Professional Credentials: Your Clients and Career Depend On Them

The Certified Business Intermediary® (CBI®) and Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) designations set the industry standards within the intermediary community, and provide assurance of professionalism to clients and other key advisors. The requirements to achieve such coveted designations better prepare those who hold them and offer confidence to others that skills necessary to achieve success in the marketplace are there. Obtaining the CBI and M&AMI designations speaks volumes about an individual's knowledge and expertise.

The CBI and M&AMI are awarded to IBBA members who have satisfied the educational requirements and conform to the ethical standards of the association. The CBI designation is held by only 593 active members, while the M&A Source M&AMI certification is held by an elite group of seasoned intermediaries who serve the middle market client. Currently, there are 90 active M&AMIs who have met the specific requirements and attained this high level of education, transactional experience and professional skills.

Business brokers are professionals who are dedicated to serving clients and customers who desire to sell or acquire businesses. Typically, business brokers act as a buffer between the buyer and the seller, estimating the value of a particular business and providing advice to their clients. Business brokers are committed to offering professional services in a knowledgeable, ethical and timely fashion. Typically, business brokers provide information and business advice to sellers and buyers, maintain communications between the parties and coordinate the negotiations and closing processes to complete desired transactions. Business brokers also oversee the due diligence investigation. Business brokers can say certain things to a buyer and certain things to a seller and wind-up with a productive discussion. Business brokers can tell the owner the price is too high, relay what has to be done to make a deal -- very openly and candidly -- and discuss how the differences in viewpoint can be ironed out effectively.