Top 10 Business Office Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a business office manager in the job market because they demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully manage a business office. Certifications can provide employers with evidence that an individual has the necessary qualifications for a particular job. Having certifications can make a potential employee more attractive in the job market, as it shows employers that they have taken the time to learn and become proficient in certain areas of office management. Additionally, certifications can help an individual stay competitive and increase their chances of promotion or advancement within their current workplace or when applying for new positions.

The purpose of this article is to review top certifications for Business Office Managers and explain how they can enhance a business office manager's career.

What are Business Office Manager Certifications?

Business office manager certification is a professional designation for individuals who oversee the daily operations of an organization’s business office. This certification is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in areas such as accounting, budgeting, financial management, human resources, and customer service. By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in their field and gain access to a network of resources that can help them manage their business more effectively.

The benefits of obtaining this certification include increased job opportunities, improved salary potential, greater recognition from employers and colleagues, and the ability to stay current with industry trends. This certification also allows individuals to develop an understanding of the legal requirements associated with running a business office. Additionally, those who have obtained this certification are able to use it as a tool to advance their career goals and increase their value in the workplace.

Pro Tip: If you are considering a career as a business office manager, it is important to obtain certification. Certification will not only help you stand out among other job applicants, but can also provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to confidently manage an office environment.

Related: What does a Business Office Manager do?

Top 10 Business Office Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Manager (CPM)

Certified Professional Manager (CPM) is an internationally recognized professional designation for managers and supervisors. It is awarded by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the profession of management. The CPM program provides managers with a comprehensive set of skills, knowledge, and abilities to lead teams effectively in today’s complex business environment.

The CPM program consists of four courses: Foundations of Management, Leadership & Communication, Human Resources Management, and Strategic Planning & Execution. Each course is designed to provide participants with the necessary tools to manage their teams effectively. The courses are offered online or in-person at ICPM’s accredited universities across the United States and Canada.

It typically takes six months to complete all four courses and obtain the CPM designation. To get started, applicants must first submit an application form and pay a registration fee. After completing all four courses, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam to receive their CPM designation.

The cost of obtaining the CPM designation varies depending on whether you take the courses online or in-person. Taking all four courses online costs $1,995 USD while taking them in-person costs $2,495 USD. Additionally, there is a one-time exam fee of $150 USD that must be paid before taking the exam.

2. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). This certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals in the workplace. The CAP credential is awarded after successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as communication, technology, business writing, project management, customer service, and office management.

It typically takes between six months to a year to prepare for the CAP exam. Candidates must have two years of administrative experience or equivalent education to be eligible for the exam. Preparation usually involves taking courses or attending seminars on topics related to the exam content.

To get the CAP certification, candidates must pass an online proctored exam administered by IAAP. The cost of the exam is $395 for IAAP members and $495 for non-members. Once certified, individuals must renew their credentials every three years by completing continuing education activities related to their professional development goals.

3. Certified Business Manager (CBM)

Certified Business Manager (CBM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Business Managers (ICBM). The program is designed to equip business professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage and lead organizations. It focuses on developing core competencies such as strategic planning, financial management, operations management, marketing, human resources management, and organizational development.

The CBM certification program consists of three levels: Associate Certified Business Manager (ACBM), Professional Certified Business Manager (PCBM), and Master Certified Business Manager (MCBM). Each level requires a certain number of courses and exams in order to qualify for certification. The ACBM requires completion of four courses and two exams; the PCBM requires completion of eight courses and four exams; and the MCBM requires completion of twelve courses and six exams.

It typically takes between one to two years to complete all requirements for the CBM certification program. However, this timeline may vary depending on an individual's prior education, experience level, and other factors.

To get certified as a CBM, individuals must first register with ICBM. After registering, they will have access to online course materials which can be completed at their own pace. Upon successful completion of all coursework requirements, individuals must then pass the required examinations in order to become certified.

The cost for the CBM certification program varies depending on the level being pursued. The ACBM costs $295 USD; the PCBM costs $595 USD; and the MCBM costs $995 USD. Additional fees may apply for exam retake attempts or late registration fees.

4. Certified Office Manager (COM)

Certified Office Manager (COM) is a professional certification program for office managers. It is administered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The COM certification demonstrates to employers, colleagues, and clients that the office manager has achieved a high level of proficiency in their field.

The COM exam consists of four sections: Management Principles, Human Resources & Personnel Administration, Financial & Business Administration, and Technology & Information Systems. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and is offered twice a year at various locations around the world.

To be eligible for the COM certification, applicants must meet certain criteria. This includes having at least two years of full-time work experience in an administrative or office management role or one year of full-time work experience plus 12 college credit hours in business or related courses. Applicants should also have knowledge in all four areas covered on the exam.

The cost of the COM certification varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For IAAP members, it costs $250 USD to take the exam and $50 USD for each retake if necessary. For non-members, it costs $350 USD to take the exam and $100 USD for each retake if necessary.

5. Certified Executive Assistant (CEA)

Certified Executive Assistant (CEA) is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of executive assistants. The CEA credential is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and is recognized globally as a mark of excellence in the profession.

The CEA program consists of three parts: an online assessment, a written exam, and a practical application project. The online assessment tests your knowledge of executive assistant duties and responsibilities. This portion takes approximately two hours to complete. The written exam covers topics such as communication, problem-solving, decision-making, technology use, time management, customer service, and other administrative skills. This portion takes approximately four hours to complete. The practical application project requires you to demonstrate your ability to apply what you've learned in the coursework by creating a portfolio or presentation on an assigned topic. This portion takes approximately eight hours to complete.

To become certified as a CEA, you must first register with IAAP and pay the registration fee which is currently $125 USD for members or $250 USD for non-members. You will then be given access to the online assessment and will have six months from that date to complete all three portions of the program before your registration expires. Once you have completed all three parts successfully, you will receive your official CEA certification from IAAP.

6. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected credential for project managers. PMP certification demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and experience to effectively manage projects.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions, covering five domains of project management: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Monitoring & Controlling, and Closing. To be eligible to take the exam, you must have either a four-year degree plus three years of project management experience or a secondary degree plus five years of project management experience.

It typically takes between six months and one year to prepare for the PMP exam. During this time, you should study for the exam using materials such as textbooks, online courses, practice tests, and other resources. You should also gain hands-on experience with managing projects in order to better understand how to apply your knowledge on the exam.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on whether you are a member of PMI or not. For non-members it costs $555 USD while members pay $405 USD. In addition to these fees there may be additional costs associated with studying materials or attending review classes or seminars.

7. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt is a certification program designed to help individuals and organizations improve their processes and operations through the use of Lean Six Sigma principles. The certification is intended to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to identify, analyze, and solve problems in order to improve quality and reduce costs.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification typically takes around 40 hours to complete, depending on the individual’s experience level. To get certified, individuals must complete an approved training course or program that covers topics such as process improvement, data analysis, problem solving, project management, and Lean Six Sigma tools. After completing the coursework, individuals must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of obtaining a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification varies depending on the provider. Generally speaking, courses range from $1,000-$2,500 USD for online programs or $2,500-$5,000 USD for in-person classes.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate the skills of individuals using Microsoft Office products. It is offered by Certiport, an official testing partner of Microsoft. The MOS certification is available for several versions of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.

To become certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist, you must pass one or more exams that test your knowledge and proficiency in the various programs. Each exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete and covers topics such as creating documents, formatting text and images, working with formulas and functions in Excel, creating presentations in PowerPoint, managing emails in Outlook and creating databases in Access.

The cost of taking a MOS exam varies depending on the country where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $100 per exam. You can find out the exact cost by contacting your local Certiport testing center or visiting their website.

Once you have passed all required exams for a particular version of Microsoft Office (e.g., Word 2016), you will receive an official MOS certificate from Certiport that attests to your proficiency in that program. This certificate is valid for life and can be used to demonstrate your expertise to employers or clients when applying for jobs or other opportunities.

9. International Association of Administrative Professionals Certification

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a professional organization that provides certification for administrative professionals. The IAAP Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certifications are designed to validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals.

To become certified, individuals must meet certain requirements and pass an exam. Requirements vary depending on the certification level. For the CPS certification, applicants must have at least two years of full-time administrative experience within the last five years or an associate degree in business administration or related field. For the CAP certification, applicants must have at least four years of full-time administrative experience within the last seven years or a bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field.

The exams are administered by Prometric Testing Centers throughout the United States and Canada. The CPS exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. The CAP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost to take either exam is $225 USD for IAAP members and $275 USD for non-members. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with registering for the exam at a Prometric Testing Center. Once certified, individuals must renew their certifications every three years by completing continuing education activities and paying a renewal fee of $50 USD for IAAP members or $75 USD for non-members.

10. American Society for Quality Certification in Quality Improvement

American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certification in Quality Improvement is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in quality improvement. The certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their commitment to the field of quality improvement and to show employers that they are knowledgeable and experienced in the areas of process improvement, quality management, and organizational performance.

The ASQ certification program consists of two levels: Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA) and Certified Quality Improvement Professional (CQIP). It takes approximately 3-4 months to complete the CQIA exam, while the CQIP exam requires 6-12 months of study.

To get certified, applicants must first register with ASQ and pay an application fee. They then need to pass an online assessment test which covers topics such as quality principles, customer satisfaction, process improvement tools, problem solving techniques, and statistical analysis. Once the assessment is passed, candidates must take a written exam at an approved testing center.

The cost for the CQIA certification is $250 USD for ASQ members or $350 USD for non-members. The cost for the CQIP certification is $400 USD for members or $500 USD for non-members. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking exams at testing centers or purchasing study materials.

Do You Really Need a Business Office Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question really depends on the individual. If you are looking to advance your career in the business office management field, then a business office manager certificate may be beneficial. It can provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to manage a business office successfully, as well as help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in the field and just want to brush up on your skills, then a certificate may not be necessary. In this case, taking courses or seminars related to business office management may be more beneficial, as they will provide you with more focused instruction and allow you to tailor them to your specific needs.

In conclusion, whether or not a business office manager certificate is necessary for success in the field depends on each individual's goals and experience level. If you are looking for an edge over other applicants or are starting out in the field from scratch, then it may be worth considering getting certified. However, if you already have some experience under your belt and just need a refresher course, then taking specific classes or seminars may be more appropriate.

Related: Business Office Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Business Office Manager Certifications

1. What is a Business Office Manager Certification?

Answer: A Business Office Manager Certification is an industry-recognized certification that provides professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage office operations, financials and personnel in a business setting.

2. How do I become certified as a Business Office Manager?

Answer: To become certified as a Business Office Manager, you must complete an approved program of study and pass an examination. Programs may be offered by colleges, universities or professional organizations.

3. What are the benefits of obtaining a Business Office Manager Certification?

Answer: Benefits of obtaining a Business Office Manager Certification include increased job opportunities, higher salaries, more job security and greater professional recognition.

4. How long does it take to get certified as a Business Office Manager?

Answer: The length of time it takes to obtain your certification will depend on the program you choose and how much time you are able to dedicate to studying and preparing for the exam. Generally, programs can be completed within one year or less.

5. Is there any continuing education required for maintaining my certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifying agencies require continuing education credits (CEUs) in order to maintain certification status. CEUs can be obtained through attending conferences, taking classes or completing online courses related to business office management topics.