• The Program of Studies is designed to be completed within 2 years (if registered students take 1 course per term in a 3 term system, starting January 2018).
• The content combines theoretical and practical experience.
• All 8 courses are offered as self-directed, online courses for flexibility.

• There are no academic requirements to apply and become a registered student of the Program of Studies.

To obtain the CBV designation, the following requirements must be met:

• Degree from a post-secondary academic institution or university. This requirement will be waived for an individual who holds a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation (or the predecessor designations Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Certified General Accountant (CGA)), or a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
• Completion of the Program of Studies (4 core courses and 2 electives) (offered through the School of Continuing Studies at York University)
• Successful completion of the CICBV’s professional entrance exam – the Membership Qualification Exam (MQE)
• 1,500 hours of relevant qualifying experience.

Please visit the CICBV’s website ^[1] for further details.

Core Courses

Level 1 – Introductory Business Valuation

Be introduced to business as an area of specialized practice including the role of the Business Valuator, valuation terminology and principles, professional standards and practice issues and earnings-based valuation methodologies.

Level 2 – Intermediate Business Valuation

Examine valuation issues and tax-related matters that can impact a valuation. A number of important tax considerations are inherent in most valuation assignments. As a result, the valuator must understand the fundamental principles of the Canadian tax system on a theoretical and practical level. An integral part of the valuator’s work is to know how the organization will be taxed, which is impacted by the type of ownership and the types of income the organization is earning.

Level 3 – Advanced Business Valuation

After completing the Introduction and Intermediate courses, you will have developed an understanding of valuation theory and methodology, and begun to apply that theory – and those skills – to practice cases. The purpose of this course is to elaborate on that foundational knowledge and to strengthen your awareness of business valuation theory. By the end of this course, you will have an understanding of more sophisticated valuations techniques, and the skills to apply those techniques to real life cases.

Level 4 – Special Topics in Business Valuation

By moving through the Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced valuations courses, you have developed your skills and knowledge in valuation theory and methodology. The purpose of this course is to extend your learning to a number of additional specialized topics, each of which significantly (and regularly) impacts CBVs in real-world practice. By gaining knowledge in these areas, you will be best prepared for the interesting and varied challenges that you will face when you practice as a CBV.

Elective Courses

Litigation Support in Business Valuation

Gain a solid foundation in litigation matters as they relate to the valuation of businesses and/or economic damages. From the engagement process to the valuation of losses in specific industries, this course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of issues in the field. At the end of this course, you will have a sound understanding of the ways that law and business valuation connect and interact, and be able to apply litigation knowledge to your engagements as a business valuator. The required reading for this course is included within the notes, but references to case law and other relevant documents provide opportunities for further learning.

Corporate Finance

When companies seek financing, they often turn to valuators to assist them in preparing financing proposals and in structuring financing deals. As a valuator, it is crucial for you to understand how to best serve your clients at these key business-developing stages. This course introduces you to the issues and techniques relevant to this area. The assignments found at the end of this course will provide you with an important opportunity to apply your newly acquired knowledge to realistic cases, while reinforcing your practical skills.

Valuation for Financial Reporting

Accounting and valuation standards for financial reporting are constantly changing and have become increasingly complex. This course builds on concepts covered in Level III – Advanced Business Valuation, which introduced valuation for financial reporting concepts as well as the valuation of intangible assets. IVFR continues and expands on this foundation with coverage of a number of the financial reporting-related standards and guidance in existence and used in practice, as well as some of the related valuation issues that can be encountered.

This course takes a public company perspective and focuses on the international financial reporting standards (“IFRS”) as all Canadian public companies are required to report under IFRS. Further, the accounting standards for private enterprises (“ASPE”) are predominantly similar to IFRS with respect to the valuation of intangibles and the impairment of goodwill and intangibles for financial reporting purposes.

Private Investments

This course provide an introduction to private investments as an area of specialized practice. By the end of this course, studnets will be comfortable with private investment terminology and have a general understanding of fundamental concepts in the field, as well as an awareness of issues that require specialized industry knowledge.

For a list of important dates, see the CICBV Program Calendar ^[7]

Registration for the CICBV Program is initiated on the CICBV website. Please visit the CICBV Registration page ^[9] and follow the steps outlined there.

Note that all program policies are managed by CICBV and are available on the CICBV website ^[10]. You can access and review them once you have created a profile on their website.

Withdrawals & Refunds

• Students registered in a CICBV course may withdraw from the course using the CICBV Withdrawal Request Form ^[12] and receive a refund (less a $50 administration fee, which will be withheld) only if they withdraw within 48 hours after they register. After 48 hours, refunds will not be provided.
• A full refund will be granted in the event that the CICBV cancels a course due to low enrolment.
• Withdrawal requests must be submitted on the CICBV Withdrawal Request Form ^[12] to the York University School of Continuing Studies.

Complementary Registrations

In the event of a medical emergency or the death of a loved one, requests for complementary registrations may be made directly to the York University School of Continuing Studies (cicbv@yorku.ca ^[13]). Students will contact the Program Office if they are unable to write an exam (after the Opt out deadline). Valid supporting documentation (e.g., medical note from a physician, death certificate, etc.) which clearly outlines the details of the emergency that occurred and resulted in the student not being able to write their examination will be requested.  Please note that complimentary registrations are not guaranteed, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Special Accommodations

Requests for special accommodation are made directly to CICBV Director of Education and Accreditation, Christine Sawchuk, at christine.sawchuk@cicbv.ca ^[14].

Common questions concerning the Program of Studies are answered in the CICBV FAQs ^[16] and on the CICBV Program of Studies ^[17] page.

For further information, please send us an e-mail at cicbv@yorku.ca ^[13] or call us at +1 416.736.5130.