WHY COME TO ACI FOR CERTIFICATION??

1. A Practical Learning Experience

Many certification training programs out there use professors with little or no experience in sourcing and procurement.  ACI instructors and facilitators are first and foremost experienced practitioners with the secondary ability to impart their knowledge and experience to students who themselves come to the training program with significant practitioner experience.  All ACI instructors are certified in the program they are teaching.  This is not always the case for competitors.

Because ACI is a professional certification institute with operations world-wide, it prides itself on its global instructor cadres.  These instructors are chosen not only for their practitioner and teaching ability, but also for their deep knowledge and experience in the specific country and region they reside within.  This is a major competitive advantage for ACI and a major asset for its world-wide students.

2. Expert After-Market Service

ACI instructors are available not only during formal and/or online training programs, but also after students have graduated and received their certifications.  ACI and its partners have “after-market” service which is second to none.  Many ACI partners conduct periodic conferences for certified students.  These conferences typically provide presentations by industry leaders and previous instructors which are free to the students.  In addition, ACI instructors are available for on-line consulting long after course and certification completion.  This is virtually “free consulting” and is a hallmark of ACI certification programs.

In addition, many ACI certification graduates have received free VIP membership by virtue of their participation in programs taught by the ACI President and all ACI certification graduates are eligible to receive nominal cost VIP membership.  VIP members access substantial discounts on ACI courses and materials and receive periodic free mailings of “current events” of interest o the procurement and sourcing profession.

3.  Multi-Level Programs

All ACI certification programs are multi-level.  The first (Practitioner) level is for professionals just beginning their career or within 3 years of that beginning.  The second (Manager) level is for those currently in management positions or aspiring to such a position. The third (Consultant or Executive) level is for the practitioner who aspires to top management or consulting.  Each level has appropriate training materials and examinations.  Many ACI graduates have progressed through all three levels as they proceed through their careers.

4. Competitively Priced Training, Examination, and Certification

Many institutes and certification-granting bodies require extensive training as part of the certification program.  Although ACI frequently provides certification-specific training, ACI does not REQUIRE such training in order for candidates to sit for an examination.  Candidates who have a strong grasp of the BODY OF KNOWLEDGE are encouraged to proceed directly to the examination.

Conventional certification preparation training courses are priced according to local market conditions.  Four week ACI online certification preparation courses are typically $220 with 8 week online courses priced at $470.  ACI knows no competitors that meet or beat these prices.

Although the competition charges as much as $329 per examination, ACI charges a nominal $100 for a conventional examination.  Some competitors require multiple examinations, so the cost is very high.  ACI requires only one examination per certification.  For online students the ACI examination fee is included in the online training course tuition.

Whereas some certification bodies charge from $75 to $329 for an examination retake, ACI only charges $50.

ACI certifications are priced according to the market where training is provided.  “Standard” (US-based) ACI prices are $200 for Level 1, $250 for Level 2, and $300 for Level 3.  ACI prices have been determined to be lower than competitor prices in all markets where ACI conducts programs.

5. No Education Prerequisites

Some certification competitors require a BS degree from an accredited university.  ACI has no such prerequisites.

6.  Recertification

Like other certification bodies, ACI requires “recertification” – a process that involves documenting continuing education to remain on top of the ever-evolving procurement field. Several certification bodies require recertification every 3 or 4 years.  ACI requires recertification every 5 years.

Most certification bodies award points for college courses and continuing education courses and the requirements for total points are similar.  ACI charges $100 for recertifcation while a competitor charges $89 every four years and still another charges $99 every 3 years.  The annualized cost for ACI is thus $20, while the annualized cost for the 4 year required certification is $22.25 and the annualized cost for the 3 year required certification is $33.

7. Bodies of Knowledge Constantly Updated to Reflect Changes In The Profession

Some competitors claim their Body of Knowledge is contained in textbooks.  Most textbooks are updated every 5 to 10 years.  The ACI Bodies of Knowledge (in digital form) are continually updated based on recommendations and advice from Instructors and members of the Board of Advisors.

8. Convenient Testing

Most competitors have contracted with testing organizations which require candidates to take exams at their locations; ACI conducts testing either online at candidate convenience or conducts testing at the end of conventional training for all candidates.

9. No Requirement for Association Membership

Most competitors charge a fee for required Association Membership.  ACI has no such requirement and affords all potential candidates and students equal and unlimited access to training, testing, and certification.

10. A Fun Learning Experience

Our World-wide cadre of conventional instructors know that students expect instructors to be “entertaining” as well as knowledgeable and enthusiastic.  This must be the case, because many of our students come back again and again for follow-on training and secondary certifications.