Are You Certified?

When I say certification – what first comes to mind? Maybe that delicious pastry you enjoyed prepared by a certified pastry chef? Or the project manager you worked with on a big project who was PMP certified? Certification such as PMP, or even CPA, gives a certain sense of expertise in a field and frequently instills a sense of confidence that the results of a collaboration will be the best outcome possible.

For those using Financial Edge, Blackbaud offers a special certification—Blackbaud Certified in Financial Edge (bCFE). Each month we celebrate those who have completed their certification requirements. You too can be bCFE!

Your path to certification includes a few steps and is easy to manage.

First, take the Fundamentals series of classes online. These classes are:

• Financial Edge: Fundamentals—Overview
• Financial Edge: Fundamentals—Data Analysis

If you prefer to take classes in a regional location, you can instead take the regional class Financial Edge: Fundamentals and Certification.

Once you have completed the classes, take the Fundamentals Exam. You will have 90 minutes to complete the 30-question exam. If you feel you have the knowledge needed to pass the exam without taking the classes, you can begin with this step!

Fundamentals certification may be the final step for you. It means you have a good overall understanding of how Financial Edge works and how the overall setup leads to accurate and dynamic reporting. If this is your goal, grab your certification badge and display it with pride—in the Blackbaud Community, LinkedIn, Facebook, and your auto-signature.

If you wish to become professionally certified in Financial Edge, you have a few more steps (including two badge exams) and then the Professional Exam. For each badge, you will have 60 minutes to complete a 20-question exam.

The General Ledger badge exam is based on these four virtual instructor-led classes:

• General Ledger: Account and Project Records
• General Ledger: Journal Entry
• General Ledger: Visual Chart Organizers
• General Ledger: Financial Statements

You can instead take the Financial Edge: General Ledger two-day regional class to prepare for the exam.

The Accounts Payable Badge exam is based on these classes:

• Accounts Payable: Vendors
• Accounts Payable: Invoices
• Accounts Payable: Payment Setup and Processing
• Accounts Payable: Payment Management and Reporting

Of course, if you prefer a two-day regional class, you can instead take Financial Edge: Accounts Payable.

These classes have all been updated with fresh interactivity, new demonstrations, and a cleaner look.

In each step, if you feel your experience with Financial Edge has prepared you to take the exam without attending the classes, you can opt to take the exam at any point.

Once you have passed the badge exams, you will see a link for the Financial Edge Professional Certification Exam on your transcript. This exam consists of 50 questions, and you have 90 minutes to complete it.

Each exam is available to you for 90 days from your registration date. You have two opportunities to take the exam. You must get 80% or better. And, like the SAT, ACT, and many standardized tests, you do not receive a list of questions you missed.

Here’s a professional tip for you! Once you are certified, claim your certification badge and add it to all your professional profiles, such as your LinkedIn profile.


Certification is included with your Learn More training subscription. Not a Learn® subscriber? Check out our Training page and see how a Learn subscription can help you!