All assets held in IRA accounts must be valued at fair market value on an annual basis. For traded securities like stocks and bonds held in IRA accounts, these valuations are relatively simple to obtain by the IRA Trustee or IRA Custodian. Many investors, usually through self-directed IRA accounts, hold alternative assets that are not publicly traded. The valuation process for these assets can be more complicated. Alternative assets can include, but are not limited to, private equity, real estate partnerships, other private partnerships, oil and gas interests, mineral interests, and shares of stock of a closely-held or private company.