International Credit & Risk Management Online Course

About The Course

FCIB’s International Credit & Risk Management online course (ICRM) is a comprehensive, in-depth 13-week course designed to educate entry-level professionals as well as senior-level executives about the intricacies of global credit and risk management.

The course offers vital, up-to-date knowledge in a collaborative, 24 hours/day-accessible learning environment. Peer-to-peer interaction will build, diversify and strengthen a reliable network of professionals while helping you gain an all-encompassing view of credit and risk management.

Drawing from multiple perspectives, the knowledge and hands-on experience provides you a more balanced view of how to better understand, manage and mitigate the credit risks associated with doing business internationally. In simple terms – know the risks of getting paid, and get paid on time. This 13-week course will help you discover some of the best ways to make that happen.

The ICRM course was designed for you, the practitioner, to add value to your professional development, while making you an even more valuable asset to your company.

 

Tuition:

Early Bird Rate:

FCIB Members - *$950
NACM Members: *$995
Non-Members - *$1,990

Within 30 days of course start date:

FCIB Members - $1,050
NACM Members: $1,150
Non-Members - $2,100

  

Winter 2024
January 8 – April 12, 2024
Early Rate Deadline: December 6, 2023

Register Now

 

Spring 2024
May 6 – August 4, 2024
Early Rate Deadline: April 5, 2024

Register Now

 

Fall 2024
September 2 – December 6, 2024
Early Rate Deadline: August 2, 2024

Register Now

 

The 13-week course consists of 10 modules

Module 1: Concept for Successful International Credit Management

  • Credit to Cash Cycle
  • Selling in the Global Market
  • Global Credit Policies and Procedures
  • Organizing the Global Credit Department
  • Establishing Policies

 

Module 2: Establishing New Customers

  • Critical Concerns
  • Credit Approval Process
  • Developing a Credit Application
  • Country, Currency, and Culture Risks
  • Risk Assessment Processes
  • Five Key Dimensions of Risk

 

Module 3: Financial Statement Analysis

  • Components of Financial Statements 
  • How to Use Ratios
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Identifying Problems
  • Cultural Factors

 

Module 4: Risk Mitigation 

  • Options to Mitigate Risk
  • Credit Derivatives
  • FX Policy
  • Factoring and Forfaiting
  • Secured Transactions
  • Understanding Trade Credit Insurance
  • Export Credit Agencies

 

Module 5: Payment Terms and Credit Lines

  • Credit Lines vs. Credit Limits
  • Credit Considerations and Influences
  • Establishing and Monitoring Credit Lines
  • Evaluating Data Sources
  • Setting Exposure Limits

 

Module 6:  Banking and Currency

  • Currency Basics
  • FX Strategies
  • The Risk of Inconvertibility
  • Financing Techniques
  • Forms of Countertrade
  • Credit Management at a Bank

 

Module 7:  Global Payment Mechanisms and Methods

  • Payment Agreements
  • Open Account
  • Documentary Collections
  • Cash-in-Advance
  • Payment Processes
  • Methods of Financing Trade Shipments

 

Module 8:  Letters of Credit, Guarantees, and Bonds

  • Principal Financing Techniques
  • Factoring and Forfaiting
  • Preventing Countertrade Risks
  • Export Credit Agencies

 

Module 9:  Metrics and Benchmarking

  • Benchmarking and Performance Measures 
  • Calculation Methods for DSO
  • Receivables Reporting Methods
  • Distribution and Performance Measures for Credit Team
  • Collections Forecasting
  • Variances

 

Module 10: Compliance and Legal

  • International Trade and Laws
  • Credit Department Legal Concerns
  • Territorialism
  • Arbitration and Litigation
  • Choosing a Legal Professional
  • Export Controls and Compliance
  • Corporate Governance

 

Why Take the ICRM Course?

  • Gain a powerful network of fellow credit professionals to exchange ideas, knowledge and processes.
  • Interact and collaborate with peers through regular communication with other students and an instructor.
  • Earn the industry’s most recognized and prestigious lifetime designation – Certified International Credit Professional (CICP).* 
  • Become a part of the A-Team by growing your skills and expanding your knowledgebase. 
  • Enjoy better employment and advancement opportunities.
  • Gain the knowledge that gives you a competitive advantage over other credit professionals who don't have your depth of training. 

    * Certification shows your employer and you clients your commitment to them and your profession. Upon achieving the CICP designation, the Education Department of the National Association of Credit Management may award five NACM Career Roadmap points for those pursuing a CBF or CCE designation. CCE designation holders may be awarded two education points toward their recertification.

 

Who Benefits from This Course?

Credit Manager * Accounts Receivable Specialist * Assistant Credit Manager * Assistant Vice President * Business Development Manager * Chief Financial Officer, Controller, Corporate Credit Manager * Corporate Risk Manager * Director of Credit * Director Credit and Accounts Receivable * Senior Manager Credit and Collections * Global Sales Manager * North American Credit Manager * Senior Credit Analyst * Director of Global Credit

 

How Can I Get My Course Tuition Paid?

Sample Funding Request Letter

Need help getting funding to attend the International Credit & Risk Management Online Course? The key to having your employer pay for your education is to convince them of the benefits to the company that result from your new skills.

There are a variety of direct benefits of employer-funded education that you should point out to your HR/boss manager if they are not already aware of them. These include increased loyalty, reduced employee turnover, increased productivity levels, and the opportunity to show leadership skills.  Use the Sample Letter.

Scholarship assistance is available for FCIB’s ICRM Course, as well as select NACM, CFDD and affiliated association programs. Greater consideration is given to first-time applicants, unemployed applicants, those without corporate financial support for education and applicants with less than 10 years of experience in credit. View scholarship details.

Instructor

Val Venable, CCE, CICP

CCE logo  ICCE logo
Val Venable, in profile

Val Venable was the Director of Credit for Ascend Performance Materials in Houston, Texas, a global supplier of Chemicals, Nylon and Plastics serving the automotive, consumer and industrial, chemicals, electrical, carpet and industrial fibers markets. Previously she was the Customer Financial Services Leader and Credit Manager for SABIC Innovative Plastics, formerly GE Plastics. With over 40 years’ experience in Domestic and International Ms. Venable has managed portfolios in over 60 countries and managed teams in Asia, Europe and North and South America. Her industry experience includes aerospace, steel and metals, marine, chemicals and plastics.

Val is a Certified Expert Witness for defending creditors in Bankruptcy Section 547 Preference Actions, and testified before the American Bankruptcy Institute committee for bankruptcy reform. She has also participated in many cross-border insolvency cases in Europe.

Ms. Venable served on the National Board of Directors of NACM for eight years, serving as Chairman of the Board for 2001-2002. Additionally, she has served on and chaired many of the National Committees, including Budget and Finance, Honors and Awards, Government Affairs, Education and Accreditation. A frequent speaker for both FCIB and NACM, Ms. Venable has presented sessions on various aspects of domestic and international credit issues. She has led education sessions at the NACM Credit Congress, various NACM local affiliates and regional conferences, the Metals and Steel, and the Food Services Industry Day Groups and has addressed various CFDD Affiliates.

Ms. Venable received the national CCE Designation of Excellence Award in 2006. A 1994 graduate of NACM Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management, Val received the Distinguished Student Award. Ms. Venable considers it a great honor to be the recipient of the 2013 Alice M.H. McGregor Award of Exceptional Achievement.

Alumni

Over 3,000 credit professionals have earned the prestigious CICP designation since its inception, proudly displaying their CICP credential in signature lines and on business cards. The visibility and recognition of the CICP designation grows in popularity as holders talk about their positive experiences, share and impart knowledge gained through the course. View the list of current CICP holders.

The Course History

Recognizing that there were no stand-alone academic courses that addressed the basic elements of conducting global credit operations, FCIB led the way in designing a course to address this educational need.

In 2004, in partnership with Michigan State University and the US Department of Commerce, FCIB developed, designed and launched the first course of its kind – the International Credit & Risk Management online course (ICRM).

Course Testimonials

"The ICRM course is a validation of the work performed by Credit departments. It is a great resource in getting to know and understand credit science. Individuals that are performing credit functions will find that the material adds to their knowledge, and those not performing credit functions will get an in-depth look into the methodology of the Credit department." - Credit Manager, Carlisle Interconnect Technologies

"CICP Course by FCIB is very helpful for individuals seeking in-depth knowledge in international credit, collections & Risk Management which is required for career growth." - Credit & Collections Specialist, National Oilwell Varco LP

"This was the credit designation (CICP) I didn't know I needed. So much content packaged perfectly in the ICRM course. I feel so much more knowledgeable about international credit now and I am able to be an asset to current & future employers by possessing information & tools that others may not." - Territory Credit Manager, Excel Industries, Inc.

"A 'must' course for a finance professional looking to gain International credit knowledge. Not only was the course content engaging and informative, the flexible course structure allowed students the opportunity to complete the materials within their own schedule limitations. Discussion questions and quizzes helped ensure the study material was understood, and the instructor was always eager to help." - Associate Manager, Credit & Collections, Parexel International LLC

“Having employees who are professionally certified has increasingly become a symbol of quality that can provide companies with a competitive advantage. Give your company a competitive advantage and sign up for the International Credit & Risk Management course.” - FoodOne, Division of Seafax, Inc.

“The CICP program offered by FCIB exceeded my expectation. It is very engaging and challenging. If you are interested in or currently managing international credit, the CICP program is an indispensable and invaluable program to add to your arsenal”. - BASF East Asia Regional Headquarters Ltd

Withdrawal Policy

ICRM students who withdraw before the end of week four are eligible for 50% of their tuition fee to be applied only to the next course session.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Registration fees, less a $50 processing fee, will be refunded for written cancellations received 21 days before the course start date. No refunds for cancellations within 21 days of the course start date. Substitutions are permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our frequently asked questions for answers to questions including login instructions, participation hours, course materials and CICP exam information.

Accreditation Points

Upon achieving the CICP designation, the Education Department of the National Association of Credit Management may award five NACM Career Roadmap points for those pursuing a CBF or CCE designation. CCE designation holders may be awarded two Education Points towards their recertification. For NACM certification questions, please contact NACM Education Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.