Professional Certificates

Asset management is a strategic and analytical profession requiring specialized skills. The Consortium for Housing and Asset Management (CHAM) offers two certifications that take candidates through the process of attaining these skills in a progression that builds their careers. 

Asset Management Specialist (AMS) 

The Asset Management Specialist is an intermediate-level designation concerning the fundamentals of asset management with an emphasis on overseeing property performance and fulfilling the owner’s goals. Mastering the basics of asset management equips the candidate to manage the information exchange between development, property management and ownership.  Candidates for this program include:

• Analysts, asset managers, portfolio managers -- especially people new to the field.
• Developers.
• Property managers.
• Individuals who supervise or oversee asset managers, such as executive directors, CEOs and CFOs.

Candidates could work at nonprofits, for-profits, housing agencies, syndicators, investors, lenders, housing finance agencies or government. It is recommended that candidates have a basic understanding of affordable housing and a working knowledge of Excel. 

What You Will Learn 

• Roles and responsibilities of the asset manager through the life stages of a property. 

• Property performance indicators.
• Basics of an affordable housing deal and importance of setting up deal books for each property.
• Components of property and portfolio asset management plans.
• How to apply real estate financial analysis tools to a property and identify options for improving financial performance. 

Coursework Requirements 

The following courses are required for the Asset Management Specialist designation. In-person classes are offered at NeighborWorks Training Institutes, and the three classes are available now on-demand through CHAM's partner HAI Group: 
Nuts and Bolts of Asset Management (AM121) 
Asset Management Fundamentals (AM290)  
Financial Fundamentals for Asset Managers (AM291) 
  
To earn the Asset Management Specialist designation, the candidate must pass the final exams for each course. 

Certified Housing Asset Manager (CHAM)  

The Certified Housing Asset Manager is an advanced-level designation that teaches the skills needed to manage the long-term success of affordable housing properties and portfolios. Candidates are typically responsible for implementing asset management in their organizations or are planning a career move into the profession. The certificate has been designed for: 

• Asset managers, portfolio managers, developers, property managers and individuals who supervise or oversee asset managers, such as CEOs and CFOs.
• Candidates could work at nonprofits, for-profits, syndicators, investors, lenders, housing finance agencies, public housing authorities or government.  

What You Will Learn 

• How to evaluate the performance and cost of real estate assets.
• Techniques for analyzing and managing properties and portfolios to optimize the contribution of the real estate to the owner’s goals (both financial and mission).
• LIHTC topics, including investor return, adjusters, recapture and Year 15 disposition analysis.
• Risk management strategies to prevent or manage problems.  

The program concludes with a hands-on practicum where candidates develop an asset management plan for their own organizations.  

Coursework Requirements

Prerequisite: The Asset Management Specialist designation and proficiency in Excel. 

Candidates will take four courses to earn their Certified Housing Asset Manager designation: 

• Advanced Financial Tools for Asset Managers (AM321) or Advanced Financial Tools for Asset Managers - Part 1 (AM321vc) and Advanced Financial Tools for Asset Managers - Part 2 (AM322vc)
• Advanced Housing Asset Management (AM351)
• How to Maintain Compliance in LIHTC Projects (AH211) or the How to Maintain Compliance in LIHTC Projects one-week workshop (AH211wk) or an approved equivalent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit compliance course from another source.
• A course on affordable housing development or rehabilitation. The course needs to be the equivalent of a two-day in-person class. CHAM provides several pre-approved options to choose from and will consider others on a case-by-case basis. 

To earn the designation, the candidate needs to pass the final exams for each of the courses and successfully complete the practicum as part of Advanced Housing Asset Management (AM351).