Self-test "Management Assistant with Federal Certificate of Proficiency (BP)": Is this course the right one for me?
Test here whether the varied work as a specialist in supporting managers in corporate management with a federal certificate suits you and whether a preparatory course for the federal professional examination "Management Assistant" is the right path for you.
What does the day-to-day work of management assistants with a federal certificate look like?
Management assistants support managers in the areas of administration, information management, organizing meetings and events, preparing presentations and implementing projects. They are often the first point of contact for employees and external contacts.
Depending on the company, management assistants are given additional areas of responsibility, such as human resources or marketing. The proximity to management and the generally varied tasks make for an exciting job where boredom hardly ever arises. On the other hand, the limited authority to issue directives and the interface function between management and internal and external target groups are certainly a challenge in day-to-day work.
(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).
Question 1:
Do the activities described meet your expectations? Would you like to work as an assistant manager?
Great!
If you don't like all the jobs, think about which ones interest you the most. Also take a look at relevant job advertisements. You may find that there are only jobs that you are more suited to, in which case you are in the right place with this training.
If you like the job to some extent, or individual parts of it, you could think about what interests you most. And with what you find out, you can look at the following further training opportunities in related fields to see if you can find something that better suits your interests:
If you don't like the activities, take a look at the numerous other further training opportunities. You will find a large selection on Ausbildung-Weiterbildung.ch.
Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination for management assistants with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?
The course and the professional examination for "Management Assistant" are suitable for
- Professionals with several years of experience as a management assistant who would like to prove their knowledge and skills with a federal certificate
- Employees with at least 3 or 4 years of professional experience in assistant functions in various management positions who would like to increase their career and salary opportunities with a federal specialist certificate
- Ambitious professionals with assistant functions and additional tasks, e.g. in the areas of human resources or marketing, who would like to take on more responsible tasks in the future
Management assistants should have the following personal qualities and skills:
- Organizational talent
- Planning skills
- Service awareness
- Flexibility
- Load capacity
- Communicative skills
- Team skills
- Winning appearance
- Good manners
- Confidentiality
- Reliability
- Responsible
Question 2:
Do you belong to one of the target groups for this training course and do you have the necessary personal qualities?
Great!
- If you do not belong to any of the above-mentioned groups, you cannot apply directly for the Federal PET Diploma. In this case, take a look atfollowing page. You may come across further training courses here that are aimed precisely at people like you.
- If you do not have the necessary professional experience in the relevant field, use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs.Hereyou will find helpful information.
- If you don't have the necessary personal qualities and skills, you won't be happy in this role. Look out for training opportunities that offer a technical specialization that better suits your skills.
- If you are unsure whether you are well suited to such a role, it is best to discuss this with your line manager or career advisor. You can find suitable providers of career advice and career coaching here:
Requirements for admission to the professional examination for management assistants with a federal certificate:
In order to be able to take the professional examination for management assistants, you must, in accordance with the examination regulations, register for the examination by the examination date:
- Have one of the following qualifications: Federal Certificate of Proficiency in Business Administration EFZ, high school diploma, vocational baccalaureate, vocational baccalaureate or equivalent qualification, as well as at least 3 years of relevant professional experience* after graduation
Or
- Have one of the following qualifications: other EFZ, federal vocational certificate as an office assistant (EBA)/office assistant (EBA) or equivalent qualification and at least 4 years of relevant professional experience after obtaining the qualification
And
- Have submitted the personal portfolio on time and in full
* Professional experience gained on a part-time basis, i.e. less than 80%, is credited pro rata.
You will find out whether you have been admitted to the professional examination at least three months before the start of the examination with a written notification including reasons in the event of rejection.
Note: Some schools are prepared to admit you to a preparatory course for the professional examination for management assistants if you do not (yet) meet the criteria for admission to the federal examination. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements at the time of the examination/examination registration. At some schools, it is also possible to attend the course without intending to take the exam (in this case, you will still receive a certificate from the school). The admission requirements vary depending on the provider.
Question 3:
Do you meet the requirements for admission?
Great!
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as work experience for management assistants, clarify your chances directly with theSponsorship of the examination regulationsthe Swiss Commercial Association.
If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience. You can find more informationhere.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the relevant sector, ask them for tips and whether they would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the professional examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP.Hereyou will find more information.
If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
If you are not sure whether your professional experience will be recognized as work experience for management assistants, clarify your chances directly with theSponsorship of the examination regulationsthe Swiss Commercial Association.
If you have little or no professional experience, you have the following options:
- Use professional job boards to search for suitable jobs where you can gain experience. You can find more informationhere.
- If you know someone from your private or professional environment who is already working in the relevant sector, ask this person for tips and whether he/she would support you in your job search. He/she will certainly have the relevant contacts and connections.
If you are not sure whether your qualifications will be accepted for the professional examination (equivalence test), please contact theExamination secretariat.
SERI is responsible for assessing the equivalence of foreign qualifications for admission to the BP.Hereyou will find more information.
If you do not have a federal certificate of proficiency (EFZ) or equivalent basic vocational training, you still have the opportunity to catch up now. You can find out more about catch-up training for adults in ourAdvisor"The Swiss education system at a glance".
Subject matter and content of the training
The learning content in the preparatory courses for the professional examination for management assistants with a federal certificate is based on the specifications of the sponsor of the federal examination, the Swiss Commercial Association.
The following topics are usually part of the learning material:
- German, English or French
- Business administration (BWL) and economics (VWL)
- Project management
- Risk management
- Self-management and work organization
- Time management / resource management
- Information management
- ICT / Office applications
- Finance and accounting
- Team leadership / personnel management
- Communication (oral and written)
- Conflict management
- Law
- Marketing
- Appearance, rhetoric, presentation techniques
Note: Some schools offer voluntary preliminary courses on various subjects, such as Business English and Accounting. The provider of your choice will be happy to provide you with detailed information.
Question 4:
Are you interested in this content, would you like to acquire knowledge in these subject areas?
Great! You can look forward to exciting and instructive hours in which you will broaden your knowledge horizon and skills - aspects that are in demand on the job market and increase your career and salary opportunities.
If you are only partially interested in the content of this federal certificate, take a look at other training and further education courses in this area. You may find a course that suits you better. You will find inspirationhere.
Obviously the typical subject areas of management assistant with a federal certificate are not your thing. Take a look at other further training courses instead. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a wide range of options.
Costs and financing of further training
The costs (apart from the external examination fee, which is determined by the sponsoring body) are determined by the schools. There may therefore be differences. In general, the following costs must be expected for the part-time management assistant further education / management assistant training, which lasts 2-4 semesters depending on the provider:
- Course feesBetween CHF 9,700 and CHF 15,550 Of this, you will receive up to 50% back from the federal government on application after the examination (regardless of the result).* Note: Members of the Kaufmännischer Verband receive a member discount of up to 10% on the course costs. For more information please contacthere.
- Examination feeThe examination fee is set by the sponsor of this professional examination or course and amounts to CHF 2,000 (as of 2023). It is paid by the candidate after admission has been confirmed.
- Some providers requireFurther costsfor
- Preliminary courses (for example in business English or accounting)
- Intermediate diploma of the Higher Business Diploma VSK
- Additional certificate project manager edupool.ch
- Enrollment
- Teaching materials and (software) licenses
- Training documents
- Internal examinations and examination training
- Simulation test
Find out directly from the provider of your choice what additional costs you can expect.
*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations (BP) and higher professional examinations (HFP) have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses will therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500 for BP, max. CHF 10,500 for HFP) of the course costs paid upon application after taking the federal examination. In exceptional cases of hardship, the federal contributions will also be paid out in advance.
Question 5:
Are you able to pre-finance around CHF 11,700 - CHF 17,550 for the course and exam?
Great! Here's another tip: If you are able to pay the full amount in advance, ask the school of your choice whether they offer a special discount for full payment in advance.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Most schools allow you to pay the course costs in installments. Most schools charge a small surcharge for payment in installments.
Ask your employer whether they will contribute to the costs.
Perhaps there is someone in your private circle who will support your further education project with a loan. A bank or credit institution may also support you with an educational loan. You will be able to repay some of the borrowed funds immediately after the professional examination with the federal contribution.
Information on financial support options from the employer, federal government, canton, foundations or through loans from the Education Promotion FoundationEducaSwissyou will receive in ourAdvisor"How to finance your further training properly".
Information on financial support for temporary workers from "temptraining", the further training fund of the temporary employment sector, can be found athere.
Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort
- The management assistant training program is modular and lasts 2-4 semesters, depending on the provider.
- The course comprises approx. 504 - 520 lessons, which can be attended in different time variants (day courses and evening courses) (e.g. one evening per week and on Saturdays or two evenings per week or one full day per week).
- Many schools offer a mix of face-to-face and online courses (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study. You can therefore choose the format that allows you to combine further education with your family, career and free time in the best possible way.
- Thanks to the in-service training concept, 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. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week as a precaution.
Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons". Benefit from the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. These are important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. It is best to contact the school of your choice directly for a taster lesson.
Question 6:
Can you find the time for lessons and self-study?
Great!
Tip for self-study: Set yourself realistic daily or weekly targets and think about a small reward when you have achieved them. A good study strategy not only motivates you, but also protects you from chaotic, stressful study days and nights shortly before the exam.
If you do not have that much time, contact the providers and clarify whether you can possibly complete the course over more than four semesters.
If you still don't have enough time, check whether you can create space for yourself elsewhere. Perhaps someone close to you can take on certain tasks for you for the duration of your training?
Degree, diploma and title
The professional examination for management assistants with a federal certificate takes place annually, provided that at least 20 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be held in German, French or Italian.
Candidates are notified at least 28 days before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (including the place and time of the examination and permitted aids) and the list of experts.
The federal examination is divided into five parts, which are structured as follows (type of examination, time and weighting):
1. examination support and area management (written, 5 hours, weighting: 2)
Based on challenging practical situations, the candidates work on five simulations. Particular emphasis is placed on correct and complete implementation.
2. information management (written, 1.5 hours, weighting: 2)
In this part of the exam, candidates work on a mailbox with 15 to 30 different documents (e.g. emails, letters, telephone notes, etc.), which they analyze and use to develop an action plan and justify it accordingly. The focus here is on analysing the urgency and creating prioritization criteria for the respective documents.
3. leading team members and managing personnel transactions (written, 1 hour, weighting: 1)
The starting point is a challenging practical situation on the basis of which the candidates work on a guided case study. This case work consists of two subtasks relating to one or more of the following three subject areas: Recruiting, managing and developing employees; Mastering difficult situations; Handling personnel transactions. The focus in this part of the examination is on analyzing and creating concepts and implementing them.
4. management support, divisional management and cooperation (oral, 0.75 hours, weighting: 1)
In this part of the exam, candidates solve three to five workplace-relevant situations (so-called critical incidents), for example on topics such as: meetings, events, events, project processing, data security, data protection, first-level support, etc. To do this, you conduct a role interview with an expert in which you have to describe and justify your actions in such a challenging work situation. The focus here is on two points: on the one hand, the situational management of challenging situations and, on the other hand, on technically correct, structured and addressee-oriented communication
5. self-management, personal portfolio (prepared in advance, weighting: ¼)), technical discussion (oral, 0.5 hours, weighting: ¾)
Candidates independently create a personal portfolio in which they take an in-depth look at the design of their self-management using the analysis tools "Werkschau" and "Kompetenzraster".
Exhibition:The candidates create three works on the topic: "This is how I organize my work"
Competence grid:The candidates assess their competencies themselves using a corresponding grid (with approx. 30 key questions). In addition, they have an external assessment carried out by a superior. You record your findings in a report.
The focus here is on reflecting on personal self-management and recognizing any need for action.
Based on the personal portfolio, the expert interview takes place in a second official language or English. At the beginning, the candidates present selected content from their portfolio and then answer questions from the experts. In this part of the examination, the candidates' specialist knowledge, presentation technique and ability to reflect are tested.
Diploma and title
Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Management Assistant with a federal certificate".
- In French "Assistante de direction avec brevet fédéral / Assistant de direction avec brevet fédéral"
- In Italian "Assistente di direzione con attestato professionale federale"
- In English (note: only a recommendation, not a protected title) "Executive Assistant, Federal Diploma of Higher Education"
Question 7:
Do you have the confidence to pass the professional examination for the federal certificate?
Great!
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams (Hereyou will find so-called "zero series" for downloading).
If you are unsure, we recommend that you attend an information event on this course.
Arrange a personal consultation appointment with the school of your choice or theSponsorship of the professional examinationthe Swiss Commercial Association. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school management about support options. Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training.
Here are some general success factors on the way to a new training qualification:
- Regular attendance of lessons
- Actively contribute your questions, don't leave anything half-understood in the room!
- Interest in the topic and active participation in class
- Detailed preparation and follow-up of the lesson material at home
- Committed cooperation in group work, processing of case studies, etc.
- Participation in learning groups for regular exchange
- Intensive exam preparation: practise exam situations and gain exam experience, e.g. in simulation exams (Hereyou will find so-called "zero series" for downloading)
If you are not at all confident of passing the final examination but would like to complete the training, it is best to arrange a personal consultation appointment with a school or theSponsorship of the professional examinationthe Swiss Commercial Association. Explain your interest and your concerns and see how your counterpart reacts to which points and what they recommend.
Ask the school of your choice whether there are any support options for you.
Also consider whether you would like other support, for example from learning therapists or coaches, autogenic or mental training. You can find suitable offers here:
No, the course for the federal certificate as a management assistant (BP) does not suit you. What a pity? - Perhaps not, because there are so many other options for further training. One or the other would certainly suit you much better.
Check which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Management assistant with a federal certificate is probably not the right further training goal for you.
Are you surprised or disappointed? Perhaps take the test again and see where your ideas or possibilities deviate from the ideal job. Perhaps this will point you in the direction of more suitable further training.
Then see which other further training courses interest you. ToEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers
That's a half-hearted result: the job of management assistant doesn't seem ideal for you. Or is it perhaps the form of training that doesn't appeal to you or isn't a good organizational fit?
See which other further training courses are suitable for you. OnEducation-Further-Education.chyou will find a large selection of offers.
Training as an executive assistant is not ideal for you - or is it?
If you are unsure, it is best to attend the providers' information events. There you can find out more about further training and discuss your personal options and questions directly with the specialist representatives present.
Directly to the schools:
"Management Assistant Training / Management Assistant Training (BP)"
This training seems to suit you.
As a next step, we recommend that you attend an information event at suitable schools and obtain details of the exact costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Management Assistant Training / Management Assistant Training (BP)"
This course seems to be made for you!
The best thing to do now is to attend information events at the schools you are interested in and find out everything you need to know about the specific content, costs and dates.
Directly to the schools:
"Management Assistant Training / Management Assistant Training (BP)"