What is a certification program?

Completion of a certification program displays that you have skills, knowledge, and expertise in your profession or industry. They also show you are committed to mastering various tasks and skills in your field.

Here are some examples of certification programs:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) offers this certification, and it is by far the most common certification in the accounting field. Many employers require it, especially for managerial roles.

  A CPA certification demonstrates knowledge and skills in risk management, forensic accounting, taxes, compliance, and other important areas for top accounting positions.

• Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Data Analyst. This certification properly prepares professionals to process and transform information utilizing Hadoop software to do so. Cloudera provides an opportunity for obtaining this certification.

• Project Management Professional (PMP). This certification is provided by the Project Management Institute and proves you have the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to be successful in project management. This is the most popular and recognized certification for a project manager.

• Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP). This is the highest competency-based certificate you can earn from the IIBA. Obtainment exhibits a mastery level of business analysis and qualifies you to lead others in the field.

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP). This certification gives data analysts advanced knowledge and strategies for turning data into insights. Companies seek candidates with this certification when they are looking to hire premier analytics professionals.

• New Product Development (NPD) Certification. This one is offered by the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA).

  This certification is also internationally recognized, and the PDMA is a renowned academic and professional organization. Obtainment of this certification is encouraged at any applicable stage on the product management career path.

• Agile Analysis Certification (AAC). Agile project management framework is gaining popularity in the business world. This certification displays your knowledge of the Agile techniques and how to perform work with those methods.

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). This certification is from the IT professional association (ISACA) and displays abilities and expertise in the assessment of vulnerabilities, reporting on compliance, and the designing and implementing of controls. This is a highly respected certification in the cybersecurity auditing sector.

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP). This certification is for professional financial planners. It proves you are competent in financial planning matters, as well as have integrity and honesty in this field. It is offered by the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) board.

• Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA). This certification shows competence and knowledge in portfolio management, economics, corporate finance, equity evaluation, portfolio management, fixed income analysis, and derivative evaluation and analysis.

  The CIIA certification is offered by the Association of Certified International Investment Analysts (ACIIA).