RIMS-CRMP Stories

Charlotte Allen is a member of the RIMS Massachusetts Chapter and the Director of ERM at the Commonwealth Financial Network in the Bay State. She reflected on the exam’s relevance to ERM and the support she received from her employer while pursuing RIMS-CRMP in 2020.

RIMS: How did your experience at Commonwealth Financial Network (CFN) lend itself as a knowledge base for taking the exam?

Allen: I have spent most of my career at CFN and for good reason. CFN actively fosters and invests in the growth of every employee, with strong emphasis on continuous training and development.

As a risk leader, I have a special role at CFN to help protect the people and company I care about, so I feel invested in improving and evolving my skills which brought me to the RIMS-CRMP. I chose the RIMS-CRMP because I wanted a certification that was Enterprise Risk-focused, and not specific to one risk domain.

RIMS: It seems like CFN was supportive of your decision to pursue the RIMS-CRMP.

Allen: CFN is a special place and is fully invested in growing employees’ skills. When I first started at CFN in Operations, I never thought I would be a leader of people. Fast forward 12 years and here I am. I think that is due to the firm’s mission and value of culture and team first.

RIMS: You are an ERM practitioner. Will the knowledge from studying for the RIMS-CRMP resurface in an ERM professional’s daily responsibilities?

Allen: It has helped me improve my foundational knowledge and mold a risk program to help fit my organization. Risk programs are not one size fits all, and growing your knowledge, connections, and skills help you find new ways to solve and implement programs for your organization. The recertification process ensures you stay on top of the ever-evolving risk landscape and pushes you to earn points in multiple areas of learning and development.

RIMS: How has the RIMS-CRMP elevated your professional profile or presence in the risk community?

Allen: It has aided in my career. I think the RIMS-CRMP has helped me expand my knowledge and grow my network. The RIMS-CRMP has a dedicated LinkedIn group and at RIMS conferences that connects us.

It has also helped build our risk team’s knowledge, too. Two of us at CFN hold the RIMS-CRMP.

RIMS: How did you study?

Allen: I used the RIMS-CRMP study guide, sample questions, made flash cards, and signed up for the exam prep class offered by RIMS. I dedicated time each week specifically to studying. I underestimated my current knowledge, which also helped with the exam.

RIMS: What do you enjoy about the recertification process?

Allen: Over time I have noticed my points accumulate across more areas than they did when I first obtained my certification. My first recertification was based in training and now I have points in all areas! What sets this certification apart is the robust controls for recertification, particularly fitting for a risk-focused certification.

RIMS: What other benefits or value have you experienced?

Allen: Taking the RIMS-CRMP helped build my personal confidence, but the most value has come with maintaining my certification because you need to earn points through continuing education to keep your certification active. It pushes you to learn more and find ways to lead. I have never had a certification that requires points across multiple areas, and this pushes you to consider other areas you may not have been involved in previously.

Engaging in continuous education and pursuing certifications like the RIMS-CRMP, while surrounding yourself with exceptional individuals, can elevate your professional growth and development significantly.

Learn more about the RIMS-CRMP certification.

See the full RIMS-CRMP Exam Prep calendar.

Interview by Justin Smulison, RIMS Business Content Manager