Certified Credit Professional (CCP)

Course Code: FB1

Overview

In today’s marketplace, well-rounded credit professionals must understand basic business fundamentals to succeed. This course provides an introduction to the general concepts of business and management. Topics covered include economics, marketing, industry analysis, negotiations, entrepreneurship, leadership and people management. The course also places an emphasis on the written and oral communications skills necessary in a business environment. During completion of this course, students are expected to use the skills learned to research and analyze data about a business. Part of the course work will require students to write and present an analysis of a business.

Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to business
2. The basics of effective business communication
3. Economic Issues and Business Decisions
4. Business Structures: Why They Matter to Creditors
5. Financial Accounting and Financial Management
6. Marketing, Adding to Your Big-Picture View of Business
7. Framework for Industry Analysis
8. Creating Leaders Among CCPs
9. Motivating & Developing People for Success
10. The Foundation of Skilled Negotiations

Course Code: CR1

Overview

This course provides students with the knowledge required to manage a portfolio of credit and accounts receivable. Topics covered in this course include: credit department policy, credit investigations, information systems related to mercantile and consumer credit, financial statement analysis, securities, risk evaluations, collections, bankruptcy and insolvency, and credit department organization and reporting.

Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to Credit
2. Credit Investigations
3. Financial Statement Analysis Case Studies
4. Personal Property Security
5. Risk Evaluations
6. Collections
7. Bankruptcy & Insolvency
8. Credit Management

Note
Cours dispensés en anglais et en français

Course Code: CR3-I

Overview

This course is specifically designed to enhance the analytical skills of credit professionals. The first half delves into some of the basic to intermediate features and functions of Microsoft Excel. Working through a series of audio video lectures, mini exercises and assignments, students learn how to slice and dice data to gain deeper insights and become more efficient performing their daily work.

The latter part of the course takes data analysis to a whole new level. It introduces Power Query and Power BI. Students learn how to connect and extract data from different sources. They explore the ‘magic’ of discovering, refining and combining data for deeper business insights. Using the ‘get and transform’ function in Excel, students learn to perform various analytical tasks in a more meaningful way. The modules on Power BI provide an introduction to data visualization and sharing through dashboards.

Topics Covered:

1. Formula Foundation
2. Preparing for Data Analysis
3. Logic and Lookups
4. PivotTables and PivotCharts
5. Building Re-usable Templates
6. PowerQuery
7. Get & Transform
8. Power BI
9. Data Visualization

Prerequisite
CR1 - Credit Management

Note
Students must have access to MS Excel, MS PowerPoint. These applications are available in digital format for purchase through the Institute of Canada: MS Office Professional Plus 2016 - $135.00 + HST.

Course Code: CL1

Overview

Canadian Credit Law is a unique course specially developed for credit professionals who need to understand how the Canadian legal system impacts their work. The information is presented in straightforward language that does not require a legal background. Based on English common law with references to the Quebec civil code, this course is of value to international students as well.

Topics Covered:

1. Introduction, Dispute Resolution and the Canadian Court System
2. Tort Law
3. Contract Law
4. Sale of Goods
5. Business Structures
6. Workplace Law
7. Property Law
8. The Debt Collection Process
9. Steps Taken Before Starting Legal Proceedings
10. Commencement of Proceedings
11. Default and Summary Judgment
12. Defended Proceedings, Settlement and the Enforcement of Judgments
13. Small Claims Actions and Enforcement
14. Collections and Deceased Debtors
15. Construction Liens
16. Bankruptcy and Insolvency

Note
Cours dispensés en anglais et en français

Course Code: CR2

Overview

This course covers specific, specialized areas of credit management. Students will become familiar with international credit management, construction credit management, leasing, piercing the corporate veil, U.S. Bankruptcy Legislation, credit fraud and introduction to E-commerce.

Topics Covered:

1. International Credit – An Introduction
2. International Credit - Risk Management
3. International Credit - Settlement Methods
4. Construction Credit Management I
5. Construction Credit Management II
6. Piercing The Corporate Veil
7. US Bankruptcy Law
8. Leasing Credit Management
9. Introduction to E-Commerce

Prerequisite
CR1 - Credit Management

Note
Cours dispensés en anglais et en français

Course Code: CR3-II

Overview

In today’s work force, the use of information systems is ever-present. Ranging from order processing to predictive analytics, to accounting and credit risk management, information technology has become entrenched in almost every aspect of our work. This course presents some of the core principles of Management Information Systems (MIS) essential to many business functions. The focus is to equip credit professionals with the understanding that will make them better knowledge workers. After completion of this course, students will have an appreciation of what information systems can and cannot do, and be able to make meaningful contributions in the implementation of solutions to achieve business objectives.

Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to MIS
2. Process Analysis
3. Basic Data Modelling
4. Introduction to Databases
5. Operational Systems Development
6. Planning and Acquiring Operational Systems
7. Analytical Systems Development
8. IT Architectures

Prerequisite

CR3-I Managing Credit With Information Technology I

Course Code: FAC1

Overview

This course is designed for students with intermediate experience and knowledge of accounting. This online self-study course is supported by a textbook and educational tools. It stresses how credit professionals must interpret and use accounting information in order to make decisions. Through this accounting course, credit professionals will acquire crucial skills to help them carry out their duties.

The primary purpose of this course is to provide students with basic knowledge about the preparation of accounting information. More specifically, this course provides students with the tools they need to analyze and interpret accounting information and make informed decisions.

The chapters in this course were written using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for publicly accountable enterprises. The final part of each chapter highlights significant differences between IFRS and the framework applicable to private enterprises. Over time, changes to this framework may bring it closer to IFRS. There is also talk of setting up an IFRS framework that is suitable for small businesses. Therefore, the current period is one of change in accounting standards. We must be aware of these changes.

This course is designed so that students can go through it on their own. They are fully responsible for organizing their work schedule to provide enough time for the readings, their studying, the review questions, and assignments. The instructor is not responsible for these tasks.

Course Code: TMC1

Overview

This course provides a view on the concepts and principles of managing talents for success in today’s workplace. It is designed to respond to employers’ need for managers that can develop, coach and lead a team in the credit department. Covering a range of specifically curated topics, you will learn about various aspects of planning and managing human capital, which is the greatest asset of businesses.

The Credit Institute recognizes that some credit professionals may have knowledge in a subject matter through prior education and experience. A challenge exam enables an applicant to achieve credit in a required subject area without taking a course.

At this time, the two courses eligible for a challenge exam are:

1. Fundamentals in Business (FB1)
2. Financial Accounting for Credit Professionals (FAC1)

The Challenge Exams are 3-hour long each and based on the material of the full courses listed above. The passing grade is 65%.

The prerequisite for writing a CCP Course Challenge Exam is that you are registered as a student member by paying the required membership fees.

Additionally, the cost for each challenge exam is $375.00 plus GST/HST. This does not include textbooks. Candidates approved to write the exam will receive access for a month to course lectures and other materials for preparation.

A Challenge exam can only be attempted once. If a candidate does not receive the minimum passing grade, they will be required to register in the full course(s).

Please download the application form HERE and email a filled copy to ccp@creditedu.org