Administered by the Community Associations Institute (CAI)
703-548-8600, www.caionline.org.

An Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) has met the highest standards for management companies set by CAI. To earn the accreditation, companies must meet financial management and reporting requirements for client associations’ bank accounts, reserve funds, budgets and expenditures and maintain fidelity, liability, and worker’s compensation insurance. The company must have three years of experience managing client community associations and at least 75 percent of the company’s qualifying managers must hold and PCAM, AMS, or CMCA credential. AAMC-accredited companies must commit to continuing education for all management staff and CAI’s Professional Code of Conduct.

Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM)

Administered by the California Association of Community Managers, Inc. (CACMSM) 919-263-2226, www.cacm.org

The Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) designee must complete five classes directly related to managing California Community Associations. A CCAM designee must have two years of practical experience in the industry. All CACM members must comply with the provisions of California Civil Code – Title 6 – Common Interest Developments and other applicable codes, laws and regulations. In addition a member must comply with the Code of Professional Ethics and Standards of Practice of CACM.

Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA)

Administered by the National Board for Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM), 703-836-6902, www.nbccam.org .

NBC-CAM has developed the only national certification program to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated the fundamental knowledge to manage community associations. To become a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA), a candidate must successfully complete a 16-hour course and pass the National Certification Examination. Managers must adhere to the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct and obtain 16 hours of continuing education credits every two years to remain certified.

Association Management Specialist (AMS)

Administered by the Community Associations Institute (CAI)
703-548-8600, www.caionline.org.

The AMS designation is the second tier of the pyramid of professionalism for community association managers. It builds upon the CMCA ‘s fundamental knowledge with requirements for added education and verified experience in the field. To become an AMS designee, a candidate must earn and maintain the CMCA certification, successfully complete 16 hours of course work in CAI’s Professional Management Development Program and demonstrate two years of professional management experience. An Association Management Specialist must comply with the CAI Professional Code of Ethics and complete 24 hours of advanced-level continuing education courses every three years.

Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM)

Administered by the Community Associations Institute (CAI)
703-548-8600, www.caionline.org.

The Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designation is the pinnacle of professional achievement for managers with advanced-level skills and experience. About 200 managers in California have earned this top-level distinction. A PCAM designee must earn and maintain the CMCA certification, successfully complete the Professional Management Development Program and have at least five years of professional management experience. After satisfying other participation and service requirements, the PCAM designee must successfully complete a challenging case study analyzing a subject community association. A PCAM designee must comply with the CAI Professional Code of Ethics and complete a combination of advanced-level continuing education and service requirements every three years.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Licensing is administered by the State of California

CPA’s provide the highest standard of service in the accounting profession. This is accomplished through academic training, work experience, licensing requirements, adherence to ethical standards and continuing education. A CPA is required to complete college level accounting courses, continue that education with 40 hours per year of continuing education courses, complete two years of work experience, and successfully pass an ethics examination in order to be awarded a license. CPA’s adhere to financial reporting and disclosure requirements mandated by The Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
 

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