Pacing your career: How one credit professional found growth through certification 

Everyone moves through life at their own pace—whether in their personal journey or professional career, each path has its own unique timeline. No matter where you are on that path, there’s always an opportunity to continue learning, grow your skills and advance in your career. NACM and FCIB’s six-level Professional Certification Program serves as a continual reminder to credit professionals of the importance of growth through education. It encourages them to push boundaries, expand their expertise and elevate their roles in credit management. 

For Nerio Gonzalez, CICP, manager II, global credit and collections at APL Logistics (North America) (Phoenix, AZ), the journey toward certification began as he took on additional responsibilities in various companies. Over time, he gained both practical and technical experience, overseeing a wide range of credit and collections functions throughout the entire order-to-cash process.  

In 2018, his then-employer inspired him to pursue his Certified International Credit Professional (CICP) designation. Shortly after, Gonzalez enrolled in the International Credit & Risk Management (ICRM) course, describing it as both challenging and rewarding.  

“It was a combination of previous credit and collection experience, indispensable knowledge by the instructor, Edwin Bell, and interactive weekly module discussions and tests,” he said. “The amount of material covered requires a lot of discipline and commitment. I can tell you that in addition to my current job, I had to put an additional 3-4 hours a week for the CICP.” 

After passing the final exam, Gonzalez felt a great sense of accomplishment. “I am proud to join the network of CICP designees who, like me, have achieved proficiency in international credit and collections,” he said. “I’ve received compliments by many colleagues across my organization and I’m confident the certification positions me well for future career growth.” 

The CICP designation has helped Gonzalez stay sharp in the field of international credit while connecting him with a global network of credit professionals. After completing the course, he took the time to integrate what he had learned into his daily responsibilities.  

✏️Study Tips: Keep up with the material and participate in the discussion board. “Engage with your classmates from around the world and learn from their experiences,” Gonzalez said. “Also, commit to the process. Look for more resources from NACM to expand your knowledge. For instance, I am planning to read Business Credit magazine regularly to keep learning.” 

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