Grow professionally and personally with professional certifications

Everyone has a story about their first year in the profession—some funny, others humbling. From innocent mistakes to outright failures, most professionals carry a few lessons learned the hard way. Credit professionals are no exception. Fortunately, NACM and FCIB’s six-level Professional Certification Program helps turn those lessons into stepping stones, equipping credit practitioners with the knowledge and credibility to grow and thrive in their careers. 

For Jessica Kinney, CBA, director of credit and collections at Soligent Distribution (Dallas, TX), earning her Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation was a personal and professional milestone. “From a career standpoint, the designation has elevated my credibility and positioned me as a subject matter expert,” Kinney said. “It demonstrates my commitment to professional excellence and continuous education. As a leader, I’ve modeled for my team that no matter how long you’ve been in a role, there are always ways to continue to develop and grow.” 

Kinney first encountered the certification program early in her career but was pursuing her MBA at the time. As she advanced professionally, she began to notice job postings that list NACM and FCIB certifications alongside a college degree as a requirement or strong preference. “Although I had many years of experience, pursued higher education and reached the director level, I still felt my résumé was missing something,” Kinney said. 

Professional certifications reflect a commitment to your field. “You aren’t just saying you know credit, you have the credentials to back it up,” Kinney said. “It is also a great way to expand your network and build a support system throughout your career.” 

Study tip: Find what works best for you. For Kinney, hands-on experience helped her better understand the material. “I asked our director of accounting if I could take over a process or complete some journal entries in our ERP Sandbox to ensure I was comfortable and had complete understanding,” said Kinney. “I also formed study groups to go over class notes and share key takeaways and ensure nothing was missed.”