Top 11 National Account Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a national account manager in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual is qualified and knowledgeable in their field. Certifications show employers that an individual has gone through rigorous training, has kept up with current trends, and has achieved a certain level of expertise. They also provide proof of skill sets that can be used to benefit the company. In addition, certifications may also provide access to new opportunities or discounts on products and services that can help national account managers increase their productivity and profitability.

The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for National Account Managers and explain how they can help accelerate a national account manager's career.

What are National Account Manager Certifications?

National Account Manager certification is a program designed to help sales professionals gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to effectively manage national accounts. The program focuses on developing the skills needed to work with large corporate customers, understand their needs and develop successful sales strategies. It also covers topics such as customer relationship management, account planning and forecasting, negotiating contracts, pricing strategies, and product positioning.

The certification helps individuals stand out in the competitive job market by providing them with an industry-recognized credential that shows employers they have the necessary qualifications for success. Additionally, it can provide a comprehensive overview of the latest trends and best practices in national account management. This knowledge can be used to create effective strategies that increase revenue and customer satisfaction while reducing costs and improving efficiencies. Finally, the certification provides access to an exclusive network of other professionals who can provide support and advice when needed.

Pro Tip: If you are considering becoming a National Account Manager, make sure to research the certifications and qualifications required for the job. Many employers require specific certifications or credentials in order to be eligible for the position, so it’s important to understand what is expected of you before applying.

Related: What does a National Account Manager do?

Top 11 National Account Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified National Account Manager (CNAM)

Certified National Account Manager (CNAM) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage customer relationships on a national level. The CNAM program is designed for professionals who have experience in sales, marketing, customer service, and account management. It is offered by the American Association of Professional Account Managers (AAPAM).

The CNAM program consists of three courses: Professional Selling Skills, Strategic Account Management, and Advanced Negotiation Strategies. Each course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the principles and practices of successful account management. The entire program takes approximately six months to complete.

To qualify for the CNAM certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in sales or account management, as well as a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. Additionally, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as customer relationship management, strategic selling techniques, and negotiation strategies.

The cost of the CNAM program varies depending on the number of courses taken and whether or not you are already an AAPAM member. Generally speaking, it costs between $1,500 - $2,000 to become certified.

2. Certified Professional National Account Manager (CPNAM)

Certified Professional National Account Manager (CPNAM) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of excellence in managing national accounts. This certification is offered by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM).

The CPNAM certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the areas of sales, marketing, customer service, finance, and operations. The program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical assessment. The online exam covers topics such as customer relationship management, account management strategies, and sales techniques. The practical assessment includes a series of case studies that require applicants to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CPNAM certification program. Applicants must first register with ICPM and submit an application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts or letters of recommendation. Once accepted into the program, applicants must complete the online exam and practical assessment within six months.

The cost for the CPNAM certification varies depending on the applicant’s country of residence. In the United States, it typically costs around $1,000 USD for all materials and exams required for certification.

3. Certified Strategic National Account Manager (CSNAM)

Certified Strategic National Account Manager (CSNAM) is a certification program that provides professionals with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage and grow their national accounts. The program focuses on developing core competencies in sales, marketing, customer service, and relationship management.

It takes approximately six months to complete the CSNAM certification program. To become certified, individuals must first complete an online application and submit it for review by the Certified Strategic National Account Managers Association (CSNAMA). Once accepted, applicants must attend a two-day workshop followed by four weeks of self-study. At the end of this period, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam to receive their certification.

The cost of the CSNAM certification program varies depending on the individual’s location and other factors. Generally speaking, however, it can range from $1,000 to $2,500 USD.

4. Certified International National Account Manager (CINAM)

Certified International National Account Manager (CINAM) is a professional certification program designed for individuals who manage national accounts, such as those in the retail, hospitality and service industries. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of successful account management. It includes topics such as customer segmentation, marketing strategy, sales process, pricing strategies, and more.

The CINAM certification is offered by the National Association of Professional Account Managers (NAPAM). It requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in managing national accounts. The program consists of an online course that takes approximately eight hours to complete. Upon completion of the course, applicants must pass a final exam to receive their certification.

The cost for the CINAM certification is $395 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. This fee covers the cost of the course materials and access to NAPAM’s online platform where you can take the final exam.

Once certified, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in managing national accounts and use your CINAM designation on business cards, resumes and other documents.

5. Certified Digital National Account Manager (CDNAM)

Certified Digital National Account Manager (CDNAM) is a certification program that provides training and education for professionals who want to become digital account managers. It is designed to help them develop the skills necessary to successfully manage digital accounts, including customer service, marketing, sales, and analytics.

The CDNAM program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course provides an introduction to digital account management and covers topics such as customer service, marketing, sales, and analytics. The in-person exam tests the knowledge acquired from the online course.

It takes approximately six months to complete the CDNAM program. During this time, participants must complete the online course and pass the in-person exam with a score of at least 70%.

To get certified as a CDNAM, you must first register for the program through their website. Once registered, you will be given access to the online course materials and instructions on how to take the in-person exam.

The cost of obtaining the CDNAM certification varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000-$2,000 USD to obtain this certification.

6. Certified Channel National Account Manager (CCNAM)

A Certified Channel National Account Manager (CCNAM) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in managing national accounts. This certification is designed to provide sales and marketing professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully manage large corporate accounts.

The CCNAM program takes approximately 4-6 months to complete, depending on the individual's experience and background. The program consists of four courses, each focusing on different aspects of managing national accounts. These courses include: Understanding National Accounts, Developing Customer Relationships, Negotiating Contracts, and Managing Performance Measurement. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals will receive their CCNAM certification.

To become certified as a CCNAM, individuals must meet certain requirements including having at least two years of experience in sales or marketing management; completing all four required courses; passing an exam; and submitting an application for certification. The cost for the entire program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges between $2,000 - $3,000 USD.

7. Certified Retail National Account Manager (CRNAM)

Certified Retail National Account Manager (CRNAM) is a professional certification program designed to provide retail professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage national accounts. The CRNAM certification program is offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The CRNAM program consists of three courses: Introduction to National Accounts, Advanced National Accounts Management, and Professional Development. It takes approximately 18 months to complete all three courses. The cost for the entire program is $2,000 for NRF members and $3,000 for non-members.

To get certified as a CRNAM, individuals must first meet the eligibility requirements which include having at least two years of experience in retail sales or management and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Once these requirements are met, individuals can apply for admission into the program by submitting an application form along with transcripts and other required documents. After being accepted into the program, individuals must successfully complete all three courses within 18 months in order to become certified as a CRNAM.

Upon successful completion of all three courses, individuals will receive their official certificate from the NRF and will be eligible to use the CRNAM designation on their resume and business cards.

8. Certified Wholesale National Account Manager (CWNAM)

Certified Wholesale National Account Manager (CWNAM) is a professional certification program designed to provide wholesale account managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage national accounts. The certification is offered by the National Association of Wholesalers-Distributors (NAW-D).

The CWNAM program consists of three courses covering topics such as customer service, sales management, and financial management. Each course is completed online and takes approximately 10 hours to complete. After completing all three courses, participants must pass an exam in order to earn their certification.

The cost of the CWNAM program varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $795, while the deluxe package costs $1,195. Both packages include access to all three courses as well as the exam and one year of membership in NAW-D.

Overall, the Certified Wholesale National Account Manager (CWNAM) certification is a great way for wholesale account managers to gain valuable knowledge and skills that will help them succeed in their careers. It’s also an affordable way to become certified without having to attend classes or seminars in person.

9. Certified Business Development Professional for National Accounts (CBDPNA)

A Certified Business Development Professional for National Accounts (CBDPNA) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in business development and sales strategies for national accounts. This certification is offered by the American Association of Professional Sales (AAPS).

The CBDPNA certification requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in business development, sales, or marketing for national accounts. They must also demonstrate knowledge of the principles and practices of business development, sales strategies, and customer service.

The CBDPNA certification program consists of an online self-study module that covers topics such as customer segmentation, market analysis, and sales process management. Upon successful completion of the online module, applicants must pass an exam administered by AAPS. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and case studies related to the topics covered in the online module.

It typically takes about three months to complete the CBDPNA certification program. The cost for the program varies depending on whether you choose to take the self-study module or attend an instructor-led course. The self-study module costs $1,200 while attending an instructor-led course costs $2,000.

10. Advanced Certification in Negotiating and Managing Complex Multi-Party Deals for National Accounts (ACNMCDNA)

Advanced Certification in Negotiating and Managing Complex Multi-Party Deals for National Accounts (ACNMCDNA) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively negotiate and manage complex multi-party deals for national accounts. The program is offered by the International Association of Professional Negotiators (IAPN).

The ACNMCDNA program consists of three modules: Negotiation Strategies, Deal Structuring, and Risk Management. Each module is designed to help participants develop their negotiation skills, understand the complexities of multi-party deals, and learn how to effectively manage risk in these types of transactions. Participants will also gain an understanding of the legal aspects of negotiating contracts.

The ACNMCDNA program typically takes approximately two months to complete. Participants must attend two days of in-person instruction at the IAPN headquarters in Washington DC, followed by online coursework that can be completed at their own pace.

In order to receive the ACNMCDNA certification, participants must pass a final exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam covers topics such as negotiation strategies, deal structuring, risk management, contract law, and more.

The cost of the ACNMCDNA program varies depending on whether you are an individual or an organization enrolling multiple people. For individuals, the cost is $2,500 USD plus applicable taxes; for organizations enrolling multiple people, the cost is $4,500 USD plus applicable taxes per person enrolled.

11. Advanced Certification in Relationship Management for Global Accounts and Key Customers (ACRMGAKC).

Advanced Certification in Relationship Management for Global Accounts and Key Customers (ACRMGAKC) is an advanced certification program designed to help professionals develop the skills needed to manage relationships with global accounts and key customers. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship management process, from customer segmentation and targeting to customer retention strategies. It also covers topics such as customer loyalty, cross-selling, up-selling, and customer service.

The ACRMGAKC certification typically takes about six months to complete. This includes completing online courses, attending workshops, and taking exams. To get certified, you must have at least three years of experience in sales or relationship management. You will also need to pass an exam that covers topics such as customer segmentation and targeting, customer loyalty strategies, cross-selling and up-selling techniques, and customer service best practices.

The cost of the ACRMGAKC certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $2,000-$4,000 USD. This cost includes the course materials, exam fees, and any additional costs associated with attending workshops or seminars.

Do You Really Need a National Account Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. If you are already working in the field of national accounts management and want to further your knowledge and career, then having a National Account Manager Certificate could be beneficial. This certificate is designed to give you the necessary tools and skills to manage national accounts in an efficient manner. It can also give you greater credibility in the industry since it shows that you have the expertise and qualifications needed for success.

However, if you are just starting out in this field, then having a National Account Manager Certificate might not be necessary. Depending on the type of business you are involved with, there may be other courses or certifications that will provide more relevant information and skills. You should consider what type of national account manager role you wish to pursue before deciding whether or not to pursue this certification.

In conclusion, it really depends on your current situation and goals as to whether or not a National Account Manager Certificate is necessary for success.

Related: National Account Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About National Account Manager Certifications

1. What is a National Account Manager Certification?

Answer: A National Account Manager Certification is a credential that recognizes individuals who have acquired the necessary knowledge and experience to manage national accounts. The certification validates an individual’s expertise in managing complex customer relationships, understanding customer needs, developing strategies to drive sales and profits, and maximizing account value.

2. How do I become certified as a National Account Manager?

Answer: To become certified as a National Account Manager, you must complete an approved training program or course that covers topics such as marketing, sales, customer service, finance and accounting, and business operations. You may also need to pass an exam or demonstrate your proficiency by completing a project or portfolio of work.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a certified National Account Manager?

Answer: Becoming certified as a National Account Manager enables you to demonstrate your expertise in managing national accounts, which can lead to higher salaries, better job opportunities and increased credibility within the industry. It can also help you stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices for managing customers at scale.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a National Account Manager?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified as a National Account Manager will depend on the type of program or course you choose to pursue. Generally speaking, most programs take between three months to one year to complete depending on the level of commitment you are willing to make.

5. Is there an exam required for certification?

Answer: Yes, many programs require applicants to pass an exam in order to receive their certification. This exam typically tests an individual’s knowledge of key concepts related to managing national accounts such as customer relationship management (CRM), marketing strategies for large accounts, financial analysis and reporting techniques, etc.