Overview

Are you a motivated person with a knack for solving problems? Enter today’s fast-paced office environment. Get to work quickly with the Office Skills certificate program.

This program prepares you for the constant change in business by emphasizing relevant computer courses in accounting, mathematics and communications. You will graduate with the skills needed to be versatile, responsive and professional in workplaces that never stop. If you are just starting a career or if you are looking to update previous education and experience, this program is the perfect fit.

Office environments in today’s world are part of highly automated, complex organizations that require administrative personnel who are skilled professionals that can meet all of the demands of their position. This program will put you on a path towards a limitless selection of careers. And, if you wish to continue your studies after you’ve completed Office Skills, enter into the second year of a diploma program—choose from Legal Administration, Medical Administration or Office Management!

A typical day in administration involves work such as budgeting, making purchasing decisions, planning events, managing social media accounts, handling accounting and payrolls, preparing presentations, note-taking, and helping with communications. This program places a strong emphasis on hard skills, but also soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, professionalism and accuracy, preparing you to enter into a new administrative position with confidence.

Be ready to start your career in a variety of roles including administrative assistant, general office clerk, customer service representative or word processor operator. If you are combining this certificate program with previous experience or education, you may even choose to operate your own business.

Admissions

  • A complete Manitoba Grade 12 or equivalent
  • English 40G/40S or equivalent
  • Consumer/Essential Mathematics 40S or equivalent

English is the language of instruction at Assiniboine. All applicants educated outside of Canada or in a country not on the test exempt list are expected to meet the English language proficiency requirement. See assiniboine.net/elp for more information. 

Helpful Information for International Students

Careers & Connections

Career Opportunities

Graduates find employment as front-line workers in any organization; administrative assistant, customer service representative or word processing specialist.

Connections

Through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), graduates/students may write examinations for the Certified Administrative Professional designation.

Assiniboine has a number of agreements with other colleges, universities and professional organizations, making it possible for students to apply credit taken at Assiniboine to programs at other institutions. For up-to-date information on agreements, visit the Articulation Agreements page.

Tools & Supplies

You benefit from industry networking and guest speakers and attend classes in computer labs, regular classrooms and lecture theatre. This program uses online learning resources and instructional resources.

Booklists are available from your school office 30 days prior to the start date of your program. The most current textbook info for the spring and summer terms are available on the Bookstore website.

2022-23 Lists:

Program Checklist:

Booklists:

Tools/Supplies:

Technology Requirements

Students in this program are required to bring their own laptop for use on-campus. The laptop must meet the technical needs outlined by the program. MAC computing devices are not compatible with program software. Refer to assiniboine.net/tech for detailed information.

Courses & Costs

 

Costs

Estimated Program Costs (Domestic students)
  Credits Tuition Course fees Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) Estimated textbooks, tools and supplies
Office Skills 60 $3,310 $970 $450 $1,520

All fees are estimated and subject to change without notice.

Estimated Program Costs (International students)
  Credits Tuition Course Fees Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) Required Health Insurance Textbooks, Tools, & Supplies
Office Skills 60 $15,200 $970 $450 $750 $1,520

All fees are estimated and are subject to change without notice. All international students must purchase health insurance. The college adds this fee to your student account and then sends your name and fee to the insurance provider on your behalf.

Courses

To graduate with an Office Skills certificate, students must successfully complete 60 academic credits. The minimum passing grade for each course is indicated on the course outline. Course offerings are subject to change and may vary by intake.

Graduates of the Office Skills certificate are eligible to enter directly into year two of the Legal Administration, Medical Administration or Office Management diplomas. A new application form is required.

Courses
Title Credits/CEUs Elective Distance PLAR
Accounting Software (COMP-0556)

Prerequisite: ACCT-0003 Financial Accounting 1
Whether working in industry or owning a business, having experience with widely used accounting software packages lead to a better understanding of an organization’s accounting system and lead to greater career opportunities. Using multiple accounting software packages, students build on their knowledge of manual accounting and the accounting cycle, to perform various functions including creating and managing accounts in the general and subsidiary ledgers, and how to enter purchase and sales transactions for both services and merchandise. Basic payroll transactions, account reconciliations, and financial reporting are also covered.

6 credit(s) No No No
College Foundations (PEDV-0356)

This course improves students’ ability to navigate the college experience and environment, including student's rights, roles, and responsibilities. In this course, students reflect on their skills, attitudes, and expectations and develop learning strategies to help them to become successful, resilient, and self-directed learners. The course covers topics such as success in online learning, time management strategies, learning strategies, assessment taking strategies, academic integrity, information and digital literacy, and wellness, among others. It integrates elements of student orientation.

0 credit(s) No No No
Financial Accounting 1 (ACCT-0003)

This introductory course in the fundamental principles of accounting provides a basic understanding and application of principles relating to the accounting cycle and current assets.

6 credit(s) No Yes Yes
Office Communications 1 (COMM-0372)

This course teaches the principles of English-language grammar and style for use in an office setting. Course topics include effective written communication, correspondence formats, critical thinking and transcription.

6 credit(s) No No No
Office Mathematics (MATH-0104)

This course provides a working knowledge of basic arithmetic and mathematics. This course reviews the basics of arithmetic, graphing and algebra to develop skills for solving practical problems encountered in business. Course topics include manipulation of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, exponents, basic algebra, ratios, proportions, graphing and graphical solutions.

6 credit(s) No No No
Office Procedures 1 (OFAD-0022)

This course provides an overview of general office procedures. Topics include office reception procedures, work and time management procedures, filing, meetings and meeting minutes, handling telephone calls, processing mail and appointment scheduling.

6 credit(s) No No No
Organizational Behaviour (PSSY-0004)

This course develops students' knowledge of behaviour science theory and concepts useful in organizations. Topics include: perception, values and attitudes, foundations of group behaviour, teamwork, leadership, organizational culture and organizational change.

6 credit(s) No No No
Presentations and Promotions (COMP-0563)

This course focuses on tools and techniques for designing and delivering effective presentations, as well as creating promotional material. Students will demonstrate proficiency using presentation and desktop publishing software. Students will use presentation software to create effective slide presentations and desktop publishing software to design and produce professional, quality documents including brochures and newsletters.

6 credit(s) No No No
Software Applications 1 (COMP-0564)

In this course, students gain strong knowledge of two software applications-electronic spreadsheets and database management. Students acquire skills which will enable them to create, edit, format and print worksheets as well as use formulas, functions and charts to enhance usability and readability of numeric data. In addition, students will learn how to operate database application software to design and create databases, add and modify data and extract information using queries and reports.

6 credit(s) No No No
Word Processing 1 (COMP-0129)

In this course, students learn keyboarding by touch technique, basic word processing concepts using Microsoft Word and formats of business documents such as memoranda, letters, reports and tables. This course gives students practice in proofreading and communication skills and develops efficient production skills through repetitive and concentrated practice.

6 credit(s) No No Yes
Word Processing 2 (COMP-0046)

Prerequisite: COMP-0129 Word Processing 1
In this course, students improve keyboarding speed and accuracy, learn advanced word processing concepts, format business documents such as memoranda, letters, reports, tables, itineraries, minutes and agendas, and practice proofreading and communication skills. This course gives students the opportunity to develop superior production skills through repetitive and concentrated practice.

6 credit(s) No No No

Fast Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next program information session?

Program information sessions are completely free to attend, and we invite you to bring a guest along as well. It's a good idea to register in advance so we know you're coming.

To find the complete schedule for our program information sessions and to RSVP, visit the program information session page.

I have a Mac laptop, can I use that?

Laptops using a Windows 10 base operating system are recommended. Mac computing devices are not compatible with the Business Administration or Office Administration programs.