Office Practices

STUDY OFFICE PRACTICES -Distance Education or Online Course

LEARN ABOUT BASIC OFFICE OPERATIONS

" I have never found the staff at any other learning institution as supportive as the staff at ACS. This gives one a lot of peace of mind and confidence to go on - at every squeak from my side, you guys have always been there, immediately to sort me out. The feedback on my lessons has always been really good and meaningful and an important source of my learning. Thanks!..."
- Student with ACS

Work as an administration assistant, secretary, clerk; or build on existing skills to increase your general employability

This course provides invaluable information for anyone who has never worked in an office environment before.  It will guide you through the basics and enable you to work in an organizational office, or set up your own.

Lesson Structure

There are 6 lessons in this course:

1. Introduction
   • Scope of office work, procedures, the home office vs commercial premises, etc.
2. Communication Systems
   • Using the phone, business letters, faxes, couriers, postage, etc.
3. Writing Letters and Reports
   • Structure of a report, memos, writing business letters.
4. Computers
   • Scope & uses of computers, types of computers, software types, peripherals, word processing, CD Roms, Modems, setting up and care of a PC.
5. Office Materials and Equipment
   • Stationary, Office furniture, Paper specifications, Filing & record keeping etc.
6. Office Organization and Procedures
   • Office layout and organization, security.

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Determine the upper and lower limit of what it might be likely to cost you to set up a new office.
• Determine the price range of different items of equipment and materials.
• Explain postal systems used in a business, Design a memorandum form.
• Create a MS Access Database
• Design a filing system.
• Design a work schedule suitable for a specific workplace.
• Design a security system that can be implemented in a work situation.
• Design a layout for an office situation.

What You Will Do

• Make a list of essential equipment, stationery and other materials.
• Visit an office supply company.
• Collect catalogues or price lists for different products available.
• Compare the implications of having an office at home with leasing, buying or using a serviced office.
• Explain applications to use and apply the following office equipment:
  • computers
  • mobile phones
  • printers
  • email
  • fax
  • scanners
• Report on the range of systems covering:
  • couriers
  • postage
  • scanners
  • electronic banking
  • mobile phones
  • rail services
• Write a letter applying for this job.
• Write a letter from an organisation (real or imaginary) to another organisation.
• Ask your local computer supplier about virus removal software and hardware.
• Compile a table of 10 computer systems.
• What roles can computers play in business?
• Contact or visit various stationery supplies to find out about what materials are available.
• Write a report about how to design a filing system suitable for your area of work.
• Inspect various offices to see how they are utilising space and storage.
• Contact various suppliers of office furniture to see what furniture is available.

What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

This is an individual module course.  The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study. 

If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it. 

If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you.  If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course. 

If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments. 

There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.

Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.

You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.

You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses

Who are our tutors?

Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study.  We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives.  We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “About Us” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

Sample Course Notes

Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well.  We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis.  If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

What learning method should I choose?

We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Learning” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

How Long will it take to complete the course?

This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing.  We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

Longer courses will obviously take longer.  You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

What Do Our Students think of us?

If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “About Us” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

I don’t think this is the right course for me.

If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

Recognition and Accreditation

For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.

Who is ACS Distance Education?

If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”