The CPP program curriculum, study guides and Accreditation Exam were developed in partnership with two of the country’s most respected business schools. Dr. Richard Lancioni and his team at Temple University put together the study guide with the 14 competency areas identified by our board of advisors. The study guide was also recently updated with feedback from Dr. Greg Schaffer and his team at the University of Rochester Simon Graduate School of Business.

Working closely with the Temple University School of Business Team and the PPS Board of Advisors, we have established the list of topics to be included in the Accreditation Exam and Study Guides. These topics are the most relevant to Pricing Executives and will be updated on an on-going basis to reflect cutting-edge pricing topics. We have divided the topics into two areas of study; Subject Matter Expertise for Pricing and Managing the Pricing Function.

Understanding the concept of price and its overall role in the US and World economies, the firm, and its impact on the bottom line is an important knowledge area for a professional pricer.

Understanding the types of costs and their role in setting prices, the importance of contribution margin and the role that prices play in a firm’s overall business strategy are essential factors for a career in professional pricing.

Pricing and its relationship to customer response is important for all professional pricers to understand and utilize in their decision-making. The impacts on consumer and industrial pricing decisions affected by price-quality factors, reference price alternatives, end-benefit situations, etc. are the major areas affecting the price-customer relationship.

Price and its impact on competitive market conditions are very important for a professional pricing manager. It presents the pricer with the most challenging situations in setting prices and responding to the competitive pricing strategies.

Segmentation methods for B2C, B2B and other market segments are important knowledge areas for CPP Certification. Knowing how to segment markets by using the correct segmentation strategy will be a source of higher prices and increased profits for firms. It will also improve a pricer’s understanding of the relationship between pricing and marketing in firms.

Understanding the science of pricing and the important analytic methods utilized in price estimation including price optimization, demand forecasting, etc., is necessary for certification as a CPP in the field.

Understanding the importance of a pricing strategy and types of strategies that can be used under various market conditions is an essential area for professional pricing certification. Also, an understanding of the use of discounts to make pricing strategies more effective is an important knowledge area for CPP certification.

The proper communication of prices to customers and buyers is important to the development of a successful pricing strategy. Professional pricing individuals must understand how price can be effectively used in product line pricing, developing of successful sales promotion campaigns, and in advertising campaigns.

The success of the pricing strategies of firms in supply chains are impacted by how the wholesalers, retailers, and distributors develop and execute their pricing programs in the distribution channel. Knowledge of the different types of distribution channel structures, international channels of distribution, retail channels, e-commerce channels, etc. is important for a pricing professional to understand.

Price testing, pricing review, analysis of buyer response, in-store pricing research, etc. are important for the implementation of a successful pricing program. The control and review of the implementation of a pricing program is key to understanding how successful a pricing strategy has been for a firm. This is an important knowledge area for a professional pricing manager.

Internet pricing strategies and how they are used by firms in marketing their products and services are important knowledge areas for professional pricing personnel in all companies. The pricing methods that are used along with the issue of pricing transparency are very important knowledge areas for pricing professionals now and in the future.

Since 99% of all firms market goods globally, it is important for professional pricing managers to understand the various types of global pricing strategies, constraints and competitive influences affecting the success of pricing in foreign markets.

The importance of the downstream effects on a firm’s pricing strategy is vital for a firm to consider, before it sets its prices. It is essential that a firm develop a pricing plan to ensure that the objectives of the firm are consistent with its pricing strategy.

Pricing and its role in negotiation strategies is important for pricing professionals to understand. Knowledge of the different types of negotiation strategies, how bidding and prices are related and understanding the overall structure of bids is necessary knowledge to include in the CPP program. In many industries, such as B2B, technology, software, internet auction and excellent negotiation strategies are essential to success.