Top 11 Business Unit Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for business unit managers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers look for when hiring. Certifications provide evidence that a candidate has the necessary skills and qualifications to perform the job. They also give employers confidence that the individual is knowledgeable about their industry and can manage tasks efficiently and effectively. In addition, certifications can help boost an individual’s reputation in their field, making them more attractive to potential employers. Finally, certifications can help demonstrate commitment to career development, which may encourage employers to invest in training and other professional development opportunities.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Business Unit Managers and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Business Unit Manager Certifications?

Business Unit Manager Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's ability to lead, manage and grow a business unit. This certification is designed to validate the skills and knowledge required by successful business unit managers in order to effectively manage the resources of their business unit, while also developing strategies for future growth.

The certification program covers topics such as strategic planning, financial management, operations management, organizational development and change management. Through this program, individuals can develop the necessary skills to lead their team towards success. It also helps them gain a better understanding of the principles behind successful business management and how they can be applied in their own organization.

By obtaining Business Unit Manager Certification, professionals are able to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in managing a business unit. This certification provides employers with assurance that these individuals have the expertise needed to successfully handle the responsibilities associated with managing this type of business. Additionally, it provides individuals with recognition for their achievements and can serve as an important component of career advancement.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of online business unit manager certification courses to gain a comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities associated with this role. This will help you become more knowledgeable and better prepared to take on the tasks required of a business unit manager. Additionally, the certification may also provide you with access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities that can further your career.

Related: What does a Business Unit Manager do?

Top 11 Business Unit Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Business Unit Manager (CBUM)

Certified Business Unit Manager (CBUM) is a certification program designed to provide business professionals with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to manage a business unit. The CBUM certification is offered by the International Association of Business Managers (IABM).

The CBUM certification consists of three levels: Certified Business Unit Manager (CBUM), Certified Senior Business Unit Manager (CSBUM) and Certified Executive Business Unit Manager (CEBUM). Each level requires the completion of an online exam, as well as a minimum of two years' experience in business management.

The CBUM exam covers topics such as strategic planning, operations management, financial management, human resources management and customer service. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours. Candidates must score at least 70% on the exam in order to pass.

The cost for taking the CBUM exam is $250 USD. Additionally, there is an annual fee of $50 USD for maintaining your certification status.

In order to become certified, you must meet certain requirements such as having a bachelor’s degree or higher in business or related field from an accredited institution; have at least two years of experience in business management; and complete the required coursework and exams. It typically takes between six months to one year to complete all requirements for the CBUM certification.

2. Certified Professional Manager (CPM)

Certified Professional Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program offered by the International Management Institute (IMI). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of experienced managers. The CPM certification program is based on a comprehensive body of management knowledge and best practices.

It typically takes approximately three months to complete the CPM certification process. During this time, candidates must complete an online application, pass an exam, and submit their application for review. Once approved, candidates will receive their CPM designation.

To get certified as a CPM, you must meet certain prerequisites such as having at least five years of experience in management or leadership roles. You must also have completed at least two years of post-secondary education or have equivalent work experience. Additionally, you must demonstrate mastery of the core competencies outlined by IMI’s Certified Professional Manager Body of Knowledge.

The cost for the CPM certification program varies depending on your country of residence and other factors; however, it typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 USD. This fee covers the cost of the online application process, exam fees, and review fees.

3. 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 individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in the field of business analysis.

The CBAP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed within four hours. The exam covers six areas: Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring, Elicitation & Collaboration, Requirements Life Cycle Management, Strategy Analysis, Solution Evaluation, and Underlying Competencies.

To become certified as a CBAP, applicants must meet certain prerequisites. These include having at least seven years of business analysis experience and at least 900 hours of project experience in four out of the six knowledge areas covered on the exam. Additionally, applicants must provide two references from a current or former employer that can attest to their business analysis experience.

The cost for taking the CBAP exam varies depending on the country in which it is taken. In the United States, it costs $325 USD to take the exam. This fee includes access to an online study guide and practice questions.

4. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification for project managers. It is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP certification demonstrates that the holder has the knowledge and skills to successfully manage projects of any size or complexity.

To get the PMP certification, you must have at least three years of professional project management experience and 35 hours of project management education. You must also pass an exam that covers topics such as initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing a project.

The exam takes four hours to complete and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $400-$600 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded the PMP certification which is valid for three years. To maintain your certification, you must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. PDUs can be earned through attending conferences, taking online courses or participating in other activities related to project management.

5. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification for individuals who have demonstrated a thorough understanding of the Scrum framework and its principles. It is designed to provide an understanding of Scrum roles, events, artifacts and techniques. The certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance and is recognized worldwide as a sign of mastery in the field of Agile software development.

To become a Certified Scrum Master, one must attend an official two-day course taught by a Certified Scrum Trainer (CST). The course covers topics such as the history of Scrum, roles and responsibilities within the team, sprints and releases, product backlogs, estimation techniques, and more. After completing the course successfully, participants must pass an online exam to receive their CSM certification.

The cost of becoming a Certified Scrum Master varies depending on the training provider. On average, courses are priced between $1,000 - $2,000 USD per person.

6. Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a certain level of expertise in the field of Six Sigma. The certification is awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates a mastery of the principles, tools and techniques used in Six Sigma.

The Black Belt Certification requires a minimum of three years of experience in process improvement and at least one year of experience leading or managing projects. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by ASQ. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as project management, problem solving, data analysis, design of experiments, and statistical process control.

The certification process typically takes between three to six months to complete. During this time, applicants will need to complete an application form, submit supporting documents such as resumes and transcripts, and take the certification exam.

The cost for the Six Sigma Black Belt Certification varies depending on the country where you are taking it from but typically ranges from $400-$1,500 USD.

7. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a certain level of knowledge and skill in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. This certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to identify and solve problems, as well as improve processes and operations.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification typically takes about three months to complete, depending on the provider. It includes training courses, exams, and projects that must be completed in order to receive the certification. The courses cover topics such as process improvement, problem-solving techniques, data analysis, project management, and more.

To get your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification, you’ll need to take a training course from a certified provider. You can find providers online or through your local area. Once you’ve completed the coursework and passed the exam, you’ll become certified.

The cost of getting your Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification will vary depending on the provider and the type of course you choose. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 USD for the entire program.

8. Certified Business Process Professional (CBPP)

Certified Business Process Professional (CBPP) is a certification program that recognizes professionals who demonstrate expertise in business process management. This certification is offered by the Association of Business Process Management Professionals (ABPMP).

The CBPP program consists of three levels: Certified Business Process Associate (CBPA), Certified Business Process Professional (CBPP), and Certified Business Process Master (CBPM). Each level requires the successful completion of a written exam and an oral presentation.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CBPP program, depending on the individual's experience and commitment to studying for the exams. To get certified, applicants must first pass the written exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once they have passed the written exam, they must then submit a portfolio demonstrating their knowledge and skills in business process management. Finally, they must make an oral presentation before a panel of ABPMP-certified professionals.

The cost of obtaining the CBPP certification varies depending on which level you are pursuing. The cost for each level includes registration fees, course materials, and examination fees. The cost for the Associate level is approximately $450; for Professional it is around $750; and for Master it is around $1,000.

9. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification program that provides an understanding of IT service management best practices. It is based on the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), which is a set of detailed practices for IT service management. The ITIL Foundation Certificate is designed to provide an understanding of the key elements, concepts and terminology used in the ITIL service lifecycle, including how operations and processes are linked to achieve service excellence.

The ITIL Foundation Certificate takes approximately two days to complete. It can be taken either as a classroom-based course or as an online self-study course. The cost of the certification depends on the provider, but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

To receive the ITIL Foundation Certificate, candidates must pass an exam consisting of 40 multiple choice questions. The exam must be completed within 60 minutes and requires a minimum score of 65% to pass.

10. Certified Financial Manager (CFM)

Certified Financial Manager (CFM) is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Certified Financial Managers (ICFM). The CFM designation is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in financial management.

The CFM program requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as financial planning, risk management, investment analysis, and corporate finance. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of experience in financial management or related fields.

The exam is administered twice a year and can be taken either online or in-person. It typically takes about four hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam varies depending on the location but generally ranges from $300-$500 USD.

Once an applicant passes the exam, they will receive their CFM certificate and will be recognized as a Certified Financial Manager by ICFM. They will also gain access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities through ICFM’s membership program.

11. Strategic Planning and Execution Certification

Strategic Planning and Execution Certification (SPEX) is a professional certification program designed to help professionals develop the skills needed to plan, implement, and evaluate strategic plans. The program focuses on the development of key skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making, and communication. It also covers topics such as organizational structure and culture, resource allocation, risk management, financial analysis, and project management.

The SPEX certification is offered by the American Management Association (AMA). To qualify for the certification program, applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience in strategic planning or related fields. The program consists of four courses that are completed online over a period of six months.

The cost of the SPEX certification program is $2,995 USD which includes all course materials and access to AMA's online learning platform. Upon successful completion of all four courses within six months, participants will receive their SPEX certification from AMA.

Do You Really Need a Business Unit Manager Certificate?

No, you do not need a business unit manager certificate to become a successful business unit manager. Although having a certificate can give you an edge over other applicants and provide you with additional knowledge and skills, many successful business unit managers have achieved their success without one.

In order to be successful as a business unit manager, you must be able to develop and implement strategies that benefit the company, create effective plans for reaching goals, motivate your team members and demonstrate strong leadership skills. These are all qualities that can be learned through experience in the field or through on-the-job training. It is also important to have good communication skills in order to effectively manage employees and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal.

Moreover, for those who wish to pursue further education in the field of business management, there are numerous options available such as MBA degrees or specialized certificates from universities or other institutions. A certificate in business management can provide additional knowledge and skills which may help you become more successful in your role as a business unit manager. However, this is not necessary for everyone; it depends on your individual goals and interests.

Ultimately, whether or not you choose to pursue a business unit manager certificate is up to you; however, it is important to remember that having one does not guarantee success in any position. The most important factor when it comes to becoming an effective business unit manager is possessing the right combination of experience, skill set and personal qualities.

Related: Business Unit Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Business Unit Manager Certifications

Q1: What is a Business Unit Manager Certification?

A1: A Business Unit Manager Certification is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's proficiency in managing and leading a business unit. It demonstrates an understanding of the organizational, operational, financial, and legal aspects of running a business unit.

Q2: What are the requirements for obtaining a Business Unit Manager Certification?

A2: Requirements for obtaining a Business Unit Manager Certification vary depending on the issuing body, but typically include completing coursework in areas such as management theory, organizational behavior, operations management, finance, and legal issues. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate knowledge of current trends and best practices in the field.

Q3: How long does it take to obtain a Business Unit Manager Certification?

A3: The length of time it takes to obtain a Business Unit Manager Certification depends on the issuing body and any prerequisites required for certification. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed within six months to one year.

Q4: What are some of the benefits of having a Business Unit Manager Certification?

A4: Having a Business Unit Manager Certification can give individuals an advantage when applying for jobs or promotions within their organization or when seeking new employment opportunities outside their current company. Additionally, having this certification may also lead to higher salaries and more responsibility within the organization.

Q5: Are there any online resources available to help study for a Business Unit Manager Certification?

A5: Yes! There are many online resources available that can help prepare individuals for their business unit manager certification exam. These resources include practice exams, study guides, tutorials and webinars from various organizations offering certifications in this area.