About Synthesis

Learn about our company and our founder

Adam Johnson, CPA, CA, CBV, CFA

The difference

Adam is a distinctive Chartered Business Valuator (CBV). Very few CBVs can claim:
  • A ‘triple crown’ of financial designations for valuation professionals. Adam holds the CPA, CA, CBV and CFA designations. There are fewer than 100 individuals in Canada with this combination of professional training.
  • Ranking #1 and scoring the top mark in Canada in their year of qualification as a CBV. Of 2,000 Chartered Business Valuators globally, there are only approximately 40 who have attained this ranking. Adam has since coached approximately 100 CBV students as they studied for their qualifying exam.
  • Having worked with the CBV Institute on the renewal of the core course curriculum for all CBV students in Canada.
  • A first-hand understanding of how public equity markets work. Unlike many business valuators who have spent their careers in a theoretical world, Adam spent two years with one of Canada’s largest investment banks analyzing stocks relative to their fundamentals; publishing research for institutional investors; and interacting with real-world investors and equity traders on a daily basis.
  • Being retained by other CBVs to provide report reviews and advice on technical valuation issues.

Whether analyzing a large public company or a small privately held business, Adam brings his extensive experience in preparing valuation reports and expert reports.

A breadth of experience

Adam offers clients over 15 years of professional experience as an accountant, business valuator, and equity researcher. Prior to founding Synthesis Valuations, he worked in the valuation groups at two global accounting and advisory firms, in the equity research group at a Canadian investment bank, and at a boutique valuation and litigation support firm.

Adam’s valuation analysis has been used in the context of financial reporting, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder disputes, matrimonial disputes, and corporate reorganizations. He has also authored expert reports in loss quantification matters.

Award-winning insights

Adam received the George Ovens Award from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators for placing first in Canada on the national qualifying exam for CBVs.

As an equity research associate at one of Canada’s largest investment banks, Adam helped relaunch the bank’s coverage of the power, utility and renewable energy stocks for which he developed forecasts, valuation models, price targets, and ratings. His analyst team received back-to-back StarMine awards for earnings forecasting accuracy, and he contributed to valuation analysis for a major cross-listed renewable energy IPO completed in 2013.

The mission

Adam founded Synthesis Valuations with the belief that sound financial analysis begins with diligent research and the thorough understanding of a business, and he provides his clients with insightful and well-reasoned reports and conclusions.

LinkedIn · adam@synthesisvaluations.com