becoming a national check professional (ncp) · pdf filebecoming a national check professional...

NCP BreakfastMarch 19, 2014

WACHA Payment 2014Taking Flight With Payments

Becoming a National Check Professional

(NCP)

Agenda

• Background and Benefits• Exam Preparation• ECCHO Study Tools• Tips for Success• Continuing Education• What’s New

National Check Payments Certification 2

National Check Professional


Background of NCP

• Why NCP?–So many changes in last few years–So much to know–Security of the payment system–Customers deserve the best

• RPA groups, that later became Education Partners, first brought the idea to ECCHO

• Pilot in November 2011–First product exam 2012

• Already have approximately 300 NCPs


Benefits of NCP Certification

• Provides a valuable learning experience• Supports a continuing education process• Delivers proven expertise that auditors appreciate

• Demonstrates expertise to customers• Improves products & services for customers• Provides recognition• Improves FIs’ support of the payment system


What NCPs Say

• “I gained so much knowledge not only over the check process itself but also the rules and regulations governing the process. That knowledge will undoubtedly help me in resolving any situation that may arise within our organization.”


What NCPs Say

• “As a compliance professional, studying for the NCP prepared me not only for the exam but provided me with excellent materials and information that I continue to use today. I would suggest this certification to anyone who has an interest in developing a greater understanding of check payment systems.”


What NCPs Say• “I’ve been in the financial services industry for nearly 22 years and it’s astonishing how much the payments industry has changed since the introduction of Check 21. The NCPC program has been a great way to broaden my business acumen on a variety of topics and trends, and kept me abreast of industry rules and regulations as well as fraud and risk mitigation. I really enjoyed the learning experience and have already recommended it to my peers!”


Exam Contents

• NCP Exam covers:–Rules, Laws, and Regulations (34% of exam)–Fraud and Risk Mitigation (25%)–Check Operations (33%)–Products (8%)

120 multiple choice questions100 of those 120 are scored

20 new questions are “piloted” each year


NCP Exam• Annual NCP exam cycle

– 3rd Saturday April through 2nd Saturday in MayNext exam window: April 19 – May 10, 2014

• Testing at PSI Centers around the US• Exam Fees

–$400/person – ECCHO members–$500/person – Non‐membersNote: Based on ECCHO membershipNot sure? Check on the ECCHO website or contact us

–Online registration process at www.eccho.org/ncpc


Preparing for the Exam

Exam Preparation• Must study to pass the exam, regardless of experience

• Amount of time depends on your:–Expertise and tenure–Breadth of experience–Familiarity – looking up versus knowing answer–Ability to take tests

• Some need more/less study time than others–Suggest 40 hours min.Study the areas you know the leastRefresh on areas you know the best


ECCHO Study Tools

• NCP Roadmap• P.R.E.P. Guide

–Quiz Questions – Section Two ‐ Training• Question of the Day

–Daily Emails• Exam Prep Training Course

–Offered by Educational Partners• Sample Exam – Multiple‐Choice Format

–Exhibit in P.R.E.P. GuideNational Check Payments Certification 13

NCP Roadmap

• Helps you design your study plan:–Determine if you have time to prepare–Information on registration–Discover the resources to help you succeed–Find out what the exam covers and key areas to study

–Tips on creating your study plan


Question of the Day

• Arrives each business day via email–Provides question today and yesterday’s answer

• Answer is expansive for study purposes–Can be used like flashcards

• Cited by many participants as favorite study tool


P.R.E.P. Guide

• Nearly 200 pages of:–Program Logistics–Training Guide with Glossary–Study Tips–Exhibits

• Recommend:–Reading cover to cover –Use as repository for your study notes–Can be a checklist to ensure all topics have been reviewed


Exam Prep Training Course• Provided through the program Educational Partners

• Nine (9) core training programs plus various reviews–Order of delivery and number of reviews may differ by partner

• Covers key exam material at appropriate level–Provides detailed references for additional review and self‐study

–Enables you to participate and ask questions


Sample Exam

• 25 multiple choice questions–Similar format to the NCP Exam–No actual exam questions are provided

• Intended to familiarize exam candidates:–With style and format of a standard multiple choice exam

–With topics covered by the NCP Exam


Tips for Success• Take an exam prep course from one of our partners

• Study at the appropriate level:–Use all available resources–Know the main points and why–Consider strategic vs. detailed information

• Be an active student–Review materials before class, take notes, ask questions

–Make flashcards–Answer Question of the Day daily


Tips for Success

• Focus Your Time–Establish a study plan to complete your goalsSpend most time on areas of exam you know the leastReview those areas you know well

–Study/discuss with othersGet a study buddy or start a study group

• Test yourself on knowledge retained–Apply what you have learned to determine correct answer to scenario/story problems


Taking the Test

• Get plenty of sleep• Know where test site is and get there early

–May want to review flashcards once more before entering the testing center

• Take the generic sample exam to familiarize yourself with the keyboard–Time to do this does NOT count towards your 3 hours for the exam


PSI Keyboard

22National Check Payments Certification

Taking the Test

• Thoroughly read each question–You have 3 full hours to answer 120 questions

• Remain calm and mark questions you are unsure of to return to them later

• Answer every multiple‐choice question–Even if you don’t know it, you have a 1 in 4 chance of getting it right


Taking the Test• NCP Exam tests your knowledge of check andyour ability to apply it to business situations–Some questions are in form of scenarios or story problems – applied knowledge

–Sketch them out on paper provided–Eliminate multiple choice answers that can’t be true

–Work towards best answer• Pay attention to references in the question:

–For example: “According to Fed Reserve OC3…”; or “Under the ECCHO Rules…”; or “Based on the UCC…”; etc.


Post Exam

• Make plans to celebrate your accomplishment of taking the exam

• Look forward to June for your results– Individual email results sent in form of Pass/Fail

• Email includes results report with bar chart to indicate level of performance–Bar graph indicators for each of the four exam categories: Rules/Regs, Fraud and Risk, Operations and Product


Post Exam

• New NCP will also receive formal certificate and lapel pin with NCP logo–Shipped direct to address supplied at registration approx . 2 weeks after emailed results

• Frame your certificate and wear your pin to celebrate this accomplishment

Good Luck on the Exam!


Maintaining the NCP

NCP Continuing Education

• Three year renewal cycle–3 full years plus –9 months of year in which you earn your certificationApril 1 of exam year

• Certification requirements are two‐fold –during the renewal period, the NCP must:Complete two three‐hour ECCHO Workshops; andEarn 30 hours of approved CE credits


What’s New?• National NCP Day

–To honor NCPs each year Scheduled the 3rd Monday of August (Aug 18, 2014)

–Encourage organizations to celebrate their NCPs–Provides opportunity for free CE credits

• 2013 inaugural celebration featured:–NCP testimonials–Drawing for several donations to the NCPs’ favorite charity (1 for each exam class), and

–1‐hour presentation on Check Products, titled “The Business Perspective” from Taylor Vaughan, Director of Treasury Management Services, First Tennessee


What’s New?• NCP Guide Program

–Dual benefits for both registered NCP candidates and existing NCPsRegistered NCPs have someone to “show them the ropes”NCP Guide gets free Continuing Education credits

• Suggested Guide Activities:–Mini‐handbook available–Develop study program–Gain vital knowledge about anything except test questionsGuides refer questions about exam/training to ECCHO or other training partner


Questions?


Thank You!

NOTICEThis NCPC Program document contains copyrighted materials of its publisher.

These program training materials may not be reproduced or published, in whole or in part, without the express permission of ECCHO.

Electronic Check Clearing House Organization3710 Rawlins Street; Suite 1075

Dallas, Texas 75219

www.eccho.org

Ellen Heffner, NCPDirector and Education Manager

[email protected]‐273‐3211

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