as well as the ABV certification. It is very common as you mentioned for accountants in forensic accounting (the form practiced when resolving a high net worth divorce settlement or partnership dissolution dispute not the kind practiced in catching white collar criminals) and also very common for accountants in mergers and acquisition practices. My understanding is that if you have any experience in the field of valuation it isn't that bad, but that if you don't the case study portion is extremely difficult. Not sure how much that helps, but for what it's worth as I said in my experience it is a pretty respected designation.

AUD - 2/2013 - Passed!
BEC - 5/2013 - Passed!
FAR - 8/2013 - Passed!
REG - 11/2013 - Passed!
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

[jaredo155]

I don't have this certification and haven't attempted it, but I know several of the partners in my area (Louisville, KY) who have started larger local firms hold this designation as well as the ABV certification. It is very common as you mentioned for accountants in forensic accounting (the form practiced when resolving a high net worth divorce settlement or partnership dissolution dispute not the kind practiced in catching white collar criminals) and also very common for accountants in mergers and acquisition practices. My understanding is that if you have any experience in the field of valuation it isn't that bad, but that if you don't the case study portion is extremely difficult. Not sure how much that helps, but for what it's worth as I said in my experience it is a pretty respected designation.

AUD - 2/2013 - Passed!
BEC - 5/2013 - Passed!
FAR - 8/2013 - Passed!
REG - 11/2013 - Passed!
"Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

[Mayo]

Heard this from a valuation professional with over 20+ years experience:

Paraphrasing….”CVA is a fly by night certification that most of us realize is total garbage. I'd say if you were really serious about valuation as a career, get your ASA and/or CFA certifications. ABV to a lesser degree”

*shrug* Don't know anything beyond that. However, the guy knows his stuff and has been in the field forever. It could be a bit of sour grapes as many people with CVAs are taking business away from the older folks with fancier designations in the way of discounted prices. Or it could be that people with a CVA are truly less experienced and trained. Again, *shrug*

Take that for what it's worth.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Heard this from a valuation professional with over 20+ years experience:

Paraphrasing….”CVA is a fly by night certification that most of us realize is total garbage. I'd say if you were really serious about valuation as a career, get your ASA and/or CFA certifications. ABV to a lesser degree”

*shrug* Don't know anything beyond that. However, the guy knows his stuff and has been in the field forever. It could be a bit of sour grapes as many people with CVAs are taking business away from the older folks with fancier designations in the way of discounted prices. Or it could be that people with a CVA are truly less experienced and trained. Again, *shrug*

Take that for what it's worth.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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