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The recognised standard in credit management44 May 2014 www. icm.org.uk 45 www. icm.org.uk May 2014The recognised standard in credit management
Virtual successicM LEARNiNG AND DEVELOPMENT
ian Goodwin, winner of the 2014 icM Sir Roger cork Prize, talks about virtual learning and how it has helped him to progress further in his credit career.What made you go into credit management?In all honestly I didn’t plan to go into credit management, it just found me! I knew that I wanted to work in finance in some capacity but had no idea as to which path I should take. So after doing some general finance admin work, I secured a job with an SME factoring firm in its risk and credit department and haven’t looked back. I now work for a leading accountancy practice in the City and enjoy working in this fast paced environment.
How many years have you worked in credit?I have just clocked up a decade and am starting to feel like a bit of an old hand at this. In all seriousness, in the relatively short period that I have worked in the industry, I have seen a fairly substantial change in perceptions, of the profession and opportunities are becoming more diverse than ever before. This is increasingly evident in London where I am happy to see a positive impact on the salaries on offer!
Why did you join the ICM?I was looking for a change in 2011 to move from working in the SME environment to a global firm that could offer greater opportunities for development. The issue I had was that most jobs advertised had phrases such as ‘must be ICM qualified’ or ‘studying with the ICM’ attached to them. A flurry of failed applications and a brief bit of research into the ICM made me realise I needed to get involved and I joined as an affiliate in 2011. A recruiter that had initially declined to put me through for an interview got back in touch shortly afterwards. I was interviewed and shortlisted along with two other ICM learners. The fact they subsequently offered me the position was in no small part due to my ICM credentials, although my future boss’s obsession with all things cricket might have played a supporting role!
How easy was it to get started in the virtual class?I was a little apprehensive about going back into the world of education as my university days seemed a lifetime ago! Speaking with the learning team allayed any concerns and they gave me a lot of support in choosing the right path.
How did studying in the virtual class work alongside your job?I was clear from the start that I didn’t want a physical classroom environment again as my work/travel commitments meant I would not be able to attend every class. The idea of a virtual class was the option that was going to work for me while still allowing me to give 100 percent to my firm.
What was the whole experience of the virtual classes like?At first I thought I had bitten off more than I could chew when I decided to tackle two modules at a time as it was an alien environment to me. But the quality of the tutors was such that I swiftly got on top of things and even started to enjoy it. Who would guess that you could enjoy studying so much? Jules, Mary, Teresa, and Brenda were absolutely great and gave much more than just the fortnightly class, they were on hand by telephone or email for assistance and feedback when required.
Did you find the class interactive?Very. Like most things in life you only get out what you put in. There was ample opportunity to get involved, ask questions and take part in the online tasks. But you don’t have to. Everyone is different and study in different ways, so taking a back seat would not mean that you are at a disadvantage. There were times when I needed to just listen rather than take an active part, and it allowed me to learn from my fellow students as well as the tutors.
How much time did you need to spend on home study a week?It all depended on my work commitments. It didn’t help that my firm went through a merger right in the middle of my studies, so there were some weeks where I could only give class time. Yet other times, I was able to spend a couple of evenings a week plus a day at the weekend with my nose in books. This is one of the key benefits for studying this way. It allowed a certain amount of flexibility, whatever your work/life commitments.
Has the qualification helped you in your job?Absolutely. Working for global partnerships can be daunting. The old sales v credit department relationship can be an especially tough nut to crack when you are dealing directly with partners and owners of businesses, and it’s not easy telling
them what they need to be doing with their own money! Passing the qualifications has not only given me the self-confidence to be certain in my advice to them, but, it has also created a level of mutual trust and respect, which is key to promoting the interests of the credit department. The qualification also helped me step up from being credit controller to a manager of teams, which would have been much more arduous and daunting had I not studied ICM qualifications.
ICM Virtual Summer School brings the class to your PC
Join the virtual summer school and complete a unit for the October assessments. The Virtual Classroom offered by the ICM Credit Academy gives the opportunity to study over the web for the Level 3 Diploma in Credit Management examined units and Level 5 Diploma in Credit Management units. Classes are led by an experienced tutor. The class is interactive with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and test knowledge. You hear the presenter through the telephone and see interactive PowerPoint slides on your PC.
Duration of the classes vary in length depending on the unit, see table below. In addition learners will need to spend approx 5-6 hours a week on home study.
The cost is £395 – £450 per unit plus the cost of the study text, text books and assessment fee. Calls from UK landlines are included in this fee, calls from mobiles and overseas may incur additional charges.
Level 3 Diploma in Credit Management
Level 5 Diploma in Credit Management
Accounting Principles classes are not offered in June but will be offered in September 2014.
*Fees include 90 minutes email/telephone support to complete the assignment.
**Course leads to written exam in January 2015.
To find out more or to register for the above courses contact the ICM
T. 01780 722909 E. [email protected]
Unit Day Start date Time Duration Cost
Credit Management(trade, export and consumer)
Business Environment
Business Law
Wednesday
Thursday
Monday
25 June 2014
19 June 2014
16 June 2014
7.00pm-8.30pm
7.00pm-8.30pm
7.00pm-9.00pm
10x1½ hour
10x1½ hour
10x2 hour
£395
£395
£450
Unit Day Start date Time Duration Cost
Credit Risk
Legal Proceedings & Insolvency
Wednesday
Thursday
25 June 2014
**14 August 2014
7.00pm-9.00pm
6.30pm-8.00pm
6x2 hour
13x1½ hour
*£435
£450
CMCREDIT MANAGEMENT
