The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and The Hackett Group, Inc. have announced the launch of the Advanced Diploma in Global Business Services (GBS). This is the second offering in their Certified GBS Professionals (CGBSP) program, a comprehensive career development system for the GBS and Shared Services sector from CIMA and The Hackett Group.

The Advanced Diploma in GBS (ADGBS) is designed for current GBS leaders and members of a GBS organization’s senior management team. It is also relevant for senior executives who manage or work with GBS organizations, leadership at business process outsourcing companies, and others.

“With this second offering in our Certified GBS Professionals program, we’ve chosen to address the needs of senior managers and leaders in GBS, largely in response to demand from the companies we’re already working with,” said Sean Kracklauer, a principal in The Hackett Group. “We’ve designed this entire program to suit the full range of GBS professionals, complementing their functional training whether it’s in finance, IT, procurement, human resources, or another area.”

The ADGBS is the highest qualification offered under the CGBSP program and is designed to complement the other two certifications. The Certificate in GBS, which was launched last September, is designed for entry-level associates performing transactional or knowledge-based work. The Diploma in GBS, which will be launched this summer, is oriented towards mid-level managers or people preparing for the role of manager.

Each level of certification is driven by a comprehensive syllabus that teaches the skills and competencies required by employers to achieve the highest standards of excellence. At the foundation of the course materials are The Hackett Group’s extensive knowledge of Global Business Services and functional best practices, based on its benchmarking, advisory, and transformation work with top global companies, combined with CIMA’s intellectual content and long-term education expertise. The certification programs are self-paced online learning tools that employees can complete over three to four months. Computer-based objective test exams are available in over 5,500 centers worldwide and are professionally invigilated to ensure the robustness of the assessment.

Participants in these programs also have access to an online knowledge center, offering access to material such as case studies, frameworks, and performance metrics from The Hackett Group, CIMA, and other organizations. The knowledge center is designed to support participants through exams and life-long learning, with additional material unlocked as individuals complete certification at each level.

A new self-assessment tool has also been launched in support of the Certified GBS Professionals program. The tool is designed to help organizations and professionals determine which of the certification programs is best suited to their needs.

“This brand new course and qualification fills a significant gap in GBS talent management and by using the latest technology absolutely fits the requirements of today’s executives,” said Dr. Noel Tagoe, executive director of CIMA Education.

The Hackett Group’s research shows that world-class GBS organizations offer managers and staff nearly three times the training hours of typical companies. Professionals are offered nearly twice the training hours. Better talent management also drives an array of bottom-line benefits, including nearly 50 percent higher return on equity and higher net profit margins and earnings.