A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER

The outbreak of COVID-19 impacted lives and livelihoods. The world changed instantly, and so did we. The disruption experienced this year was unlike any in the history of the CBV profession. The Institute was well-equipped. We mobilized quickly and overcame a myriad of challenges brought on by the pandemic. As we look back on our accomplishments over the past year, we are proud of our effective response.

To our CBVs and Students, we are immensely proud of your resolve. You weathered crisis with extraordinary professionalism and showed once again what it means to be a CBV. The Institute has been doing what we can to help support the CBV community through this time and lend extra assistance when and where possible. Your success and well-being will always come first.

We have emerged from the year stronger, thriving, more effective and more responsive than ever. Still, the road ahead to a “new normal” will likely be bumpy until the virus is under control. Our efforts on behalf of CBVs, Students, the public, and our other stakeholders will only continue to expand in reach and scope as we work together for what we know is a bright future. We remain committed to our vision and strategic plan to guide the way forward.

Christine Sawchuk, CBV
President & CEO

Anish Chopra, FCBV
Chair, Board of Directors

CBV Institute educates, accredits and governs Chartered Business Valuators across Canada and all over the world, representing the CBV profession internationally.

AWARDS CEREMONIES 2020

These Awards and Honours were presented at virtual Awards Ceremonies, held in June 2020.

Awards for Academic
Excellence

GEORGE OVENS AWARD
In Recognition of Achievement on the 2019 MQE

In honour of George Ovens, one of the founding Members of CBV Institute, this award is presented to the Membership Qualification Examination (MQE) candidate who achieves the highest mark in a particular year. Special recognition also goes to second highest mark and third highest mark on the MQE.

1st Place MQE

Olivia Renshaw (nee Roberts)

CPA, CBV

2nd Place MQE

Paloma Navarrete-Rolls

CPA, CA, CBV

3rd Place MQE

Dennis Ngo

CPA, CBV

SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
In recognition of achievement throughout the 2019 terms in the Program of Studies.

This award, sponsored by EY, in honour of Ronald W. Scott, is granted annually to recognize the Student who achieved the highest average mark on all required courses in the CBV Program of Studies.

Cathy Zheng

CPA, CA, CBV

CBV Awards of Excellence

TOP CBV UNDER 40
In Memory of David Cornfield, CA, CBV

This award is presented to a CBV under 40 who has demonstrated success in a broad diversity of interests, brought distinction to the profession, and has given outstanding service.

Ashley Houlden

CPA, CA, CBV, CFF

Hall of Honours

FCBV
Granting of the Fellow designation is the highest honour CBV Institute confers. The FCBV recognizes those Members who have brought distinction to the business valuation profession and have achieved recognition in their professional lives and in their communities.

Aroon Sequeira

FCPA, FCA, FCBV, ICD.D

Richard Ginsberg

FCPA, FCA, FCBV

LIFE MEMBER
The Life Member standing is granted to retired CBVs and FCBVs of eminence in their valuation careers who are retired from active practice.

Wayne Albo

FCPA, FCA, FCBV

Richard Wise

FCA, FCPA, FCBV, FASA, FRICS, CVA, CA•IFA, MCBA (Emeritus)

The Office of the Institute made a seamless transition to operating remotely. Despite challenges, we were able to quickly pivot and adapt plans, re-deploy resources, and find new solutions to deliver Institute programs and services. To that end, we took immediate action in the following ways.

MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION EXAMINATION (MQE)

Swift steps were taken in May to move the in-person MQE to online examination for all candidates. By late Spring 2020, it was clear that public health protocols would prevent the administration of physical exam locations for the foreseeable future. Consultations were initiated with assessment experts as well as other institutions, universities, and colleges, many of whom elected to cancel or defer exams for COVID-related reasons. As a result of early action, the 2020 MQE proceeded on time and online, September 30th, securely administered by remote proctoring. MQE candidates were familiar with the remote process using the same virtual platform as the Program of Studies.

CBV PROGRAM OF Studies

Course registration, administration, and exams within the Program of Studies continued as usual with minimal to no disruption to Students. The CBV Program was ahead of the game and has long been operating as a robust, virtual learning experience. Being well-established in online success, minimal adjustments were necessary.

ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING (AMM)

For the health and safety of attendees, the 2020 AMM was re-imagined from a live event to a virtual meeting. At the first sign that public events would be limited for an extended period, we made plans for moving to a suitable technology platform to accommodate AMM logistics and voting requirements. Our first virtual AMM was held successfully in June.

“We saw an 87% jump in attendance and great participation from virtual accessibility.”

COVID-19 IMPACT Survey

A survey was issued to CBVs and Students in August to gauge the impact of the pandemic on their careers, employment, and studies. The insight gathered enabled the Institute to improve areas of delivery in our programs and services to help support the immediate needs of CBVs and Students. For example, to facilitate mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements, all archived webinars were made available for the year at no charge.

CBV Institute maintains the highest standards of business valuation practice, for the benefit of the public interest. It’s a mandate we take seriously. The disruption and volatility caused by the pandemic serves to remind us that CBVs play an important role as business leaders. In such market conditions, and with increased uncertainty, trust in the integrity of valuation advice is paramount. Maintaining CBV professional excellence requires keeping pace with rapid change and regularly anticipating what comes next. We maintained this momentum throughout 2020, both at home and on a global level.

BEST-IN-CLASS PRACTICE STANDARDS

The CBV profession is grounded in CBV Institute Practice Standards and our Code of Ethics. We have been critically examining Practice Standards and guidance with the goal to maintain best-in-class excellence. Building on this assessment, will be updating the valuation practice standards and soliciting feedback from the membership, so that the revised standards remain high and continue to serve market needs.

INTERNATIONAL VALUATION STANDARDS (IVS)

CBV Institute continues to be actively involved in worldwide consultations on a global set of universally accepted valuation standards – the International Valuation Standards (IVS), developed by the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC). Under our steadfast commitment to high standards, CBV Institute is pursuing comprehensive examination of IVS and considering the adoption of IVS as part of CBV Institute Practice Standards. As IVS gain recognition and acceptance in international markets, there will be increased need for CBVs who are IVS trained. In 2020, the Institute developed and launched a custom e-learning course on IVS. Designed by CBVs for CBVs, the course is open to other valuators and organizations interested in learning more about IVS. Upon successful completion of this course, CBVs receive recognition as “IVS-trained” and are added to IVSC’s global database of valuators trained in IVS.

IVSC and CBV Institute

As a member and sponsor of IVSC, the Institute remains deeply engaged and on a variety of matters of shared importance for the future of the global valuation profession, including regular revisions to IVS and other emerging thought leadership topics. Our role in the global arena promotes a robust dialogue on developing issues such as ESG and goodwill impairment.

PRACTICE INSPECTION Program

A second year of practice inspections was completed successfully in 2020, adapting to navigate widespread business closures which impacted all practitioners. The Program, which began in 2019, reflects the commitment of CBV Institute to deliver professional excellence. It upholds the standard of professional practice expected of all CBVs and Students, maintaining public trust in the CBV profession. The Program continued to ramp up in 2020, adding new inspectors to expand the number of inspections. In the second year, by necessity, almost all inspections were conducted virtually. By sharing the findings of practice inspections with practitioners through an annual report, the program identifies areas of continuous improvement for the profession.

As a leader in the global valuation community, we amplify CBV leadership through continued collaboration with other valuation professional organizations, professional bodies, regulators, business groups and related organizations in our ecosystem. Through these important connections, the Institute exerts considerable influence on the latest thinking and the promotion of best valuation practices. We have done our part throughout 2020 to be a respected resource and came together through various alliances to deliver multiple outcomes.

INTERNATIONAL VALUATION GLOSSARY

The following VPOs collaborated to co-publish the exposure draft of the International Valuation Glossary – Business Valuation, for public comment:

• AICPA – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• ASA – American Society of Appraisers
• CBV Institute – Chartered Business Valuators Institute
• RICS – Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• TAQEEM – Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers

Work on this new glossary remains ongoing and is expected to be finalized in 2021.

VALUATION FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING (VFR) CERTIFICATE

Launched in 2020, VFR is a progressive education initiative jointly presented by CBV Institute and Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada). Its goal is to enhance core knowledge and skills for a broad range of other finance professionals involved with VFR activities in a public-reporting context, for the benefit of those involved in capital markets.

GOODWILL AND IMPAIRMENT STANDARDS

Discussion and participation in the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) technical consultations on accounting for acquisitions and goodwill impairment under IAS 36, along with the Canadian Accounting Standards Board. CBVs remain committed to promoting better public disclosures about acquisitions and ensuing that the accounting for goodwill remains as effective and informative as possible.

Valuation and Family Law

Co-hosting events with Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario (FDRIO), keeping the pulse on issues and trends in the space of family law, and progressing knowledge on evolving matters.

Association for Corporate Growth (ACG Toronto)

Co-operative promotion of respective events between ACG and CBV Institute, which shared practice areas in Private Equity and the M&A sector.

Expert Panel on Business Valuation at IVAS-IVSC 2020

Participation in an international panel of valuation experts confronting the impact of the pandemic on business valuation practice and education around the world, at the 2020 Business Valuation Virtual Conference presented by the Institute of Valuers and Appraisers, Singapore (IVAS) and the International Valuation Standards Council (IVSC).

TAQEEM Online Valuation Publication for G20 Summit 2020

Participated with other international VPO leaders to share perspectives on the crucial role of valuers practicing in global markets, in relation the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) enables CBVs and Students to advance the professional excellence expected of the CBV profession in a rapidly changing business world. That’s why ongoing CPD is a requirement of CBV Institute. CPD events maintain the skills and knowledge that will enable our practitioners to stay up-to-date and at the cusp of the latest thinking to provide trusted valuation advice for today’s business challenges. Space permitting, CBV Institute events are open to the public.

CBV INSTITUTE EVENTS

We offered a rich events portfolio in 2020, producing a record 32 new webinars on a variety of diverse topics and technical valuation content, including…

• Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements
• CBVs in Family Law – Current Issues in Canadian Practice
• Damage Quantification and Business Valuation in the Franchise Industry
• Cybertools for Forensic Accountants
• Repricing Risk – Valuation and Damages During COVID-19
• Infonomics: The Information Asset Valuation Imperative
• Valuation and Deals in the Time of COVID – A Canadian Virtual Chat
• Business Valuations and Concepts – Applications to Farm Producers and Agribusiness: General Tax Issues When Selling Your Business
• Valuation Case Law Review – Sharpening your 20/20 Vision
• Contractual Language: Drafting Tips from the CBV Trenches
• The Rise of Family Offices: Investment Processes and Valuation Governance
• Introduction to Complex Financial Instruments
• Discerning Valuations Analysis

CBV YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN VALUATION

CBV Young Professionals in Valuation engages the entire CBV community in an inclusive series of networking events for the next generation of leaders of our profession. The marquee event of the year was held in July, Valuation and Deals in the Time of COVID – A Canadian Virtual Chat. A panel of top CBVs on the front lines of their practice areas came together from across the country to confront the immediate pandemic challenges facing valuation and deals.

“What we heard is that valuation and value experts are becoming more important than ever.”

The event inspired a YouTube campaign of talk advertisements with CBVs that generated over 450,000 media impressions. Viewers were highly engaged in the CBV viewpoint, resulting in an extraordinary 98% view-through of these ads.

CBV Women in Valuation

Dedicated to the strength of female leadership within the CBV profession, CBV Women in Valuation is a growing hub for networking and sharing insight and experiences. In recognition of International Women’s Day, this year’s feature event was a well-attended luncheon in Toronto, highlighting the career paths of accomplished women leaders in the CBV profession.

OPERATIONS OVERVIEW

CBV INSTITUTE’S FINANCIAL POSITION REMAINS STRONG

Net assets increased to $3.4 million, primarily from gains on the investment portfolio.

The financial strength provided by the $2.9 million investment portfolio enables CBV Institute operations to continue during periods of disruptions and allows it to pursue initiatives in support of strategic objectives. The amount maintained in the investment portfolio is reviewed annually and is in alignment with the practices of similar organizations and future requirements based on projected levels of expenditures.

Fees for 2020 were held at 2018 and 2019 levels, as operations are at break even levels and CBV Institute is in a healthy financial position.

EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENDITURES INCREASED TO $287,435

• Course and examination revenues continued at 2019 levels, following the increase experienced in 2018 when the numbers of terms increased to three per year.

• Membership fee revenues increased 5% as the profession continues to grow.

• Continuing professional development revenues decreased as Congress 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions on travel and social gatherings. Other CPD offerings were enhanced with content planned from Congress 2020.

• Investment income and gains of $286,179 were the result of holding investments during the market declines in the Spring of 2020 and the generally strong performance during the balance of year. The investment portfolio is comprised of pooled funds that are professionally managed, the significant majority of which are investments in bonds.

• Course and examination expenditures decreased slightly due to the 2020 MQE being held online.

• Marketing and communications expenditures decreased by 27% as digital advertising efforts were delayed due to the general disruption in the business community by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Continuing professional development expenditures decreased significantly due to the cancellation of Congress 2020 and the avoidance of all facility cancellation penalties.

• Salaries, office and administration expenditures increased marginally, primarily due to general inflationary increases.

BUILDING OUR BRAND

CBV Institute takes a leadership role to help facilitate the future of the valuation profession for the benefit of the public interest. We invest in ongoing resources and tools to advance professional valuation and the CBV brand on behalf of our membership. As part of a multi-year marketing plan, we are deploying enhanced marketing initiatives to amplify the CBV voice and showcase the CBV brand story. Despite disruptive market circumstances, the Institute made several giant leaps this year.

• The roll-out of a revitalized brand identity was completed, culminating in the Q1 launch of a fully re-designed and technologically advanced web site.
• We continued to expand CBV social conversations with a focus on LinkedIn, the primary social media channel for business. Regular, robust, public-facing content taps into critical market needs and is attracting business followers in record numbers. For the second year in a row, we outpaced growth and engagement on the platform.
• Exciting plans in development for the first-ever CBV digital advertising campaign were realized in Q4 after the media climate rebounded from early pandemic pressure. Designed to build CBV awareness and drive traffic to cbvinstitute.com, the campaign was highly successful. It entrenched a CBV presence for three consecutive months with business audiences in major markets across the country on the Google Display Network, Google Search, Facebook and YouTube. The advertising program goes national in 2021.

OFFICE OF THE INSTITUTE

CHRISTINE SAWCHUK

CPA, CA, CBV, MEd

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President & CEO

ROBERT BOULTON

CPA, CA, FCBV

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Executive Vice President & COO

CATALINA MIRANDA

CPA, CA, CBV

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Director, Professional Practice

SAAM BANDARI

CPA, CA, CBV, CFA

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Director, Education & Accreditation

KATHY RICHARDS

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Director, Strategic Marketing

JUDITH ROTH

BEng, MEng

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Senior Manager, Business Systems and Compliance

DEBORAH HANLON

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Manager, Administration and Events

ISABEL NATALE

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Registrar & Manager, Education

KEVIN FLOETHER

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Communications Associate

CAROL WALFORD

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Member Services Coordinator

DEBADATTA LASKAR

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Program Coordinator

JUDY JUSTICE

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Administrative Services Coordinator