Executive Assistant

Become a Certified Executive Assistant

For many organizations, executive assistants are the foundation of effective leadership teams. Executive assistants provide the structure and support systems that enable leaders and teams to function. They are invaluable problem solvers, coordinators and representatives for the organization’s culture. This 100% online course will teach you the skills and procedures needed to work as an executive assistant. You will also be prepared to take the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exam.

Job Outlook for Executive Assistants

• According to executive recruiting firm Robert Half, executive assistants are expected to take on responsibilities for logistical and management issues that support leaders at a high level. For that reason, strong, well-trained executive assistants are in demand and are usually well-compensated.
• Robert Half’s 2019 OfficeTeam Salary Guide notes that executive assistants earn $53,250 per year, on average, compared to $35,750 for administrative assistants.
• Given the expectations for executive assistants, their role fits within the management category. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects demand for management jobs to grow by 7% between now and 2028, which is faster than the average rate expected for all jobs.

Executive Assistant FAQs

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT?

Executive assistants provide administrative and logistical support for leadership teams. This may include a wide variety of work activities, including:

• Office and administrative assistance to executive management, including managing calendars, organizing files, making travel, meeting and event arrangements
• Attending various organizational meetings including staff, committee and stakeholders
• Preparing reports for management, legal and financial data
• Training and supervising administrative and support staff
• Screening calls and managing communication for executive teams
• Maintaining relationships with clients, customers and stakeholders

WHAT DOES EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TRAINING INCLUDE?

A strong executive assistant training course integrates aspects of communication, organizational development, personal and team management, finance, operations and technology management.

Key topics may include:

• Organizational communication
• Organizational structure and systems
• Organizational development and change
• Organization leadership and decision making
• Technology and information distribution
• Creating functioning and productive workspaces
• Event, project and travel management
• Human resources functions, duties, and processes
• organizational finance: budgeting, financial statements, and financial transactions
• Strategic management in operations

IS CERTIFICATION IMPORTANT FOR AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT?

Because the executive assistant role is evolving into the management domain, certification is a strong signal that an executive assistant is committed to high standards for their own work and career. The Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) designation indicates that a prospective executive assistant has undergone a program of study that covers the concepts and practices required for strong performance in the role.

CAN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS WORK FROM HOME?

The internet and online communication tools make working from home a solid possibility for executive assistants. ZipRecruiter.com reports that telecommuting, virtual assistant and work from home executive assistant positions average $30 per hour in the US.

Course Objectives

• Prepare to take and pass the IAAP Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exam
• Develop basic practical and managerial skills
• Explore important topics in running operations in accord with legal requirements
• Learn about how taxes affect a business, whether it’s a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation
• Understand the process of negotiating, evaluate negotiation styles, and consider successful negotiation strategies for most environments
• Know the seven management disciplines essential to business success
• Effective organizational and business communication
• The fundamentals of administrative roles including human resources, financial responsibilities, and event and project management

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Curriculum

Certified Administrative Professional

• Organizational communication (part 1)
• Organizational communication (part 2)
• Business writing and document production
• Technology and information distribution
• Office and records management
• Event and project management
• Human resources
• Financial functions
• Workplace behaviors
• Becoming an administrative assistant and advancing your career

Management Training

• Financial and accounting management
• Marketing management
• Strategic management in operations
• Legal issues in operations
• Legal aspects of contracts
• Tax issues
• Organizational development and change
• Negotiating strategies
• Business best practices
• Organization leadership and decision making
• Project management for executives
• Seven management disciplines

Instructors

Becky Swaim

Becky Swaim has taught since 2000, focusing on Administrative Assistant Fundamentals, Administrative Assistant Applications, and Individual Excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from California State University, Long Beach. Her experience includes managing large staff in medical billing and collections and as a program manager to various medical practices.

Katrina McBride

Katrina McBride’s career reflects extensive experience in organizational leadership, marketing strategies, and market development in multi-national corporate environments. Her leadership abilities have been utilized to develop new programs and functional areas. In director-level positions for Nortel Networks, she led strategy for competitive intelligence, emerging markets, and lead generation. McBride holds an M.A. in organizational management and a B.S. in psychology.

Katherine Squires Pang

Katherine Squires Pang, J.D., LL.M., M.Ed has practiced law with since 1983. She has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate School of Management at the University of Texas, Dallas, and has been an adjunct faculty member of many universities, including New York University and the University of California, Irvine. She received her B.A. in 1980 from Clark University, her J.D. from the University of Dayton Law School in 1982, her LL.M in Taxation from Georgetown University Law School in 1983, and her M.Ed from the University of Texas in 2001.

Jerry L. Partridge

Jerry L. Partridge is a Certified Project Management Professional with experience as a project and program manager for a major retail organization. He is a certified instructor for IBM project management courses and hosts university seminars for project managers seeking certification. He has worked extensively with the Project Management Institute, previously leading a team that developed a practice standard for Earned Value Management Systems and volunteering as a subject matter expert for an update to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). Partridge holds a Master of Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University.

Registration and Enrollment

This course is 100% online. Start anytime.