Top 11 Advertising Account Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for an advertising account manager in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully manage accounts. They also show potential employers that the individual is committed to their profession and is up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. Additionally, certifications can provide a competitive edge when competing for jobs, as employers may view them as a sign of experience and dedication. Finally, certifications can help an account manager stand out from other applicants by providing evidence of specialized knowledge or skills.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Advertising Account Managers and explains how these certifications can help to advance an advertising account manager's career.

What are Advertising Account Manager Certifications?

Advertising Account Manager Certification is a professional credential that recognizes an individual’s knowledge and experience in managing advertising accounts. This certification is designed to demonstrate to employers that the holder has the necessary skills to successfully manage an advertising account, including understanding of various media channels, developing effective strategies, budgeting and negotiating.

This certification can be beneficial for individuals who want to pursue a career in advertising account management. It provides employers with assurance that the applicant has the necessary skills and qualifications required for the job. It also gives applicants an edge over other job seekers since it shows that they are knowledgeable about the industry and can handle complex tasks related to managing an advertising account. Additionally, this certification helps demonstrate a commitment to professional development and growth through continuing education opportunities related to the field of advertising account management.

Pro Tip: Take the time to research and understand the different types of account manager certifications available. Knowing which certifications are best suited to your individual goals and objectives will help you choose the right certification program for your career path.

Related: What does an Advertising Account Manager do?

Top 11 Advertising Account Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Advertising Account Managers today.

1. Certified Advertising Account Manager (CAAM)

Certified Advertising Account Manager (CAAM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to manage online advertising accounts. This certification is offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB).

The CAAM program consists of two parts: an online self-study course and an in-person exam. The self-study course covers topics such as digital media planning, campaign management, optimization strategies, analytics, and more. The exam is administered at IAB-approved test centers and tests your knowledge of the material covered in the self-study course.

It typically takes about 8 weeks to complete the CAAM program from start to finish. To get started, you will need to register for the self-study course on the IAB website. The cost of registration varies depending on whether you are a member of IAB or not; non-members pay $499 while members pay $399. After completing the self-study course, you will be able to register for and take the in-person exam at an approved test center. The cost of taking the exam is $299 for both members and non-members.

Once you have successfully completed both parts of the program, you will receive your official CAAM certification from IAB indicating that you have met their standards for excellence in managing online advertising accounts.

2. Certified Digital Advertising Account Manager (CDAM)

Certified Digital Advertising Account Manager (CDAM) is a professional certification designed to help digital advertising professionals and account managers demonstrate their expertise in the field. The certification is offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), an international nonprofit trade association that develops standards, conducts research, and provides legal support for the digital media and marketing industries.

To become certified as a CDAM, applicants must first complete an online course developed by IAB. This course covers topics such as understanding digital ad formats, targeting strategies, analytics, optimization techniques, and more. After completing the course, applicants must then pass an exam to demonstrate their knowledge of digital advertising fundamentals. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as campaign management, analytics & optimization, targeting & segmentation, and more.

The entire process typically takes about 8 weeks from start to finish. To get started with the program, applicants must first register on IAB’s website and pay a fee of $295 USD. Upon successful completion of the course and passing the exam, applicants will receive their CDAM certification from IAB.

3. Certified Media Planning and Buying Professional (CMPBP)

Certified Media Planning and Buying Professional (CMPBP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As). It is designed to provide professionals in the media planning and buying industry with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful in their field. The CMPBP program covers topics such as media research, strategy development, budgeting, negotiation, placement, and evaluation.

The CMPBP certification requires completion of a two-day course and passing an exam. The course can be taken online or in person at one of the 4As’ accredited training centers. The cost for the course is $1,400 plus applicable taxes. After completing the course and passing the exam, candidates receive their CMPBP certification which is valid for three years.

To maintain their certification status, professionals must complete continuing education credits every three years. These credits can be earned through attending relevant courses or conferences or by participating in webinars or other educational activities related to media planning and buying.

Overall, obtaining a Certified Media Planning and Buying Professional (CMPBP) certification provides professionals with an advantage in their field by demonstrating their commitment to excellence in media planning and buying.

4. Certified Advertising Professional (CAP)

Certified Advertising Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). The CAP certification is designed to recognize and honor advertising professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in their field. It is the only nationally recognized professional certification for advertising professionals.

The CAP program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as marketing, media planning, creative development, digital strategy, analytics, and more. The exam tests your knowledge of the material covered in the course.

The CAP program takes approximately one year to complete. To get started, you must first register with the AAF and pay a fee of $395. This fee covers both the online course and the exam. Once registered, you will be able to access the online course materials at any time. You will also receive study guides to help you prepare for the exam.

Once you have completed all of the requirements for the CAP program, you will be eligible to take the final exam. Upon successful completion of this exam, you will become a Certified Advertising Professional (CAP). You will also receive a certificate from AAF recognizing your achievement.

5. Certified Social Media Account Manager (CSMAM)

Certified Social Media Account Manager (CSMAM) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in managing social media accounts. It is designed to help those who manage social media accounts for businesses, organizations, and other entities to gain the skills and knowledge they need to effectively manage these accounts.

The CSMAM certification program consists of four modules: Introduction to Social Media, Content Creation & Management, Engagement & Analytics, and Strategy & Planning. The program takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete.

To get the CSMAM certification, you must first register with the organization offering the program and pay the associated fee. Once registered, you will be given access to the course materials, which include videos, quizzes, and assessments. After completing all four modules and passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your CSMAM certification.

The cost of the CSMAM certification varies depending on where you register for it. Generally speaking though, it costs around $200 USD for individuals who wish to become certified in this field.

6. Google Ads Certification

Google Ads Certification is a professional accreditation program offered by Google that allows individuals to demonstrate their expertise in Google Ads. The certification covers best practices for creating, managing, measuring, and optimizing Google Ads campaigns across the Search, Display, Video, Shopping, and App advertising platforms.

The certification process consists of two exams: Fundamentals and one of the advanced advertising platforms (Search, Display, Video, Shopping or Apps). Each exam contains multiple-choice questions about topics such as campaign setup and management, targeting options, ad formats and bidding strategies.

It typically takes around 2-3 hours to complete both exams. To get certified you must pass both exams with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost of the Google Ads Certification is free. You will need to have a valid Google account in order to take the exams.

7. Facebook Blueprint Certification

Facebook Blueprint Certification is a professional certification program that validates your expertise in using Facebook products and services to grow your business. It is designed to help you become an expert in leveraging the power of Facebook’s advertising, marketing, and analytics tools.

The certification consists of two levels: Core and Advanced. The Core level covers topics such as creating effective campaigns, optimizing for results, understanding the Facebook Ads Manager, and more. The Advanced level focuses on advanced topics such as audience targeting, creative optimization, measurement strategies, and more.

It typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete the Core level certification exam and about 20-25 hours to complete the Advanced level certification exam. You can take the exams online at any time from anywhere in the world.

The cost for each exam varies depending on where you live and whether you are taking it through an accredited training provider or directly through Facebook Blueprint. Generally speaking, it costs around $150-$200 per exam.

8. Bing Ads Accredited Professional

Bing Ads Accredited Professional is a certification program offered by Microsoft to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in Bing Ads. It is designed to help professionals stand out from the competition and demonstrate their knowledge of the Bing Ads platform.

The certification consists of two parts: a written exam and an online assessment. The written exam covers topics such as campaign setup, targeting, optimization, reporting, and troubleshooting. The online assessment consists of multiple-choice questions about Bing Ads’ features and functionality.

The certification process takes about three weeks to complete. To get certified, you must first register for the program on the Microsoft Partner Network website and pay a fee of $99 USD. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to take the written exam and online assessment. Once you have successfully completed both exams, you will be awarded your Bing Ads Accredited Professional status.

The cost of becoming a Bing Ads Accredited Professional is $99 USD. This fee covers both the written exam and online assessment required for certification.

9. Twitter Flight School Certification

Twitter Flight School Certification is an online certification program that provides marketing professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively use Twitter Ads to reach their goals. It is designed to provide marketers with a comprehensive overview of Twitter Ads, including how to set up campaigns, optimize performance, measure success, and more.

The program consists of four self-paced courses that take approximately 10 hours to complete. The courses cover topics such as setting up campaigns, targeting audiences, optimizing performance, and measuring success.

In order to get the certification, you must complete all four courses and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher.

There is no cost associated with taking the courses or getting certified.

10. YouTube Creator Academy Certification

YouTube Creator Academy Certification is an online certification program designed to help YouTube creators learn the skills and strategies needed to build a successful channel. It is a self-paced learning program that takes approximately 8 hours to complete.

The program is divided into four modules: Introduction, Content Creation, Audience Growth, and Monetization. Each module includes lessons, quizzes, and activities that will help you understand how to create content that engages viewers, grow your audience, and monetize your channel.

To get the certification, you must complete all four modules of the course and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. The entire course is free of charge. You can access it on YouTube's Creator Academy website.

11. LinkedIn Marketing Solutions Partner Program

The LinkedIn Marketing Solutions Partner Program is a program designed to help businesses grow and succeed by leveraging the power of LinkedIn’s marketing solutions. The program provides access to exclusive resources, training, and support from LinkedIn experts.

How long does it take to get it?

The application process for the program typically takes 4-6 weeks. Once accepted, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the partner portal.

How to get it?

To apply for the program, you must first fill out an online application form. This form requires basic information about your business and marketing goals. After submitting the form, a representative from LinkedIn will contact you for additional information and review your application.

How much does it cost?

The cost of joining the partner program depends on your business needs and goals. Generally speaking, there are no upfront costs associated with joining the program; however, some partners may be asked to pay a fee for access to certain resources or services.

Do You Really Need a Advertising Account Manager Certificate?

An advertising account manager certificate can be a great asset to those looking to enter the field of advertising. For those already in the field, it can be a way to demonstrate expertise and further their career. Whether or not you need an advertising account manager certificate will depend on your goals and current level of knowledge.

If you are just starting out in the field of advertising, having an advertising account manager certificate can be beneficial for two reasons. First, it is a sign that you have taken the time to learn about the industry and understand its basics. This shows potential employers that you are serious about pursuing a career in this field. Second, many companies prefer to hire people with an official certification because it demonstrates a certain level of commitment and dedication to the profession.

For those already established in the field, having an advertising account manager certificate may also be beneficial. It is proof that you are knowledgeable enough about the industry to manage accounts effectively and efficiently. Having such a certification may give employers more confidence when entrusting you with managing important accounts. It could also open up new opportunities for advancement within your current company or at other organizations as well.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an advertising account manager certificate depends on your individual situation and goals. If you are just starting out in this field, having such certification could help set yourself apart from other job seekers and demonstrate your commitment to learning about the industry. For those already working in this field, it could give employers more confidence in your abilities and potentially open up new opportunities for advancement within the organization or elsewhere.

Related: Advertising Account Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Advertising Account Manager Certifications

Q1: What is an Advertising Account Manager Certification?

A1: An Advertising Account Manager Certification is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage advertising accounts. The certification covers topics such as marketing, budgeting, customer service, and more.

Q2: How do I become certified as an Advertising Account Manager?

A2: To become certified as an Advertising Account Manager, you must complete a recognized certification program. These programs typically involve completing coursework, passing exams, and meeting other requirements.

Q3: What are the benefits of becoming an Advertising Account Manager?

A3: Becoming an Advertising Account Manager offers numerous benefits such as increased job security, higher salaries, and better opportunities for career advancement. Additionally, having a certification can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions.

Q4: How long does it take to complete an Advertising Account Manager Certification?

A4: It depends on the program you choose and your individual learning style. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed in 3-6 months if you dedicate yourself to studying regularly.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in an Advertising Account Manager Certification Program?

A5: Most programs require some form of prior knowledge or experience in marketing or business management before enrolling. However, some programs may not have any prerequisites at all so it’s important to check with each program individually before enrolling.