Benefits that go beyond initials--NACM professional certifications.(extra credit)

You see the string of initials on their business cards following their names. You see them at conferences with a rainbow-like stack of flags hanging from their badges. These are badges of honor, testaments to the expertise they possess.

NACM professional development certifications are a great way for credit professionals to enhance their value to their employers and to gain a greater sense of self-confidence, not to mention accomplishment. The benefits are not just limited to the individual, as companies and employers can see returns in supporting members of their credit departments in the pursuit of continuing education. And though only 10% of chief financial officers surveyed in financial industry hiring studies said they expect to increase staff in the near-term, the competition between companies for talented financial department personnel have pushed salaries in the industry upward.

The designations available from the NACM-National Education Department vary in intensity and experience required to obtain, but all are valuable commodities for today's credit professionals while being designed to keep industry members up to date on the skills needed for success. Introductory programs like the Credit Administrative Program (CAP) and Advanced Credit Administrative Program (ACAP) were forged to accentuate a credit professional's knowledge base, as well as lay the groundwork for the proficiencies demanded by more advanced designations. Both programs, offered exclusively by NACM Affiliated Associations, are comprised of college equivalent courses intended to compliment the expertise of credit professionals.

After completing CAP, credit professionals often pursue the Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation, which combines the mastery of three different business credit-related disciplines: basic financial accounting, business credit principles and introductory financial statement analysis. Unlike more concentrated NACM certifications, there is no minimum work experience required to seek a CBA, and the coursework needed to fulfill the plan's prerequisites can be met through colleges, NACM Affiliate programs, self-study or nationally-sponsored programs.

"When I started with ConAgra Foods, I had a manager that was very active with NACM," stated Messia Zalambani, CICP, CBA, credit manager for Brown-Forman Corp, on why she attained her CBA designation. "I started participating in all the classes and I got my certification. It was much better because it was a new business for me, and it made me feel more comfortable. It was perfect."

"I began the certification process for a couple of reasons," explained Kelly Shoults, CBA, credit manager for Service Wire Company. "The main reason though was to continue learning and growing in my career. Like a lot of credit professionals, I ended up in credit and collections ... without much specific thought to this industry." She added, "Achieving the CBA designation is not only personally satisfying, but has proven to be professionally rewarding as well. Having any designation from NACM brings a confidence that can be recognized by your peers and your management." She believes that having the designation secured her company's decision to name her credit manager after the passing of her friend and mentor Rocco Carbone. She now plans to register and sit for the CBF in 2008.

The next step for those who have earned their CBA, completed ACAP and want to get into a more intensive knowledge base, is to become a Certified Business Fellow (CBF). The designation is part of NACM's Graduate School of Credit and Finance Management (GSCFM), and is an academic and participation-based program. Successfully completing the CBF demonstrates competence in intermediate financial analysis and business and credit law. In addition to conquering the course, ...