A business valuation is an important process that uses objective measures to determine how much a business is worth. Having an accurate value for your business gives you a clear picture of your company’s current financial condition. Moreover, it helps business owners in planning future exit strategies. But to conduct a business valuation, you need to have the relevant qualifications and skills. To help you out, we’ll be covering the best business valuation certificates, courses, and training programs available online.
A business valuation certificate will validate and authenticate your business valuation skills. It gives you a professional designation and recognizes your specialization in conducting business valuations. Its sets you apart from other professionals in the field and is a sign of trust for other businesses.
When you’re looking for a business valuation certificate, you can complete the required training on campus or online. With an online certificate, you can prepare for the certification exam with a self-paced approach. It also prevents you from traveling a long distance to get a certificate.
Here are some of the top business valuation certificates available online.
The CVA is a professional designation awarded by NACVA, the National Association of Certified Valuators. It validates your skill as a professional with expertise in financial analysis and business valuation.
This designation is awarded exclusively to CPAs and certified public accountants. AICPA, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, oversees and awards the certificate. Upon receiving the certificate, you can use the ABV designation with your name to improve job opportunities.
Here’s how the different certificates stack up against each other.
| CVA | ABV | |
| Cost | Ranges between $1,000 and $2,000 | The annual fee is around $380, depending on your membership. |
| Awarded by | NACVA | AICPA |
| Process | Fill out the online application, submit an application fee, and provide documentation. After approval, you can take the CVA exam. | Become an AICPA member, meet experience requirements, and pass the ABV exam. |
| Requirements | At least three years of business valuation experience | · At least 75 hours of business valuation in the 5 years preceding the application· Have a valid CPA license |
Compared to a certificate, a business valuation course is designed to improve your knowledge and skills regarding business valuations. Courses don’t give you credentials or a designation, but they can improve your career prospects.
Here are some of the top business validation courses you can complete online.
Taught by Professor Aswath Damodaran, this Advanced Valuation course is offered by the NYU Stern School of Business. The course includes projects, live discussions, and video lectures that you can use to study at your own pace. It also looks at a number of valuation methods.
This course by Columbia University looks at the different approaches professionals can use to value businesses. It looks at the importance of calculating the current value of a business’s cash flow, as well as the effect of liquidity on value.
Offered by Erasmus University, this course offers an in-depth look at business valuation. Among other things, it covers cash flow strategies and different tools for decision-making. It also includes analyses of projects that are generated through reports and data sets.
| Advanced Valuation by NYU Stern | Corporate Valuation by Colombia University | Advanced Valuation and Strategy by Erasmus University | |
| Cost | $2,200 | $2,600 | Enroll For Free |
| Time | 16 Weeks | 6 Weeks | 16 Hours |
| Highlights | Suitable for beginners with knowledge of Microsoft Excel and basic statistics | Great for mid and senior-level finance professionals | Takes less time to cover specific concepts |
We’ve covered how a business valuation certificate gives you the necessary credentials to validate your skills and courses can develop your skills. In contrast, a training program gives you detailed insights into how the industry works. Courses are usually narrower when it comes to the subjects they cover. In comparison, a training program is far more extensive.
Training programs are beneficial if you want access to a mentor who can answer your questions and guide you through complex questions.
Here are some of the top business valuation training programs available.
This training program provides the essential knowledge for achieving a business valuation designation. It offers foundational training on how to value businesses and prepares attendees for certification exams.
This training program covers the basics of valuing private and public enterprises via case studies. It teaches attendees about various methodologies while focusing on the DCF, Discounted Cash Flow method.
Taught by Professor Aswath Damodaran, this training program by the Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions & Alliances covers each approach to business valuations, as well as their pros and cons. Upon completion, attendees can value enterprises in different markets as well as distressed companies.
Here’s how the training programs compare:
| Consultants’ Training Institute by NACVA | Business Valuation Training by NYIF | Valuation Training by IMAA | |
| Cost | $3,995 | $379 | $1,290 |
| CPE Credits | 45 | 6 | 10 |
| Who it’s for | Financial consultants and CPAs, and business owners with plans including acquisitions | Professionals in corporate finance, as well as investment and credit banking | CEOs, portfolio managers, investment bankers, heads of business development and strategy |
This detailed class on business valuation is designed to inform participants about the basics of each approach, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. In addition, the course will include detailed examples of the application of each approach.
Some of the benefits include:
Not to mention, the program equips you will the necessary skills to value different types of firms.
You can enroll in the Damodaran Valuation Class by registering for the program online. Just head over to the IMAA website and register for whichever upcoming session is most convenient.
Business valuation is a crucial skill to enhance your career prospects as a finance professional. You can complete a business valuation certificate and get designated as a certified business valuation expert. Meanwhile, business valuation courses are a great way to get a firm grasp on basic concepts. Finally, training programs provide you with continuing professional education credits that enhance your credibility.
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