Since the early 2000s, artificial intelligence has revolutionized business, creating new roles and boosting productivity. However, its lack of human elements like creativity and emotional intelligence has increased the demand for workers with specialized skills and knowledge. Through NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program, credit professionals can acquire credit knowledge as well as the technical and soft skills required in credit management.

The Credit Business Associate (CBA), an academic-based designation which signals mastery of three business credit related disciplines: basic financial accounting, business credit principles and introductory financial statement analysis. Each course introduces a variety of technical and soft skills in various aspects of credit management.

Lisa Ridosh, CBA, lead credit analyst at Superior Plus Propane (Rochester, NY), earned her CBA designation after enrolling in basic credit courses. "They encouraged me to learn as much as I could to perform well in my new position, so I decided to go for the certification," she said. "Being new to the industry, almost every class was something new. There were items that heavily pertained to my day-to-day work life that have helped me to understand why our company does certain things."

For Ridosh, it was a significant amount of work being a full-time employee and mom to a young child while taking the courses. "I had a great support system between work and home that allowed me to get the course work accomplished without too much stress," she said. "Now, I feel like I can be successful in my current position and confident to grow within the industry."

💡Study Tips: Set aside time each day to review. "Flash cards were my favorite," Ridosh said. "Also, find a good study partner that is also working toward the same goal so you can bounce items off of one another."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

Earning the Credit Business Associate (CBA) was a way for Tina Rodgers, CBA, credit manager at Spartan Chemical Company, Inc. (Maumee, OH) to deepen her understanding of credit principles. "I wanted to earn this designation to enhance my credibility in the field of credit management," Rodgers said. "Holding a CBA demonstrates to our customers, my employers and peers that I have achieved a certain level of knowledge and proficiency."

Rodgers' journey to earning her designation began with thorough research into the requirements and expectations of the CBA, including the qualifications, exam and experience necessary. "The main challenge I faced was how to study for the exam because of my unique situation," she said. "Two out of the three classes required, I had taken in college many moons ago, therefore, I was not required to re-take through NACM. This left me outside of my comfort zone of not knowing exactly what to study. But ultimately, the greatest success was the sense of personal fulfillment and accomplishment when I passed!"

Achieving major milestones garners a sense of accomplishment. For Rodgers, her experience led to her better skills in managing credit risk. "Personally, earning the CBA has reinforced the importance of staying curious and remaining open to acquiring new knowledge and skills," she said. "It's a mindset I will continue to embrace through the rest of my career. It has boosted my confidence in my abilities and reassurance that I am well equipped to handle the challenges of my job."

💡Study Tips: We all have very busy lives outside of our professions, so organization skills are key. "I had to make sure to create an organized schedule with time set aside to study," Rodgers said. "I used various study materials such as the live zoom meeting for exam review. On the NACM website, I utilized the practice exam and downloaded the recorded CBA exam review. The key for me was consistency and practice."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website. 

Andrejs Semjakins, CICP, global credit analyst at BioMarin International Ltd (Portmarnock, Ireland), earned his CICP for many reasons. "First, it was the next step in my professional development as I've been working in international credit for a number of years already," he said. "Second, I wanted to get a better understanding of different industries and approaches to credit management around the world. As credit managers, we aren't often exposed to all aspects of credit, especially when we're working with one or two companies in the same industry or the same types of clients. Third, the CICP helps me to be competitive because it showcases my potential and expertise to my employer, clients and competitors."

Earning his CICP filled in knowledge gaps in different areas of international credit. "I definitely feel like I became a better professional once I completed it," Semjakins said. "During the course, I was able to apply the knowledge and practical skills to my daily work. It gave me a better understanding of the whole credit function and how it interfaces with other company departments. In the end, it helped me dive deeper into the impact and value the credit department has within a company."

💡Study Tips: Refer to the student portal. "I found some helpful study tips such as what to do when exposed to a letter of credit (LC)," Semjakins said. "And if you don't understand something, don't hesitate to ask questions. I'm a firm believer that if you just put enough effort to complete it and don't give up, anyone can pass the course."

Make use of breaks. "Let's say you have a couple extra days off," he said. "There's your chance to catch up if you're falling behind or you can go through the most difficult modules again and redo the quizzes to refresh your memory."

Jessica Kempton, CBA, junior credit analyst at PNW Railcars (Portland, OR), said the CBA piqued her interest because she wanted to learn more about her new role. "I told my boss about my desire to obtain more official credit training with the junior credit analyst role she promoted me into and from there the idea took off," Kempton said. "The coursework was rigorous, interesting and somehow felt more like a friend passing on their hard-earned knowledge gained from years of experience rather than a dry lecture series."

Kempton considered earning her CBA even while six months pregnant. "I was pleasantly surprised by all the options for working moms available and chose the online, self-study program as I knew I could reasonably complete that with the flexibility it offered," she said. "The process getting to the end was clearly communicated and seamless thanks to the competent and knowledgeable NACM staff."

Kempton persevered with staying disciplined and studying. "It's helpful to have some work history in A/R or credit to gain perspective on the process and some accounting courses under your belt," Kempton said. "Overall, it feels great to have base knowledge in credit as it's been invaluable in supporting my work family. I am planning on completing the Certified Credit and Risk Analyst (CCRA) in June!"

💡Study Tip: Carve out regular time to study and stick with it. The courseload may seem like a lot at first but is very manageable in chunks. "Give yourself time to soak it all in, a little every day. Also, start applying it to your work right away. The process of applying the coursework to a direct example is a phenomenal way to study."

A risk mitigation plan is essential for identifying, assessing and reducing risks. When making credit decisions, credit professionals must consider risk factors and be knowledgeable in business and credit law. By earning the Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation through NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program, credit professionals can display their competence in business and credit law as well as establish their credibility in the credit profession.

Jon Ulrich, CBF, is a credit administrator who recently earned his Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation as a challenge and an opportunity to improve in his role. "I was lucky because my colleague, an NACM member, asked me if I'd be interested in earning the designation," he said. "But I also earned the designation because it was important for the company I work for."

Ulrich reaped the benefits immediately after earning his CBF. "The subject matter in the courses were directly related to my job and it covered topics that I already was very comfortable with," he said. "I found that during my journey, I was competing against myself, doing my absolute best to pass and not miss anything."

Although it had been a while since he'd been to school, the courses refreshed his mind, especially in accounting. "It was an opportunity for me to sharpen my skills in my field," he said. "My next step in the journey is going to be earning the CCE, so I'm not stopping here and looking forward to that next stage."

💡Study Tip from Ulrich: It's all about balance. "A great way to limit how much you're trying to learn on the weekend or even after class, is to attend every class, take notes and pay attention," he said. "Focus on that, you'll be able to absorb more information and refer back to it later when you study."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

NACM's Professional Certification Program gives credit professionals an opportunity to gain expertise and prosper in the credit field. Each certification provides the tools credit professionals need to refresh their skills and learn new ways to complete day-to-day responsibilities. With six levels of certification, credit professionals can earn credentials along with several benefits such as new career opportunities, leadership recognition and mastery in the profession. In fact, certified credit managers can earn up to 6% more than those with no professional certifications.

Steven Prensner, CBA, senior credit analyst at MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. (Jasper, IN) said his career began in the retail industry—but once he decided to switch career paths, he was all hands-on-deck when it came to learning about the credit profession. "I was looking for a designation to clearly prove the caliber of my abilities and knowledge in financial accounting, financial statement analysis, business credit principles, credit management and related topics," Prensner said. "After researching various certification options, the Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation was the perfect fit for me and my new career path."

When Prensner started his CBA journey, his strategy was to immediately set a goal to sit for the next available exam. "This decision gave me a very short window to intensely focus on studying the vast amount of information covered by the exam," he said. "One of the most beneficial aspects of the CBA certification process is they offer in-depth preparation at your own speed and on your own time with study sessions, seminars, self-study courses—but I wanted to do an intense self-study challenge for myself."

Earning a new designation comes with a sense of accomplishment and self-pride. But it's even better when you get the support from your upper management and colleagues alike. "My employer went to great lengths to recognize and celebrate my accomplishment as well," Prensner said. "The CBA is not where my journey stops. I have already begun working towards my next certification!"

💡Study Tip: Maximize the use of practice exams provided. "Even if you get an answer correct on the multiple-choice practice exam, challenge yourself to learn thoroughly about each of the possible answer choices."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website. 

Confidence is intrinsic to leadership and professional growth. Though confidence is not considered a fixed characteristic, it can be both acquired and improved over time through different experiences. As a credit professional, confidence is key. Whether it's needed to make sound credit decisions or build customer relationships—confidence shows dedication to expertise in the profession.

NACM's Professional Certification Program gives credit professionals the building blocks needed to reach their full potential. With six levels of certification, credit professionals can showcase their knowledge in their day-to-day lives. "Being in a new role and the only designated credit professional in our organization, going through the CBA requirements provided me with much more confidence in my decisions," said Kimberly Doss, CBA, senior credit analyst at United Capital Funding Group (Saint Petersburg, FL). "It was very gratifying every time I passed a quiz knowing I was mastering material that would greatly benefit me professionally."

The Credit Business Associate (CBA) is an academic-based designation which signals mastery of three business credit related disciplines: basic financial accounting, business credit principles and introductory financial statement analysis. Doss said accounting was challenging for her to learn. "Carving out time for the requirements while working full time was also a challenge, but it feels great to accomplish earning my CBA," she said. "I feel much more prepared and knowledgeable in my role, and I feel it gives me more clout in the industry as well. Earning a designation is a great accomplishment. It's worth the time and commitment to showcase your knowledge. I'm definitely earning additional designations in the future!"

💡Study Tip: Work on a small chunk of the material each day so you don't get overwhelmed with all the information at once.

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website. 

The credit profession, like a flower, forms its intricate layers that contribute to the beauty and resilience of the financial ecosystem. From technological advances to relationship building, it is a profession that is ever-growing. By earning a certification through NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program, credit professionals acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to grow and advance in their career.

Linda Niffenegger, CBA, CCRA, credit analyst at Anchor Packaging (Manchester, MO) is a proud advocate for continued education and recently earned her Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation. "As a credit manager, you have to learn about many different things," she said. "You learn about delayed payments and bankruptcies to mitigate risk. You learn about financial analysis to read and analyze financial documents. You also need to comprehend the business you're dealing with and their ability to make necessary payments for the goods they'll receive from your company."

The CBA is an academic-based designation, which signals mastery of three business-credit related disciplines: Basic Financial Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis 1 and Business Credit Principles. Niffenegger said the CBA broadened her understanding of businesses and gives her the necessary skills to navigate B2B credit. "You learn about the hard skills to work with your managers," she said. "Apart from the knowledge, you are gaining personal growth and empowering yourself."

Niffenegger's desire to learn lead to her success in the course. "Although obtaining the CBA is difficult, it's not much of a struggle if you persevere and keep thinking about the end result," she said. "You must understand how the certification will enhance your skills and take you forward in your career. The CBA has helped me talk business with my managers and make better financial decisions."

💡Study Tip: Break the material down into pieces. "If you have two days before an exam, study one piece at time instead of doing it all at once," Niffenegger said. "Also, pick a study partner to discuss the material with because how you interpret the material will differ from how another person does. With both of you discussing it, you can come up with the outcome of what's really being asked and learn from that. It's also important to rest and eat well to maintain your health so that you're not overwhelmed while studying."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

Your success can be measured by a multitude of factors: your desire, how big your goals are and how you bounce back from adversity are just a few to name. But in the B2B credit world, credit professionals' success can be measured through educational goals—pushing their career goalpost even further.

Dan Erickson, CBA, collections representative at Daikin Applied (Maple Grove, MN) earned his Credit Business Associate (CBA)—the first level of six in NACM's Professional Certification Program. "My favorite part, hands down, was the accounting class because the instructor made one of the hardest classes enjoyable," he said. "I cannot stress enough how much you need to study—and if you thought you studied enough, tack on another hour or two to make sure you really understand the material."

Passing the final exam and earning the CBA is a remarkable accomplishment for credit professionals. It shows mastery of three business credit related disciplines: basic financial accounting, business credit principles and introductory financial statement analysis. "It feels amazing to have earned my CBA because I'm now qualified for many other jobs in the credit field," said Erickson. "I'm extremely lucky to have a boss who sees the benefits of having his team complete and attend NACM sponsored seminars regularly. My goal is to earn my CBF next!"

💡Designation journey tip from Erickson: "If you're able to, study while on breaks. I used to review the study guides from the previous weeks during my lunch breaks to help cut down on how much studying I had to do outside of class."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website. 

As a credit manager, you must be able to learn, adapt and make strategic credit decisions. This almost always requires ongoing education and networking with the right people. By earning designations through NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program, credit professionals have the chance to not only increase their knowledge and skill set, but to form relationships that may contribute to further success.

The Certified International Credit Professional (CICP) designation, for example, signifies knowledge and professional development in global credit management and risk analysis. It is available for national and international credit professionals. Noora Kaasalainen, CICP, manager, credit risk management at UPM-Kymmene Corporation (Helsinki, Finland) earned her CICP to update her knowledge in the field of credit and have an opportunity to learn something new. "I had heard about this designation from some of my colleagues and the course description seemed interesting to me."

Kaasalainen found the course comprehensive and beneficial to her career. "I noticed that some of the topics I only had a scratch of the knowledge, so it was really fascinating to learn more about them," she said. "I learned about Letters of Credit (LCs), which are quite complex, and the use of them in practice."

Her greatest challenge was managing her study time while working a full-time job and caring for her 2-year-old daughter at home. However, she formed a set schedule that allowed her to complete all her course work. "It was a good choice to use these few months effectively and get the course done during the autumn rather than extend the length of the course," Kaasalainen said.

Looking back, Kaasalainen found it easy to mirror her own work life into the discussions during the course. "I believe there will be situations in the future where I can make use of some topics I learned during this course," she said. "Not only am I proud, but I found yet again how determined I can be to finish what I've started, even if there is some struggle in the way."

💡Study Tips from Kaasalainen: Be diligent. "Even when it feels impossible, try to use weekends or nights to read the material through, finish the assignments and complete the weekly quizzes," she said. "Before the final exam, I reread the material and retook all the quizzes. If you have time, it is always a good idea to read the posts made by other students because you may learn something valuable from others. Even though it was not an easy task, strict timeliness helped me to keep the deadlines."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

As a professional in any career path, change is inevitable and necessary to grow. NACM's Professional Certification Program gives credit professionals the exact tools they need for growth. With six levels of certification including in-house courses, online courses and exams, this program is designed to contribute to a credit professional's well-roundedness and expertise in credit management.

The Credit Business Fellow (CBF) is the third certification level out of six. The CBF is an academic and participation-based designation which illustrates that achievers are knowledgeable about and have contributed to the field of business credit by first having earned the Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation, as well as having completed additional course work. The CBF signals competence in business law and credit law.

Nikki Davis, CBF, is a credit assistant at Ferguson Enterprises (Euless, TX). She said her designation journey was a rewarding experience. "My favorite part was using what I learned in my day-to-day responsibilities," Davis said. "When I would have had a question about certain tasks at first, it was like a lightbulb moment. I thought that it was pretty cool to be able to say, 'Oh I just learned this!'"

Though it can be hard to balance work, additional education and life outside of both, Davis was able to stay motivated throughout her CBF journey. "Finding the time to get it done was an important skill I had to master," Davis added. "I have two kids and I always try to balance my work and home life working from home. I had to do most of the lessons at night once everyone was asleep or on the weekends—but it feels so good to have completed it."

💡Designation journey tip from Davis: "I would suggest earning designations after you've been a credit manager for a little bit. Having hands-on experience helps when doing the lessons and I felt some lessons were easier because I already had the basic knowledge of the why."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

Continuous learning is indispensable for credit professionals, serving as the cornerstone for their professional success and organizational effectiveness. By earning designations through NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program, credit professionals gain the necessary knowledge and skills required to advance in their career. Beyond mere skill acquisition, each program fosters personal and professional growth, equipping credit managers with the knowledge and insights to excel in their roles and contribute to their company's financial success.

Erin Stammer, CCE, vice president of credit at PNW Railcars, Inc. (Portland, OR) earned her Certified Credit Executive (CCE) designation to jumpstart her year in 2023. The CCE endorses its achievers as capable of managing the credit function at an executive level in the areas of accounting, finance, domestic and international credit concepts, management and law. "I needed a challenge and knowing that I had an exam to take at the end kept me focused and engaged in the whole process," she said.

Stammer successfully passed the final CCE exam after completing the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management (GSCFM), a hybrid program that covers four essential business and professional growth disciplines: Advanced Financial Statement Analysis, Legal Environment of Credit, Advanced Negotiations and Leadership. "Being there in person added to my desire to complete the program and take the exam," Stammer said. "Also being part of a group propelled me forward because it's not just about me anymore."

Not only was the graduate program a success, but Stammer became the recipient of the peer elected GSCFM Student Leader Award for 2023. "I was surprised and humbled by the award," she said. "Every person in the group brought a very valuable perspective to the GSCFM, and I was honored that they felt I demonstrated strong leadership because in the end, we were all natural leaders."

Stammer also gained deeper insight into her strengths and weaknesses as a credit professional. "I've always thought of myself as an overthinker and analytical to a fault," she said. "But being amongst others that think the same way or have a similar approach to credit gave me more self-confidence in my decision-making. I'm no longer overly concerned that I'm being too over analytical or asking too many questions."

💡Study Tips from Stammer: Preparation is key. "Due to my high anxiety about taking tests, the three-month delay between the end of our graduate program and the final exam for the CCE was a good amount of time for me to prepare, organize my study materials and make flash cards and really focus on the end goal."

Stammer advises that students purchase the books recommended in the courses and use online study tips. "I read through the book and reviewed chapters that we hadn't gone to in-depth during class," she said. "I also spent time on areas that I wasn't sure of until I felt more confident that I had mastered them."

Lastly, Stammer prioritizes a healthy work-life balance. "Make sure that you're getting plenty of rest, exercising and maintaining a good diet in the month leading up to the exam to stay sharp," Stammer said. "It's a four-hour exam so I made sure I had a set schedule with healthy habits so that I was ready for the exam."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

Accomplishing goals requires discipline and dedication—especially in the B2B credit industry. NACM's Professional Certification Program gives credit professionals the opportunity to accomplish their professional goals through education tailored to their interests. With six levels of certifications, credit professionals can create their own path to earning a professional certification.

The Credit Business Associate (CBA) is an academic-based designation which signals mastery of three business credit related disciplines: basic financial accounting, business credit principles and introductory financial statement analysis. Tim Cain, CBA, is the director of global credit and collections at Keen, Inc. (Portland, OR). He said his journey required balance. "It was important for me to balance family time and study time as well as creating a dedicated time to study outside of the normal workday," said Cain. "Sometimes a bit of leisure time had to be sacrificed but I truly enjoyed learning complex concepts and applying those exact learnings to real-life scenarios. NACM's support was fantastic."

Knowledge from continued education is golden when it comes to professional progression, and earning certifications give credit professionals a better understanding of the credit profession. "Earning the CBA is such a great sense of accomplishment and a milestone in my career and additional designations are definitely in my future," Cain said. "For anyone interested in starting their journey, I would say to commit to the process and connect with others who are at the same point of your journey."

💡Study tip from Cain: "Try to study in 20-to-30-minute bursts at a time up to the final exam for at least 30 days to retain the information best."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

The relentless pursuit of education never stops for some professionals, no matter where they may be in their career's tenure—especially for those who change or take on additional roles. NACM's Professional Certification Program gives credit professionals that exact opportunity. With six levels of education that start with the basics of credit all the way up to credit law and international credit, credit professionals can create their own path that suits their interests.

The Credit Business Associate (CBA) is the first level out of the six offered in the certification program. Michael Campbell, CBA, is a credit manager at Convergint Technologies LLC (Houston, TX). "I am super happy to earn my CBA because I'd been procrastinating going for it for almost 10 years," he said. "I decided it was now or never. After taking a break in studying, I plan to pursue the Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation."

💡Study tip from Campbell: "Reading can seem overwhelming, but it's important to keep your end-goal in the forefront of your mind to keep you motivated and never give up!"

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website. 

In the realm of credit management, staying sharp goes beyond mere preference—it's an indispensable asset. It makes for increased efficiency and productivity in the workplace. Through NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program, credit professionals are not only keeping their mind agile, but they're also growing the credit knowledge to navigate the intricate layers that is B2B credit.

Cherie Salvadras, CBF, clerk, Acra III at Entergy, (New Orleans, LA), who just earned her Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation, said the CBF was her next step in her credit education journey, or adventure, as she likes to call it. Not only is Salvadras proud of her accomplishment, but she's also rediscovered her passion for learning. "I've learned that you're never too old to learn new things," Salvadras said. "I'm happy to know that I still have the drive and the ambition to keep learning instead of staying stagnant in my daily routine, especially since credit is changing every day."

Though many people recognize accomplishments when they've completed their journey successfully, they may not see obstacles experienced along the way. "When I started the course for my CBF after earning my CBA, my life got in the way, as it does for everyone," she said. "There were some hurdles that I had to overcome but I just kept my head up and stayed determined to go through each step and finish what I needed to finish."

Salvadras understands that it's important to continue learning so that she can adapt to the ever-changing times and keep up with the younger generation coming into the workforce. "I'm just thankful for the opportunity to be able to do this and in the near future, I hope to continue to move forward to the next step."

💡Study tips from Salvadras: Make sure that you engage in proper time management. "Carve out a little bit of time each day to study a small portion because trying to obtain all the course information in a day or two before the test will not help you remember it," she said. "You need to give yourself the time to study to fully learn and understand the concepts."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

Credit professionals are first and foremost risk mitigators. They have to make credit decisions based on risk factors and must be knowledgeable about business and credit law to minimize risk. By earing the Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation through NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program, credit professionals can display their competence in business and credit law as well as establish their credibility in the credit profession.

Heather Spencer, CBF, senior district financial manager at The Sherwin-Williams Company (Lenexa, KS) recently earned her CBF designation as part of continuing her credit education. "I moved to a new area and joined our local Credit & Financial Development Division (CFDD), which prompted me to further my education in business and credit law," she said. "Although I've been in credit for some time, I gained a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of like I always knew what I was doing, especially since my college degree is not in finance or accounting at all."

The course was a straightforward, positive experience for Spencer. She learned about the nuances in business and credit law that as well as negation tactics she could apply in her daily work in commercial manufacturing. The biggest challenge in earning her designation was time management given that fact that it was remote. "Luckily, I did it without trying to rush," she said. "I did not let too much time go in between when I was doing classes that would cause me to forget everything."

💡Study tips from Spencer: Take one thing at a time. "Focus on completing each chapter and quiz and don't let the final exam overwhelm you. Also, if I'm doing something else with my hands, I retain the information better than if I just sat and listened to it. So, when I was listening to the lectures, I would build a Lego so that I could listen better."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

Confidence plays a key role in the success of a credit professional. You must be confident in your qualifications, experience and expertise to perform to the best of your ability. With NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program, credit professionals will not only gain invaluable knowledge and a stronger skill set, but they will gain confidence as a credit leader.

Misty Menashe, CBA, credit supervisor at LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. (Portland, OR) recently earned her Credit Business Associate (CBA) to better introduce herself to her internal teams. "I was promoted to a supervisor role when all our departments were working from home and my interactions with our sales team, customer service team and other managers is limited to emails and Teams meetings," she said. "The designation in my signature shows that I'm an active learner, engaged in my profession and have expertise in the subject."

Menashe knew it would be best to take the NACM led courses rather than rely solely on her college degree from 20 years ago and work experience. "The largest factor in my success is that my position has remained remote after the pandemic," she said. "Removing the commute times between home, office and class made it less stressful to add time for studying. My husband was supportive by prepping dinners while my three kids used public transportation to get home from high school on my class days."

To succeed in the course, she suggests that students take the certification exam review course, then retake the course mid-terms and finals or the end of chapter quizzes. "Try to answer questions closed book, check your answers and focus on the concepts you struggle most with," Menashe said. "Repeat until you are averaging 80% or more per quiz and do not hesitate to replay the exam review course. I listened to it three times!"

After receiving her CBA, Menashe has more confidence in her role and ability to make sound decisions. "I'm able to make strategic actions according to department policy and procedures when collecting receivables or extending trade credit. I'm also proud of being a positive role model to my teens encouraging them to never stop learning and it was also fun swapping studying techniques."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

Professionals in every industry know that education never stops. Learning is an ongoing process that we take with us in every level of life. NACM's Professional Certification Program provides six levels of education credit professionals need to level up professionally and personally. Whether being in the industry for 10 months or 10 years, earning a designation is a rewarding accomplishment that reflects your expertise in different ways.

As a credit professional in the banking industry for more than 25 years, David Dedrick, CCE, director of commercial lending at Kohler Credit Union (Sheboygan, WI) decided to enroll in the NACM Graduate School of Credit and Management (GSCFM) to provide himself with a well-rounded knowledge base of credit from a banking perspective and from the trade side. "Between the other students and professors, I created connections that'll last my entire career," Dedrick said. "After completing grad school, I decided to sit for the Certified Credit Executive (CCE) exam. Getting back into the study routine was a gradual process, but the wonderful staff at NACM helped me through every step of the way—and the lessons learned are permanent tools I refer to in my toolbox as my career continues."

Through long nights of studying and exam prep, one major study tip Dedrick has is to take advantage of the recommended study guides and books. "Give yourself enough time to read and re-read the resource books as well as the practice exams NACM provides," he said. "I would plan on studying and preparing for this exam for at least one to two months in advance. The exam is long and covers a large variety of topics, so take your time and focus on one question at a time."

Completing NACM's GSCFM and earning the CCE contributed to the advancement of Dedrick's career and his overall outlook on being a credit professional. "Earning this designation alongside so many exceptional credit professionals make the classwork, reading, case studies and hours of studying well worth it!"

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website. 

It's no exaggeration to say that credit managers are financial "busy bees," always jumping from task to task—whether reviewing credit applications, collaborating with sales to extend credit or making routine customer visits. And the responsibilities continue to grow as advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) increase. To remain successful in their field, credit professionals must increase their knowledge and sharpen their credit skills by earning designations through NACM's six-level Professional Certification Program.

Chantelle Rottle, CBF, CCRA, regional credit manager at North Coast Electric Company (Auburn, WA) has done so by earning her Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation as a means to further her education and career in credit. "I earned my CBA designation in 2018 and at the time I wasn't necessarily looking to continue with my education with NACM as the advanced designations felt out of reach for me," she said. "However, as I grew in my career and then with the economy change during and after the pandemic, we were dealing with less-than-ideal circumstances, and I wanted to have a better understanding of what our options are for the company and the customer from a legal and collection standpoint, so I decided to enroll in the NACM business law and credit law courses to obtain my CBF designation."

One of the biggest challenges Rottle faced in obtaining her CBF designation was balancing a full-time career and being a mother of two. "Having the extra time to complete the courses and study was a struggle, but the journey is worth the success," she said. "My successes in the certification program include personal growth, a promotion to regional credit manager in July 2022 and earning my CCRA designation at Credit Congress in June 2023. Now, I've earned my CBF designation."

To successfully pass each course, Rottle encourages students to reread the text and take advantage of the CBF exam review, which can be found in the NACM Credit Learning Center (CLC). "I would encourage any credit professional who is looking for a better understanding of credit law and business law to take the courses. There is a lot to be learned."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.

Earning a designation in any field gives a sense of accomplishment to those who put in the work to earn them. NACM's Professional Certification Program is a six-level educational program with several courses providing knowledge needed to excel in the role of a credit professional. It is a great way to seek career opportunities, get promoted to an upper management level and earn professional recognition from colleagues.

The Credit Business Fellow (CBF) is an academic and participation-based designation, which illustrates that achievers are knowledgeable about and have contributed to the field of business credit by first having earned the Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation, as well as having completed additional course work.

Melina Badalamenti, CBA, CBF is a credit analyst at Ampco Distribution Services. She said earning her CBF wasan amazing accomplishment. "I look back at when I first started this journey and I cannot believe how much knowledge I have gained," Badalamenti said. "The courses provided through NACM are fantastic. These courses not only educate you in business and credit law, but they also provide practical application in day-to-day business tasks."

💡Balancing her daily responsibilities with time to complete coursework was the only difficult part of Badalamenti's journey to the CBF. "One study tip I used was being able to identify aspects of the material I was comfortable with and identifying which areas and topics needed to be reviewed," Badalamenti said. "That really helped me with time management and self-assessment of the material."

Despite the two certifications behind her name, Badalamenti's certification journey isn't over yet. "I look forward to pursuing my CCE designation," she said. "I can honestly say, I look back and still cannot believe how much I have learned thus far."

For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.