Back Office Professionals: Why You Should Get Certified

While your front office might get the glory, you and other back-office professionals down in the “engine room” are the people who actually keep the ship running. 

Because all professionals at Cannon come from the industry, we know from experience how critical your work is for the smooth operation of the firm. We also know from news reports over the years that errors and omissions in the back office can take a firm down.

Your work is critically important and needs to be right the first time—all the time. Making sure you and your organization are at the top of your game has to be priority one.  While there are various ways to make that happen,  pursuing a certification may be the answer to several questions.

Stand out from the Crowd

Executive managers are discussing who to promote to a new position in your area of specialty. You are one of the candidates being considered. What key piece of information do the managers need about you?

They need to know that you know what you are doing. Other aspects are important, but consideration for promotion or being hired begins with your ability to prove you know your area and know it well. What’s the best way to prove your knowledge and abilities? A certification from a reputable firm like Cannon. Our certification will jump you to the head of the line.

Confirm Your Knowledge and Commitment

While these new designations from Cannon testify to your broad knowledge of a critical function in a financial services firm, they also demonstrate to executive management your commitment to your career and your competence to apply your knowledge to everyday situations.     

Stay Current With Changes

Whether you are a corporate trust professional, retirement plan professional, or trust operations professional, you know your field is growing more complicated, not less. You knew there are more regulations, not fewer. Staying up to date on the constant changes is critical. Because of the continuing education requirements of our certifications, you will stay current on all key changes in your field.

Enhance Your Credibility

Your certification will assure both your internal and external clients that you have the knowledge required to carry out the myriad of complex tasks in your field. Because financial markets worldwide are interconnected more than ever, your counterparties in other financial firms will be assured they are dealing with someone who knows the business.

Ease the Heavy Responsibility of Being Compliant

Operating in compliance with laws, regulations and the expectation of ethical behavior is a requirement demanded by the marketplace, regulatory authorities, and your firm. Certifications establish standards that you agree to uphold when bearing their designation.  This evidences your commitment to operate at the highest standards to your employer, regulators, and those you serve, creating confidence you not only know how to meet compliant requirements but you will act with integrity.

Reduce Errors and Omissions

You and your colleagues are responsible for reducing errors and omissions or at least keeping them within the loss reserve established by executive management. You have seen mistakes or perhaps made mistakes which have cost your firm money. A certification will ensure you have the knowledge to avoid making mistakes.     

These are just a few of the countless reasons being certified is important. However, we have left out one of the biggest and arguably most underrated benefits.  You become part of a growing network of thriving, like-minded professionals; a community of practice-driven to make a difference in the lives of those counting on them.

View our certifications: https://www.cannonfinancial.com/whatwedo/designations

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Contributing Writer: Subject Matter Expert Charles McCain