Business valuation is “booming,” says a new article from the online Accounting Today, which reports that business valuations are the No.1 growing niche service among its 2011 Top 100 Firms. Currently, over 5,000 CPA/ABVs are supporting this growth, along with 3,000 CVAs, the article adds.

This confirms BVR’s independent research, which indicates that there are just over 1,400 ASAs (with a fairly strong list of pending candidates) and 600+ CBAs. In addition, roughly 3,000 to 4,000 CFAs currently perform some level of BV work, plus those who still perform valuations (CPAs, etc.) without BV-specific credentials. Although financial reporting work may have jump-started the profession, says the AT article, estate and gift tax continues to drive it, along with the increasing sophistication and formalization of valuation models and methodologies.