SME management: training, further education, information, self-test

After completing the further training in SME management and passing the professional examination (BP), graduates are awarded the qualification: "Specialist in SME management with federal certificate".

The costs for further training vary depending on the educational institute, as is the case with the preparatory course for the Business Management SME professional examination (BP). The course costs between CHF 9,800 and CHF 14,600, plus CHF 1,500 for the module examinations and CHF 2,290 for other extra costs. However, as it is possible to apply for federal funding for this course, you will be reimbursed 50% of the costs for the course, module examinations and teaching materials on application once you have passed the federal professional examination.

Specialists in SME management with a federal certificate have the following options for continuing education in SME management:

• Higher professional examination for the federal diploma as an auditor or fiduciary expert
• Higher technical college as a business economist HF
• With a vocational baccalaureate: study at a university of applied sciences, e.g. business administration

The responsibilities of an SME management specialist are as follows:

• Leadership tasks in upper management
• Strategic analysis and planning
• Finance, organization and human resources
• Public relations

These responsibilities are underpinned by the competencies as company or sub-divisional management.

Während des Vorbereitungslehrgangs auf die Berufsprüfung in der Unternehmensführung KMU absolvieren die Teilnehmenden sechs Module, die für die Zulassung zur BP erforderlich sind. Diese sind:

• Allgemeine Unternehmensführung
• Organisation
• Rechnungswesen
• Leadership, Kommunikation und Personalmanagement
• Marketing, Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Lieferanten- und Kundenbeziehung
• Recht in der Unternehmensführung KMU

An SME management specialist performs the following tasks:

• Take on leadership and management tasks in small or medium-sized companies
• are largely responsible for the success of the business
• bear the company risk - often even as (co-)owner
• competently use business management tools
• Analyze business performance and derive appropriate measures from it
• be responsible for staff recruitment and development
• Implement new organizational structures and processes as required
• Represent the company vis-à-vis the various stakeholder groups
• Specialists in corporate management SMEs deal with topics such as responsible corporate management (corporate social responsibility) and environmental issues

Für die Weiterbildung «Fachleute Unternehmensführung KMU» können Sie mit einem Jahr Ausbildungszeit rechnen, welche berufsbegleitend absolviert wird.

Anyone wishing to take part in the SME management specialist course and the subsequent professional examination requires either an EFZ or equivalent qualification and two years of professional experience in an SME management position or, without a comparable qualification, at least eight years of professional experience in an SME position. Proof of the required module qualifications or certificates of equivalence is required for all candidates.

The following alternatives to further training in business management are available:

• Certificate courses such as:
  • SME Businessman / Businesswoman
  • Management
  • Corporate management
  • Corporate culture / organizational culture
• Higher professional examination for managing director
• Advanced technical college in management
• Postgraduate studies at a higher technical college:
  • Leadership and management
  • Corporate management
• Bachelor's degree in International Management at a university of applied sciences
• Master's degree in Sustainable Business Development at a university of applied sciences
• Various CAS and MAS courses at universities of applied sciences