Top 10 Business Planning Manager Certifications

Certifications for a business planning manager are important in the job market because they demonstrate that the applicant has a certain level of expertise and experience in the field. Certification shows potential employers that the applicant is knowledgeable and up-to-date on current trends, technologies, and industry best practices. It also proves that the individual has taken time to invest in their own professional development. Additionally, certification may be required by some employers to qualify for certain positions or promotions. Having certifications can give applicants an edge over other candidates when competing for the same job. Ultimately, certifications help to differentiate a candidate from others and provide an assurance of quality to potential employers.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Business Planning Managers and explain how they can benefit a business planning manager's career.

What are Business Planning Manager Certifications?

Business planning manager certification is a professional accreditation that recognizes the skills and expertise of those who manage business planning processes. The certification validates the knowledge of business planning managers in areas such as financial analysis, project management, strategy development, risk management, and organizational change. This certification enables managers to demonstrate their understanding of the principles and practices associated with successful business planning.

By obtaining a business planning manager certification, professionals can gain an understanding of the most effective methods for analyzing data, developing strategies, and managing projects. This can help them to better identify opportunities for growth or improvement within their organization. Furthermore, having a certification can also help individuals stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions as it demonstrates a commitment to professional development in their career field. Overall, this certification helps to ensure that managers have the necessary skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead their teams in achieving organizational objectives.

Pro Tip: Consider seeking out a business planning manager certification from a reputable organization to demonstrate your commitment to the field and to show potential employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills. This can help you stand out in a competitive job market and provide you with an edge when seeking roles in this field.

Related: What does a Business Planning Manager do?

Top 10 Business Planning Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Business Planning Managers today.

1. Certified Business Planning Manager (CBPM)

Certified Business Planning Manager (CBPM) is a professional certification program designed to provide business professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and execute successful business plans. The CBPM certification is awarded by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

The CBPM certification program consists of two parts: a self-study course and an in-person examination. The self-study course covers topics such as strategic planning, financial analysis, marketing, operations, and organizational development. The in-person examination tests the candidate's knowledge of the concepts covered in the self-study course.

The CBPM certification typically takes between six months and one year to complete. Candidates must first complete the self-study course before taking the in-person exam. Once they have passed both components, they will receive their CBPM certification.

The cost of obtaining a CBPM certification varies depending on the provider. Generally, it costs around $1,000-$2,000 for all materials and fees associated with completing the program.

2. Certified Professional in Business Planning and Analysis (CPBPA)

Certified Professional in Business Planning and Analysis (CPBPA) is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Business Planning and Analysis (IBPA). It is designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate an understanding of business planning and analysis techniques, as well as the ability to apply these techniques effectively in their work. The CPBPA credential is intended for individuals who are involved in the development, implementation, and/or management of business plans or analysis projects.

The CPBPA certification requires applicants to pass an online exam that covers topics such as financial analysis, strategic planning, market research, project management, and data analytics. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours. Candidates must also have at least two years of professional experience in business planning or analysis.

The cost for the CPBPA certification exam is $295 USD. After successfully completing the exam, candidates will receive their certificate within four to six weeks. They will also gain access to a variety of resources from IBPA including webinars, newsletters, and discounts on products related to business planning and analysis.

3. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of experienced project managers in their field. The PMP certification demonstrates that the holder has the experience, education, and competency to lead and direct projects successfully.

To become certified as a PMP, you must have a minimum of three years of project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects. You must also have 35 hours of project management education or training.

In order to apply for the PMP exam, you must first create an account on the PMI website. After that, you will need to submit your application along with proof of your project management experience and education. Once your application is approved, you can then register for the exam at any authorized testing center near you.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on whether or not you are a PMI member. For non-members, it costs $555 while members pay only $405. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions which must be completed within four hours.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official PMP certification from PMI which will be valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

4. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in business analysis and demonstrate their commitment to the profession.

The CBAP certification process consists of two parts: an application review and an exam. The application review requires applicants to provide evidence that they meet the minimum requirements for certification, including education, experience, and training. Once approved, applicants must then pass a three-hour exam consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the CBAP certification process from start to finish. During this time, applicants should focus on gaining relevant experience and completing required training courses. Additionally, applicants should also read up on best practices in business analysis and familiarize themselves with IIBA’s Code of Conduct and Ethics.

The cost of obtaining the CBAP certification varies depending on where you live and what type of training you choose to pursue. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere between $1,000-$5,000 USD for all costs associated with getting certified. This includes application fees, exam fees, study materials, and any necessary training courses or workshops.

5. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals develop their skills in the area of process improvement. It is based on the Six Sigma methodology, which focuses on improving processes and eliminating defects in order to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The certification is offered by various organizations, including the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and International Quality Federation (IQF).

The certification program typically takes about six months to complete. During this time, participants will learn the basics of Six Sigma, such as project management, data analysis, process mapping, and problem-solving techniques. They will also gain an understanding of how to apply these concepts to real-world situations. After completing the program, participants should be able to identify areas of improvement within their organization and create solutions that can improve performance.

In order to obtain Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, individuals must pass an exam administered by either ASQ or IQF. The cost of the exam varies depending on the organization administering it but typically ranges from $300-$500 USD. Additionally, some organizations may require applicants to have prior experience in quality control or management before taking the exam.

Once certified, individuals can demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to quality assurance through their certification status. This can help them stand out from other job applicants when applying for positions that require Six Sigma expertise.

6. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification program designed to teach the fundamentals of Scrum, a popular Agile project management framework. The CSM certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance and is one of the most widely recognized certifications in the Agile community.

The CSM certification requires a two-day training course and passing an online assessment. The training course covers topics such as Scrum values, roles, events, artifacts, and scaling Scrum. After completing the course, participants must pass an online assessment to become certified.

The cost of the CSM certification varies depending on who provides the training course. Generally speaking, it will cost between $500 and $2,000 for both the training course and exam fees.

In order to maintain your CSM certification, you must earn at least 15 Continuing Education (CE) credits every two years. This can be done through attending conferences or taking courses related to Scrum or Agile development.

7. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. This certification is designed to help professionals develop their skills and knowledge in the areas of process improvement, problem solving, project management, and data analysis.

The Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification typically takes between four to six months to complete depending on the program chosen. The certification requires individuals to complete a series of courses and exams that cover topics such as process improvement, project management, problem solving, and data analysis. In addition to completing these courses and exams, individuals must also demonstrate mastery of the Lean Six Sigma principles through practical application.

To get this certification, individuals must first complete an approved Lean Six Sigma Black Belt training program. There are many different programs available online or in-person from various organizations such as ASQ (American Society for Quality), IASSC (International Association for Six Sigma Certification), and others. Once an individual completes the required training program they can then take the exam associated with their chosen program. After passing the exam with a minimum score of 80%, they will be awarded their Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.

The cost of obtaining a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification varies depending on the program chosen and whether it is taken online or in-person. Generally speaking, online programs tend to be less expensive than in-person programs due to lower overhead costs associated with delivering content digitally. Online programs typically range from $1,000 - $3,000 while in-person programs can range anywhere from $2,500 - $10,000+.

8. Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA)

Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA) is a certification program offered by the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI). The FMVA program is designed to teach students the fundamentals of financial modeling, valuation, accounting, corporate finance, and financial analysis. The program consists of eight courses covering topics such as Excel modeling, financial statement analysis, mergers & acquisitions, budgeting & forecasting, project finance, and more.

The FMVA certification requires completion of all eight courses within 12 months. Each course can be completed at your own pace and there are no time limits for completing the individual courses. However, you must complete all 8 courses within 12 months to receive your certification.

To get the FMVA certification you need to purchase the CFI Certification Program package which includes all 8 courses and costs $1,299 USD. You will also need to pass a final exam with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive your certification.

Once you have completed all 8 courses and passed the final exam you will receive your official FMVA certificate from CFI along with an accompanying digital badge that can be added to your LinkedIn profile or other social media accounts.

9. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is an internationally recognized professional designation given by the CFA Institute to financial professionals who have met their rigorous standards of education, experience and ethics. The CFA designation is considered a mark of excellence in the investment management and financial analysis fields.

The CFA program consists of three levels of examinations that must be completed over a period of time. Each level requires approximately 300 hours of study and takes about one year to complete. To become a CFA charterholder, candidates must pass all three levels, have four years of qualified work experience in the investment decision-making process, and agree to adhere to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

To get started on the path to becoming a CFA charterholder, candidates must first register with the CFA Institute for each level they plan to take. Registration fees vary based on when you register; however, each exam typically costs around $950 USD per level. Once registered, candidates will receive study materials and access to online resources that can help them prepare for the exams.

In addition to registration fees, there are additional costs associated with becoming a CFA charterholder such as membership dues, continuing education requirements, and other administrative fees. All together these costs can add up to several thousand dollars over the course of several years depending on how quickly you complete each level.

10. Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)

Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) is a professional certification designed to help organizations identify, assess, and manage risk. It is offered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The CRMA certification focuses on the development of risk management processes and procedures, as well as the implementation of internal controls.

The CRMA certification requires candidates to pass an exam that tests their knowledge of risk management principles, processes, and techniques. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. To be eligible for the CRMA exam, candidates must have at least two years of experience in a related field such as accounting or finance.

The cost for the CRMA exam varies depending on where you take it. In the United States, it typically costs around $300-$400 plus any applicable taxes. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or study materials.

Once you’ve passed the exam, you will receive your official CRMA certificate from AICPA. This certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking continuing education courses or retaking the exam every three years.

Do You Really Need a Business Planning Manager Certificate?

When it comes to business planning, having a certification can be beneficial. A certificate in business planning management can help you gain a competitive edge in the job market and demonstrate your knowledge and skills. It can also provide recognition for your hard work and dedication to learning about business planning.

Having a certificate in business planning management is not necessary, but it may be useful if you are looking to advance your career or pursue a specific job opportunity. For example, many employers look for candidates with specialized skills and knowledge when hiring for positions such as project manager or business analyst. Having a certificate in this field can make you stand out among other applicants.

Furthermore, having a certificate shows potential employers that you have taken the time to learn more about the industry and that you are dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest trends. This will make you more attractive as an applicant since employers want people who are knowledgeable in their field and willing to continue learning throughout their careers.

In summary, while having a certificate in business planning management is not essential for every career path, it may be beneficial if you are looking for certain jobs or want to advance your career. A certificate can demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to learning about the industry, making you more attractive as an applicant and giving you an edge over other candidates.

Related: Business Planning Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Business Planning Manager Certifications

Q1. What qualifications do I need to become a Business Planning Manager?

A1. To become a Business Planning Manager, you will typically need a bachelor's degree in business or economics, as well as several years of experience in business planning and analysis. You may also need to obtain certifications specific to the industry you plan to work in.

Q2. How long does it take to get certified as a Business Planning Manager?

A2. The time it takes to get certified as a Business Planning Manager depends on the type of certification you are pursuing and the amount of study and preparation required for the program. Generally, it takes anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to complete all requirements and receive your certification.

Q3. What are some of the benefits of getting certified as a Business Planning Manager?

A3. Becoming certified as a Business Planning Manager can help boost your resume and open up more opportunities for career advancement, such as higher salaries and promotions. It can also help you gain credibility within the industry by demonstrating your knowledge and expertise in business planning and analysis.

Q4. How much does it cost to get certified as a Business Planning Manager?

A4. The cost of becoming certified as a Business Planning Manager varies depending on the type of certification program you choose, but generally ranges from $500-$3000 USD for most programs.

Q5 Is there an exam required for certification as a Business Planning Manager?

A5 Yes, most certifications require that you pass an exam or series of exams in order to receive your certification. You should check with your chosen program for specifics about their exam requirements before enrolling in their program.