Top 10 Office Automation Clerk Certifications

Certifications are important for an office automation clerk in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competency and expertise that potential employers look for. Having certifications can help make a candidate stand out from other applicants and is often seen as a sign of dedication to the profession. Many employers view certifications as proof that the applicant has taken the time to hone their skills, which may lead to improved job performance. Certifications also give an office automation clerk the opportunity to learn new technologies and stay up-to-date with industry trends. Finally, certifications can provide increased job security, since those with certifications are more likely to be considered for promotions or advanced positions within an organization.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Office Automation Clerks and explain how they can help advance an office automation clerk's career.

What are Office Automation Clerk Certifications?

Office automation clerk certification is a type of industry-recognized certification that verifies a person's knowledge and proficiency in the use of office automation software. This includes programs such as Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and other office productivity tools. It is designed to help employers identify qualified candidates who have the necessary skills to handle the daily tasks of running an office.

Having an office automation clerk certification can be beneficial for job seekers looking to enter the field or demonstrate their skill level in certain areas. It can help them stand out from other applicants by showing potential employers that they possess the necessary skills needed to be successful in an administrative role. It also helps employers find candidates who are already familiar with the technology used in their organizations and have experience using it effectively.

In addition, having this type of certification can open up opportunities for career advancement as well as better wages and benefits since employers may be more likely to hire someone with a verified knowledge base. Additionally, having this certification may make it easier for employees to transition into new roles within their organization or even switch careers and move into another industry altogether.

Pro Tip: When considering office automation clerk certification, make sure to research and understand the requirements of the certifying organization. Different certifications may require different levels of knowledge or experience in order to obtain the certification. Additionally, some certifications may require additional testing or continuing education in order to maintain your certification status.

Related: What does an Office Automation Clerk do?

Top 10 Office Automation Clerk Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Office Automation Clerks today.

1. Certified Office Automation Clerk (COAC)

Certified Office Automation Clerk (COAC) is a certification program designed to help office professionals gain the skills needed to effectively use office automation tools. The program covers topics such as basic computer hardware and software, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, and other office automation applications. It also includes instruction on how to use the internet for research and communication purposes.

The COAC certification program typically takes about 40 hours of study to complete. It can be completed either in a classroom setting or online. The cost of the program varies based on the provider but is usually around $500-$600 USD.

To get certified as a COAC, you must first pass an exam administered by a recognized certification body such as CompTIA or Microsoft. After passing the exam, you will receive your certificate and be able to add the designation “COAC” after your name.

2. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program from Microsoft designed to demonstrate proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of applications. The MOS certification is available for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and SharePoint.

The MOS certification requires passing a single exam for each application. Each exam typically takes about 90 minutes and covers topics such as creating documents, formatting text and graphics, using formulas and functions, working with tables and charts, managing data sources, customizing options and settings, collaborating on documents with others, and more.

To get the MOS certification you need to register for an exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. The cost of an individual exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in but generally ranges from $50 to $150 USD. You can also purchase practice tests or study guides to help prepare for the exams.

Once you have passed all the required exams you will receive your MOS certification which is valid for two years. After two years you must retake any expired exams in order to keep your certification active.

3. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of administrative professionals in the workplace. The CAP certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence, as well as a mastery of current best practices in office management, communication, technology, customer service, problem-solving, and leadership.

The CAP certification program consists of two parts: an online assessment and an in-person exam. The online assessment is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of essential administrative skills. The in-person exam covers topics such as office management, communication, customer service, problem-solving, technology use, and leadership.

It typically takes six months to one year to complete the CAP certification process. To get started on the path to becoming certified you must first register with IAAP and pay the registration fee. After registering you will receive access to an online study guide that will help prepare you for the online assessment and in-person exam. Once you have completed both parts of the program successfully you will be awarded your Certified Administrative Professional certificate.

The cost for registering for the CAP Certification Program varies depending on whether or not you are already an IAAP member. For non-members it costs $295 USD; for members it costs $245 USD.

4. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ Certification is an industry-leading certification for IT professionals. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge necessary to be a successful IT technician. The A+ certification covers hardware, software, networking, security, troubleshooting, and customer service.

The A+ certification consists of two exams: 220-1001 & 220-1002. The first exam covers hardware and networking while the second exam covers operating systems and security. It typically takes between three to six months to complete both exams depending on your study habits and background knowledge.

To get CompTIA A+ certified you must pass both exams with a score of at least 750 out of 900 points on each exam. You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through OnVUE virtual proctoring services.

The cost for CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take the exam as well as any additional materials you purchase (e.g., practice tests). Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD for both exams plus any additional materials you may need.

5. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is a globally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of office administration. The CPS certification is designed to help administrative professionals advance their career and gain recognition for their expertise.

To become a Certified Professional Secretary, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass a comprehensive exam. Eligibility requirements include having at least three years of experience in office administration or related fields, as well as having completed at least 60 hours of college-level coursework in business or office management.

The CPS exam consists of five sections: Business Communications, Office Technology & Procedures, Human Resources Management & Development, Financial Management & Accounting Principles, and Professionalism & Ethics. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and must be taken at an IAAP-approved testing center.

The cost to take the CPS exam varies depending on the country where it is taken. In the United States, the fee is $295 USD ($345 USD if taking the exam outside of North America).

6. Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+)

Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+) is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in designing, implementing and managing document imaging systems. This certification is offered by AIIM International, an independent organization that provides training and certifications for information professionals.

To become certified, individuals must pass the CDIA+ exam, which covers topics such as document imaging systems design and implementation, digital document management systems, electronic records management, and other related topics. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of the CDIA+ exam varies depending on the country in which it is taken; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 USD. To register for the exam, individuals must create an account on AIIM's website and submit their application materials. Once approved, they will receive instructions on how to schedule their test date and pay the associated fees.

After passing the exam, individuals will be awarded a Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+) certificate that is valid for three years. They can renew their certification by taking the same exam again or by completing additional training courses provided by AIIM International.

7. Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW)

Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to design, develop, manage, and maintain websites. The CIW program is designed to help professionals gain the expertise they need to succeed in today’s competitive web development market.

The CIW certification consists of several different levels, each with its own set of exams and requirements. To become certified at any level, you must pass a series of exams that cover topics such as HTML5 and CSS3, JavaScript programming, website security, e-commerce solutions, networking fundamentals and more.

It typically takes anywhere from six months to a year to complete all the necessary exams for the CIW certification. This timeline can vary depending on how much time an individual has available for studying and preparing for the exams. Additionally, there are online courses available that can help speed up the process.

To get started with the CIW certification program you must first purchase an exam voucher from CIW's website. The cost of an exam voucher varies depending on which level of certification you are pursuing but typically ranges from $100-$300 USD per exam. After purchasing your exam voucher you will be able to register for your desired exam through Prometric or Vue testing centers located around the world.

Once you have passed all required exams you will receive your official CIW certificate in the mail within 8-10 weeks after completion.

8. Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) is a certification program designed to help validate the skills of entry-level digital media professionals. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates proficiency in Adobe digital media tools, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Animate and Premiere Pro.

To become an ACA, you must pass one or more performance-based exams that measure your understanding of Adobe products. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center around the world.

The cost for each exam varies depending on the country you are taking it in. Generally speaking, the cost is between $95 and $180 USD per exam. You can find out exact pricing information by visiting the Pearson VUE website.

Once you have passed all required exams, you will receive an official ACA certificate from Adobe along with a digital badge that can be displayed on your online profiles and resumes. Your certification will remain valid for two years before needing to be renewed.

9. IC3 Digital Literacy Certification

The IC3 Digital Literacy Certification is an internationally recognized certification that verifies a person’s ability to use computers and the Internet. It is designed to measure basic computer and Internet skills, such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, and the internet. The certification is offered by Certiport, a Pearson VUE company.

It typically takes about two hours to complete the IC3 Digital Literacy Certification exam. The exam consists of three parts: Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, and Living Online. Each part contains multiple choice questions that assess a person's knowledge in these areas.

To get the IC3 Digital Literacy Certification you must first purchase an exam voucher from Certiport or one of their authorized resellers. After purchasing the voucher you can then register for the exam online through Certiport's website and schedule your test at an authorized testing center near you.

The cost of the IC3 Digital Literacy Certification varies depending on where you purchase it from but generally ranges from $75-$100 USD.

10. QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification

QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification is an online certification program offered by Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks. It is designed to help professionals learn how to use QuickBooks software more effectively and efficiently. The certification is available for both desktop and online versions of the software.

The QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification consists of two levels: Basic and Advanced. The Basic level covers topics such as setting up a company file, managing customers and vendors, tracking income and expenses, creating reports, using payroll services, and more. The Advanced level focuses on more advanced topics such as inventory management, customizing forms and reports, integrating with other applications, working with multiple companies, troubleshooting errors and more.

It typically takes around 10-15 hours to complete the Basic level certification and 20-25 hours to complete the Advanced level certification. To get certified you must first purchase a ProAdvisor membership from Intuit which costs $299 per year (or $159 for the first year). Once you have purchased your membership you can access the training materials needed to become certified. After successfully completing all of the required training modules you will receive your certificate in the mail or via email within 2-3 weeks.

In addition to getting certified in QuickBooks ProAdvisor there are also several other certifications available including QuickBooks Online Essentials Certification, QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Solutions Certification, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certification, Certified Bookkeeper Certification and more.

Do You Really Need a Office Automation Clerk Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's goals and career aspirations. If an individual is looking to work in a field that requires office automation skills, then it is highly likely that they will need a certificate in order to be considered for employment. Office automation clerks are responsible for tasks such as data entry, word processing, spreadsheet creation, and other related duties. So if you want to be considered for these roles, having a certificate could definitely help you stand out from the competition.

On the other hand, if you are looking to pursue a career outside of office automation, then having a certificate may not be necessary. If you already have experience with computers and general office skills, then there may be no need to obtain an additional certification. However, if you want to advance your knowledge and demonstrate your competency in the field of office automation, then obtaining a certificate could certainly help.

At the end of the day, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they need an Office Automation Clerk Certificate in order to reach their career goals. If having one would help open doors for them professionally and give them an advantage over others vying for similar positions, then it can certainly be worth taking the time and effort to get certified.

Related: Office Automation Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Office Automation Clerk Certifications

Q1. What is an Office Automation Clerk Certification?

A1. An Office Automation Clerk Certification is a certification that demonstrates knowledge and proficiency in the use of computer systems, software applications, and other office automation tools used in a typical office setting. It is designed to help individuals become more efficient and productive in their roles as office clerks or administrative assistants.

Q2. How do I obtain an Office Automation Clerk Certification?

A2. Depending on the program, you may need to complete a combination of online courses, exams, or workshops to earn your certification. Some programs may also require hands-on experience working with the technologies involved.

Q3. What topics are covered in an Office Automation Clerk Certification?

A3. Topics typically covered include basic computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheets and database management; electronic mail systems; internet navigation; web page design; graphics software; programming languages; hardware installation/configuration/maintenance; voice recognition software; and information management systems.

Q4. How long does it take to become certified?

A4. This varies depending on the program chosen but generally certification can be achieved within 6 months to 1 year of study time for most programs.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for taking an Office Automation Clerk Certification?

A5: Most programs require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent before enrolling in the coursework necessary for certification eligibility. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to have prior experience using office automation tools or related technologies before they can apply for certification status.