UPDATED FOR 2026! Gain the skills, knowledge, and expertise to become a certified administrative assistant. The Administrative Assistant Professional Certificate offers you the educational background you need to earn your office assistant designation, while developing the necessary career skills to succeed in the workplace.

After taking this program, and attaining IAAP's other requirements, students can also choose to take the IAAP CAP® exam and earn their Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) designation. Details on the IAAP website.

International Association of Administrative Professionals

The Administrative Assistant Professional Certificate program consists of nine modules taken over 21 live Zoom sessions that are completed over the course of four months. 

Delivery mode: Virtual live

Course descriptions are below (course order based on instructor availability). 

Introduction to Computing Systems in the Workplace

Three 4-hour sessions
January 22 - 24, 2026

This program is designed for individuals who wish to work as an administrative assistant. It provides foundational knowledge of computer systems and training in the most popular office productivity tools in the Microsoft® Office Suite. This includes an introduction to Word®, Excel®, PowerPoint®, and Outlook®. CONTENT ADDED: Now includes Teams®.

Financial Accounting Basics

Three 4-hour sessions
February 5 - 7, 2026

This course provides learners with introductory accounting knowledge and an understanding of financial statements. Participants are introduced to basic accounting principles, accounting concepts, and accounting terminologies, such as revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, income statements, balance sheets, and statement of cash flows. In addition, students learn about accounting debits and credits through the analysis of record transactions.

Travel Planning

One 4-hour session
February 27, 2026

This workshop will discuss the fundamentals of managing travel for others. Topics include laying out the itinerary, working with a travel agency, and preparing the traveller before, during, and after a trip. Personal time management techniques will also be discussed.

NEW! Event and Project Management Essentials

One 4-hour session
February 28, 2026

This course covers the essentials of how to plan and run events and follow projects from concept to completion. Topics include terminology, logistics, time management, and resource requirements.

Minute Taking and Meeting Planning

Two 4-hour sessions
March 13 + 14, 2026

This course covers fundamental aspects of managing a meeting right from the planning stage through to follow-up. Participants will be introduced to the responsibility of the office minute taker, covering all the aspects of what to expect before, during and after the meeting. Participants also learn about the different types of meetings and ways to take down minutes.

Business Communications

Three 4-hour sessions
March 26 - 28, 2026

This course provides basic skills in written and oral business communication. It also covers how to effectively organize and deliver written and orally presented business reports. Topics covered in this course include: communication skills, identify your personal communication style, understand individual differences and similarities, improve business-writing process including emails, memos, letters, and other daily writing. CONTENT ADDED: Now offers ideas to build stakeholder relationships and a personal network.

Please note students will be registered to take the Personality Dimension Assessment prior to this module.

Record Management Fundamentals

Three 4-hour sessions
April 9 - 11, 2026

This course teaches participants foundational best practices in records management including developing naming conventions, file classification plans, records retention schedules and standard operating procedures to manage the access, storage and disposal of records. Developing these practices reduces operating costs for an organization by making the desired information easy to access, use and account for allowing organizations to focus on achieving mandates and visions rather than being encumbered by inconsistent or undefined process.

Human Resources & Organizational Dynamics Fundamentals

Three 4-hour sessions
April 23 - 25, 2026 (Tentative)

This course includes general knowledge about HR functions in an organization, including recruitment and selection, job descriptions, performance appraisal, and training and development, The course places particular emphasis on the practical application of HR policies and procedures, on employees' relationship to management and management’s responsibilities to employees. CONTENT ADDED: Now includes a broad overview of organizational dynamics, including leadership, culture and EDI. 

NEW! Strategic Planning and Professional Development

Two 4-hour sessions
May 8 + 9, 2026

This course provides learners with a foundational understanding of strategic planning, team dynamics, performance management, and professional development. Topics include strategic plans, productivity, coaching, networking, and more.

Important Note: Due to limited funding, the Winter 2026 AAPC offering is NOT eligible for the StrongerBC future skills grant.