Sacramento, CA, October 22, 2014 – DBA International (DBA) announced the first certified collection law firm under its expanded Certified Professional Receivables Company (CPRC) program. Within weeks of the program expansion, G. Reynolds Sims & Associates, P.C. completed the process and was approved at the October 16, 2014 meeting of the DBA Certification Council Administration and Budget Committee Meeting.
A proponent of compliance and transparency throughout the debt lifecycle, Reynolds Sims was an advocate for the expansion of the DBA International certification program to include collection law firms and third party agencies. “Expanding the certification program strengthens compliance integration and ensures that the same rigorous standards are being upheld for the consumer,” said G. Reynolds Sims, Founder and Chief Compliance Officer of G. Reynolds Sims & Associates.
As a result of the expansion of the certification program, DBA adopted nine new standards of best practices focused on activities performed by collection law firms and third party collection agencies. New standards include subject matter associated with consumer complaints, trust accounts, bonding/malpractice insurance, professional conduct, and the client-vendor relationship.
DBA’s certification program was originally designed for debt buying companies and will become a requirement for membership in February 2016. Responding to an increasing number of inquiries, DBA expanded the program on a voluntary basis to include collection law firms and third party agencies in October 2014.
The certification program consists of two types of certifications: a company-based certification and an individual-based certification required of a certified company’s Chief Compliance Officer and voluntarily chosen by other industry professionals. Prior to obtaining their company certification, Sims completed the individual Certified Receivables Compliance Professional designation.
“The expanded certification program represents a comprehensive national standard of industry best practices,” stated Sims. “It stresses responsible consumer protection, increased transparency and improved educational and operational standards within the industry. “
DBA encourages all receivables management professionals and member companies to seek certification. More information on the DBA Certification Program, including full program requirements and CPRC and CRCP applications are available on the DBA website.