IAPP’s CAPP program for certified accounts payable professionals recognizes those in supervisory or managerial positions, as well as those in support or consulting roles, business analysts, technology specialists, and others who do not necessarily have staff reporting to them and therefore may not be considered a supervisor or manager. Professionals tend to have five or more years experience in the accounts payable field.
The certified accounts payable associates – or CAPA – program is for AP specialists who do not meet the management or professional experience requirement for CAPP, but would like to be recognized for their skills and achievements in the accounts payable profession. Associates include individuals performing day-to-day accounts payable functions, without supervisory responsibilities and with less than five years experience.
The CAPP and CAPA exams have been developed using nationally recognized standards for certification assessment and evaluation. These standards ensure the following:
- Exam content reflects the actual practice necessary for successful performance in an AP environment.
- Examinees are tested fairly and solely on their AP skills and knowledge; therefore, no reference materials may be used during the exams.
- The exams are administered and proctored in a confidential and secure environment.
Because of these standards, the CAPP and CAPA exams are the most reliable and verifiable means by which to measure the competency skills of AP professionals and associates.
Further, the IAPP certification programs are focused on identifying only those with the highest level of AP knowledge, regardless of job setting. So, employers can be assured that a CAPP or CAPA certificant has mastered the skills required to be successful in any AP environment. Hundreds of organizations across the country recognize this fact, including Baylor Healthcare Systems, Defense Accounting and Finance Service, Genentech, General Motors, Microsoft, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Quest Diagnostics, T-Mobile, Wal-Mart Stores and Yale University, as evidenced by the number of their employees who now hold the CAPP or CAPA designation.
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