Certifications that count 

Like any industry, B2B credit management has its own unique nuances. From risk mitigation to bankruptcy filings, experience and knowledge are key to truly understanding its challenges. NACM’s six-level Professional Certification Program equips credit professionals with the skills and knowledge to better understand and thrive in the credit field. 

Having spent just two years in the credit field, Melinda Parrish, CBA, credit manager at Archer Daniels Midland Company (Decatur, IL), earned her Credit Business Associate (CBA) to increase her knowledge in the credit world. “I figured if I was going to take classes, I might as well be working towards a certification at the same time,” she said. 

Parrish began her designation journey in 2022 by taking the Financial Statement Analysis 1 course. “I thought it would be beneficial since analyzing financial statements was part of my job,” she said. The following year, she completed the Business Credit Principles course and used her college transcript to receive credit for the accounting course. “These courses really helped me catch up to speed and perform my job better.” 

Taking the CBA Exam Review course is what ultimately helped her pass the final exam. “I felt relieved to have passed the test on the first try, and have it done,” she said. “But I’m not done completely, as I look forward to continuing my education and earning more certifications.” 

💡Study Tip: Organize, plan ahead and take your time during each course. “Pause the module if you need to in order to take notes because it makes studying for the test so much easier,” Parrish said. 

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