How To Pass The Credit Management Course In South Africa

Transcription

1 Do You Want to Become a Specialist in Credit Management? Realise your potential and achieve your career goals in the credit business environment by enrolling for the Institute of Credit Management (ICM) Certificate in Credit Management today! is an accredited training provider of the ICM to host its Certificate in Credit Management and Advanced Certificate in Credit Management. More about the ICM: The ICM has been established in 1953 and is known as the Centre of Expertise for all matters concerning the field of credit management in South Africa. The Institute represents professionals from a variety of credit disciplines amongst which include trade credit, consumer credit, banking credit, credit information, credit insurance as well as credit collections and debt administration. In support of the Institute s aim to raise the professional standards in the field of credit management, the ICM lead the way in the provision of formal education and training in credit management. The ICM has developed curricula for those wanting to become professional within the credit environment. The ICM is further the only examining body for credit management in South Africa and as such do not offer the curricula face to face or via any other study mode to prospective learners. The delivery of the training and the preparation of the learners for the ICM s National Credit Management exams are conducted by private colleges and institutions such as. Learning Objective: The aim of the Certificate in Credit Management is to enable a learner to become a specialist in the field of Credit Control and Credit Management where the total field of operation of credit is studied. The emphasis of the certificate course is on the practical application of the theoretical knowledge that is imparted to a learner. Target Audience: The ICM Certificate in Credit Management is aimed at individuals wishing to enter into a credit / business environment and to assist its members who are already actively engaged in credit control and credit management. Entry Requirements: Credit Management 1: Applicants must be in possession of at least a grade IX Certificate PLUS 3 years working experience in Credit Control OR be 23 years of age. Learners can apply for exemption of Part One of the ICM Certificate in Credit Management, provided the following is submitted: ICM Exemption Application Form (Page 5 of the ICM Application Form) Additional qualifications Experience in the field of credit, verified by employers. Learners requiring exemption must apply before the programme begins. Credit Management 2: Applicants must be in possession of Part One of the ICM s Certificate in Credit Management, OR exemption from part one by the Board of the ICM. Note: the Board of the ICM may require an applicant to write the Board exemption examination.

2 Credit Management 3: Applicants must be in possession of Part Two of the ICM s Certificate in Credit Management. No exemption will be granted under any circumstances. Credit Management 4: Applicants must be in possession of the ICM s Certificate in Credit Management (Credit Management 1, 2 & 3) to enroll for the Advanced Certificate in Credit Management. Acreditation: The Certificate in Credit Management and Advanced Certificate in Credit Management is endorsed by the ICM. The ICM is currently engaged in negotiations, which will result in the ICM Certificate in Credit Management being accredited by the necessary Government bodies. Delivery Mode: There are two delivery options: 1. Learners can choose to complete the programmes through distance learning allowing working learners the opportunity to complete each module at his/her own time and pace. Each distance learner will have access to a well-adapted learner support system to deal with queries and aspes related to the programme. OR 2. Learners can choose to complete the programmes through a combination of a classroom-based training session and distance learning in which case a minimum of 8 learners apply per session. The training session per module will be 3 days each and will be scheduled at least a month prior to the actual exam dates. Dates and times will be confirmed with learners. Learners will be expected to work through the materials and exercises prior to attending the classroom-based training sessions which will focus on preparing learners for their examinations. Qualification Structure / Content: The ICM Certificate in Credit Management Part One, Part Two and Part Three and the ICM Advanced Certificate in Credit Management Part Four are bestowed upon learners who have been prepared by ICM Accredited Colleges and have successfully passed the National ICM examination. The syllabus of the qualification is as follows: Credit Management 1: This part of the syllabus is aimed at introducing the learner to the field of credit management. It aims to familiarise the learner with terms and definitions used within the credit environment, different types of credit as well as the sources and role of credit in the economy. The learner is further presented with an overview as to the structure and functions of the internal credit environment and provides an introduction to the Basic Law of Contracts. This part is concluded with equipping the learner with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to supervise a credit environment. Aspects covered in this module include the following: Definition of Credit Forms of Credit - Definitions, sectors affected and the role of the Economy Sources and role of Credit Internal Credit Environment Introduction to the Basic Law of Contract Supervisory Skills On successfully completing Part 1 of the Course, and obtaining a minimum of 50% in the examinations set and moderated by the ICM, learners will be provided with a document stating that they have successfully completed Part ONE of the THREE Part Certificated Course in Credit Management.

3 Credit Management 2: The second part of the Certificate in Credit Management, introduces learners to the economic and legal environment of credit management. The learner is provided with a closer look to the structure of the credit department including specific policies, procedures and internal controls relating to the provision of credit, debt rescheduling as well as instituting legal action on delinquent accounts. Closer attention is also given to the different forms of credit including export and international credit, consumer and banking credit and the role of micro lenders in the South Africa credit arena. The syllabus concludes with an overview of internal and external audits of the credit department. Aspects covered in this module include the following: Economical & legislative factors of Credit Management & their impact on customer ability to pay. Sources of finance available to Companies requiring working capital / growth funding Credit Policy Structure of a Credit Management Department Understanding Budgets, Targets & Provisions Advance Assessment Skills & Decision making Securing an Account Administrative Controls Supervising the Department Debt re-scheduling Legal Action on Delinquent debtors Export and International Credit Consumer Credit Introduction to Banking Credit The role of Micro Lenders in South Africa Introduction to Liquidations / Insolvency Internal & External Audit & their requirements On successfully completing Part 2 of the Course, and obtaining a minimum of 50% in the examinations set and moderated by the ICM, learners will be provided with a document stating that they have successfully completed Part ONE of the THREE Part Certificated Course in Credit Management. Credit Management 3: The final part of the Certificate in Credit Management focuses on specific skills and knowledge required to operate and effectively manage a credit department. These include the application of efficient management skills and strategies, understanding and process insolvencies and liquidations and understanding the various laws and legislation that govern the various aspects of a credit business. Learners are also equipped with the knowledge and skills to manage the financial aspects of the business. Aspects covered in this module include the following: Management Skills Insolvencies & Liquidations Laws and Legislation Financial Management Handling case studies. After successfully completing Part 3 of the Course, learners will be awarded the Institute of Credit Management s Certificate in Credit Management. Credit Management 4 (The Advanced Certificate in Credit Management): This part of the syllabus is aimed at equipping the learner with the knowledge, skills and abilities to manage the credit employee s performance and development whilst conforming to required legislation and company policies and procedures. Aspects covered in this module include the following: Human Resource Management Credit Management Statistics Business Law Introduction to Business Economics Learners will be required to achieve an overall mark of 50% in order to obtain ICM Advanced Certificate in Credit Management.

4 Duration: The Certificate in Credit Management is completed over a period of 18 months where each part of the Certificate is completed in a semester. The Advanced Certificate in Credit Management is completed over a period of two years i.e. a semester for each part of the syllabus as set out in the prevous section. Exam Dates: Examinations for the ICM Certificate in Credit Management will be written during June and November of each year (see dates below) and the pass mark for the exam is 50 %. No class mark or assignments will are considered and as such the exam mark as moderated by the ICM will be the final mark. The examination dates for 2012 are as follows: 2 June 2012 (09h00 12h00) 3 November 2012 (09h00 12h00) Venues will be advised by the ICM. It is further the responsibility of the learner to ensure that the subjects being written at any one of the examinations can be accommodated in terms of their schedule and employment commitments and that examination dates of subjects written do not clash. No special examination dates will be considered. Membership with the ICM: It is a prerequisite that each learner registering for the ICM Certificate in Credit Management has to apply to the Institute for membership. Registration and membership fees therefore apply. Registration and membership fees is included in the study cost for the Certificate and will therefore by paid over to the ICM by. Membership Categories: Affiliate: Any person who wishes to receive the ICM correspondence. that is moderated by the ICM. Learners also have complete access to the members section of the ICM website, where they will find useful tools such as previous exam papers, career opportunities and much more. Learner membership is usually arranged via the learning institution. Member: Any learner of the ICM who has passed the ICM examination in Credit Management Part Two or any person with Grade 12 (Matric) plus three years completed study in any field of Business Sciences or any person who has been employed full time in the field of Credit Management for three years is eligible to become a fully-fledged member of the ICM. As a member learners will enjoy the designation MICM (Member of the Institute of Credit Management) and have full voting rights at all applicable functions. A member can also be elected to join Regional Committees, and even stand to be elected as a Director of the ICM. Members get free copies of the Voice of Credit every quarter, and have access to the members only section of the ICM website. Members are also automatically invited to all the ICM s events and awards in the member s region, receive electronic newsletters and have access to career opportunities in Credit. Learners who have successfully passed the ICM Certificate in Credit Management Part Two are automatically upgraded to MEMBERS of the ICM and will receive a Membership Certificate on receipt of the full membership fee. The ICM Membership Certificate will be given to the learner from the ICM National Office. Associates: Successful Credit Management Part 3 learners qualify for ASSOCIATE Membership, and are notified by the ICM National Office. They may contact the National Office should they be interested to upgrade. Learner: A learner is defined as any person studying any course in Credit Management

5 Costs and Payment: Cape Town (Minimum 8 Pax): Module/Part Credit Management 1 (Certificate in Credit Management) Credit Management 2 (Certificate in Credit Management) Credit Management 3 (Certificate in Credit Management) Credit Management 4 (Advanced Certificate in Credit Management) Other Areas (Minimum 8 pax): Module/Part Credit Management 1 (Certificate in Credit Management) Credit Management 2 (Certificate in Credit Management) Credit Management 3 (Certificate in Credit Management) Credit Management 4 (Advanced Certificate in Credit Management) Class Room Based & Distance Learning: R 6, Ex. VAT R 7, Incl. VAT R 6, Ex. VAT R 7, Incl. VAT R 6, Ex. VAT R 7, Incl. VAT R 6, Ex. VAT R 7, Incl. VAT Class Room Based & Distance Learning: R 6, Ex. VAT R 7, Incl. VAT R 6, Ex. VAT R 7, Incl. VAT R 6, Ex. VAT R 7, Incl. VAT R 6, Ex. VAT R 7, Incl. VAT Distance Learning Only: Distance Learning Only: Please Note: All fees must be paid in full prior to receiving the learning material for the programme. Modular fees are subject to change without prior notice by.