Assessors, Valuators and Appraisers

Assessors, valuators and appraisers determine the value of land, businesses, estate and other real property, for purposes of sale, purchase, taxation or disposal of assets. Appraisers also determine the value of personal and household items. Assessors, valuators and appraiser are employed by government agencies, real estate and other private companies, or they may be self-employed.

Example Titles

business valuator
property assessor
property valuator
real estate appraiser



Main duties

Assessors perform some or all of the following duties:

• Assess value of land, building, structures, machinery, equipment and property improvements for purposes of taxation, grants and regional planning and prior to sale or purchase

• Review and analyze data such as past sales, title searches, engineering and alignment maps, coil maps, subdivision plans, water and sewer plans, location cost data and easements

• Explain assessment process to ratepayers.

Assessors may specialize in advising and consulting in a specific field of assessment such as residential, commercial, industrial, institutional or farm lands.

Valuators perform some or all of the following duties:

• Collect and analyze financial records of a business, such as financial statements, budgets, projections and sales data, to assess its competitiveness or to estimate its market value

• Prepare reports for estate planning, matrimonial litigation, insurance and business losses

• Appear as an expert witness before courts, security regulators and other regulatory boards and commissions.

Appraisers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Appraise value of property, building, industrial and commercial machinery and equipment and personal and household items

• Prepare appraisal reports for lending agencies, insurance companies, government departments, courts, attorneys, creditors, buyers or auctioneers.

Appraisers may specialize in a specific type of appraisal such as real estate appraisal.

Employment requirements

• Assessors require a college diploma in municipal assessment
  and
  Accreditation with the municipal assessment association of the province.

• Valuators usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in accounting, business or commerce

• Appraisers require a college diploma or vocational training in the field of appraisal
  or
  Several years of experience in a position related to the field of appraisal.

• Real estate appraisers usually require several years of experience as a real estate agent, right of- way agent or property administrator and may require  appraiser certification.