Decosimo Professional Development Director Earns the CPLP™ Credential from the ASTD Certification Institute

CHATTANOOGA, TN (April 20, 2012) – Decosimo, a Top 100 accounting and business advisory firm, is pleased to announce that its Director of Professional Development Lawrence (Larry) Bernard Stone, CPA, CPLP has earned the Certified Professional in Learning and Performance™ (CPLP) credential from the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) Certification Institute. Earning the CPLP™ credential means Mr. Stone possesses the knowledge and skills to be a top performer in the workplace learning and performance field.

Becoming a CPLP enhances a professional’s reputation by recognizing that they have an overall understanding of the nine areas of expertise for workplace learning and performance as defined by the ASTD Competency Model™, and can apply this knowledge in the workplace. In general, credentials benefit individuals by providing a roadmap for professional development, enhancing earning potential, and broadening career opportunities. To earn the CPLP certification Mr. Stone acquired industry‐related experience, successfully passed a knowledge‐based examination, and submitted a work product that met performance standards. 

“The CPLP certification process is rigorous and it produces candidates with a breadth of knowledge that brings significant benefit to their employers, colleagues and clients,” says Jennifer Naughton, ASTD’s Director of Credentialing. “Employing CPLP credential holders brings respect to an organization’s training function and ensures successful learning programs.”

“At Decosimo, it is a top priority to provide our accounting professions and business clients with the most up-to-date and relevant training through workplace learning initiatives and publicly-held seminars,” said Nick Decosimo, managing principal of Decosimo.  “We trust Larry to direct this important professional development function and feel that his new credential will only raise our firm’s training program standards.”

About ASTD and the ASTD Certification Institute: ASTD is the world’s largest association dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals. ASTD started 1944 when the organization held its first annual conference. To support members’ ongoing development in the field, ASTD formed the ASTD Certification Institute to take the lead in setting professional industry standards. The ASTD Certification Institute certifies professionals through the CPLP credential.

More information about the CPLP program may be found at http://www.astd.org/Certification.aspx . Additional questions should be directed to: certification@astd.org.

About Decosimo:
Founded in 1971, Decosimo is a nationally recognized firm, perennially ranked as a Top 100 accounting and business advisory services firm.  The regional firm has nine offices in the United States and Cayman Islands, with approximately 300 professionals and staff.  Each of Decosimo’s offices provides a full range of accounting and advisory services to a wide array of industries.  Additionally, Decosimo is an independent firm associated with Moore Stephens International Limited.  With 301 member firms and a total of 636 offices spanning 100 countries, the Moore Stephens association and Decosimo provide clients access to a significant depth of resources and expertise. Learn more at www.decosimo.com.