Vendor Information Management Center of Excellence.

VIMCOE, the Vendor Information Management Center of Excellence, is a provider of specialized education and training for accounts payable and procurement professionals, operated by Financial Operations Networks (FON). It focuses on vendor onboarding and vendor information management best practices, including compliance, fraud controls, and master file accuracy.

The AVIP (Accredited Vendor Information Professional) certification is a VIMCOE program covering vendor information management, from initial vendor data gathering and onboarding compliance to vendor master file maintenance, fraud controls, and vendor relations. The program has 9 modules and 52 lessons, is delivered online in a self-paced format, and ends with a certification exam.

The AP Payment Fraud Prevention Certification, offered through VIMCOE, covers common AP fraud schemes, cyberattacks targeting financial operations, the legal and regulatory framework for fraud prevention, ongoing risk assessment, internal fraud mitigation, and supplier information validation. The program has 12 sections and 70 lessons, is delivered online in a self-paced format, and ends with an assessment and certification.

VIMCOE certifications are designed for accounts payable and procurement professionals who manage vendor onboarding, vendor master data, or payment fraud prevention. They suit AP and procurement staff who want to formalize their expertise, as well as finance and compliance leaders who want their teams working from a documented standard for vendor information management and fraud controls.

VIMCOE's certification programs, including the AVIP and AP Payment Fraud Prevention certifications, are delivered online through a self-paced learning management system, so participants work through lessons on their own schedule rather than in a live class. Both programs end with a certification exam.