About Scott Abels
CPA, CVA | Business Appraiser
Business valuation isn't just about numbers. It's about understanding what's going on underneath the numbers and making sure my work is fair and defensible. I bring the same financial rigor I applied for 25+ years in corporate finance (Dell, Motorola) to every estate, trust, and gift tax valuation I perform.
The CPA + CVA Advantage
Most business appraisers hold one valuation credential. Scott holds both a CPA license and a CVA credential, a combination that ensures the highest quality of work.
The CPA means he has deep financial fluency: the ability to read between the lines of financial statements, understand tax implications, and identify the operational factors that actually drive business value. The CVA adds rigorous valuation methodology, ensuring every analysis meets the standards expected by the IRS, Tax Court, or other regulatory bodies.
Together, these credentials mean Scott approaches every valuation from the perspective of someone who understands how businesses actually generate value, not just how to apply a formula. It's the difference between a valuation that checks the boxes and one that tells the real story of a business.
Background & Experience
Scott Abels began his career in finance and accounting at some of America's most recognized companies. At Dell Technologies, he gained deep experience in financial analysis, corporate valuation, and strategic planning. His time at Motorola further refined his expertise in complex financial modeling and business assessment. This Fortune 500 background gives him what many business appraisers lack: a CFO's lens on how companies actually create and sustain value.
After years in the corporate world, Scott recognized a critical gap: Texas estate planning attorneys and CPAs needed a business appraiser who combined Fortune 500 analytical rigor with the personal attention that only a boutique practice can provide.
ETG: Estate, Trust & Gift Valuation was born from that insight. Rather than offering every type of valuation under the sun, ETG focuses exclusively on estate, trust, and gift tax valuations. The engagements where accuracy, defensibility, and IRS compliance matter most.
Scott has also served as an expert witness in Texas Family Law proceedings, providing court-accepted testimony on business valuation matters. This experience translates directly to the estate and gift tax arena, where the ability to clearly explain and defend valuation conclusions is essential.
Based in Austin, Scott serves clients statewide, working directly with the estate planning attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors who need a trusted business appraiser for their clients' most important financial moments.
Credentials & Experience
Professional Credentials
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CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
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CVA (Certified Valuation Analyst)
Issued by NACVA
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Expert Witness
Texas Family Law court-accepted testimony
Corporate Experience
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Dell Technologies
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Motorola
Professional Affiliations
- NACVA (National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts)
- AICPA (American Institute of CPAs)
- TXCPA (Texas Society of CPAs)
Let's Talk
Have questions about a valuation? Scott is happy to discuss your situation. No obligation.