Module 1 - The Private Secretary

• The working relationship between the private secretary/PA and executives or the boss

• The roles and work of a private secretary/PA

• Personal Attributes and Skills Needed

• Adapting to change and the criteria for success

Module 2 - Secretarial Work-Environments

• The modern commercial world and types of business enterprises,
• Office functions, location, planning and layouts, furniture, equipment
• Safety, accident prevention, the working environment
• Office personnel, supervision and harmony

Module 3 - Information, Records and Filing, Computer Systems and Databases

• Records and sources of information
• Collating, analysing and presenting information in the required format
• Filing systems, references, record retention policy
• Computer systems, databases and data security

Module 4 - Oral Communication, Forms, Business Documents

• Principles of effective communication
• The importance of good communication and the need for a two-way flow
• The purposes of internal communication
• Oral and unspoken communications, written communications, forms and documents

Module 5 - Business Letters

• The purposes and features of business letters
• Layouts of business letters and their appearance
• Planning and drafting business letters
• Note-taking, shorthand, dictation

Module 6 - Memoranda, Reports, Word Processing, Computer Mediated Communication

• Internal vertical and horizontal communication and organization charts
• Memoranda, routine reports, special reports
• Telecommunications, email, computers, viruses
• Desktop publishing and computer mediated communication

Module 7 - Meetings

• Written confirmation and records of informal discussions, decisions and agreements reached
• Formal meetings: preparations required, notice, agendas, conduct of meetings
• Minutes of meetings, notes, rules, writing-up, distribution, confidentiality
• PA work involved in event management, conferences and conventions

Module 8 - Incoming and Outgoing Mail, Post and Dispatches

• Receipt of mail, opening and PA actions on behalf of the executive
• Centralised despatch departments or post-rooms, equipment, postal rates
• Methods of postal transmission, classifications of mail, couriers
• Preparing typed letters and documents for despatch, checks to make

Module 9 - Reception Work, Visitors, Appointments, Travel Arrangements

• The reception, importance to the organisation, reception furniture, decor, appearance
• The appearance and personal attributes of good receptionists
• The main types of reception work, handling visitors
• Making appointments, the appointments book, making travel arrangements

Module 10 - Money, Banking & Financial Matters,

• Manual and computerised bookkeeping and accounting, principles of double-entry bookkeeping
• The ledger, the debit and credit sides, the cash book, sales book, purchases book, returns books
• Banking, cheques, checking and paying bills, petty cash
• Ordering and storing stationery, literature and other items, checking incoming deliveries

Module 11 - Supervision of Office Personnel (1): Recruitment, Interview, Selection, Induction, Training

• PA/private secretary involvement in internal and external recruitment
• Job analysis, job descriptions, employee specifications
• Advertising vacancies, sorting application forms, employment interviews, selecting candidates
• Probationary periods, induction, training, mentoring, job redesign

Module 12 - Supervision of Office Personnel (2): Management, Teams, Counselling, Promotions

• The 5 key functions of management, the PA/secretary as office supervisor
• Workgroups and building a cohesive team, styles of leadership
• Discipline in the office, employee counselling, dealing with arguments, resignations
• Preparing for promotion to supervisory and managerial posts

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE MODEST CIC FEE

 Your CIC Fee includes:-

• Your enrolment/registration with Cambridge International College, and your own high-quality, professionally produced and illustrated comprehensive International CIC Study & Training Publications.
• A detailed, professional ‘Study & Training Guide’ with full instructions on how to study to achieve success and gain top results.  The Guide includes detailed advice on how to answer Self-Assessment Tests, Training Tests and Examinations.
• Self-Assessment Tests and Recommended Answers for them, and a Progress Chart.
• Two Progress/Training Tests (which can be used as ‘Past Papers/Questions’) with an optional Tutorial Support Service.
• The Final Examination** sat under Invigilation/Supervision in your own area - full details, guidance and explanation of how your Examination will be arranged and how Invigilation is conducted will be provided when you register.  Note, CIC arranges Examinations in over a hundred countries worldwide for thousands of Members every year; it is a flexible, straightforward process and will be arranged when YOU are ready to write your Examination.  **An Assignment Option is available instead of an Exam for the ‘Covid-19’ (Corona) virus period.
• The prestigious Cambridge International College Diploma on successful completion of your Study & Training and on passing the Final Examination.
• Your personal page on CIC’s Member Services website with access to results, despatch details, advice and guidance, and more: www.cambridgeinternationalcollege.co.uk
• Regular information and news including: Newsletters with details of special offers and new Programs and much more; and Competition Forms; by email and post.

Everything needed for your Study & Training success is included in the CIC Fee.

Additionally:

• Further Study and Training Advice, and Assistance is available before, during and after CIC Study & Training; Members may ask CIC’s team of experienced Consultants for advice on further study and Programmes to improve career prospects and advancement. 
• CIC’s experienced and helpful staff can assist with numerous special requests, such as reference/recommendation letters and transcripts, and more, by post and email.

• Business English & Letter Writing Diploma 12 months (flexible)
• Communication in Business & Management Diploma 12 months (flexible)
• Professional English (Everyday & Business Use) Diploma 12 months (flexible)
• EXECUTIVE & SECRETARIAL ASSISTANCE Honours (Higher) Diploma 21 months (flexible)
• Health & Safety in the Workplace Diploma 12 months (flexible)
• Office Management & Administration Diploma 12 months (flexible)
• Supervisory Management Diploma 12 months (flexible)
• Human Resource & Personnel Management Diploma 12 months (flexible)

This Program provides the foundation for a solid, reliable career, as well as being the springboard to many HR, supervisory, managerial, event management and administrative positions - the variety of organisations needing efficient and competent personnel to fill all of these types of post is huge.

Further study at Diploma and Honours Diploma level is available in a range of English, Office, Administrative and HR/Personnel Programs, to increase knowledge, value, confidence, and career advancement.

There is a wide range of options for further study - see the "Related Courses" section for suggestions - which include Honours Diplomas, ABA & Baccalaureate Programmes, and the 'Double Award' EBA & BBA Bachelor degree Programme.  You are welcome to ask the College for advice, and of course you can see details of these Programmes on this website.