Professional certification helps credit managers stand out

As credit professionals grow and advance in their careers, education is a vital tool allowing them to stay on top of the shifting landscape of business credit. With evolving technology and changing economic conditions transforming the work of credit managers, a professional certification from one of NACM and FCIB’s Professional Certification Programs signifies a professional’s dedication to growing in the dynamic field of business credit.

For Krista Snarr, CBA, CICP, credit analyst for Advanced Energy Industries (Denver, CO), pursuing her Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation was an opportunity to establish herself within the profession. “I have previously earned the CICP certification and wanted to keep expanding my knowledge in the world of credit,” Snarr said. “As noted by NACM, the CBA designation serves as a mark of distinction in the credit community and I wanted to stand out in my industry as a knowledgeable, certified, credit professional.”

The professional certification journey pushes credit managers out of their comfort zone and allows them to broaden their understanding of business credit beyond what they see in their day-to-day. “Working toward the CBA designation really pushed me to understand the different aspects of credit,” said Snarr. “I learned so much more about the industry, most notably the legal environment, in depth financial analysis, bankruptcy and international trade. I felt that the courses and study guide really rounded out the knowledge I already had and gave me even more tools in my toolbox.”

Not only does the designation boost credit professionals’ credibility within the field but grants a new confidence when navigating tough credit decisions. “My favorite part of the experience was obviously passing the exam and receiving the designation,” Snarr said. “It is such a great achievement to have that professional recognition and mastery level knowledge to utilize in your career.”

📝Study tip: The best way to learn the material is to engage with it as often as possible. “Utilize and invest in all the tools that NACM has available for the CBA exam,” Snarr said. “I took the practice exam multiple times, purchased the exam review and reviewed many of the videos in the Knowledge Center. Give yourself plenty of time to master the material—I started prepping for the exam a few months in advance—and try to block out uninterrupted time every single day to study a portion of the material so the load is manageable.”