Member Spotlight: Become Irreplaceable with Certifications

​Credit management is not a stand-alone operation. It is interconnected with various departments in order to achieve its financial goals for the company. This makes the role of a credit manager much more vital. By earning a certification through NACM's Professional Certification Program, credit professionals have the chance to expand their knowledge and become irreplaceable in their company.

Rebekah Hartley, CBF, CCRA, assistant credit manager Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC (Collierville, TN) recently earned her Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation in hopes of becoming an asset to her sales team, branch manager and customers. "I want to be able to use my new knowledge to put my territory and company in a comfortable position during volatile economic climates," Hartley said. "When I started in this industry just three years ago, I never thought I would be getting a glimpse into the life of a lawyer, but the CBF designation has shined a light on how much that is the case."

Hartley's designation journey was full of support from her colleagues. "I'd been surrounded by other CBF designees, so I knew this was something within my reach and it provided me the right amount of encouragement and resources to study from," she shared. "A big challenge for me was getting the classes and quizzes done during a busy season for my industry. But I was still able to set myself up for a good exam day by practicing with study guides and reading through cases provided in the book."

Hartley said her experience was great because NACM created a positive learning environment. "I was still able to learn new material and retain the information," she said. "Now I'm in a position where I'm able to be a mentor for newer employees pursuing their designation, which I love!"

The CBF designation is an important tool that takes credit knowledge to the next level. "You can catch the smallest details that can really pay off in the long run," Hartley said. "My favorite session was when we got to hear about real life scenarios from credit professionals which makes the content relatable for less experienced professionals."

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