CSV stands for Certified in Strategy & Value-Creation. The designation was created to recognize and encourage a study in multi-disciplinary business content that is not taught in most major academic institutions, for any number of reasons. The CSV highlights the importance of seeing business strategy and valuation as concepts rooted in value-creation.

Requests by MBA students, undergraduates, professionals, practitioners, and academicians for this type of program have been building for some time. The acknowledgement of a need for a CSV course of study and designation has come from around the world.

CSV Level I is the undergraduate "Analyst Level" designation. Pre-requisites are an undergraduate Bachelor's degree or equivalent, or concurrent enrollment toward an undergraduate degree when courses or seminars for the CSV Level I are taken.

CSV Level II is the experienced "Master's Level" designation. Pre-requisites are three or more years of work experience, an undergraduate degree of Bachelor's level or equivalent, and concurrent enrollment or completion of graduate degree such as MBA or Master in Finance. Because CSV Level II requires full competency of CSV Level I plus a higher order of comprehension, it does not require having been a CSV Level I as a pre-requisite.

The passing of the CSV examination ensures that the core concepts of Return Driven Strategy©, Global Strategic Valuation™, and Career Driven Strategy™ are captured, consistently, regardless of prior course venue or locations.

The CSV designation is awarded by the Institute of Strategy & Valuation and is often recognized and jointly conferred by academic partners in education.

Sections of the courses taken toward the C.S.E.V designation are recognized for Continuing Professional Education credit by major trade associations including the Global C.F.A. Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts and various National C.P.A. Societies.

C.S.E.V directed courses may also count toward undergraduate, M.B.A., Master of Finance, or other graduate level degree when taken in conjunction with a University program.

While the CSV is a new designation launching in 2010, candidates for examination number in the hundreds and come from around the world. This is partly because CSV courses have been taught for several years at various educational institutions and professional trade organizations.

Professionals and academicians have requested the ability to recognize when others have also been grounded in the same content, either for networking purposes, collaboration in research, or other professional and academic purposes.

CSV designees receive unique market commentary, valuation insights, and ongoing developments in research in the subject matter of strategy, execution, performance, and valuation.

CSV designees also receive first access to updates and commentary on the subjects, including preferential discounts and first-come-first-served complimentary attendance at Institute-related seminars and workshops around the world.

Most importantly, past students and practitioners of the content in the CSV have found it to be invaluable to their careers and business pursuits. More than anything, that is what has driven the development of the CSV program and designation.

Application to sit for the CSV examination is made through the Institute of Strategy & Valuation. This is often done in conjunction with a partner university or program, but can be done independently of any other organization and directly through the Institute.

Candidates must agree to statements of professional and ethical conduct consistent with the business ethics and values set forth throughout the content of Return Driven Strategy, Global Strategic Valuation, and Career Driven Strategy.

Courses are taught regularly around the world that serve as preparation for the CSV examination. It is conceivable that candidates could sit for the exam and pass it without having taken any of the courses offered by the Institute.

Consideration for allowing an applicant to sit for the exam is also dependent on whether or not they have the requisite background or experience for it.

The spirit of professional and ethical expectations of CSV designees is consistent with what is taught throughout the content. Please refer to Tenet One "Ethically Maximize Wealth" in the book, DRIVEN, and other readings.

For potential violation considerations, cross-functional disciplinary boards are formed to create hearings over alleged conduct abuses.

There is a fee for the exam which covers the cost of administering it, track-keeping of candidates and designees, exam creation, materials, certificates, and other costs.

There are no annual dues for retaining the CSV designation as it is lifetime in nature, subject to maintain ethical business standards in practice.

In the future, certain levels of membership in the Institute of Strategy & Valuation may require dues in order to expand the benefits offered to members. In general, this is to serve requests for more content made available more often in the topics taught within the CSV program.

Consistent with the focus on International business, fluency in English is required for the examination. This recognizes that the defacto standard language for International business remains English, and therefore is necessary for understanding Global Strategic Valuation and related analyses.

Notably, the CSV program teaches the importance of a thorough understanding and recognition of differences in cultures and countries in order to succeed in business. Fluency in multiple languages is also encouraged, yet not required for CSV designation.

The first sitting for the CSV exam was conducted in Cambridge, Massachusetts in Summer 2010. Further examinations are scheduled for Fall 2010 in cities in the USA and in Asia.

At this time, no online examination is available, but it is being considered.

It depends on one's background. Certainly, the greater one's strategic planning and financial acumen, the easier it would be to assimilate the content in preparation for the CSV.

Exam guides and course study materials are readily available, through the Institute, through the courses taught at various programs, and some in such ubiquitous channels such as amazon.com.

Exams can be retaken, subject to re-applying for examination at the next normal testing date, and maintain the requirements for application.

CSV designation is for lifetime, assuming that professional codes of conduct and ethics are not violated.

The CSV is not industry-specific nor is it profession-specific. It is designed to help accelerate the career and success of people in any industry, regardless of specific profession.

The content learned for the CSV is seen by many as a necessity for excelling in any position of business leadership - whether corporate, entrepreneurship, or consultative – and for fundamental investment analysis.

Many investment professionals, business leaders, educators, and non-profit firm leaders have discussed the importance of the content leading toward the CSV For more of these quotes, please see www.returndriven.com and www.driventhebook.com.

Please see other upcoming and prior events here. Some events are directly related to CSV examination study. Others are topical in nature and are not specifically meant for CSV exam review.

Please visit other areas of InstituteSV and if necessary contact us through email at services@InstituteSV.org.