Professional Designations
The NACM Connect Institute of Credit offers the following Professional Certification Programs:
Professional Certification Program Test Dates
Exam Date
Paperwork Deadline
Monday, March 4, 2024
Sunday, June 9, 2024 (Credit Congress, Las Vegas, NV)
Monday, July 22, 2024
Monday, November 4, 2024
Friday, January 12, 2024
Friday, April 19, 2024
Friday, May 31, 2024
Friday, September 13, 2024
Credit Business Associate (CBA)
Credit Business Associate (CBA) Requirements
Institute of Credit of Credit offers the Credit Administrative Program (CAP), which is a series of courses designed to prepare candidates for the Credit Business Associate (CBA) exam. By successfully completing CAP with a “C” average or better for each course, you may apply to take the CBA exam. View more information on courses offered in our CAP program.
Required CBA Courses:
- Business Credit Principles
- Basic Financial Accounting
- Financial Statement Analysis I
- Business Credit Principles – 30 Hours
A basic overview of the field of business credit and collections, and a foundation for all other finance and credit courses offered. Designed to give the student a more detailed approach to credit topics typically encountered in the credit operation. Topics covered will be: the nature and function of credit, credit department methods, credit information, credit reports, and policies and procedures. This course will also focus on the understanding of a financial statement, basic ratio analysis, understanding the bankruptcy process, dealing with financially distressed customers, and various security agreements. This course will prepare the students to handle day-to-day events and prepare them for more advanced coursework. “This course has been recommended for 2 semester hours in Business Administration or Finance by the American Council on Education.” - Basic Financial Accounting – 30 Hours
Accounting is the language of business. It provides a framework for capturing business transactions in a coherent manner. More formally, accounting is defined as “the process of identifying, measuring, and communicating economic information to permit judgments and decisions by users of the information.” This course will provide participants with a good understanding of accounting and how the accountant thinks about transactions. With the knowledge, participants will gain a strong foundation to comprehend financial information contained in financial statements. - Financial Statement Analysis I – 30 Hours
Financial statement analysis is a reasonably unstructured method of interpreting accounting data in an effort to understand the current financial performance of an entity and project its future health. This first course in financial statement analysis keeps the process simple and ignores many complex issues that can arise. The emphasis of the course is on analyzing financial statements issued by companies using simple ratio analysis techniques and analysis of the statement of cash flows.
Credit Business Fellow (CBF)
Credit Business Fellow (CBF) Requirements
The Advanced Credit Administration Program (ACAP) prepares the student for the Credit Business Fellow (CBF) exam. Achievement of the CBA designation, 75 career Roadmap points and the completion of the following courses are required for eligibility. View more information on courses offered in our ACAP program.
Required CBF Courses:
- Business Law
- Credit Law
- Business Law – 30 Hours
Offers an up-to-date coverage of business law topics that are essential to today’s credit professionals. An introduction to the laws of contracts, including offer and acceptance, consideration, the capacity of parties, mutual assent, rights of third parties, performance and discharge, principle and agent, as well as legal phases of collection. Furnishes a basic understanding of business law essential to the credit function and provides information to build negotiation skills. - Credit Law – 30 Hours
This course examines the law of sales, negotiable instruments, and secured transactions under the Uniform Commercial Code, and provides an overview of insolvency and major changes under the most current amended laws and legislation having impact on credit operations. This class will develop the ability to analyze and resolve basic legal credit issues.
Certified Credit and Risk Analyst (CCRA)
Certified Credit and Risk Analyst (CCRA) Requirements
The Certified Credit and Risk Analyst (CCRA) is an academic-based designation, which signals mastery in the analysis and interpretation of financial statements and the ability to make informed credit risk assessments. The final exam for the Financial Statement Analysis 2: Credit and Risk Assessment course serves as the designation exam. There is no minimum work experience requirement and the NACM Career Roadmap is not required for this designation.
Required CCRA Courses:
- Basic Financial Accounting
- Financial Statement Analysis I
- Financial Statement Analysis 2: Credit and Risk Assessment
- Basic Financial Accounting – 30 Credit Hours
Accounting is the language of business. It provides a framework for capturing business transactions in a coherent manner. More formally, accounting is defined as “the process of identifying, measuring, and communicating economic information to permit judgments and decisions by users of the information.” This course will provide participants with a good understanding of accounting and how the accountant thinks about transactions. With the knowledge, participants will gain a strong foundation to comprehend financial information contained in financial statements. - Financial Statement Analysis I – 30 Credit Hours
Financial statement analysis is a reasonably unstructured method of interpreting accounting data in an effort to understand the current financial performance of an entity and project its future health. This first course in financial statement analysis keeps the process simple and ignores many complex issues that can arise. The emphasis of the course is on analyzing financial statements issued by companies using simple ratio analysis techniques and analysis of the statement of cash flows. Financial Statement Analysis 2: Credit and Risk Assessment
- Investments: Short-and Long-term
- Receivables
- Inventories and Valuation Methods
- Fixed Assets and Depreciation
- Financing: Debt and Equity
- Financial Reporting for Leases
- Income Tax Reporting
- Ratio Analysis
- Cash Flow Analysis
- Credit Risk Assessment
Certified Credit Executive (CCE)
Certified Credit Executive (CCE) Requirements
Completion of both the CBA and CBF designations or 10 years full-time experience and 125 career Roadmap points. Beginning on January 1, 2001, all candidates who apply for the CCE designation under Plan A must have a four year degree from an accredited institution in addition to the 10 years of experience and 125 point requirement. After January 1, 2001, applicants without a degree will have to earn the CBA and CBF requirement before applying for the CCE designation.
