Top 11 Assistant Office Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for an assistant office manager in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise necessary to perform the job. They also provide a way to differentiate yourself from other applicants by demonstrating that you have taken the initiative to gain additional skills and stay up-to-date on changes in the field. Certifications can also be used to show employers that you are committed to professional development and that you are willing to go above and beyond what is expected of you. Finally, certifications may be required for certain roles or positions, so having them may give you an edge over other candidates.

The purpose of this article is to review the best certifications for Assistant Office Managers and discuss how they can help to advance an assistant office manager's career.

What are Assistant Office Manager Certifications?

Assistant office manager certification is a type of professional certification that is designed to provide aspiring office managers with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful in their roles. The certification is typically offered by professional organizations or universities and can be obtained either online or in-person.

The certification covers topics such as human resources, financial management, administrative processes, customer service, and organizational development. It also provides an introduction to computer applications used in the office environment. By earning this certification, individuals will be able to demonstrate their abilities and understanding of these topics to employers.

Having assistant office manager certification can help an individual stand out from other job seekers when applying for positions in the field. This credential shows that they have a thorough understanding of the duties associated with this role and are committed to continuing their education in order to stay current on new trends and developments related to the profession. Additionally, having this type of certification may help an individual gain access to higher-level positions within the organization or even open up opportunities for promotions down the line.

Pro Tip: When considering certification as an Assistant Office Manager, make sure to research the requirements and qualifications for each certification program. Different certifications will require different levels of experience and knowledge, so it is important to find the best fit for your current skill set. Additionally, many certifications may require continuing education or recertification in order to maintain their validity.

Related: What does an Assistant Office Manager do?

Top 11 Assistant Office Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and reward administrative professionals for their expertise in office management, technology, and leadership. CAP certification is the highest level of recognition available for administrative professionals.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the CAP program. The program consists of three components: an online learning course, an exam, and a portfolio review. The online course covers topics such as office management, communication skills, technology skills, and leadership skills. After completing the online course, candidates must pass a comprehensive exam to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in these areas. Finally, they must submit a portfolio that demonstrates their experience and accomplishments in the field.

The cost of the CAP program varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For IAAP members, it costs $495 for the online course and $395 for the exam fee. For non-members, it costs $595 for the online course and $495 for the exam fee.

Overall, earning your Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) designation can be a great way to demonstrate your expertise in office management and leadership skills while also providing you with greater job security and opportunities for career advancement.

2. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification designed to recognize the knowledge, skills and abilities of individuals who are employed as secretaries, administrative assistants or executive assistants. The certification is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

In order to become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and successfully pass the CPS exam. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have a minimum of two years of full-time experience in an administrative role within the past five years. In addition, applicants must also have completed at least 30 semester hours of college credit or its equivalent in business-related courses.

The CPS exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as office technology, communication skills, time management and project management. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $195 for IAAP members and $245 for non-members. Once an applicant has passed the exam, they will receive their Certified Professional Secretary certificate from IAAP.

3. Certified Office Manager (COM)

Certified Office Manager (COM) is a certification program for office professionals, offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The COM certification recognizes those who have achieved a high level of proficiency in office management and administrative skills.

The COM certification requires passing a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, technology, customer service, and problem solving. The exam is administered online and takes approximately four hours to complete.

In order to be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time work experience in an administrative role or equivalent education. Applicants must also submit proof of their work experience or educational credentials when applying for the exam.

The cost to take the COM exam is $295 USD for IAAP members and $395 USD for non-members. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with submitting proof of work experience or educational credentials.

Once applicants pass the COM exam, they will receive their official certificate from IAAP and become a Certified Office Manager (COM). This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking continuing education courses or retaking the COM exam.

4. Certified Professional Manager (CPM)

Certified Professional Manager (CPM) is a professional designation awarded by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM). It is the highest level of professional certification available in the field of management and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, managerial, and organizational skills.

To become a CPM, one must have at least five years of experience in management or related fields, as well as a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Additionally, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as business strategy, organizational behavior, human resources management, financial analysis and decision-making.

The process to become a CPM typically takes about three months from start to finish. First, applicants must submit their application materials to the ICPM for review. If accepted, they will be required to attend an orientation session and complete all necessary coursework before taking the exam. After passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, applicants will receive their CPM designation.

The cost to become a CPM varies depending on the individual's circumstances but typically ranges between $500 - $1000 USD including application fees and course materials.

5. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is an industry-recognized certification that validates a person’s skills in the Microsoft Office Suite of products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access. It proves that the individual has mastered the core features and functions of these applications.

To get certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist, you must pass one or more exams depending on which product(s) you are certifying for. Each exam typically takes between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. The cost of each exam varies depending on location but ranges from $75-$150 USD.

You can find MOS exams at Certiport testing centers around the world or online through Pearson VUE. To prepare for the exams, you can take self-paced courses or practice tests offered by Microsoft or other third-party providers.

6. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program designed to validate an individual's expertise in designing and implementing Microsoft-based solutions. It is intended for IT professionals who have experience in the design, implementation, and maintenance of Windows Server 2012/2016 systems and related technologies such as Active Directory, Exchange Server, Hyper-V, SharePoint, SQL Server, and System Center.

It typically takes between three to six months to earn an MCSE certification. The amount of time it takes depends on the individual's experience level and the type of certification being sought. To obtain an MCSE certification, individuals must pass one or more exams that are administered by Microsoft. The cost of each exam varies depending on the type of exam taken. Generally speaking, the cost for each exam ranges from $125 to $200 USD.

7. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals. It is a comprehensive, vendor-neutral certification that covers the fundamentals of computer hardware, software, networking, security, troubleshooting, and more.

The CompTIA A+ certification typically takes about three months to complete if you are studying full time. However, this timeline can vary depending on your experience level and how much time you are able to dedicate to studying each day. To get certified, you must pass two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). The cost of the exams varies by country but typically ranges from $200 - $300 USD.

To prepare for the exams, CompTIA recommends taking an authorized training course and using official study material such as practice tests and study guides. You can find authorized training courses through CompTIA’s website or through other providers such as Pearson VUE or CertMaster Learning.

8. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is a globally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in project management. PMP-certified professionals are expected to have the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully manage projects of any size, scope, and complexity.

In order to become PMP certified, individuals must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements set forth by the PMI. Specifically, they must have either a four-year degree plus three years of project management experience or a high school diploma plus five years of project management experience. They must also complete 35 hours of formal project management education prior to taking the exam.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within four hours. The cost for the exam is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. Once an individual has passed the exam, they will receive their official PMP certification from the PMI.

Overall, it typically takes between six months and one year to prepare for the PMP exam depending on how much time an individual can dedicate to studying each week.

9. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt is a certification program designed to help professionals understand and apply the Lean Six Sigma methodology in their work. It is an advanced level of training that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to lead and manage improvement projects within their organization.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt program typically takes between 10-15 days to complete, depending on the provider and the format of the course. Some providers offer online courses that can be completed in as little as one week, while others offer traditional classroom-based courses that may take up to several weeks.

To become a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, individuals must first complete a training program from an accredited provider. After completing the course, they must then pass an exam administered by their chosen provider or by an independent third party such as ASQ (American Society for Quality). The exam covers topics such as process improvement tools, problem-solving techniques, data analysis methods, project management principles, and more.

The cost of obtaining a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification varies depending on the provider and format of the course. Online courses typically range from $500-$1,500 USD while traditional classroom-based courses can cost anywhere from $2,000-$3,000 USD or more.

10. Certified Bookkeeper

Certified Bookkeeper (CB) is a professional certification offered by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB). The CB certification is designed to demonstrate a bookkeeper's knowledge and proficiency in bookkeeping principles, practices, and procedures. It requires a comprehensive understanding of how to use accounting software, analyze financial data, and prepare financial statements.

It typically takes about six months to complete the requirements for the CB certification. To become certified, candidates must first pass an online examination that covers topics such as accounting fundamentals, payroll processing, accounts receivable/payable management, and financial statement preparation. After passing this exam, they must then submit proof of at least two years of relevant work experience in bookkeeping or accounting.

The cost of obtaining the CB certification varies depending on the provider; however, it typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD. This includes the cost of taking the exam as well as any additional fees associated with submitting proof of experience or other required documents.

11. Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)

The Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) is an independent, non-profit organization that provides certifications for human resource professionals. HRCI certifications demonstrate a professional’s knowledge and skills in the areas of human resources management, including employee relations, compensation, recruitment and selection, training and development, and organizational development.

There are three levels of certification available through HRCI: Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR). Each certification requires a certain amount of experience and education to qualify.

The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on the individual’s level of preparation. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from three months to one year to complete the necessary coursework and exams.

To become certified through HRCI, individuals must first register with the institute. Once registered, they will be required to take an exam that covers topics related to their chosen certification level. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions as well as case studies that test their knowledge and understanding of human resources management principles. After passing the exam, individuals will receive their certification from HRCI.

The cost for HRCI certifications varies depending on the type of certification sought after. The PHR certification costs $395 USD while the SPHR certification costs $495 USD. The GPHR certification is more expensive at $595 USD due to its global scope.

Do You Really Need a Assistant Office Manager Certificate?

No, you do not need an assistant office manager certificate to become an assistant office manager. While a certificate may be helpful in certain circumstances, it is not required in order to obtain and maintain this job position. In many cases, having the right skills and experience can be enough to qualify for the role.

Having a certificate might help demonstrate your commitment to the profession and give you an edge when applying for certain positions. Additionally, some employers may require that you have a certificate in order to be considered for the role. Therefore, if you are looking for certification, it is best to research what is available and find out if any particular certificate is necessary or recommended by the employer.

In most cases, however, having a good understanding of office management fundamentals, such as filing systems and document management processes, organization skills, customer service principles, and computer proficiency will go a long way towards making you successful in this field. Developing these skills through hands-on experience or taking courses in office management can also be beneficial when applying for assistant office manager positions.

Related: Assistant Office Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Assistant Office Manager Certifications

1. What qualifications are needed to become an Assistant Office Manager?

Answer: To become an Assistant Office Manager, you typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent, although some employers may prefer candidates with associate's or bachelor's degrees in business administration or management. Additional qualifications may include relevant experience in office management, strong organizational skills, and proficiency in computer software applications.

2. What is the purpose of an Assistant Office Manager Certification?

Answer: An Assistant Office Manager Certification provides professional recognition of your knowledge and competencies as an assistant office manager. This certification can help demonstrate to employers that you have the necessary skills and expertise to be successful in this role. It also serves as a benchmark for quality assurance and provides evidence of continuing professional development.

3. How long does it take to get certified as an Assistant Office Manager?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to complete a certification program will vary depending on the provider and the type of program chosen. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed within one year or less with full-time study and dedication.

4. What are the benefits of becoming certified as an Assistant Office Manager?

Answer: Becoming certified as an Assistant Office Manager provides several benefits including increased job prospects, higher wages, and greater job security. It also demonstrates your commitment to career development and mastery of key concepts related to office management such as organization, time management, customer service, problem solving, communication skills, and more.

5. How much does it cost to become certified as an Assistant Office Manager?

Answer: The cost of certification programs varies depending on the provider and type of program chosen but generally range from $500-$1500 USD for online courses or self-study material packages plus any applicable exam fees which can range from $50-$200 USD depending on the program chosen.