Top 10 Sales Account Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a sales account manager in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in the role. They provide proof that the individual is knowledgeable about industry best practices and techniques and can apply them to their work. Certifications also indicate that the individual is motivated to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in sales management. This demonstrates to potential employers that they are willing to invest time and effort into their own professional development, which is an attractive quality for any employer. Finally, certifications can help differentiate a sales account manager from other candidates by providing evidence of their expertise and commitment to success.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Sales Account Managers, and to explain how they can help advance a sales account manager's career.

What are Sales Account Manager Certifications?

Sales Account Manager certification is a training program designed to help sales professionals develop the skills and knowledge required to effectively manage customer accounts. This type of certification is useful for salespeople who need to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and best practices, as well as build their knowledge of key sales concepts such as customer relationship management (CRM), negotiation, and account management. Through this type of certification, sales professionals can gain an understanding of how to effectively develop relationships with customers, create value propositions and close deals while also developing strategies for managing customer accounts. By mastering these skills, sales account managers are able to maximize the success of their team’s efforts and ensure their team achieves the desired results. Certification can also open doors to potential job opportunities in the field.

Pro Tip: Before investing in sales account manager certification, research the various certifications available and choose the one that best fits your career goals. Compare courses, costs, and requirements to ensure you are getting the most out of your investment. Additionally, look for certifications that offer continuing education opportunities so you can stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

Related: What does a Sales Account Manager do?

Top 10 Sales Account Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Sales Manager (CPSM)

Certified Professional Sales Manager (CPSM) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). It is designed to recognize sales managers who have achieved a level of excellence in their profession. The CPSM certification is one of the most widely recognized and respected credentials for sales professionals.

To become certified, applicants must complete an application process that includes passing a written exam. The exam consists of six sections: Business Acumen, Customer Focus, Leadership and Management, Professionalism and Ethics, Selling Processes and Strategies, and Talent Development. Each section contains multiple-choice questions that test an individual's knowledge on the subject matter.

The exam typically takes three hours to complete and can be taken at any of NASP's approved testing centers. The cost to take the exam ranges from $395 to $495 depending on whether you are a member or non-member of NASP. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official CPSM certification from NASP.

The certification must be renewed every three years by completing continuing education activities or taking additional exams. Renewal fees range from $150 to $200 depending on whether you are a member or non-member of NASP.

2. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Certified Sales Professional (CSP) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). It is designed to recognize sales professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience in their profession. The CSP certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a commitment to sales excellence and professional development.

The CSP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as sales strategy, customer service, communication, negotiation, and ethics. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. Applicants must also submit proof of at least three years of full-time sales experience or equivalent part-time experience within the past five years.

The cost for the CSP certification varies depending on the type of membership you choose with NASP. There are both individual and group memberships available, ranging from $99-$399 per year.

Once all requirements have been met, applicants will receive their CSP certificate in the mail within four weeks after passing the exam. The certificate is valid for three years before renewal is required.

3. Certified Professional Account Manager (CPAM)

Certified Professional Account Manager (CPAM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Professional Account Managers (ICPAM). The CPAM designation is designed to recognize and promote excellence in the field of account management. It provides an industry-recognized credential for those who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and proficiency in the area of account management.

The CPAM certification requires successful completion of a comprehensive online assessment, which covers topics such as customer service, finance, marketing, sales, and project management. The assessment also includes a written essay on the subject matter. Once the assessment has been completed successfully, applicants must submit an application fee and provide proof of their educational background and work experience.

The entire process typically takes between four to six weeks to complete. Applicants can expect to receive their official certificate within two weeks after submitting all required materials.

The cost for obtaining the CPAM certification varies depending on where you are located and whether or not you choose to take advantage of any discounts or special offers that may be available at the time of registration. Typically, however, the cost ranges from $250 - $500 USD depending on your location and other factors.

4. Certified Sales and Marketing Manager (CSMM)

Certified Sales and Marketing Manager (CSMM) is a professional certification program that provides sales and marketing professionals with the skills, knowledge, and credentials needed to be successful in their field. The program is offered by the American Marketing Association (AMA).

The CSMM program requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in sales or marketing management, as well as a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. The program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as customer relationship management, sales process improvement, strategic planning, and digital marketing. It takes approximately six months to complete the online course.

The exam for the CSMM certification is administered by Prometric testing centers located throughout the United States. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as sales strategy development, customer segmentation, pricing strategies, and market research. Candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the CSMM certification program varies depending on whether you are taking it through AMA or through another provider. Through AMA, it costs $1,495 for members and $1,795 for non-members.

5. Certified Business Development Professional (CBDP)

Certified Business Development Professional (CBDP) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in business development. The CBDP certification is offered by the International Association of Business Development Professionals (IABDP).

The CBDP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in business development through a series of tests, interviews, and case studies. In order to qualify for the CBDP certification, applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in business development or related fields.

It typically takes two to three months to complete the CBDP certification process. During this time, applicants must complete an online application form and submit supporting documents such as resumes, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. Applicants must also pass an online exam that covers topics such as strategic planning, market analysis, sales management, and customer service. After passing the exam, applicants will be required to attend an interview with IABDP representatives.

The cost of the CBDP certification varies depending on the country in which you are located. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1,000 USD for the entire process including application fees and exam fees.

6. Certified Strategic Account Management Professional (CSAMP)

Certified Strategic Account Management Professional (CSAMP) is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills, knowledge, and abilities of professionals in the strategic account management field. It is offered by the Strategic Account Management Association (SAMA), an international professional association dedicated to advancing the practice of strategic account management.

The CSAMP certification is open to all individuals who have at least five years of experience in strategic account management or related fields. To obtain the certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as customer relationship management, sales process improvement, and value-based selling. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost for the CSAMP certification program is $595 for members of SAMA and $795 for non-members. This fee includes access to study materials, a practice exam, and a one-year membership in SAMA. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official certificate within four weeks.

7. Certified Customer Relationship Management Professional (CCRMP)

Certified Customer Relationship Management Professional (CCRMP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Association of Certified Relationship Management Professionals (AACRMP). It is designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate a high level of expertise in customer relationship management. The certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, sales, marketing, and analytics.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CCRMP program. During this time, applicants must complete at least 40 hours of coursework and participate in at least 8 hours of supervised practice. Applicants must also pass an online exam which tests their knowledge and skills in customer relationship management.

To get certified as a CCRMP, applicants must first become members of AACRMP. This can be done by completing an application form and paying the membership fee. Once accepted into the organization, applicants can then register for the CCRMP program and begin their coursework.

The cost of the CCRMP program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500 - $1,000 USD.

8. Certified Solution Selling Professional (CSSP)

Certified Solution Selling Professional (CSSP) is a certification program designed to help sales professionals improve their selling skills and increase their ability to close deals. It is offered by the Sales Performance International (SPI), a global leader in sales training and development.

The CSSP certification program consists of two parts: a self-paced online course and an in-person workshop. The online course covers topics such as customer needs analysis, solution selling techniques, negotiation strategies, and more. The in-person workshop provides hands-on practice with real-world scenarios and role playing exercises.

It typically takes about 12 weeks to complete the entire CSSP certification program, depending on how much time you are able to devote to it each week. To get certified, you must pass both the online course exam and the in-person workshop assessment.

The cost of the CSSP certification program varies depending on your location; however, it typically ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 USD for the entire program.

9. Advanced Sales Negotiation Certification (ASNC)

Advanced Sales Negotiation Certification (ASNC) is a certification program designed to help sales professionals develop their negotiation skills. It is offered by the International Association of Professional Negotiators (IAPN). The certification is designed to provide sales professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully negotiate in today’s competitive market.

The ASNC certification program consists of three courses: Advanced Negotiation Strategies, Advanced Sales Negotiation Techniques, and Advanced Sales Negotiation Tactics. Each course is approximately 10 hours long and can be taken online or in-person. Upon successful completion of all three courses, participants will receive a certificate from IAPN that verifies their successful completion of the ASNC program.

The cost for the ASNC certification program varies depending on where it is taken and how many courses are completed. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $500 - $1,000 USD depending on which courses are taken and if they are taken online or in-person.

In order to get certified as an Advanced Sales Negotiator, you must first complete all three courses within one year of each other. Once all three courses have been successfully completed, you must submit your application along with proof of completion for each course to IAPN for review. Once approved, you will receive your certificate verifying your successful completion of the ASNC program.

10. Advanced Strategic Account Management Certification (ASAMC)

Advanced Strategic Account Management Certification (ASAMC) is a professional certification program designed to help professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to become an effective strategic account manager. The certification is offered by the Association of Strategic Account Managers (ASAM).

The ASAMC certification program consists of two levels, each requiring a minimum of 40 hours of training. The first level focuses on the fundamentals of strategic account management, while the second level covers more advanced topics such as customer relationship management and sales strategy. In order to receive the certification, applicants must pass both levels with a score of at least 70%.

In order to obtain the ASAMC certification, applicants must complete an online application form and pay a fee. The fee for the program is $1,500 USD for both levels combined. Applicants must also provide proof that they have completed all required training courses in order to be eligible for certification.

Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their ASAMC certificate within 4-6 weeks. This certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking additional courses or attending additional seminars related to strategic account management.

Do You Really Need a Sales Account Manager Certificate?

When it comes to the world of sales and account management, having a certificate can be beneficial. A certificate in sales account management can mean the difference between landing a job or not, as employers often look for candidates with specific qualifications and certifications. Having a certificate also demonstrates to potential employers that you have the knowledge and skills required to perform the job.

Having a certification in sales account management can also give you an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs. It shows employers that you are serious about your career and that you have taken the initiative to obtain specialized training in this field. Additionally, it can help differentiate you from other applicants who may not have any formal education or experience in this area.

Finally, having a certification in sales account management can open up more opportunities for career advancement. By demonstrating your expertise in this field, you may be able to move up into higher-level positions or work with more advanced clients. Additionally, having a certification will help keep your skills up-to-date so that you can remain competitive in this ever-changing industry.

In conclusion, obtaining a certification in sales account management is beneficial for anyone looking to pursue a career in this field. It provides proof of your knowledge and expertise and gives employers confidence that you are capable of performing the job duties successfully. Moreover, it can lead to more opportunities for career advancement and ensure that your skills stay current with industry trends.

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FAQs About Sales Account Manager Certifications

1. What certifications are available for Sales Account Managers?

Answer: There are numerous certifications available for sales account managers, including Certified Professional Account Manager (CPAM), Certified Sales Account Manager (CSAM), and Certified Advanced Sales Account Manager (CASAM).

2. How long does it take to complete a certification program?

Answer: The length of time required to complete a certification program depends on the specific certification, but most programs can be completed in 6-12 months.

3. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

Answer: Generally, there are no prerequisites to becoming certified as a sales account manager; however, some certifications may require the completion of additional courses or workshops prior to enrollment.

4. What is the cost of getting certified?

Answer: The cost of getting certified as a sales account manager varies depending on the certification program chosen and any associated fees or materials required for completion.

5. What type of job opportunities are available for certified sales account managers?

Answer: Certified sales account managers can pursue various types of job opportunities, such as working in customer service or business development roles, managing client accounts, or providing consulting services.