Embracing Change with IOFM Certification

One thing remains constant in financial operations: change. Technologies advance, best practices evolve, and staying ahead is essential. For two IOFM Members, Doreen Smuda and Jamie Umpleby, embracing continuous learning has been the key to driving success in accounts payable.  

When Doreen Smuda, AP leader at Cameco Corporation since 2004, announced her team was going paperless in 2017, the response was alarming. "[It] was kind of a shock for some of my team members to think we were going to go to that big of a change. But we did, and we got there," she recalls. The transition proved invaluable in 2020 when remote work became a necessity.

Smuda, a long-time member of the IOFM Advisory Panel, believes adapting to change is non-negotiable. "Everything evolves. There's always a better way," she says. Her team stays ahead by leveraging in-house training, industry white papers, webinars, and IOFM's Certification Programs.  

While Smuda had years of AP experience before embracing Certification, Jamie Umpleby’s journey was a little different. With 22 years in the healthcare industry but only seven in AP, she wanted to strengthen her expertise. After attending her first IOFM Conference, she quickly saw the value of Certification. "When I [started in] AP, I felt that I did not have enough knowledge. So, I'm always trying to think of: What kind of knowledge can I gain that's going to help really support my team?"  
 
The Power of Certification  
For Smuda, AP Certification has been a game-changer. In 2016, she encouraged her team to get certified, and the impact was immediate. Employees at all experience levels benefited; it validated their knowledge and introduced new best practices. Cameco's AP department is now an IOFM Accredited Payables Department, which requires 80% of the team to maintain their Certification annually.  

Umpleby had a similar experience. Certification gave her a structured learning path and deeper insights into AP processes. She mentioned how relevant content is challenging to find at some conferences, but it's everywhere at IOFM events. When asked if she would be back at an IOFM Conference, she responded enthusiastically, "I hope so! I really am enjoying it."   

Both Smuda and Umpleby prove that continuous learning isn't just beneficial – it's essential. "If you don't reach out and try and keep fresh with what's going on around you, you're going to be kind of stuck," says Smuda. For AP professionals eager to grow, the message is clear: Keep learning, stay engaged, and embrace change.  

Interested in getting your team IOFM Certified? Reach out to IOFM's Training Advisors Today!

Excerpts taken from IOFM Podcast Episodes: The Benefits of Continuous Learning and The Value of IOFM Certification: A Journey to Success