Monitor - November/December 2011

Jennings also described the benefit of networking opportunities
afforded CLPs, “The CLP Foundation also promotes its members
through networking opportunities and newsletters, which gives us
exposure to potential customers we may not have been exposed to
otherwise.”
These opportunities in a competitive market were on the mind
of Bob Bell, CLP, founder and president of United Funding: “Being
a CLP has helped me in many ways over the years. I think certain
funders are more likely to bring you on as a broker if you are a CLP
than not, especially the ones that have CLPs on their staff. But the
real advantage to me has been when I’m approaching a vendor or
group to solicit their business. They get calls daily from leasing
companies soliciting their business. It helps when I can say some-
thing like, ‘I am one of less than 350 in our industry who has earned
the Certified Lease Professional designation.’ It sets me apart.”

“With all the focus on how the program benefits the industry and what certification
says about CLPs, we sometimes forget
that there is a real dollar value to being a CLP.
It promotes business and opens doors.”

— Cindy Spurdle, Executive Director, CLP Foundation
Industry veteran, Jim McCommon, CLP, of McCommon Leasing
agrees. “In an industry selling a generic product it’s important that
customers know we are experts in our field; that’s the one thing that
separates us from competitors. The CLP designation initially forces
a level of study that’s rigorous. The payoff is a knowledge base
that helps customers understand our product in light of changes in
accounting, law and tax,” he said.

“There are lots of current CLPs who are more than willing to work with you, either through the mentor program or through formal training/review, if you decide to pursue your CLP designation. Another great way to study for the exam is with a ‘buddy’ or small group of your peers,” she added.

“The CLP exam is offered every year at the NEFA Spring Education Conference and the NEFA Fall Funding Symposium. It is also offered at the NAELB Annual Conference in the spring. In addition to these three conferences, the Foundation works with CLPs across the country who volunteer to proctor the exam close to the candidate’s office. The CLP exam tests the candidate on the 18 subjects covered in the CLP handbook. It is broken into four parts covering eight hours. If you ask current CLPs about the exam, most will tell you that although it is a long exam, the questions are fair,” Spurdle said.

For further information, those interested should consult www.clpfoundation.org or contact the author or any Certified Lease Professional. m

BARR Y S. MARKS is a founding partner of Marks & Weinberg, PC. He is a certified lease professional, a co-editor on www.leaselawyer.com, and a frequent lecturer on business and commercial law issues. Marks graduated magna cum laude from Emory University in 1974, received his J.D. with high honors from the University of Florida in 1976 and earned his LLM in Taxation from Emory University in 1985.