The rules just changed—and that's good news for you
On January 1, 2026, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators introduced significant revisions to its practice standards—changes designed to give you greater confidence, transparency, and clarity when you need to understand what your business is truly worth.
Whether you're planning succession, exploring a sale, restructuring ownership, or navigating a shareholder or matrimonial dispute, the business valuation you receive just got more rigorous, more detailed, and more reliable.
Why valuations matter more than you think
A business valuation isn't just a number—it's a strategic tool that helps you:
Plan your exit with confidence and maximum value
Navigate M&A transactions with clarity on what you're buying or selling
Resolve disputes with objective, defensible analysis
Restructure ownership in ways that protect everyone's interests
Meet compliance requirements with credible, third-party assessments
The stakes are high. The analysis needs to be bulletproof.
What's changed—and what it means for you
These changes raise the bar on the already high standards expected from Chartered Business Valuators (CBVs), and now require:
✓ Clearer engagement terms so you know exactly what you're getting
✓ Stronger independence and objectivity to protect against bias
✓ Deeper scrutiny of assumptions so nothing gets accepted at face value
✓ More transparent methodology showing how conclusions were reached
✓ Enhanced documentation on industry factors, economic conditions, and risk analysis
✓ Rigorous quality reviews before any report reaches your hands
Bottom line? The valuation reports you receive will be more transparent, more defensible, and more valuable as decision-making tools.
All independent reports are affected—especially calculation-level valuations
These changes impact every type of independent valuation report:
Comprehensive valuation conclusion – The most extensive analysis
Estimate valuation conclusion – Moderate depth and disclosure
Calculation valuation conclusion – Streamlined scope with focused output
Calculation reports, which have historically been lighter on detail, will see the most significant changes. This means even your more limited-scope valuations now come with greater rigor and transparency.
Why this matters now
These modernized standards reflect what's happening globally—business valuations are being scrutinized more closely than ever. Courts, buyers, investors, and advisors demand transparency. The new rules ensure Canadian valuations meet those expectations.
For business owners, this means the valuation you commission today carries more weight, stands up better under scrutiny, and gives you the confidence to make critical decisions about your company's future.
Ready to understand what your business is worth?
Whether you're planning your next strategic move or need a valuation for compliance, succession, or transaction purposes, Baker Tilly's CBV experts bring the technical expertise and strategic insight you need to unlock opportunities and plan for what's ahead.
