Top 10 Assistant Front Office Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for an assistant front office manager in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge, experience and expertise in the area. Certified professionals have completed a rigorous course of study in their field and have been evaluated against a set of industry standards. This provides employers with assurance that an applicant has the necessary skills and qualifications to perform the job effectively. Additionally, certifications can help distinguish an applicant from other candidates who may not have such credentials. In today’s competitive job market, having certifications can give an assistant front office manager a significant advantage over non-certified applicants.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Assistant Front Office Managers and explains how they can help to advance an assistant front office manager's career.

What are Assistant Front Office Manager Certifications?

Assistant Front Office Manager certification is a professional certification program designed to provide current and aspiring front office managers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to succeed in their roles. The program focuses on developing the managerial, administrative, customer service, and problem-solving skills required for successful front office management. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience, students learn how to effectively manage staff and resources as well as create an environment that fosters customer satisfaction.

Having an Assistant Front Office Manager certification can help advance a person’s career by providing them with the specific knowledge and tools needed to excel in their role. It also helps demonstrate to employers that they have the necessary skillset to perform their duties effectively. In addition, having this certification may give job seekers an edge when competing for open positions or promotions within their organization. Finally, it can also help those who are new to the field gain a better understanding of what is expected of them in terms of performance expectations.

Pro Tip: When obtaining your assistant front office manager certification, make sure to take advantage of any available resources such as online courses, books, and seminars that can help you gain the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the role. Additionally, network with those already in the field to gain insight into best practices and the industry.

Related: What does an Assistant Front Office Manager do?

Top 10 Assistant Front Office Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Assistant Front Office Managers today.

1. Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)

Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) is a professional certification designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully manage and lead a hotel. The CHA program is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

To become certified, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as hospitality law, human resources management, financial management, marketing and operations. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours. Applicants must also complete an online application form and pay a fee of $225 USD.

The CHA certification is valid for two years from the date of issue. To maintain the certification, applicants must complete at least 20 hours of continuing education activities every two years.

In addition to the exam fee, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining the CHA certification such as travel expenses or course fees if you choose to take a preparatory course prior to taking the exam.

2. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a professional certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The CHS certification is designed to provide hospitality professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage their team and operations. It is intended for supervisors, managers, and other hospitality professionals who are responsible for leading and directing staff in the hospitality industry.

The Certified Hospitality Supervisor program consists of three courses: Introduction to Supervision in the Hospitality Industry, Human Resources Management in the Hospitality Industry, and Food & Beverage Operations Management. The courses can be taken online or through an approved training center. To complete the program, students must successfully pass all three courses with a score of 80% or higher.

It typically takes about six months to complete all three courses and earn the CHS certification. The cost of the program varies depending on whether you take it online or through an approved training center, but it usually ranges from $700-$1,000 USD.

3. Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP)

Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) is a certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed to help hospitality professionals improve their customer service skills and become more effective in providing exceptional guest experiences. The program focuses on developing the knowledge and skills needed to provide outstanding service in all areas of hospitality, including front desk operations, housekeeping, food and beverage, sales and marketing, and more.

The CGSP certification requires completion of an online course that takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. The course covers topics such as customer service fundamentals, communication techniques, problem solving strategies, conflict resolution tactics, service recovery methods, and more. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate from AHLEI.

The cost for the CGSP certification is $169 USD for members of AHLEI or $199 USD for non-members. In addition to the course fee, there may be additional costs associated with taking the exam if required.

4. Certified Front Desk Manager (CFDM)

Certified Front Desk Manager (CFDM) is a certification program designed for front desk managers in the hospitality industry. It is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The CFDM certification is an important credential for those who want to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in front desk management.

The CFDM program consists of two components: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, problem solving, communication, guest relations, and more. It takes approximately 20 hours to complete the course and participants must pass a final exam with a score of at least 70% to earn the CFDM certification.

To get certified, you must first register with AHLEI and pay the associated fee. The cost of the CFDM program varies depending on whether you are taking the online course or attending a live class. The cost ranges from $299 for the online course to $399 for a live class.

Once you have completed the course and passed the exam, you will receive your CFDM certificate and be listed in AHLEI’s directory of certified front desk managers. This will make it easier for employers to find qualified candidates when hiring for front desk positions.

5. Certified Hotel Management Professional (CHMP)

Certified Hotel Management Professional (CHMP) is an international certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of hotel management professionals. The CHMP certification is awarded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CHMP certification is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of hotel operations, including customer service, marketing, sales, finance, human resources, and food and beverage management. It also includes courses in hospitality law and ethics.

To earn the CHMP certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in a professional hospitality role or have completed an AHLEI-accredited hospitality degree program. Applicants must also pass a written exam that tests their knowledge in all areas of hotel operations.

The entire CHMP certification process typically takes between four to six months to complete. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $250-$400 USD.

6. Certified Hospitality Sales and Marketing Professional (CHSMP)

Certified Hospitality Sales and Marketing Professional (CHSMP) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in the hospitality sales and marketing field. The certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CHSMP certification program consists of two components: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as hospitality sales and marketing principles, market segmentation, pricing strategies, customer service, and more. The course takes approximately 15 hours to complete. After completing the course, candidates must pass a proctored exam in order to earn the CHSMP designation.

To get certified as a CHSMP, candidates must first register for the program through AHLEI's website. The cost of registration is $395 USD. This fee includes access to the online course material and one attempt at the proctored exam. If a candidate fails the exam on their first attempt, they can retake it for an additional fee of $95 USD.

7. Certified Revenue Management Professional (CRMP)

Certified Revenue Management Professional (CRMP) is a professional certification program offered by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in revenue management, pricing, forecasting, and related disciplines.

The CRMP program requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of revenue management principles through an online exam. The exam consists of 100 questions covering topics such as pricing strategies, forecasting techniques, demand analysis, and other related topics. The exam must be passed with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive the certification.

In order to apply for the CRMP certification, applicants must have at least 5 years of experience working in hospitality revenue management or a related field. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from industry professionals attesting to their qualifications and experience.

The cost for the CRMP program is $595 USD plus applicable taxes. This includes the application fee and cost of the exam. Once approved, applicants will have six months to take the exam before their application expires.

Once certified, there are no additional fees required for maintaining your CRMP status; however, HFTP does require that you complete 50 hours of continuing education every three years in order to maintain your certification.

8. Certified Meeting Planner (CMP)

Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) is a professional certification program offered by the Convention Industry Council (CIC). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for managing meetings, conventions, and events.

To become certified, applicants must have at least three years of full-time experience in meeting or event management, including one year of supervisory experience. They must also pass an exam that covers topics such as financial management, risk management, event design and execution, and strategic planning.

It typically takes between four to six months to complete the CMP application process. The process involves submitting a written application, providing proof of work experience and education, passing a background check, and completing the CMP exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Meeting Planner varies depending on your country of residence. In the United States, it costs $395 to apply for the CMP program and an additional $395 to take the exam.

9. Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE)

Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) is a professional certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The CHE program is designed for hospitality educators and professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in teaching hospitality courses. The program consists of three parts: an online self-assessment, a classroom or online course, and a final exam.

The self-assessment portion of the program is designed to help candidates assess their own knowledge in hospitality education. It consists of multiple choice questions about topics such as instructional design, teaching methods, assessment strategies, and curriculum development. This portion of the program can be completed at any time and does not require any additional fees.

The classroom or online course portion of the CHE program includes more in-depth instruction on topics such as instructional design principles, teaching methods, assessment strategies, and curriculum development. This portion of the program typically takes around 20 hours to complete depending on the individual’s learning style. The cost for this portion of the program varies depending on whether it is taken in person or online; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

The final exam for the CHE certification consists of 100 multiple choice questions that must be completed within two hours. Candidates must score at least 70% on this exam in order to become certified as a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE). The cost for this exam is $150 USD.

Overall, becoming a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) requires approximately 20 hours of coursework and costs between $350-$550 USD depending on whether you take the course in person or online.

10. Certified Lodging Security Manager (CLSM).

Certified Lodging Security Manager (CLSM) is a certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). This certification is designed to provide hotel and lodging security professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively manage security operations in their organization. The CLSM certification is awarded upon successful completion of a comprehensive online course and examination.

The online course covers topics such as risk management, physical security, access control systems, surveillance systems, emergency response plans, and more. It typically takes about 40 hours to complete the course and pass the exam. Once completed, you will receive your Certified Lodging Security Manager certificate.

The cost of the CLSM certification program varies depending on whether you are an AHLEI member or non-member. For members, it costs $495 USD; for non-members it costs $595 USD. This fee includes access to the online course materials as well as the exam fee.

In addition to the cost of the program itself, there may be additional fees associated with travel or lodging if you are attending an in-person training session or taking the exam at a proctored testing center.

Do You Really Need a Assistant Front Office Manager Certificate?

The short answer is no. An Assistant Front Office Manager Certificate is not necessary to become an Assistant Front Office Manager. However, having a certificate may help you stand out from other applicants and make you more attractive to potential employers. A certificate can show that you have taken the time to learn the skills and knowledge that are required for the position, which could give you an edge over other candidates who do not have a certificate. The certificate also provides proof that you have successfully completed specific training related to front office management, which could be beneficial when applying for jobs or promotions in the future.

Ultimately, it's up to you whether or not you pursue a certificate in order to become an Assistant Front Office Manager. If your career goals require a higher level of expertise than what is offered in entry-level positions, then obtaining a certificate may be worth considering.

Related: Assistant Front Office Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Assistant Front Office Manager Certifications

1. What is an Assistant Front Office Manager Certification?

Answer: An Assistant Front Office Manager Certification is a designation that proves the holder has the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a front office. It includes training in customer service, communication, problem-solving, administrative processes, and other essential tasks related to managing a front office.

2. How do I obtain an Assistant Front Office Manager Certification?

Answer: To obtain an Assistant Front Office Manager Certification, you must complete a program offered by an accredited institution such as a college or university. The program typically consists of coursework in customer service, communication, problem-solving, administrative processes, and other essential tasks related to managing a front office.

3. What are the benefits of obtaining an Assistant Front Office Manager Certification?

Answer: Obtaining an Assistant Front Office Manager Certification can give you the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage a front office. It also demonstrates your commitment to professional development and can make you more attractive to potential employers.

4. How long does it take to get an Assistant Front Office Manager Certification?

Answer: The length of time it takes to obtain an Assistant Front Office Manager Certification depends on the program you choose and how much time you dedicate to studying for it. Generally speaking, most programs require at least six months of study before certification can be obtained.

5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining an Assistant Front Office Manager Certification?

Answer: Most programs require applicants to have some prior experience in customer service or hospitality management before they can enroll in the certification program. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to possess certain qualifications such as having completed certain courses or having certain certifications already in place before they can apply for certification status.