December 16, 2011: Columbia, MD—The results of a recent Mergis Group Women in Finance survey illustrated that both men and women believe the field of accounting and finance is in need of more mentors. According to the survey, less than a third of participants reported ever having a mentor or role model to support their careers. In addition, over two-thirds believe role models are critical to their success.

The Credit and Financial Development Division (CFDD) of the National Association of Credit Management (NACM) agrees that mentors are critically important to developing a successful career in finance. CFDD's membership is comprised of industry leaders with life-long expertise, offering budding finance professionals, especially in the area of credit, the guidance and support that only a mentor can provide.

“Financial professionals looking for a mentor should come to CFDD. It’s that simple,” said Gwendolyn Stroops, CCE, long-time CFDD member and recipient of NACM’s 2011 Mentor of the Year Award. “Membership is an investment in yourself, and provides a limitless number of pathways for you to reach your educational and career goals. Speaking from experience, I’ve had mentors over the years that I met through my CFDD chapter, and all of them were dedicated to seeing that I succeeded.”

“These individuals inspired me to grow in my role as a financial manager. Without all of my CFDD mentors, who have cared enough about my future and my well-being to share their knowledge and wisdom, I would not be the person I am today,” she added.

Not only is CFDD presently a rich source of mentorship and professional development, its educational offerings and focus on networking help to create the next generation of financial mentors, ensuring that the field has a deep well of experts ready and willing to share their knowledge for years to come.

“A core part of CFDD’s mission is to give credit and financial professionals the tools they need to enhance their skills and create value for their companies today,” said Wendy Bartlett, CCE, CFDD National Chairman. “But at the same time, we’re offering programs and professional support today, in order to create the business leaders of tomorrow. Time and again, students and attendees who start out in CFDD’s classes and programs go on to lead these programs years later, after they’ve developed into leaders themselves and look to give back to their profession.”

“There’s no better hope for future mentorships in the financial field than CFDD,” she added.

Find out more about CFDD by visiting CFDD online or calling 410-740-5560.

About the National Association of Credit Management
NACM, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, supports more than 15,000 business credit and financial professionals worldwide with premier industry services, tools and information. NACM and its network of affiliated associations are the leading resource for credit and financial management information, education, products and services designed to improve the management of business credit and accounts receivable. NACM’s collective voice has influenced federal legislative policy results concerning commercial business and trade credit to our nation’s policy makers for more than 100 years, and continues to play an active part in legislative issues pertaining to business credit and corporate bankruptcy. Its annual Credit Congress is the largest gathering of credit professionals in the world.

NACM has a wealth of member experts in the fields of business-to-business credit and law. Consider using NACM as a resource in the development of your next credit or finance story.

Source: National Association of Credit Management

Media Contact: Caroline Zimmerman, 410-740-5560

CFDD: Melanie Brohawn, 410-740-5560

Blog: http://blog.nacm.org

Website: www.nacm.org

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