The Credit Business Fellow (CBF) is an academic- and participation-based designation offered by the National Association of Credit Management (NACM), a nonprofit organization based in Columbia, MD (USA) that promotes standards for the business-to-business credit profession, serving as an advocate in addition to providing education and services. The CBF affirms achievers are knowledgeable about and have contributed to the field of business credit by first having earned NACM’s Certified Business Associate (CBA) designation, as well as having completed additional coursework. The CBF signals competence in intermediate financial analysis and business and credit law.
The designation is achieved by successfully taking the required certification exam. Those seeking to take the exam must register with the NACM-National Education Department by submitting a CBF application form. Items included with the registration form include a copy of candidate’s resume or a summary of professional experience, certificates, continuing education earnings records, end of course certificates, educational seminars, official transcripts from undergraduate or graduate colleges or universities received directly from the institution and an application fee.
For the CBF designation, an NACM Career Roadmap must also be submitted. The Roadmap details points awarded for both formal and continuing education, work experience, participation at local and national NACM offices, as well as special activities. A total of 75 points is needed to qualify for the CBF designation.
Beyond those of the CBA, the following needed to qualify for this designation are:
Business Law I is designed to introduce students to the basics of law, the legalities of contracts and the emerging importance placed upon laws affecting cyber crimes. The course runs approximately 12 weeks and is instructed by a legal professional. During the duration of the course, students must take two proctored exams. Students receive a certificate of achievement and earn course credit toward the CBF upon successfully completing the course with a score of 70% or higher.
Business Law I can be completed in the following ways:
Credit Law is a continuation of the Business Law course and looks more closely at negotiable instruments, debtor-creditor relationships and government regulations. The course runs approximately 12 weeks and is instructed by a legal professional. During the duration of the course, students must take two proctored exams. Students receive a certificate of achievement and earn course credit toward the CBF upon successfully completing the course with a score of 70% or higher. Credit Law can be completed in the following ways:
Financial Statements: Interpretation and Credit Risk Assessment is an intermediate financial analysis program designed for credit analysts and managers seeking comprehensive understanding of what’s behind the numbers in financial reports. It is designed to improve the credit professional’s ability to analyze and interpret financial statements leading to quality credit risk assessment. The program gives equal weight to the process of financial reporting, the analysis and interpretation of financial statements and the steps required to write a quality credit line recommendation. Participants receive in-depth exposure to:
Financial Statements: Interpretation and Credit Risk Assessment can be completed in the following ways: