Discover Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate

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Are you a developer who has experience implementing and extending Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps to meet business requirements? If so, the Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate certification is designed for you. If you wonder how you can use your Dynamics 365 finance and operations skills to help advance your career and to earn the recognition you deserve, read on. A Microsoft Certification validates to the world that you have these development skills—whether you’re early in your career, looking to advance in your field, or wanting to change to a new, in-demand job.

Software development is key to modern digital strategies. Companies are investing in evolving technology, so technical professionals who understand development for business and finance applications need to find a way to highlight their skills. A globally recognized Microsoft Certification can give you the boost you need. A Microsoft white paper on role-based tech training and certifications reports that 91 percent of IT professionals with certifications believe that the effort employees put into acquiring new skills significantly contributes to the success of their organizations’ digital transformation.

Dynamics 365 certifications are popular. In fact, 80 percent of respondents in the 2020–2021 Microsoft Dynamics Salary Survey from Nigel Frank believe that Dynamics 365 certifications are important for increasing earning potential. Plus, 74 percent listed “understanding business models” and “having business acumen” as hard skills that would make them more attractive to employers.

You can add your certifications to your résumé and your LinkedIn page to alert organizations to your expertise. In this post in our series on discovering your career path, we look at the benefits of earning the Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate certification. Plus, we suggest other certifications that can be useful for apps developers with experience in the finance space who want to call attention to their broad variety of professional skills.

The finance and operations apps developer role and certification

You fit the profile for this certification if you’re a developer who’s accountable for translating requirements into critical system functionality with finance and operations apps in Dynamics 365. You need experience providing fully realized solutions using standardized application coding patterns, extensible features, and external integrations.

Typically, you work with functional consultants and with solution and technical architects. You need to be familiar with software development cycle methodologies, data integrity, and data security compliance. And you must have deep knowledge and experience using the underlying framework, data structures, and objects associated with finance and operations solutions in Dynamics 365 that deliver best-in-class functionality.

In this role, you need experience with both Dynamics 365 core finance and operations and Dynamics 365 apps development, so you’ll take two exams to earn this certification:

Benefits of certification

To advance in a career as a developer, you need to know how to support business requirements by implementing new and transformative technologies. An IDC white paper, Business Value of Digital Transformation and the Contribution of a Growth Mindset in IT,[i] indicates that professionals with a growth mindset can develop the capacity to implement technology transformation. Those who have achieved a relevant technical certification are more likely to believe that competence can be developed through dedication and hard work, along with a willingness to take advantage of tools and learnings.

Whether you’re relatively new to the workforce or you have years of experience, having a certification on your résumé can set you apart. It’s a way to distinguish yourself from your colleagues. The Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report found that IT professionals with certifications, on average, earn more than their peers. In this survey, more than half of global IT decision-makers report they expect their organization to invest in Microsoft technology this year. The survey uncovered that IT professionals have multiple opportunities to boost their pay. Those who earned a certification or learned a new skill could see an increase of as much as $12,000 a year.

In a Pearson VUE Value of IT Certification report, professionals list their top reasons for certification as improving professional standing, adding technical knowledge, and increasing their chances of a salary increase. Plus, 67 percent of the respondents indicate greater self-confidence in their abilities, and 55 percent note that the knowledge they gained was transferable to actual work situations.

Sixty-one percent of respondents in the Nigel Frank survey mentioned earlier believe that certifications can give you an edge in the job market. In that survey, one participant observed, “Certifications are ‘worldwide,’ so I am able to prove to partners worldwide that I am familiar with the product, and not just based on local references.”

In addition to highlighting your specific technical skills, a certification also indicates that you’re willing to learn new technology to get ahead and stay ahead. Employers are building tech-intensive organizations where people not only have the skills that they’re looking for, but they also have a willingness to embrace a culture of learning.

Other certifications for you

Depending on the direction you want to take your career, you should investigate the different Microsoft Certifications available to you to help you take the next steps.

If you’re new to Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365, check out Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals (pass Exam PL-900) and Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP) (pass Exam MB-920).

Depending on your experience and interest, later in your career, you might consider pursuing an advanced certification for solution architects, such as Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert (complete a prerequisite and pass Exam MB-700).

How do I get started?

Strong technical acumen, a deep understanding of business requirements, and a wide variety of development skills characterize finance and operations apps developers. You’re driven by implementing and extending apps of strategic importance for finance and operations, and you have experience providing fully realized solutions by using standardized application coding patterns, extensible features, and external integrations.

However, if you don’t feel ready to take the required exam just yet, we have a few suggestions for you. Try working as a developer on one or more finance and operations apps in Dynamics 365. Join a Dynamics 365 community (see the list later in this post). Find a mentor or look for more support by exploring training opportunities or taking an instructor-led course. No matter where you are on your journey, we have training that can help you get underway.

To get started with this certification, check out our Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate certification journey map. You can also find the journey map in the resources section on the Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate certification and exam pages.

D365 F&O Apps Dev Associate.PNG

To map out your journey, follow the sequence on the Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate journey map. Start at the beginning by deciding whether this certification is a good fit for you.

Next, choose the training you’ll need to be prepared. To understand what you’ll be measured on when you take the required exam, review the Exam MB-300 and Exam MB-500 skills outline. Then sign up for the training that fits your learning style and experience:

After you pass the exam and earn your certification, you can continue to add to your technical expertise by taking one of the other certifications described in this blog post or by exploring other certification offerings. Consider our associate and expert certifications when you achieve the next milestones on your career journey. Use this diagram to map out the possibilities: Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 certification paths.

Where’s my community?

Join other finance and operations apps developers in a community. Share your career journey with colleagues who have similar interests in Dynamics 365 finance and operations apps and related technologies. Here are some places where you can share and gather information and learn from your peers and others.

Celebrate with the world: Post your badge on LinkedIn

When you earn a certification or learn a new skill, celebrate your accomplishment with your network. It often takes less than a minute to update your LinkedIn profile to share your achievements, highlight your skills, and help boost your career potential. Here’s how:

  • If you’ve earned a certification already, follow the instructions in the congratulations email you received. Or find your badge on your Certification Dashboard, and follow the instructions there to share it. (You’ll be transferred to the Credly website.)
  • For more information on badges, check out the Certification Badges FAQ.
  • To add specific skills to your LinkedIn profile, go to your profile page and update the Skills and endorsements section. Tip: We recommend that you choose skills listed in the skills outline guide for your certification.

It’s easy to renew your certification

When your Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate certification expires, we’ve got good news. You can renew your current certifications by passing a free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn—anytime within six months before your certification expires. For more details, read our blog post, Stay current with in-demand skills through free certification renewals.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 resources

Ready to discover your career path?

Are you ready to show that you can develop finance and operations solutions in Dynamics 365 that deliver best-in-class functionality? A certification signals that you have what it takes to deliver optimized financial operations for your organization.

[i] IDC white paper, sponsored by Microsoft, Business Value of Digital Transformation and the Contribution of a Growth Mindset in IT, #US46245620, May 2020.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-learn-blog/discover-microsoft-certified-dynamics-365-finance-and-operations/ba-p/2388938 https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-learn-blog/discover-microsoft-certified-dynamics-365-finance-and-operations/ba-p/2388938 2021-10-06 14:00:00Z