Member Spotlight: Don’t Be Afraid of a Challenge
One of the most valuable characteristics a professional can possess is curiosity—both to learn new skills and about the world around them. In the ever-changing B2B credit industry, you must adapt and stay ahead of the newest trends. NACM's Professional Certification Program gives credit professionals opportunities to go beyond the basic levels of credit management and refine their craft.
The Credit Business Associate (CBA) is an academic-based designation that signals mastery of three business-credit related disciplines, including Basic Financial Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis 1 and Business Credit Principles. Allison Benge, CBA, credit analyst at Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc. (Coon Rapids, MN) is glad she pushed herself to earn a certification. "As a mom with little kids and juggling work, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to complete my certification," she said. "But it made me even more determined to ace the exam. It feels just that much more rewarding and it restored confidence in myself."
Benge did not shy away from any challenges and embraced the subjects that she needed to learn in order to earn her CBA. "Some of it I had not reviewed since college several years ago, so there were times it made my head spin," Benge explained. "Regardless, I never got discouraged even, when it felt overwhelming. I asked lots of questions and used all the available tools NACM offered, and it helped me succeed."
Challenges did not hold Benge back from wanting to learn even more. She said it feels great to have earned her CBA and plans to work towards her Credit Business Fellow (CBF) next. For more information about each designation within NACM's Professional Certification Program, visit our website.
