Business Credit Principles, an intensive certificate session course, is being presented at the 2012 Credit Congress. This course is separate from the Credit Congress educational break-out sessions. The course is held in five sessions, from Saturday morning through Wednesday evening of the conference. Participants are required to attend all sessions of the course and take a final exam on the last day of the session. Successful completion of Business Credit Principles course satisfies an NACM Credit Business Associate (CBA) course requirement. A supplemental fee and purchase of the course textbook are required in addition to registering as a Full Delegate of the conference.

An additional fee and the purchase of course textbook is required in addition to the Full Delegate Registration fee. Visit our Bookstore online and learn about the course text.

Certificate Session Course Details

This is an intensive course, which offers a comprehensive look at the credit function. It is intended for those preparing for the Credit Business Associate (CBA) exam. Topics include Credit in the Business World, Credit in the Company, Organizing the Credit Department, Credit Policy and Procedures, Legal Environment of Credit, Terms and Conditions of Sales, Negotiable Instruments, Legal Forms of Business, Uniform Commercial Code, Credit Investigations, Know Your Customer, International Trade, Financing and Insurance, Business Credit Fraud, Making Credit Decisions, Customer Visits, the Credit and Sales Partnership, Out-of-Court Settlements and Bankruptcy Code Proceedings.

A comprehensive course for Credit Analysts and Potential CBA Applicants

About the Program

This intensive program offers a comprehensive look at the credit function. Upon successful completion, you should understand the role of credit in financial management, the components of effective credit department systems and procedures, specific government regulations that pertain to business credit, credit and policy procedures, selling terms, negotiable instruments, the Uniform Commercial Code, credit investigations, financing and insurance, business credit fraud, factors associated with credit limits, out-of-court settlements, and bankruptcy.

Program Instructor

James A. McIntyre, CCE is President of McIntyre Enterprises, LTD., a firm specializing in financial education, training programs and credit consulting. Mr. McIntyre formally taught Fundamentals of Credit and Advanced Credit Analysis at North Hennepin Community College and is a member of NHCC Business School Accreditation and Advisory Committee. In addition, Mr. McIntyre currently teaches the NACM Credit Administration Program for Forius, formerly known as NACM North Central. He served as Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Credit Management from May 1996 through May 1997. Mr. McIntyre was awarded the Alice M. McGregor Award of Exceptional Achievement from NACM at the 1999 Credit Congress, and was the 2000 NACM and Robert Half/Accountemps Co-Instructor of the Year.

Program Overview

This program satisfies a requirement for the Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation. Using the textbook, Principles of Business Credit, Field Version 5, published by NACM, participants will receive in depth exposure to:

Credit in the Business World
Credit in the Company
Organizing the Credit Department
The Legal Environment of Credit
Credit Policy and Procedures
Terms and Conditions of Sale
Negotiable Instruments
The Legal Forms of Business
The Uniform Commercial Code
Credit Investigations
Know Your Customer
International Trade
Financing and Business Insurance
Business Credit Fraud
Making Credit Decisions
Customer Visits
The Credit and Sales Partnership
Out of Court Settlements
Bankruptcy Code Proceedings
Financial Statements
Financial Analysis Fundamentals
Analysis and Forecasting of Credit and Receivable Information

Program Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course though a basic knowledge of accounting principles is helpful.

Program Schedule

Day One - Saturday - 8:30am - 5:00pm

8:30am - Noon
I. Financial Overview

Credit in the Business World

• Discussion of the role of commercial credit in
• today's society for the financing of goods and
• services.
• Discussion of the role of the Federal Reserve in
• expansion and contraction of the flow of funds.
• Legal aspects of the Consumer Protection Act and
• its effect on Consumer and Commercial Credit.
• Anti-Trust legislation.

Noon - 1:00pm
Lunch on your own

1:00 - 5:00pm

Credit Policy

• Defining credit policy in relationship to company
  goals and objectives.
  
• Discussion of factors affecting credit policy.
  
• Establishment of company credit policy and procedures.
  
• Implementation of credit policy throughout the company.

Understanding Negotiable Instruments

• Elements of negotiable instruments.
  
• Understanding use of notes and drafts.
  
• Legal implications of a negotiable instrument.

Day Two - Sunday - 8:30am - 4:00pm

8:30am - Noon

II. The Credit Decision-Development

Decision Procedures

• What is a marginal account?
  
• Factors affecting the development of terms of sale.
  
• Understanding the three areas of terms.
  
• Uniform Commercial Code and its effect on terms of sale.
  
• Benefits of proper terms of sale on company.
  
• Use of guarantees and letters of credit.
  
• What is a bank line of credit, factoring, ordinary accounts
  receivable financing?

Noon - 1:00pm
Lunch on your own

1:00 - 2:15pm

Legal Forms of Business

• Thorough study of legal forms of business structures-benefits and disadvantages of each.
  
• How should the credit grantor react to each form of business
  entity when establishing credit availability amounts?

2:15 - 4:00pm

Comprehensive Review and Exam
This review and exam will cover the material presented in class on Tuesday and Wednesday.

4:00 - 6:00pm
Opening Reception - Expo Hall

Day Three - Monday - 1:00 - 5:00pm

8:30 - 10:45am
Opening General Session

10:45am - 1:00pm
Expo Hall/Lunch

1:00 - 5:00pm

III. The Credit Decision - Investigation

• Understanding 5 Cs of credit.
  
• Rethinking the credit application.
  
• Direct credit investigation.
  
• Indirect credit investigation.

IV. The Credit Decision - Financial Statements: Understanding

Fundamentals of Financial Analysis

• Auditor's opinion statements.
  
• What is a balance sheet?
  
• What is an income statement?
  
• What is a statement of cash flows?
  
• Understanding financial ratios.
  
• Case Analysis-Utilizing all of the credit decision tools.
  
• Establishing the credit availability amount.
  

5:00 - 6:30pm
Beer & Browse Reception - Expo Hall

Day Four - Tuesday - 8:30am - 5:00pm
8:30am - Noon
IV. The Credit Decision - Financial Statements: Understanding Fundamentals of Financial Analysis - continued

Noon - 1:00pm
Expo Hall/Lunch

1:00 - 5:00pm

V. Collection Procedures

Defining Collections

• Reviewing on-going accounts.
  
• What is collection procedure? When does it begin?
  
• Collection policy
  
• Use of invoice and statements in the collection process.
  
• How to deal with an overdue account at various stages
  of delinquency.
  
• Dealing with out-of-court settlements.
  
• Is it a bad debt?

Bankruptcy Code Proceeding

• What is a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
  
• What is a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy?
  
• What is a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
  
• How do we react to each?

Management Reports

• What reports are key and important?
  
• Who reads the reports?
  
• Understanding and interpreting reports to management.
  
• Are they necessary?

Day Five - Wednesday - 8:30am - 5:00pm

8:30am - 5:00pm
Comprehensive Review and Final Exam

6:00 - 10:00pm - Closing Night Party

In order to give you sufficient time to take the final exam, we strongly recommend that your return flight be scheduled to depart after 5:00pm on the final day of the program (if you plan to depart on Wednesday) or the following morning.

Schedule and times are subject to change