Commercial finance education is an individualized process these days. No longer do you simply register at the local college or university and start classes. The choices and options for training and education can be almost overwhelming and confusing. Professional instructors train students and business people through seminars, workshops and online when students don’t have the time to get a degree in finance.

The student and business owner today needs to look at the equation at a deeper level and ask questions, “Is it the diploma that is important and necessary?” or, “Do I simply need a rigorous program that will get my business up to speed quickly?” You can find good non-accredited commercial financing training programs. You need to research schools and courses well. There are plenty of con artists out there, on the web especially, offering less than sterling courses. Buyer beware. Consider the following when looking for training programs:

1. Attend commercial finance seminars.

2. Use webinars, CD-ROMs, online classes and self-study.

3. Find commercial finance courses taught by professors in state universities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend a seminar for commercial finance training

Seminars can be a great place to learn secrets and expertise from professional financiers who are out there in the thick of things.

I recommend: FTD Resources offers seminars in commercial financial analysis all across the United States. The American Management Association does commercial finance seminars. Get their take on the latest financial management techniques and strategies. Choose from a wide variety of financial management and accounting seminar-training programs.

Use webinars, CD-ROMs and self-study for your commercial finance education and training

Use different models of commercial finance training whether webcasts, online classes, CD ROMs or self-study. Look for testimonials and professional looking websites. There are as many or more low standard programs and even scams out there as well. Find the great programs by researching, asking questions and scrutinizing.

I recommend: Center for Financial Training offers classes across the United States. They provide finance courses for the banking industry. Courses are available online, in classroom, on CD-ROM and through self-study. Hawthorn Money Brokers uses mentoring, boot camps and six-month programs among for commercial financing training.

Get virtual training in commercial finance from professors who work for state universities

Take advantage of professional trained professionals from public universities. These virtual courses and onsite seminars in finance and accounting can give you the edge you need in your field.

I recommend: Look into finance and accounting training and seminars with the University of Houston CORPED Group. Enspire offers a virtual finance crash course in commercial finance education with self-paced tutorials as well as live web casts. The instructor of this program is a University of Texas professor.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When it comes to online commercial finance classes, formulate clear goals and needs before choosing a program. If you need a rigorous program to get you up to speed quick, use online sources. Beware of programs that promise more than they can deliver. Look at testimonials and teacher credentials and backgrounds to find a good training program that meets your needs.