What is the Certified Credit Risk Specialist?

The Certified Credit Risk Specialist is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Finance & Accounting.

How long does this certification take?

The programme is 12 Week and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Advanced Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@leadership.co.ke, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Credit Risk Specialist (CCRS2) | Online Certification

Executive Summary

Certified Credit Risk Specialist

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Credit Risk Specialist (CCRS2) delivers a rigorous Advanced-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in financial management, accounting, budgeting and financial analysis.

This 12 Week programme is structured around IFRS, GAAP and recognised financial management and reporting standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CCRS2 holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Credit Risk Specialist

Acronym

CCRS2

Who Should Enrol?

Expected Credit Loss and Staging — applied to your own work
Portfolio Quality and Restructuring — applied to your own work
Compliance in Lending — applied to your own work
Assessing Capacity, Not Collateral — applied to your own work
The Five Cs in Thin-Data Markets — applied to your own work
Structuring to the Cash Cycle — applied to your own work

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards senior finance, controller and CFO roles

Professional Recognition

Credential aligned with IFRS, GAAP and recognised financial management and reporting standards

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex financial management functions

Organisational Impact

Design and implement financial management systems that drive performance and measurable results

Compliance Readiness

Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to financial management

Global Employability

Qualify for financial management roles across corporates, banks, NGOs and public-sector organisations worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Financial Accounting, Reporting and Analysis

✦Budgeting, Planning and Cost Control

✦Corporate Finance, Investment and Valuation

✦Treasury, Working Capital and Cash Management

✦Financial Controls, Audit and Governance

✦Professional Ethics and Governance

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

Click any module to explore the detailed curriculum topics included in this certification.

Foundations and Strategic Context of Certified Credit Risk Specialist

Certified Credit Risk Specialist: industry context, trends and professional standards
The role of finance in organisations and value creation
Financial, management and cost accounting distinguished
The finance operating model and business partnering
Accounting concepts, principles and the regulatory landscape
Financial statements and the accounting equation
Stakeholders and users of financial information
Ethics and professional standards in finance
Corporate objectives and shareholder value
The finance function and digital transformation
Building a finance career and professional development

Expected Credit Loss and Staging

Expected credit loss and portfolio quality
Financial regulation and prudential supervision
Credit assessment and the five Cs
Microfinance models and methodologies
Analytical techniques and bias
Preparing financial statements
Digital financial services
Financial reporting frameworks (IFRS/GAAP)
Portfolio quality and risk
Sustainability of microfinance
Financial strategy and capital allocation
Interpreting financial statements
Financial risk: credit, market, liquidity, operational
Corporate governance and the finance role
Board reporting and investor relations

Portfolio Quality and Restructuring

Expected credit loss and portfolio quality
Audit evidence, sampling and professional scepticism
Internal control and the fraud triangle
Costing methods and relevant cost for decisions
Financial modelling and forecasting discipline
Receivables, collections and credit control
Payables, procurement controls and supplier fraud
Payroll, statutory deductions and employment cost
Tax compliance and the tax risk agenda
Applying reporting standards and accounting judgement
Digital finance, mobile money and payment operations
Insurance, risk transfer and retained risk
The finance function, month-end close and reporting cycle
SME and relationship lending in practice
Integrated and sustainability reporting

Compliance in Lending

AML, KYC and financial crime prevention
Financial regulation and prudential supervision
Internal control and the fraud triangle
Managing resistance and upskilling teams
Data-driven and real-time finance
Reporting quality and governance
Innovation and fintech partnerships
Measuring transformation impact
Professional ethics and codes (IFAC, ACCA, CIMA)
Management accounts and dashboards
Confidentiality and conflicts of interest
Budget vs actual and variance
Sustainability and responsible finance
Regulatory compliance and professional duty
Data ethics and privacy in finance

Assessing Capacity, Not Collateral

Credit assessment and the five Cs
Accrual accounting and the profit-cash gap
Reading financial statements as a manager
Cost and profitability analysis
Forecasting and planning
Data visualisation for finance
Communicating financial results
Portfolio management and reporting
Credit risk measurement
Portfolio diversification and limits
Concentration and sector risk
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic approaches
Stress testing credit portfolios
Collections strategy
Credit bureaus and data

The Five Cs in Thin-Data Markets

Credit assessment and the five Cs
Financial inclusion and serving underbanked markets
Reading financial statements as a manager
Attachment and developmental theory
Professional roles, boundaries and settings
Value-chain and supply-chain finance
Ethical principles and codes of practice
Digital and alternative-data credit
Guarantee and de-risking schemes
Advisory and non-financial services
SME portfolio management
Sector-focused SME finance
Managing boundaries and dual relationships
Business partnering with the enterprise
Mergers, funding and growth strategy

Structuring to the Cash Cycle

Credit assessment and the five Cs
Treasury, liquidity and currency exposure
Accrual accounting and the profit-cash gap
Peer support and consultation
Sustaining ethical, effective practice
Tax planning, avoidance and evasion distinguished
Transfer pricing and international tax
Statutory compliance and filings
Regulatory reporting and disclosure
Managing tax risk and audits
Ethics and transparency in tax
Budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
Investment appraisal and the cost of capital
Working capital and the cash conversion cycle
Ethical frameworks and codes of practice

Learning and Research

Cognitive load and learning science
Evaluating learning impact (Kirkpatrick, ROI)
Instructional design and blended learning
Knowledge management and capability building
Learning technologies and the LMS
Learning transfer and capability building
Minimum viable offer and validated learning
Duty of care and risk management
Record-keeping and data protection
Complaints, accountability and fitness to practise
Growth mindset and continuous learning
Lessons learned and knowledge management
Market research design and methods
Qualitative and quantitative research
Facilitation, training and public presentation skills

Financial Practice

Evidence-based financial recommendations
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and finance systems
Financial data, master data and the chart of accounts
Business intelligence and finance dashboards
Data analytics and predictive finance
Cloud finance and system integration
Cybersecurity and financial data protection
Reconciliations and the financial close
Audit evidence, sampling and testing
Corporate income tax and computations
Tax administration and compliance
Financial inclusion and the evolving customer
Trade finance and letters of credit
Audit programmes and fieldwork
Audit committee reporting

Banking and Financial Services

Regulatory capital for credit
Credit risk governance
Treasury technology and systems
Investment strategy and allocation
Credit and counterparty risk
Development banking principles
Negotiation with banks, investors and suppliers
Investment of surplus funds
Investment and disinvestment decisions
Payment regulation and oversight
Payment innovation and fintech
Roles, conduct and professional standards in banking
Legal responsibilities and professional bodies
Digital and internet banking
Loan structuring and pricing

Risk and Control

Evidence-based improvement
Back-office processing and controls
Operational risk management
Regulatory compliance in operations
Governance of operations
Market risk and VaR
Managing risk and difficult cases
Risk assessment and sensitivity analysis
Interest-rate risk and hedging
Financial risk management and derivatives
Fraud risk, prevention and detection
Tax risk management
Lessons learned and development
Governance of controls and reporting
Regulatory and compliance requirements

Legal and Regulatory

Recovery and legal remedies
Regulatory capital and ratios
Managing audit and regulator relationships
Driving effective, ethical outcomes
Legal and other requirements
Contract administration and variation
Contract performance and exit
Real estate regulation, licensing and professional conduct
Policy administration and customer service in insurance
Insurance regulation and consumer protection
Vendor, venue and supplier contracting for events
Contract exit and renewal
Designing and facilitating groups
The regulatory and legal environment
Regulatory change management

Data and Reporting

Psychoeducation and workshops
Working with organisations on wellbeing
Designing an intervention or programme
Ethical, risk and feasibility considerations
Evidence-based practice
Assets, liabilities and equity reporting
KPIs and performance reporting
Reporting automation
Data security and confidentiality
Working papers and evidence
Findings, rating and reporting
Substantive and analytical procedures
Board and executive financial reporting
Financial storytelling and data visualisation
Data gathering and financial analysis

Analysis and Decisions

Make-or-buy and outsourcing decisions
Risk assessment and safety planning
Goal setting and contracting
Ratio and trend analysis
Valuation and security analysis
Cost-to-serve and value-for-money analysis
Capstone scoping: a real financial problem or decision
Recommendations and decision support
Trend, common-size and comparative analysis
Pricing, contribution and product decisions
Decision support and insight
Standard costing and variance analysis
Management reporting and decision support
Capital structure and financing decisions
Financial modelling and scenario analysis

Operations and Process

Process efficiency and cycle-time metrics
Quality, accuracy and error reduction
Transaction lifecycle and processing
Cheque clearing and processing
Process improvement and automation
Service levels and quality
Approval processes and delegation
Finance transformation and target operating models
Process re-engineering and shared services
Treatment planning and review
Outcome and process measures
Automation, RPA and straight-through processing
Process and control documentation
Quality assurance of audit
Competitive bidding processes

Leadership and Management

Managing complexity and comorbidity
Cash and liquidity management
Team leadership within finance
Change management in finance
Working capital management and the cash cycle
Cash flow forecasting and liquidity management
Receivables, payables and inventory management
Workplace and organisational contexts
Leadership versus management and when each is needed
Situational and adaptive leadership
Values, purpose and authentic leadership
Journey management and tracking
Property management and facility operations
Programme cycle management in NGOs
Grant compliance and restricted funding management

People and Development

Appraisal of development projects
Workforce planning and the capability gap
Talent review and succession in practice
Goal setting and action planning
Accountability and follow-through
Aligning teams around strategy
Team formation and effectiveness models (Tuckman, Lencioni)
Managing team performance and dynamics
Cross-functional and matrix teams
Leading remote and hybrid teams
Team diversity and inclusion
Collaboration and teamwork
Scaling delivery capability
Project management plan development
Schedule development and optimisation

Communication

Presenting financial information clearly
Investor relations and market communication
Stakeholder communications
Ethics in communications
Communications strategy and planning
Internal communications
Corporate social responsibility communications
Presentation and public speaking
Professional report and presentation
Voice, communication and delivery
Safety communication and campaigns
Professional case study and presentation
Communicating with families and carers
Psychoeducation and public communication
Professional documentation and presentation

Stakeholders and Clients

Business partnering and influencing
Stakeholder mapping and collaboration
Influencing and presenting insights
Managing difficult stakeholders
Stakeholder mapping in banking
Negotiation and influencing
Relationship management and cross-selling
Wealth, SME and corporate relationships
Stakeholder mapping and engagement
Stakeholders, agency and accountability
Trends: ESG, transparency and stakeholder capitalism
Client feedback and satisfaction
The project environment and stakeholders
Stakeholder and sponsor management
Stakeholder rights and fair treatment

Markets and Customers

Fees, pricing and interchange
Transfer pricing basics
Transfer pricing documentation
Wellbeing and resilience coaching
Customer lifetime value
Voice of the customer to the business
Working with product and operations
Team leadership in customer service
Customer onboarding and lifecycle
Customer and community engagement
Treating customers fairly and market conduct
Productivity, collaboration and workflow tools
Productivity and efficiency improvement
Buyer behaviour and the customer journey
Voice of the customer and feedback

Technology and Systems

Digital tax administration
Measuring coaching outcomes
Digital finance and automation roadmaps
Automation, RPA and the digital close
Digital currencies and CBDCs
Digital banking platforms and APIs
Payment technology and switches
Cybersecurity and fraud technology
Technology governance and change control
Digital credit and alternative data
Performance management systems and cycles
Technology selection and integration
Emerging service technologies
Digital, mobile and internet banking
The banking system, intermediation and financial markets

Strategic Context

Hedging strategies and instruments
Strengths, flow and engagement
Scaling technologies and business models
Meaning, purpose and values
Managing growth, risk and resilience
Evidence-based practice and research literacy
Customer service and CX strategy
Sustaining strategic customer focus
Customer experience strategy
Category management and strategy
Financial inclusion strategy
Strategic alignment of investments
Competitive analysis and differentiation
Product and portfolio strategy
Go-to-market and channel strategy

Projects and Delivery

Tax planning vs avoidance vs evasion
Planning and understanding the entity
Crisis, resilience and contingency planning
Leading finance projects and change
Forecasting and planning (FP&A)
Marketing planning and budgeting
Campaign planning and execution
Account planning and whitespace analysis
Leading campaigns and sales projects
Team leadership in field and project settings
Data, records and confidentiality tech
Driving measurable delivery improvement
Developing the project business case
Project budgeting and financial control
Financial risk in projects

Performance Measurement

Finance KPIs and the finance scorecard
Interpreting financial performance
Performance and SLAs
Practice management systems
Ethics of technology in practice
Performance measurement and attribution
Strategy execution and the balanced scorecard
High-performance team rituals and cadence
Retail performance metrics: sales densities, conversion and basket
Psychometric and screening tools
Project KPIs and performance metrics
Coaching for performance
Banking KPIs and branch scorecards
Service quality and turnaround metrics
Sales performance and pipeline management

Procurement and Suppliers

Procurement and contract value
Procurement and contract management
Vendor selection and management
Supply market analysis
Procurement and supply chain: scope and value
The procurement cycle and operating models
Procurement’s contribution to organisational strategy
Public versus private procurement
Supply markets and the enabling environment
Digital procurement and the future of the profession
Sustainable procurement principles and standards
Emerging tools and innovation
Working with referrers and multidisciplinary teams
Procurement and stock management for health commodities
Conflicts of interest and procurement ethics

Ethics and Conduct

Ethics and suitability
Ethics in tax practice
Ethics, transparency and reputation
Ethics and integrity in banking
Professional ethics and banking conduct
Integrity, confidentiality and conflicts
Anti-corruption and financial-crime ethics
Data ethics and customer privacy
Bribery, corruption and conduct risk
Ethics and independence
Ethics, confidentiality and professional conduct in HR
Roles, standards and professional conduct
Ethics and fair customer treatment
Professional ethics in customer service
Responsible and ethical service

People Administration

Employee voice, surveys and action planning
Employee relations, discipline and fair process
Employee engagement and what actually drives it
Communicating risk to the workforce
Workforce and shift management in retail
Workforce management and scheduling
Workforce planning and scheduling
Employee experience and engagement
Customer and employee satisfaction
Employee engagement models and drivers
The employee lifecycle and HR value chain
Employer branding and employee value proposition (EVP)
Strategic workforce planning and demand forecasting

International and Currency

International and cross-border tax
Foreign exchange and currency risk
Professional and persuasive communication
Team leadership in banking operations
Corporate governance in banks
Risk, compliance and feasibility analysis
Credit analysis and the 5 Cs of credit
Financial statement and cash-flow analysis
Foreign exchange and treasury operations
Enterprise risk management in banks
Credit risk measurement and mitigation

Change

Change talk and readiness
Habit change and behaviour design
Change control and configuration
Organisational change management
Change and adoption in projects
Agile and digital transformation projects
Measuring change and project impact
Baseline setting and change control
Sales and marketing transformation
Professional writing and reports
Digital and market transformation
Variations, claims and delay: managing change on site
Behaviour change and adoption of innovations
Customer experience transformation
Digital and self-service transformation

Sustainability and ESG

ESG principles and frameworks
Sustainability strategy and materiality
Environmental governance and climate risk
Governance of ESG and reporting
Sustainability standards (GRI, ISSB)
Managing difficult conversations
Sustainability and environmental duty
Environmental management systems (ISO 14001)
Sustainability and climate responsibility
Environmental monitoring and reporting
Continuous environmental improvement
Sustainable and green banking
Control environment and risk assessment
Emerging assurance areas (ESG)
Sustainability, ESG and integrated value

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Expected Credit Loss and Staging — applied to your own work
Portfolio Quality and Restructuring — applied to your own work
Compliance in Lending — applied to your own work
Assessing Capacity, Not Collateral — applied to your own work
The Five Cs in Thin-Data Markets — applied to your own work
Structuring to the Cash Cycle — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

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Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

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Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CCRS2 certification?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with IFRS, GAAP and recognised financial management and reporting standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

Who should enrol in the CCRS2?

This certification is ideal for Finance Officers and Accountants, Budget and Cost Analysts, Finance Managers and Controllers and Auditors and Financial Analysts, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in financial management, accounting, budgeting and financial analysis with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CCRS2 certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 12 Week and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CCRS2 internationally recognised?

What is the cost of the CCRS2 certification?

The Certified Credit Risk Specialist is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 449 and Live Virtual at USD 649. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CCRS2 certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CCRS2?

The Certified Credit Risk Specialist is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CCRS2?

The Certified Credit Risk Specialist carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CCRS2 while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CCRS2?

Graduates progress towards senior finance, controller and CFO roles. The CCRS2 strengthens your expertise in financial management, accounting, budgeting and financial analysis and positions you for advancement across corporates, banks, NGOs and public-sector organisations.

Certified Credit Risk Specialist

Certified Credit Risk Specialist

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

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