You owe it to yourself and your company to be on top of your profession! NACM's Credentialing programs allow you to prove to the world and yourself that you have what it takes. Boost your career with a professional designation in business credit.

The Credit Business Associate designation

The Credit Business Associate (CBA) shows mastery of three disciplines central to business credit: 

• Business Credit Principles
  
• Basic Financial Accounting
  
• Financial Statement Analysis I

NACM East Coast teaches each of these courses in a relaxed classroom setting through our CAP Program. Classes run one evening a week for 10 or 11 weeks.  Business Credit Principles classes start in October, followed by Accounting in January and Financial Statements in March.

There is no minimum work experience required for the CBA. Completion of the CAP Program qualifies you to sit for the CBA exam, which is held up to four times per year.

The Credit Business Fellow (CBF) is the second level of designation, available to those who have earned a CBA, completed additional coursework and have solid career experience in business credit. The five courses needed to qualify for a CBF are:

• Business Law I (Contracts, Negotiable Instruments)
  
• Credit Law (UCC, Bankruptcy, Antitrust)
  
• Principles of Management
  
• Introduction to Finance
  
• Financial Statement Analysis II

NACM East Coast teaches the Credit Law and Finance courses in a relaxed classroom setting through our ACAP Program. Classes run one evening a week for 10 or 11 weeks.  Credit Law classes start in October, followed by Finance in January. The other requirements can be completed by self-study or college courses.

In addition to completing course work, CBF applicants must show evidence of varied and substantial career experience in business credit. The NACM National education department provides a Career Roadmap guidebook to help you determine whether you qualify for the CBF designation. Completion of the ACAP program, the full coursework above and the Career Roadmap minimums qualify you to sit for the CBF exam, which is held up to four times per year.

The Certified Credit Executive^® designation

The Certified Credit Executive^® (CCE^®) is NACM's top professional designation which recognizes both career breadth and depth. Achievement of a CCE shows that you have the knowledge and experience to manage the business credit function at an executive level. Candidates must pass a rigorous four-hour exam which tests applied skills in accounting, finance, domestic and international credit concepts, management and law. You do not need additional coursework to qualify for the CCE, but you must demonstrate regular participation in seminars, workshops, classes and other educational forums.

The CCE is not a static designation. CCE holders must show their commitment to continuing education, self-improvement and the advancement of the business credit profession by re-certifying every three years until reaching 60 years of age.

There are two ways to qualify for the CCE designation exam: 

• Plan A: 10 Years' Experience and 125 Career Roadmap Points
  Applicants must have at least 10 years of full-time experience in the field of business credit or financial management and can show evidence of 125 Career Roadmap Points. Career Roadmap points are awarded for education (both formal and continuing); work experience and work-related activities;  and local, regional and national participation in NACM and its Affiliates. Applicants are required to have earned a four-year college degree from an accredited institution.
  

• Plan B: Hold the CBA & CBF Designations and 125 Career Roadmap Points
  Plan B is an alternative option for candidates who may not have been in credit for ten years. This plan is designed for candidates who show the determination to pursue continuing education and higher career goals at a faster pace. Applicants must have successfully earned both the CBA and CBF designations and must submit a Career Roadmap showing a total of 125 documented points. (Because Plan B applicants have already earned the CBF designation which required 75 Roadmap points, 50 additional points will total the 125 required.) There is no minimum work experience requirement under Plan B.
  

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