Self-test: Is the course "Specialist in Business Organization with Federal Certificate of Proficiency (BP)" the right one for me?

What does the day-to-day work of a specialist in business organization with a federal certificate look like?

As a specialist in business organization with a federal certificate, you are employed as a project manager, business analyst and process facilitator. This means that everyday working life can vary greatly depending on the position and company. In small and medium-sized companies, they are often employed at overall company level, while in large companies they are employed at organizational unit level and take on demanding business management tasks. Behind the title of specialist in business organization are proven experts in the fields of structure, process and project management. They are proficient in a wide range of methods and techniques in these areas. They also have generalist know-how in change management, quality management, ICT management, business administration and law.

Possible tasks after the specialist in business organization training are

• Developing the basis for business decisions
• Analyze and optimize structures and processes in companies
• Process development - implementing and mapping corporate goals in the individual processes
• Supporting organizational development and strategy implementation
• Creating and monitoring the quality assurance of data and documentation
• Evaluate key figures from financial and management accounting and controlling
• Leading project teams, planning and analyzing projects
• Designing working environments
• Act as a hub between management and employees, between business and ICT or between strategy and operational implementation
• Take a wide range of legal regulations into account when implementing projects
• negotiate with business partners and project participants, often in a foreign language
• Participation in transformations and change management
• Provide employees with ongoing information on the status of matters and inform them about change processes in the company
• Motivate employees during restructuring phases and provide them with the necessary support
• Recognizing and using trends and innovations

(Remember: in individual cases, the distribution/weighting/frequency of tasks may vary depending on the function/job profile and the company, company size and sector).

The following functions are conceivable for a specialist in business organization

• Team leader
• Head of department
• Project manager
• Advisor to the company management
• Assistant to the management
• Process support in line and management functions
• Process manager
• Process and structure manager
• Change and resource manager
• Corporate Organization department
• Business Analyst
• Head of Corporate Development
• IT management
• Head of Administration
• Facility Manager
• Or as complementary activities and career steps:
  • Leading working groups
  • Collaboration in interdisciplinary teams
  • Moving into the management
  • IT coordination
  • Event management
  • Quality management
  • Company training

Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination Specialist in Business Organization with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The "Specialist in Corporate Organization" further training course is aimed at people who work with various organizational tasks in the company, the administration or their department (for example in project management, process development, change management). The target group has already completed training (usually commercial) and is looking for practice-oriented further training in the field of corporate organization and the disciplines of project, structure and process management.

Important qualities and skills for the job of specialist in business organization are

• Fluency in oral and written expression
• Independence, confident demeanor
• Solution orientation and willingness to innovate
• Organizational skills
• Analytical thinking and ability to combine
• Planning and organization
• Assertiveness
• Sense for numbers and computer skills

The following prerequisites are required for admission to the final examination (federal professional examination) as a specialist in business organization:

The following prerequisites are required for admission to the final examination (federal professional examination) as a specialist in business organization:

• Federal Certificate of Competence EFZ, a federally recognized commercial diploma or an equivalent qualification

and

• at least two years of practical experience in an activity related to at least one area of business organization

Some schools also require prior knowledge in the field of management. Generally, qualifications such as a professional certificate, a diploma from a higher professional examination or (technical) university and a high school diploma (all types) are regarded as equivalent qualifications. To be on the safe side, check this with the educational institute or the examination secretariat. Depending on what previous knowledge you have and especially for shorter courses, we recommend a management course, a preliminary accounting course, a computer course or a language course.

You will be informed in writing at least three months before the start of the examination whether you meet the requirements for the professional examination Specialist in Business Organization - in the event of rejection, including reasons and information on legal remedies.

Note: The requirements, such as professional experience, only need to be fulfilled at the time of the federal written examinations. Some schools may also be prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination to become a specialist in business organization if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination at the start of the course. You are responsible for meeting the conditions at the time of the examination or examination registration. The apprenticeship period is not recognized as practical experience, so professional experience can only be credited from the completion of basic training. This is subject to the timely transfer of the examination fee.

Subject matter and content of the Specialist in Business Organization continuing education course:

The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for the specialist in business organization / specialist in business organization certificate is based on the specifications of the sponsors of the federal examination, the SWICO, the Swiss Society for Organization and Management SGO and the Swiss Commercial Association.

The learning content of the Specialist in Business Organization course includes the following topics:

• Process management
• Structure management
• Methodology and project management
• Finance and accounting
• Corporate and employee management
• Production management and logistics
• Marketing
• ICT management
• Quality management
• Change management
• Individual and group processes (social competence)
• Meeting and presentation
• Law and compliance

Some of the courses offered by the schools are divided into two stages:

• Step 1: Intermediate degree: Higher Business Diploma HWD
• Step 2: Company organization Contents and exam preparation for the federal professional examination

Costs and financing of further training for specialists in business organization:

The costs vary slightly depending on the provider and duration of the specialist in business organization training. On average, these amounts are to be expected:

• Course fees:between CHF 8'500.- and CHF 14'000.-
  After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
  Note: Members of the Kaufmännischer Verband receive a 10% discount on the costs of training courses and courses offered by individual training providers
• Examination fees:CHF 2,500 (as at: 2023)
  The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after confirmation of admission to the specialist in business organization examination.
• Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and interim degrees, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for the specialist in business organization further education course.
• Acquisition of additional qualifications:For additional qualifications such as the edupool.ch Higher Business Diploma or the VSK Higher Business Diploma, you must expect to pay extra for the preparation and external examination.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations such as specialist in business organization have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also paid out in advance.

Duration of study, number of teaching hours and learning effort for the specialist in business organization training:

• The specialist in business organization training, continuing education is classically structured (i.e. professional examination covers all competencies to be assessed) and lasts 2 to 3 semesters in parallel with work. It comprises approx. 300 lessons.
• Lesson times vary depending on the provider of the specialist in business organization training. As a rule, lessons take place two evenings a week, on an afternoon/evening or all day on a weekday and/or Saturday.
• Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
• Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the Specialist in Business Organization continuing education course, you can apply and deepen the learning material in practice straight away. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for preparation and follow-up of the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed. As a precaution, we recommend that you allow at least 5 - 7 hours per week.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. These are important aspects on the way to successfully graduating as a specialist in business organization. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title Specialist in Business Organization:

The professional examination "Specialist in business organization with a federal certificate" takes place annually, provided that at least 30 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be held in German, French or Italian.

Candidates for the professional examination Specialist in Business Organization will be notified at least 4 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.

The professional examination Specialist in Business Organization comprises the following nine examination parts:

1. Professional knowledge and methodological/technical skills (written, 2 hours)
   • Areas of competence A, B, C, D and F
   • in particular on the competencies with a focus on methods and techniques: A-1 (project management) and G-1 (organizational management)
   • Recall theoretical knowledge and apply it appropriately to the situation as well as select and apply methods and techniques accurately
2. Mini Cases, Critical Incidents (written, 2 hours)
   • Checking the ability to analyze and reflect
   • Assess situations correctly and derive appropriate measures
   • assess typical professional issues and solve problems in a target group-oriented manner
3. Case study (written, 3.5 hours)
   • Comprehensive skills: solving complex problems of practical relevance
   • picking up on issues and processing them in a targeted manner and solving networked tasks
4. In-depth discussion on presentation and selected area of competence (oral, 1 hour)
   • Areas of competence B, C and F
   • in-depth discussion in advance and defines a task, assignment or essay with context to professional practice or the wider working environment
   • Presentation of the key message and answering questions
5. Presentation and technical discussion (group examination, oral, 3.5 hours)
   • Areas of competence C, E and G
   • Group of three candidates drawn by lot receives a case with an organizational issue and three problems/questions
   • work on three tasks in the group
   • Present the solution approach and answer questions

Diploma and title "Specialist in Business Organization"

Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Specialist in business organization with a federal certificate" or "Specialist in business organization with a federal certificate".

• In French: "Spécialiste en organization d'entreprise avec brevet fédéral"
• In Italian: "Specialista in organizzazione di impresa con attestato professionale federale"
• In English: "Swiss Certified Specialist in Business Organization with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training" (Attention: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)