MTS Course Library


Please Note:

ASA's MTS Principles of Valuation (POV) courses (ME201 - ME204) are undergoing a major revamp and new courses will be launching in the fall of 2024.  To ensure a smooth transition, the four legacy MTS POV courses will sunset at the end of the current fiscal year (June 30, 2024).  If you're currently working through these courses, we encourage you to complete the four course series before the 2024 sunset date.

Course Description

This course provides a high-level overview of general Machinery & Technical Specialties (MTS) valuation concepts.  The course offers a fundamental understanding of the valuation approaches and methods professional MTS appraisers utilize to arrive at an opinion of value.  An introductory case study will be used, as wells as individual and group collaborative exercises to emphasize other important MTS valuation concepts. Specifically, the course provides an introductory, high-level overview of the following topics:

  • Machinery & Technical Specialties: What It Is and Why It Matters;
  • Standards, Definitions, and Terminology;
  • Identifying the Problem to be Solved
  • Data Collection 
  • The Foundation of Machinery & Technical Specialties Valuation;
    • Introduction to the Sales Comparison Approach;
    • Introduction to the Cost Approach;
    • A Discussion of Income Approach Concepts

Instructional Methods

Include lectures, analysis, discussions, and individual/ group exercises and assignments.

Course Audience

This course is most beneficial to those interested in an introductory study of basic Machinery & Technical Specialties (MTS) valuation concepts.

Course Description

This course will introduce appraisal terminology and concepts and provide students with a solid foundation for a career in appraisal of machinery and equipment. This course covers MTS Appraisal Process And Theory; Appraisal Terminology And Definitions; Introduction Of The Three Approaches To Value; Ethics, Valuation Standards, And Performing Appraisals; Scope Of Work, Purpose And Use; Levels Of Trade/Standards Of Value; Performing A Field Inspection And Asset Classification; Development Of Useful Life Estimates; Direct Cost Estimating Methods; Depreciation Identification And Methodologies (Physical Depreciation, Functional Obsolescence, Economic Obsolescence; Effective And Weighted Age Calculations; Inutility And Excess Operating Costs.

*Accredited MTS Members who took the ME201-204 courses for accreditation purposes may not retake the courses for reaccreditation/continuing education (CE) credits. Those who have not previously completed these courses must successfully pass the associated exam to receive ASA reaccreditation/CE credit.  No reaccreditation/CE credit will be awarded for the audio version of this course. 

Instructional Methods

Methods include lectures, discussions and individual/ group exercises, homework and assignments.  

Course Audience

Appraisers, accountants, attorneys, auctioneers/liquidators, lenders, engineers, leasing company staff, farm managers, forensic consultants, shop staff, and the appraisal community at large – anybody involved in the valuation of machinery and equipment.

Required Reading

ASA’s Valuing Machinery and Equipment: The Fundamentals of Appraising Machinery and Technical Assets 4th Ed is the authoritative textbook on the theory and methodology of appraising machinery, equipment, and technical assets. The 2020 edition includes revised and updated chapters on topics like the sales comparison approach, appraisal report writing, and valuations for financial reporting, completely rewritten chapters on topics like aircraft appraisals, and a new chapter on ad valorem tax appraisals. It also includes updated appendices with appraisal research sources, an enhanced index, and a wholly rewritten and improved glossary. 

In particular, for this course, the following chapters should be read and understood:

  • Chapter 1: Introduction
  • Chapter 2: Classification and Description of Machinery and Equipment
  • Chapter 3: Cost Approach
  • Chapter 10: Ethics

Course Description

This course explores the sales comparison approach, including theory and real-life application. The material includes fundamental ASA concepts along with new modules, perspectives, and examples. Students will be given basic appraisal tools, including techniques for adjusting comps and depreciating installation costs. The course also includes an introduction to appraisal modeling for large groups of similar assets. Students will learn to appreciate the subjectivity of appraisal and focus on producing credible results for any assignment. Excel is recommended for students, but not required.

*Accredited MTS Members who took the ME201-204 courses for accreditation purposes maynot retake the courses for reaccreditation/continuing education (CE) credits. Those who have not previously completed these courses must successfully pass the associated exam to receive ASA reaccreditation/CE credit.  No reaccreditation/CE credit will be awarded for the audio version of this course. 

Instructional Methods

Methods include lectures, examples, individual/group exercises, and review assignments

Course Audience

Appraisers, accountants, attorneys, auctioneers/liquidators, bankers,lenders, engineers, leasing company staff, farm managers, forensic consultants, shop staff, and the appraisal community at large – anybody who are involved in the valuation of machinery and equipment. 

Required Reading

ASA’s Valuing Machinery and Equipment: The Fundamentals of Appraising Machinery and Technical Assets 4th Ed is the authoritative textbook on the theory and methodology of appraising machinery, equipment, and technical assets. The 2020 edition includes revised and updated chapters on topics like the sales comparison approach, appraisal report writing, and valuations for financial reporting, completely rewritten chapters on topics like aircraft appraisals, and a new chapter on ad valorem tax appraisals. It also includes updated appendices with appraisal research sources, an enhanced index, and a wholly rewritten and improved glossary. 

Purchase Valuing Machinery and Equipment, 4th Edition

Course Description

This course examines the income approach and advanced cost approach applications to value tangible assets.  The course studies financial reporting and depreciation methods as the foundation for developing cash flow projections. The concept of a weighted average cost of capital is presented for converting future cash flows to present value as part of the performance of a discounted cash analysis for estimating asset value. Advanced cost approach applications along with the identification of functional and economic obsolescence and their causes will also be presented.  Finally, the course concludes with a comprehensive case study problem. Familiarity with the use of financial functions in Excel and/or the use of a financial calculator is required. 

*Accredited MTS Members who took the ME201-204 courses for accreditation purposes may not retake the courses for reaccreditation/continuing education (CE) credits. Those who have not previously completed these courses must successfully pass the associated exam to receive ASA reaccreditation/CE credit.  No reaccreditation/CE credit will be awarded for the audio version of this course. 

Instructional Methods

Course instruction will include lectures, discussions and individual/group exercises, assignments, along with a case study.

Course Audience

Appraisers, accountants, engineers, leasing company staff, attorneys, auctioneers, bankers, farm managers, forensic consultants, and the appraisal community at large who are involved in the valuation of machinery and equipment. 

Required Reading

ASA’s Valuing Machinery and Equipment: The Fundamentals of Appraising Machinery and Technical Assets 4th Ed is the authoritative textbook on the theory and methodology of appraising machinery, equipment, and technical assets. The 2020 edition includes revised and updated chapters on topics like the sales comparison approach, appraisal report writing, and valuations for financial reporting, completely rewritten chapters on topics like aircraft appraisals, and a new chapter on ad valorem tax appraisals. It also includes updated appendices with appraisal research sources, an enhanced index, and a wholly rewritten and improved glossary. 

Purchase Valuing Machinery and Equipment, 4th Edition

Course Description

This course builds on the concepts studied in ME201, ME202 and ME203.  It delves further into the Income Approach and inputs needed to develop an income model, advancing beyond those concepts taught in the previous courses.  The course discusses business structures, basic accounting terminology and the types of financial statements.  Accounting for fixed assets is reviewed and business enterprise versus equity valuation is presented along with contrasting business and fixed asset valuation.  Capital budgeting analysis is reviewed and functional and economic obsolescence derived through the income approach is considered.  Finally, the course touches on two other topics of interest to the appraiser: Ad Valorem taxes and Inventory. A financial calculator is required.

*Accredited MTS Members who took the ME201-204 courses for accreditation purposes may not retake the courses for reaccreditation/continuing education (CE) credits. Those who have not previously completed these courses must successfully pass the associated exam to receive ASA reaccreditation/CE credit. No reaccreditation/CE credit will be awarded for the audio version of this course. 

Instructional Methods

In addition to lectures and materials, the course will also provide opportunities for students to review, discuss and analyze advanced level case studies.

Course Audience

Appraisers, accountants, attorneys, auctioneers, bankers, engineers, leasing company staff, farm managers, forensic consultants, shop staff, and the appraisal community at large who are involved in the valuation of machinery and equipment.

Required Reading

ASA’s Valuing Machinery and Equipment: The Fundamentals of Appraising Machinery and Technical Assets 4th Ed is the authoritative textbook on the theory and methodology of appraising machinery, equipment, and technical assets. The 2020 edition includes revised and updated chapters on topics like the sales comparison approach, appraisal report writing, and valuations for financial reporting, completely rewritten chapters on topics like aircraft appraisals, and a new chapter on ad valorem tax appraisals. It also includes updated appendices with appraisal research sources, an enhanced index, and a wholly rewritten and improved glossary.

Purchase Valuing Machinery and Equipment, 4th Edition

Course Description

This course is the first of four Principles of Valuation (POV) courses that make up ASA's Aircraft Valuation Program which provides the required baseline education on aircraft specific appraisals as part of the Accredited Member (AM) or Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designation.  This course is designed to introduce students to proper aircraft appraisal terminology, methods and concepts. The course provides a solid foundation for the remaining three POV courses and will assist each student by broadening their skill set to include an expertise/specialty in the appraisal of aircrafts and equipment, as well as further enhance their career path and professional potential.

Additional course topics include:

  • Machinery and equipment appraisal terminology;
  • Functions and purposes of appraisals;
  • Introduction of the three approaches to value;
  • Depreciation and factors affecting depreciation;
  • Field inspection techniques and safety;
  • Introduction to the issues of indexes in machinery and equipment appraising;
  • Basic pricing exercises for current and obsolete assets; and
  • Ethics and professional standards.

Instructional Methods

In addition to lectures and materials, this course will provide opportunities for students to:

  • Discuss current, historic and possible future impacts to aircraft values; and
  • Learn from industry subject matter experts from companies such as Boeing, Airbus, GE Pratt, Aircraft Post, Jetnet, Bluebook who will serve as special guest speakers.

Required Reading

ASA’s Valuing Machinery and Equipment: The Fundamentals of Appraising Machinery and Technical Assets 4th Ed is the authoritative textbook on the theory and methodology of appraising machinery, equipment, and technical assets. The 2020 edition includes revised and updated chapters on topics like the sales comparison approach, appraisal report writing, and valuations for financial reporting, completely rewritten chapters on topics like aircraft appraisals, and a new chapter on ad valorem tax appraisals. It also includes updated appendices with appraisal research sources, an enhanced index, and a wholly rewritten and improved glossary.

Students must also have access to a financial calculator and be familiar with excel.

Purchase Valuing Machinery and Equipment, 4th Edition

Course Description

This course is the second of four Principles of Valuation (POV) courses within ASA's Aviation Valuation Program which provides the required baseline education on aircraft specific appraisals as part of the Accredited Member (AM) or Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designation.  This course will build upon the fundamental principles of appraisal terminology, methods and concepts discussed in ME201-ACS. Students will be introduced to basic aircraft terms, aviation concepts, and application and aircraft logbooks and other records.  ME202-ACS will assist students in broadening their skill set and enhancing their career path and professional standing in aircraft valuation, banking and finance, and related fields. 

Instructional Methods

In addition to lectures and materials, this course will provide opportunities for participants to:

  • Read and discuss MTS journal articles that highlight current developments in the aircraft appraising profession;
  • Discuss current, historic and potential future impact to aircraft values;
  • Learn from expert guest lecturers from the aviation industry on important topics relevant for aircraft valuers; and
  • Gain hands on experience with aircraft assets.

Required Reading

ASA’s Valuing Machinery and Equipment: The Fundamentals of Appraising Machinery and Technical Assets 4th Ed is the authoritative textbook on the theory and methodology of appraising machinery, equipment, and technical assets. The 2020 edition includes revised and updated chapters on topics like the sales comparison approach, appraisal report writing, and valuations for financial reporting, completely rewritten chapters on topics like aircraft appraisals, and a new chapter on ad valorem tax appraisals. It also includes updated appendices with appraisal research sources, an enhanced index, and a wholly rewritten and improved glossary.

Students must also have access to a financial calculator and be familiar with excel.

Purchase Valuing Machinery and Equipment, 4th Edition

Course Information

This course is the third of four Principles of Valuation (POV) courses within ASA's Aviation Valuation Program which provides the required baseline education on aircraft specific appraisals as part of the Accredited Member (AM) or Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designation.  This course builds on the fundamental principles of appraisal terminology, methods and concepts, and basic aircraft terms, aviation concepts and applications discussed in the prior two courses. The course also introduces participants to various aviation specialties including UAS, helicopters, flight simulators and aviation engines. ME203-ACS will expose participants to a broad spectrum of the aviation world to enhance their career path and professional standing in aircraft appraisals, banking and finance and related fields.

Course Audience

The course is intended for aircraft brokers, aviation appraisers, and professionals in aviation banking, financing, and aircraft maintenance industries.

Instructional Methods

In addition to lectures and materials, this course provides opportunities for participants to:

  • Read and discuss MTS journal articles that highlight current developments in the aircraft appraising profession
  • Discuss current, historic and possible future impact to values for different sectors of aviation equipment
  • Listen to expert guest speakers from the aviation industry on important topics relevant for aircraft appraisers

Required Reading

ASA’s Valuing Machinery and Equipment: The Fundamentals of Appraising Machinery and Technical Assets 4th Ed is the authoritative textbook on the theory and methodology of appraising machinery, equipment, and technical assets. The 2020 edition includes revised and updated chapters on topics like the sales comparison approach, appraisal report writing, and valuations for financial reporting, completely rewritten chapters on topics like aircraft appraisals, and a new chapter on ad valorem tax appraisals. It also includes updated appendices with appraisal research sources, an enhanced index, and a wholly rewritten and improved glossary.

Purchase Valuing Machinery and Equipment, 4th Edition

Course Description

This course is the fourth and final Principles of Valuation (POV) course within ASA's Aviation Valuation Program which provides the required baseline education on aircraft-specific appraisals as part of the Accredited Member (AM) or Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) designation.  The course builds on the fundamental principles of appraisal terminology, methods and concepts, and basic aircraft terms, aviation concepts, and applications discussed in the prior three courses. ME204-ACS covers report writing, defending your report, professional standards and ethics, damaged aircraft appraisals, and various approaches to appraising commercial aircraft.  The course exposes participants to a broad spectrum of the aviation world to enhance their career path and professional standing in aircraft appraisals, banking and finance, and related fields.

Instructional Methods

In addition to lectures and materials, this course provides opportunities for participants to:

  • Read and discuss MTS journal articles that highlight current developments in the aircraft appraising profession
  • Discuss current, historic, and possible future impact on values for different sectors of aviation equipment
  • Listen to expert guest speakers from the aviation industry on important topics relevant to aircraft appraisers

Class Offerings

Classes will be scheduled in the spring/summer of 2021.  Please check back for dates and times.

Course Audience

The course is intended for aircraft brokers, aviation appraisers, and professionals in aviation banking, financing, and aircraft maintenance industries.

Required Reading

ASA’s Valuing Machinery and Equipment: The Fundamentals of Appraising Machinery and Technical Assets 4th Ed is the authoritative textbook on the theory and methodology of appraising machinery, equipment, and technical assets. The 2020 edition includes revised and updated chapters on topics like the sales comparison approach, appraisal report writing, and valuations for financial reporting, completely rewritten chapters on topics like aircraft appraisals, and a new chapter on ad valorem tax appraisals. It also includes updated appendices with appraisal research sources, an enhanced index, and a wholly rewritten and improved glossary.

Purchase Valuing Machinery and Equipment, 4th Edition

Course Description

This seminar provides the appraiser with a glossary and definitions used in appraisal of inventory, problems for math applications, document review, sampling techniques, general research methods, understanding inventory mix and balance, deterioration effects and valuation and accounting principles.  The exam for this course is optional.

Course Audience

This course will meet the needs of appraisers and asset-based lenders for collateral review and understanding appraisal reports, accountants for understanding differences between valuation and accounting principles, attorneys for litigation on valuation issues and those in business acquisitions or ownership.

Course Description

This course is designed for the nonmarine professional who wants basic knowledge of the industry and for the marine professional who wants to learn more about the appraisal side of the industry. Topics covered in the course include:

  • Marine equipment and its special language;
  • The marine industry and function of marine surveyors and appraisers;
  • The three approaches to value as they apply to commercial and yacht appraisal;
  • Identification of marine equipment and systems, both commercial and yacht;
  • Preparing an appraisal report; and 
  • Different types of Bluewater and Brownwater equipment.

The exam for this course is optional.

Course Description

The value of many fixed assets is closely tied to their use by a business enterprise and the value of the business enterprise. As such, an understanding of relevant business valuation concepts is important to the fixed asset appraisers. This presentation will cover a wide range of topics of interest to fixed asset appraisers. Discussion will include general business valuation concepts such as discount rate development and general valuation theory for an operating business enterprise. Important topics such as relative rates of return for different asset categories, the impact of depreciation expense and the related tax savings on the value of fixed assets, economic obsolescence and other topics will be covered.

Course Audience

This course is designed for students with a working knowledge of general valuation concepts for fixed assets as well as basic knowledge of financial concepts.

Course Description

ME212 is a hands-on appraisal report writing class designed to help the participants write an appraisal report that is in compliance with USPAP and the ASA MTS Committee report writing standards (MTS Candidate Report Checklist). Although some participants may be taking the class to assist them in writing their report for advancement other appraisers, accredited by the ASA or not may be in attendance.

The topics covered in ME 201-204 may be discussed as participants prepare their reports. Participants find great value in the discussion focused on how to present specific issues. By the end of the class, each student will have the practical application knowledge of appraisal report writing, including most of the components needed to assemble their compliant report for submission for advancement.

Prerequisites

Participants are expected to complete the MTS writing guide before class and come to class with a laptop and prepared to write their MTS report in class.

  •  Email a redacted copy to a recent appraisal report you’ve recently completed to the instructor. “Redacted” means to remove the name of the Client, Intended User and appraiser from the report or any other information that may disclose these parties, pictures with company logos etc.
  • Buy, read and be prepared to discuss The Appraisal Writing Handbook, by Alan Blankenship, PhD.  Underline what is unclear and circle what is useful.

This is a 16-hour class (2 days) and in lieu of an exam, students must complete, and send to the instructor, a compliant appraisal report in order to receive credit for the class.

Please also have familiarity with Google Chrome/Firefox/Safari browsers. Internet Explorer is not advised.

Course Description

This course will address healthcare challenges, legal issues, and terminology pertinent to this industry. Subject matter will include classification and detail descriptions of major assets using pricing models and vendor resources. Issues such as reimbursement, leasing topics, and TVM exercises will compliment specific modalities used for internal decision purposes.

This course requires students to have understanding of basic concepts taught in ME201-ME203.

Course Audience

Generalist MTS appraisers, healthcare analysts and end users, leasing & financial firms, and stakeholders.

Instructor Information

Jack Beckwith , ASA, CEA | President | EAGI

Mr. Beckwith’s professional career began in 1976 when he began distributing new and refurbished medical equipment to the healthcare industry in the U.S., Mexico and Europe. He owned and operated Mission Medical which had several locations throughout Texas and Mexico.  In 1996, he sold Mission Medical and entered the appraisal field full time and received his ASA designation. Before writing ME213, he has been teaching the MTS principle of valuation courses throughout the United States, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.  Mr. Beckwith serves as the ASA representative to the International Valuation Standards Council based in London. Prior to beginning his professional career, Mr. Beckwith earned his BBA at the University of Texas, served on the University of Incarnate Word Nursing Advisory Board and is currently serving on the Advisory Board for Boerne YMCA and the Kronkosky Place Senior Center.

Course Description

Prepare to gain an advanced level of confidence and a better understanding of what to look for and expect when inspecting a mine and mill operation. Understand the various types of mining and learn how to assess and value mining and milling equipment. Instructor lead discussions will focus on the different types of mines students may encounter as well as the various mining processes used in the field.

Key topics and discussions points will include:

  • What makes up a mine, both underground and above ground;
  • Extraction techniques and methods;
  • What equipment to expect on each type of property;
  • Identifying specific equipment; functions and values; and
  • Hard rock mineral processing and coal preparation equipment.

Expand your expertise and experience behind estimating costs, understanding markets and identifying income approaches and identifying the three approaches to value. Learn how to concentrate on market dynamics affecting the supply, demand and potential swings in the value of equipment when assessing a functional mining operation.  Please Note: Enrollment for this course is LIMITED to 20 students.

Course Description

This advanced course was developed to introduce the machinery and equipment (MTS) appraiser to performing valuations for financial reporting purposes. Appraisers who already have an understanding of basic appraisal theory, terminology and the various approaches to value.

Key topics and discussions points will include:

  • Terminology and Theory of appraisals performed for financial reporting
  • Appropriate accounting standards and how they apply to the MTS appraiser
  • The valuation team and how the MTS appraiser can contribute to the overall team valuation
  • The reasoning behind financial reporting valuations
  • Applicable value premise and how to properly utilize it in your report
  • Goodwill, negative goodwill and impairment
  • Tools to use when working with fixed asset records
  • Various advanced coat approach and sales comparison tools and how to utilize them
  • Building a simple excel based valuation model
  • The audit review process and how best to approach it from the standpoint of an MTS appraiser

Course Description

This course is designed to provide students with information on current estimates of capital mining equipment costs, expand on mining safety, high wall hazards, the process of mining, milling, smelting and solvent extraction, electro wining of metals and a review of the equipment used and their life and impacts on value. In addition, the course will cover the current state of the domestic mining condition and where to look to find trends and additional information to support an appraiser’s opinion of value. The course will enhance the students mining appraisal terminology, methods and concepts. Lastly, this course will broaden the skillset of each student by providing coursework focussing on an expertise/specialty in the appraisal of mining equipment and processes, as well as enhancing their career path and professional potential.
 
Additional course topics include:
• Mining equipment appraisal terminology;
• Functions and purposes of appraisals;
• The three (3) approaches to value when considering mining equipment and processes;
• Depreciation and factors affecting depreciation;
• Field inspection techniques and safety; and
• Basic pricing exercises for current and obsolete assets, and a look at a Life Cycle Costing cost approach of capital equipment.

Course Description

The 7 Hour IVS course prepares the Valuer with what should be in a report to meet the IVS compliance requirements.  The material will give a cursory comparison of USPAP and IVS requirements.  This includes similarities and differences of important topics regarding development and reporting aspects of communicating of value acceptable to the client, regulator, or stakeholder.  

The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is considered the leader in advancement of valuation theory with a growing international membership of appraisal professionals around the globe in the discipline of Machinery & Technical Specialties (M&TS).  This course will focus on stages of the IVS glossary that ties together the standards specific to IVS 300 Plant and Equipment. 

There is a case study at the conclusion of the course that allows the student to implement the terms of the engagement with the subject matter to complete the valuation reporting.  This will be of importance to your credibility in our industry whether the subject matter is located in North America and the client operates from a different continent.   

Learning Outcomes

A valuation report represents an end product of each valuation assignment and is the valuer’s main communication with the client or stakeholder. In the eyes of the MTS Board of Examiners, using an objective checklist, the narrative report should sufficiently communicate: 

  • the scope of the valuation assignment,
  • the purpose of the valuation and intended use,
  • any related limiting conditions,
  • the work performed, and
  • a comprehensive end conclusion reached.