Professional certifications: The building blocks of success

Remember the joy of building something amazing out of simple blocks as a child—the way each piece clicked into place, bringing your vision to life? Just like a child uses building blocks to turn imagination into towering creations, professional certifications are the foundational pieces adults use to build strong, successful careers. 

NACM and FCIB’s six Professional Certification Programs are the essential building blocks of a thriving credit career. Each designation builds on the last, equipping credit professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the business-to-business (B2B) credit landscape with confidence. 

Salina Villa, CBA, credit analyst at Stoneway Electric Supply (Spokane, WA), is laying a solid foundation in her credit career by earning her Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation. “I pursued my CBA to help me understand and grow in my role within my company,” Villa said.  

Earning the CBA certification deepened her understanding of credit risk assessment. Courses in accounting and financial statement analysis sharpened her ability to review financial statements, credit reports and applications, allowing her to detect risk factors with greater accuracy.  

The knowledge also empowered Villa to collaborate more effectively with fellow credit managers and upper management to make sounder credit decisions. It’s also helped her connect more meaningfully with customers and strengthen those relationships. “Through certifications, I’m becoming more confident in my career,” Villa said. 

As a single mother, Villa faced the challenge of balancing work, academics and parenting responsibilities. To manage her time effectively, she reached out to instructors and teamed up with peers to study. “In the back of my mind, I’m setting an example for my daughter,” Villa said. “I want her, and any aspiring CBA designees, to know that no matter how hectic life gets, with enough drive, you can achieve anything you desire. My next step? I’m planning to earn my Credit Business Fellow (CBF) designation in the next year.” 

📝Study Tips: Take it one step at a time and develop a good support system. “Try not to tackle everything at once, and instead, create a study schedule with specific time blocks to study,” Villa said. “Take advantage of NACM resources and members but also, lean on your peers, they may have a different perspective that may help you better understand the concept.”