Director, Valuation & Investigation Services

Aprio•Bala Cynwyd, PA

About The Position

Aprio is seeking a Director to lead and grow its Real Estate Valuation Services practice within the Valuation & Investigation Services group. The Director will set practice strategy, originate and expand client relationships, sign complex appraisal assignments, and develop a high-performing team of valuation professionals. The role collaborates across Aprio's Tax, Audit/Assurance, Wealth Management, and Aprio Legal service lines to integrate real estate valuation into broader client engagements. It offers the opportunity to build a market-leading practice with firm support and to serve as a market-facing leader through speaking engagements, publications, and professional organization involvement. The Director oversees valuation assignments across a wide range of commercial property types and purposes, maintains quality and regulatory compliance, manages practice financials, and recruits, mentors, and develops team members. The role requires at least 15 years of commercial real estate valuation experience, including five years leading a team or practice, an active Certified General Real Property Appraiser license, and the MAI designation. A bachelor's degree is required. The stated salary range is $200,000–$300,000 per year. Aprio offers a flexible working environment with remote and hybrid options.

Requirements

At least 15 years of commercial real estate valuation experience, including at least five years leading a team or practice.
Proven record of originating client work and building long-term client relationships, with an established professional network.
Broad signing appraiser experience across commercial property types and intended uses.
Active Certified General Real Property Appraiser license in good standing, with ability to obtain reciprocal credentials or temporary practice permits in additional states as engagements require.
MAI designation (Member of the Appraisal Institute).
Meets AQB and applicable state requirements to supervise trainee appraisers.
Clean disciplinary history with no action affecting eligibility to practice.
Bachelor's degree required.
Executive presence and clear, plain-language communication with clients, counsel, and courts.
Strong commercial judgment on scoping, pricing, and engagement risk.
Advanced knowledge of income capitalization, discounted cash flow (DCF), and market analysis.
Working knowledge of Argus Enterprise, CoStar, MSCI Real Capital Analytics, or comparable platforms.

Nice To Haves

Prior testimony experience in depositions, trial, or arbitration.
Experience with real estate valuation for financial reporting and tax purposes.
Background in an accounting firm, national valuation firm, or professional services environment.
Real estate, finance, economics, or accounting bachelor's degree.
Master's degree (MBA or M.S. in Real Estate).
Counselor of Real Estate (CRE), Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), AI-GRS (General Review Specialist), or ASA designation.
Experience with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions (Yellow Book).
CPA, CFA, or ABV credential for financial reporting and tax overlap.

Responsibilities

Set practice strategy, service offerings, annual budget, and growth targets in partnership with Valuation & Investigation Services leadership.
Originate and expand client relationships with lenders, real estate funds, private equity sponsors, family offices, developers, attorneys, and Aprio's Real Estate industry team.
Partner with Tax, Audit/Assurance, and Wealth Management teams on cost segregation, estate and gift planning, purchase price allocations, and transaction-related valuation work.
Build market presence through speaking engagements, publications, and professional organization involvement.
Manage practice financials, including pricing, utilization, realization, and collections.
Serve as signing appraiser on complex assignments and final reviewer of practice work product.
Own the quality control program, including USPAP compliance, report review, workfile retention, and template standards.
Lead engagement acceptance, conflict checks, and independence reviews with Risk Management and Audit/Assurance teams, including AICPA independence rules for valuation services provided to attest clients.
Maintain appraiser credentials across states, including reciprocal credentials and temporary practice permits.
Track and apply changes to USPAP, AQB criteria, Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines, and related accounting and tax guidance.
Lead assignments across office, industrial, retail, multifamily, hospitality, self-storage, seniors housing, land, and special-purpose property types.
Oversee valuations for lending, financial reporting (ASC 805, ASC 820, ASC 842, and ASC 360), estate, gift, and charitable contribution purposes, and fund and portfolio reporting.
Provide testimony and consulting support in litigation, arbitration, eminent domain, property tax appeals, bankruptcy, and marital dissolution matters.
Recruit, develop, and retain team members from Associate through Senior Manager.
Serve as supervisory appraiser and guide team members toward Certified General licensure and the MAI designation.
Set performance goals, provide ongoing coaching, and lead formal performance reviews.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance on the first day of employment.
Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account.
401k with profit sharing.
9+ holidays and discretionary time off structure.
Parental leave coverage for primary and secondary caregivers.
Tuition Assistance Program and CPA support program with cash incentive upon completion.
Discretionary incentive compensation based on firm, group, and individual performance.
Incentive compensation related to origination of new client sales.
Top-rated wellness program.
Flexible working environment, including remote and hybrid options.
Competitive compensation and industry-leading benefits.
Growth opportunities, continuous learning, and advancement.