Credentials

Requirements

Eligibility: You will need the following:

• Hold a valid and unrevoked CPA license or certificate issued by a legally constituted state authority.
• Pass the CFF examination. The CFF Exam Content Specification Outline (CSO) includes details of subject areas covered on the exam.
• Upon successfully passing the CFF Examination, complete the CFF Credential Application online. Applicants must attest to meeting the minimum Business Experience and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements and pay the appropriate credential fee.

See all Eligibility Requirements >>

Meet all the requirements to earn the credential?

Pathway to the CFF Credential

Learn more about the pathway >>

Exam

Passing the CFF Exam is a required step toward the credential.
Learn more about the exam >>

Benefits

The CFF Credential positions you to be experts in your field and can offer greater revenue opportunities. In addition, you enjoy the many benefits of FVS Section membership.  See all CFF benefits >>

Dues

Our membership year runs Aug. 1 through July 31. Your initial dues will be prorated based on the month you join. Renewal payments are due each year by July 31 and the first renewal notice is sent in June. If you joined in May, June or July, your first renewal invoice will be sent the following year.

For more information on annual dues renewal pricing, visit our annual dues page.

Requirements

Eligibility: You will need the following:

• Hold a valid CPA license and be a regular member of the AICPA.
• For the Standard and Certificate pathways, earn a minimum of 75 hours of PFP continuing professional development (CPD) within the 5 years preceding your PFS application.
• For the Experienced pathway, earn a minimum of 105 hours of PFP continuing professional development (CPD) within the 7 years preceding your PFS application.
• For the Standard and Certificate pathways, within the 5 years preceding the PFS application you have completed 2 years of full-time business or teaching experience (or 3,000 hours equivalent) in personal financial planning or, for candidates in academia, a qualified credential holder should be a full-time professor and have taught at least 4 accredited college courses with 50% of their material included in the PFS Body of Knowledge.
• For the Experienced pathway, within the 7 years preceding the PFS application you have completed 5 years of full-time business experience (or 7,500 hours equivalent) in personal financial planning
• Pass the PFS Exam - available both online and at testing centers.

See all PFS Eligibility Requirements >>

Meet all the requirements to earn the credential?

Pathway to the CPA/PFS Credential

Learn more about the pathway >>

Exam

Passing an exam is a required step toward obtaining the credential.

• passing the comprehensive CPA/PFS exam for the Standard pathway, or
• passing the PFS Experienced CPA Assessment for the Experienced pathway, or
• obtaining all 5 PFP certificates.

Learn more about the exam options >>

Benefits

In addition, to the prestige that comes along with obtaining this credential you will also have access to valuable tools and resources such as:

• The CPA/PFS Marketing/Media Toolkit
• Listed in the CPA/PFS referral database
• PFP Section membership and more

See all CPA/PFS benefits >>

Dues

Our membership year runs Aug. 1 through July 31. Your initial dues will be prorated based on the month you join. Renewal payments are due each year by July 31 and the first renewal notice is sent in June. If you joined in May, June or July, your first renewal invoice will be sent the following year.

For more information on annual dues renewal pricing, visit our annual dues page.

Requirements

Eligibility: You will need the following:

• Be a member of the AICPA in good standing.
• Hold a valid and unrevoked CPA license or certificate issued by a legally constituted state authority.
• Pass the CITP examination (requirement waived for candidates who have passed ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA®) certification exam). The CITP Exam Content Specification Outline (CSO) includes details of subject areas covered on the exam.

See all CITP Eligibility Requirements >>

Meet all the requirements to earn the credential?

CITP Credential Pathway

Learn more about the pathway >>

Exam

Passing the CITP Exam is a required step toward the credential. The CITP Exam is a computer-based exam that is offered year-round. You may take the exam in-person at a testing center or online in a remotely-proctored environment. The CITP exam requirement is waived for candidates who have passed the CISA certification exam.
Learn more about the exam >>

Benefits

In addition to the prestige that comes along with obtaining this credential you will also have access to valuable tools and resources such as: 

• The CITP Marketing Toolkit
• Listed in the CITP referral database
• Free access to four AICPA IT webcasts (up to eight hours of CPE) annually
• As well access to AICPA member benefits.

See all CITP benefits >>

Dues

Our membership year runs Aug. 1 through July 31. Your initial dues will be prorated based on the month you join. Renewal payments are due each year by July 31 and the first renewal notice is sent in June. If you joined in May, June or July, your first renewal invoice will be sent the following year.

For more information on annual dues renewal pricing, visit our annual dues page.

Benefits

The CEIV credential positions you as an expert in your field and is a powerful way of telling peers, clients and the world that you’re a consistent, reliable, transparent and trusted partner and practitioner in entity and intangible asset valuations. By obtaining the CEIV credential, you will demonstrate your commitment to enhancing audit quality and consistency and transparency in fair value measurements. In addition, you’ll enjoy valuable resources and information as well as the many benefits of AICPA membership.

As a CEIV credential holder, you’ll be positioned as a global leader in the advancement of fair value measurements for financial reporting purposes. You’ll also be recognized for consistent and reliable results as well as a dedication to protecting the public interest through a transparent approach to entity and intangible asset valuation.

Why Become a CEIV?

As a CEIV credential holder, you’ll be able to demonstrate your:

• Position as a global leader in fair value measurement for financial reporting
• Commitment to enhancing audit quality and protecting the public interest with a transparent approach by providing consistent fair value measurements
• Competence and confidence in performing fair value measurements
• Commitment to continued learning

Why the AICPA?

The world’s largest accounting membership organization backs the quality, education and rigor of the CEIV credential, providing expert support for finance and accounting professionals worldwide. By obtaining certification through the AICPA, credential holders can take advantage of the Institute’s:

• Reputation for integrity, trust and credibility
• Code of Professional Conduct
• Network of more than 400,000 members
• Advocacy on legislation that affects the accounting profession
• Leadership in the full accounting ecosystem
• History of serving the public interest since 1887

The AICPA provides the necessary tools and resources to help valuation specialists prepare for obtaining the CEIV credential. Credential holders can depend on the AICPA for access to continuing education materials and other resources that are vital to achieving professional goals.

Additional Benefits

Advocacy
By promoting and protecting member interests with regulators and other third parties, the AICPA truly is the voice of professionals who perform fair value measurements for public company financial reporting purposes.

Professional Development
Opportunities to meet CPE and continuous learning requirements through discounted webcasts, conferences, self-study and more.

Requirements 

Eligibility: To qualify, CPAs and/or Finance Professionals who want to apply for the CEIV credential must:

• Maintain AICPA membership in good standing or join* as a Regular Member, Non-CPA Associate Member or International Associate Member of the AICPA.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Complete the CEIV Credential Application.
• Attest to meeting the minimum education, experience and examination requirements highlighted in the CEIV Credential Pathway. 
• Sign a Declaration of Intent to comply with the requirements of CEIV Recertification.
• Finance professionals are required to complete training on the AICPA Professional Conduct and Standards Education for Finance Professionals within 30 days of applying.

*New members are able to join as AICPA members and apply for the CEIV credential together in the CEIV application process. Finance Professionals can apply CREDDISC as a promocode at checkout. Regular and honorary members will receive a discount when the CEIV credential application is submitted.

CEIV Credential Pathways

Whether you're a CPA or a finance professional, you will be able to qualify for the CEIV credential. There are multiple points of entry based on each candidate's professional background which will dictate your respective credential requirements. Download the pathway infographic to learn even more about how to take your career to the next level.  

Step 1: Learn 

Develop specialized knowledge on the following fair value measurement topics:

• Fair Value-Related Accounting and Regulatory Environment
• Fair Value-Related Technical Guidance
• Use of the Valuation Report in the Audit Process
• Mandatory Performance Framework

Step 2: Pass the Exams

All CEIV candidates will be required to demonstrate competency in fundamental valuation principles and fair value measurements by successfully passing two examinations/assessments:

Valuation Exam

Passing the AICPA’s Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV^®) Exam or one of the other qualifying valuation exams below* is required as a step toward obtaining the CEIV credential. To pass the AICPA’s ABV Exam, use the resources offered by the AICPA, including the Global ABV Examination Blueprint and the AICPA’s ABV Examination Review Course.

*Other Qualifying Valuation Exams include Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) BV201-204 or Challenge Exams, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Exams, Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) Exam, or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) or Senior Professional Assessment (SPA) on Valuation of Businesses and Intangible Assets.

CEIV Exam

Passing the CEIV Exam is also a required step toward the CEIV credential. To pass the CEIV Exam, you must complete the required CEIV Pathway training on the CEIV body of knowledge and the Mandatory Performance Framework. Candidates with three failed attempts at passing the CEIV exam will be subject to a 90-day cooling off period whereby they must retake the CEIV training before attempting to take the CEIV exam again.

Exam Format

• Exam Type — The CEIV Exam is an online, two-part, computer-based non-disclosed exam. This means the questions and answers are not published nor are you permitted to share any of the information included on the exam.
• Timing — You must pass both parts of the CEIV exam to receive credit for passing the CEIV Exam. Candidates who do not pass the exam may retake the exam.
• Types of Questions — Both parts of the CEIV Exam consist of discrete and application-based multiple-choice questions that are designed to test the candidate’s analytical reasoning skills and ability to apply the CEIV body of knowledge and the Mandatory Performance Framework. 

Step 3: Gain Experience

CEIV candidates must have a minimum of 3,000 hours of experience related to fair value measurements in the 10 years preceding application, with at least half [1,500] in preceding five years. 

Experience related to fair value measurements may include auditor specialist valuation reviews of fair value measurements prepared by a third party or by management; firm review of fair value measurements prepared by the firm’s valuation team; signing valuation reports; performing, mentoring, supervising, or managing fair value measurement engagements; and consulting on, instructing, authoring, developing, thought leadership and staff development on fair value measurement matters.

Experience must be attested to by a supervisor (or past supervisor if you changed employers). If a partner/supervisor is not available, peer attestation is acceptable.  There are no exceptions to experience attestation.

Step 4: Get Credentialed

After passing the valuation and CEIV Exams and meeting the related education and experience requirements, you must next apply for the CEIV credential, granted by the AICPA to qualified individuals who demonstrate considerable expertise in fair value measurements of entities and intangible assets for financial reporting purposes through their knowledge, skills and experience.

Meet all the requirements to earn the credential?

Apply for the CEIV Credential

Not ready to apply yet? Get started with one of the pathway education and exam bundles below!

CEIV Credential Education and Exam Package

ABV + CEIV Credential Education and Exam Package

Mandatory Performance Framework

The Mandatory Performance Framework and Application of the Mandatory Performance Framework is a practical non-authoritative framework that defines ‘how much’ work is necessary to provide supportable and auditable fair value measurements for financial reporting. The Framework is designed to enhance consistency and transparency in the performance of fair value measurements, to the benefit of the public interest. CEIV credential holders are required to comply with the Mandatory Performance Framework.

Learn more about the Mandatory Performance Framework >>

Quality Monitoring

All CEIV credential holders will be required to participate in an ongoing Quality Monitoring Program. The goal of the Quality Monitoring Program is to provide confidence to markets and regulators that CEIV credential holders are performing high quality valuations in compliance with the Mandatory Performance Framework.

The Quality Monitoring Program encompasses a combination of ongoing credential maintenance requirements and completion of an annual Quality Compliance Assessment to evaluate whether core areas of the Mandatory Performance Framework are being properly implemented and followed.

The CEIV quality monitoring process will commence in the summer of 2021 for professionals who held the CEIV credential as of January 1, 2020.

Questions related to the AICPA Quality Monitoring Program can be submitted to CEIV@aicpa.org.

Maintenance of the Credential

To maintain the CEIV credential, credential holders must pay an annual credential fee and must comply with the following requirements:

• Maintain membership in good standing with the AICPA.
• Perform 1,500 hours of fair value measurement-related experience every five-year period.
• Complete 8 hours or fair value measurement-related CPE/CPD annually PLUS 40 hours of fair value measurement-related education through the AICPA, firms or other third-party providers every fixed five-year period.
• Comply with Mandatory Performance Framework.
• Participate in ongoing Quality Monitoring process.
  

Retirees holding the AICPA CEIV credential are required to participate in quality monitoring and meet ongoing requirements. Retirees must-

• Maintain membership in good standing with the AICPA.
• Perform 1,500 hours of fair value measurement-related experience every five-year period.
• Complete 8 hours or fair value measurement-related CPE/CPD annually PLUS 40 hours of fair value measurement-related education through the AICPA, firms or other third-party providers every fixed five-year period.
• Comply with the mandatory performance framework (MPF)

As a retiree, you may not have any MPF-compliant work product in a given year. There are still portions of the CEIV Quality Compliance Assessment you are required to complete that will serve to gather information on how you are meeting your ongoing education and experience requirements as a credential holder. You are not required to complete the Mandatory Performance Framework sections of the assessment.

Please note, the education and experience requirements for the fixed five-year period are effective January 1st of the calendar year following the credential holder’s join date.

CPD may include:

Structured learning activities – these activities include CPE approved by NASBA or a legally constituted state authority, or training from other professional bodies; or 

Unstructured learning activities - as outlined by the AICPA - these activities may constitute up to 50% of a credential holder’s CPD to meet credential renewal requirements and include activities such as reading articles, coaching, mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, on-the-job training and taskforces.

When considering whether or not to include an activity as unstructured learning, we recommend you consider the following, and be able to document the time spent:

• How is what I am learning relevant to the credential body of knowledge?
• Is what I’m learning related to current or future standards, guidelines or best practices?
• How are the learning outcomes of this activity relevant to my competency development?
• What benefits does the activity offer toward my current or future credential-related career goals?

The unstructured learning activities listed above can be recorded in 10 minute increments and are self-paced, so it is imperative that you track this type of learning as you go. You will be notified in writing if selected for random recertification audit. If CPE/CPD requirements are not satisfied, the credential may be rescinded, and the reinstatement requirements must be met to regain the credential.

The trademarks CEIV and CERTIFIED IN ENTITY AND INTANGIBLE VALUATIONS are owned by Corporate and Intangibles Valuation Organization, LLC, and are used under license agreements between Corporate and Intangibles Valuation Organization, LLC and RICS, ASA and AICPA.

Requirements 

Eligibility: CPAs and valuation professionals who want to apply for the CVFI credential must:

• Maintain AICPA membership in good standing
• Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Meet minimum education, experience and examination requirements.
• Submit the CVFI Credential application and the $249* application fee.

*Regular and honorary members will receive a discount when application is submitted.

Refer to the CVFI Credential FAQs for further details.

Meet all the requirements to earn the credential?

¹Finance professionals are required to complete training on Professional Ethics for Non-CPA Associate AICPA Members and AICPA Valuation and Consulting Standards.

²Candidates with three failed attempts at passing the CVFI exam will be subject to a 90-day cooling off period whereby they must retake the CVFI training before taking the CVFI exam again.

³Experience related to fair value estimates for financial instruments may include performing, supervising or managing valuation engagements or assignments as a valuation professional; review of valuations prepared by the firm’s valuation team; reviews of valuations prepared by a third party, by management, by auditors and/or auditor firm’s valuation team; signing valuation reports; and consulting on, instructing, researching, developing thought leadership and staff development on valuation matters related to financial instruments. Experience must be attested to by a supervisor (or past supervisor, if you changed employers). If a partner/supervisor is not available, peer attestation is acceptable.

Financial Instruments Performance Framework

The Financial Instruments Performance Framework (FIPF) is a practical non-authoritative framework that defines ‘how much’ work is necessary to provide supportable and auditable fair value estimates for financial instruments. The Framework is designed to enhance consistency and transparency in the performance of fair value measurements for financial instruments, to the benefit of the public interest. CVFI credential holders will be required to comply with the Financial Instruments Performance Framework.

Quality Monitoring

CVFI credential holders will be required to periodically file information about the processes and procedures related to their organization and its financial instruments valuation practice through the completion of an annual compliance questionnaire. The effective date for quality monitoring to commence for the CVFI credential is January 1, 2022.