Certified Strategic Account Management (CSAM)

SAMA’s Certification Journey SAMA’s Certified Strategic Account Manager (CSAM) program guides participants through a comprehensive certification journey that assesses competencies, develops skills, enables coaching, and ensures adoption of improved behaviors. CSAM candidates are provided access to an optional SAM-specific tool designed to track the inputs of the program and enable a standardized coaching and customer-assessment process. Step 1 - Complete the SAMA Competency Assessment Complete the SAMA Competency Assessment, which enables SAMs and their managers to understand what competencies are necessary to be an effective SAM and in which areas the participant needs to focus throughout his or her journey to establish certification goals. The assessment includes benchmarking input from the SAM and SAM managers, with optional input from upper management, peers, and customers, and is intended to enable a structured learning and coaching environment. Step 2 - Complete course work Complete course work. SAMA Certification requires nine training units of course work focused on enabling the SAM to effectively manage their role in the SAM process. It includes seven units of the SAMA Core Curriculum (CORES 0-4) plus two units of electives (E) based on current needs and assessment results. Courses are modular and can be taken in any order. They are offered multiple times during the year, both in-person and online. Step 3 Preparation for the Executive Account Review, which is the final step of your certification. Average certification completion is 12-18 months. Step 4 Executive Account Review presentation to demonstrate the successful application of the courses and a post-coursework, 360-degree competency assessment.