CPS Exam

[countrigal]

Personally, I'm not questioning the relevance of the topics as much as the usefulness of the whole thing.  I'd like to hear how many folks have taken the exam and seen a positive response in their career.  And how many people took the exam and found it didn't help or didn't do what they thought it would and went on to get their degree.  And did getting a degree help?  Is this exam something that seems to have more affect in bigger companies or smaller companies?  On the west coast, east coast, overseas or everywhere?  Are there any folks who have this certification that work in government positions and did it help?



I guess basically I'm trying to get a template of who it works for best...is there any constants when comparing folks who have it and have suceeded or failed?  Trying to analyze the usefullness of it for myself or folks I know and getting some research from folks who have taken it.

[execsec]

I realize that msgladiator's tone may have been slightly misinterpreted but I too am interested to find out what everyone thinks would be relevant for certification as an admin.  As a personal holder of the CPS/CAP, what else could we come up with as a good measuring stick of our knowledge in the field?  I do think that IAAP (and I'm a member) sometimes makes the CPS exam sound like taking the CPA exam (it's given the same weekends, tries to cover a few of the same subjects, you have to bring a photo i.d., there's a proctor, etc.)  I mean don't get me wrong, I'm glad I have my certification and if they came up with another one, I take that exam too!  I'd do anything to make myself better at what I do and I guess by my taking the exam it shows that I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be the best.

[msgladiator]

Winkiebear, did anything I say in my posts offend, demean or belittle you?  I need to know because I don't know if Andrea was speaking for you or not.  It was not my intention though I cannot prevent if someone happens to misinterpret my words.  



I respect your opinion, Andrea.  I'm new to this site and haven't been posting long.  All I can say though is that because I am an administrator myself, I personally would take a neutral stand on topics when addressing the group I support especially when there are people who are for and against something.  This avoids alienating and/or offending anyone and shows support for everyone.



All I can say about the CPS exam and IAAP is that there is no doubt they both have helped me to get where I am today.  They've been giving the exam for over 50 years so there are thousands of CPS holders who have had similiar success stories - I've talked to some of them.  



Not everyone agrees on the value of the CPS and that's fine.  Those that have taken the exam say that they find the topics relevant.  For those who have not taken the test and feel the topics in the exam are not relevant to the profession, I would like to know what topics you feel ARE relevant?

[winkiebear]

MsG... truth be told, I did feel a bit slammed by your words.  And Andrea did not answer for me.



You asked a great question - what should be on the test ... and I'm still pondering it.  I will have to think on it for a bit.

[tnvolgalcps]

Back to someone's question about recertification...you should recertify every 5 years. Although the CPS/CAP certification is not taken away after 5 years, it is required (recommended) that you recertify every 5 years to keep up with technology, changes, etc. There are a number of avenues to follow for recertification...but retaking the exam is not one of them! You recertify through seminars, CEUs, college courses, IAAP involvement, etc.



As I said in a earlier post, I have already recertified once and hope to again next year when my recertification is due. I also plan to take the CAP exam.

[msgladiator]

My sincere apologies, winkiebear.

[winkiebear]

Thanks, MsG.  

[andrea843]

Ms. G, I merely quoted the rules that all posters at TAA should be familar with and though I didn't speak for winkie, I did respond to several members who asked me to check the thread, which I did and agreed with them.  



Of course you didn't realize how your wording came across, or I don't for a second believe you would have used it. It's not your style to be mean, sometimes that send button jumps up and hits our finger when we least expect it  



In this case, I speak for the site and not to the topic, it's my job and the job of the moderators to enforce the TOS and It'll be that way today, tomorrow and...  Always.  



Andrea

[msgladiator]

I read your first post again and see that we have a difference of opinion.  



Yes, you did quote the rules.  As administrator, you spoke for the site.  It's important to reiterate the rules.  



Are you not speaking for the topic though when you said: "My email box is chock FULL of letters from people who dont see the relationship between some of the CPS/CAP exam and today's marketplace."  And also, "Those who either don't understand, or are not supporters will not be denigrated for their viewpoints."  (your second "not" being in italics for emphasis).  What about those who responded positively and are members here as well?  



When you have a group of any size at a forum you will have those who support an issue and those those that do not support an issue.  Coming to this site I would have liked to have seen a more neutral approach taken by the leader when addressing topics, with opposing sides being treated equally, but as a new member and a supporter of the CPS, I didn't see that happen and I feel alienated, slighted and offended.

 







       



 

[energizer]

OK Guys.  We're losing focus here.  Can we PLEASE get back to the theme of this thread?  We had a really good give and take discussion going here.  



MsGladiator - you can email Andrea with your comments.  Her address as listed in her profile is Andrea@administrative-assistants.com.  I'm sure she'll respond to your concerns -- but this thread is not the place to do it.  Thanks.



Winkie - As for the thread -- another positive use of the information I learned while studying for the CPS exam is that I am not at a loss for how to interpret S&A reports that I receive on a monthly basis from our accounting department.  I have to take the data on those reports and prepare an analysis for my boss (he prefers to just see the "end results" rather than a detailed report).  When he first asked me to do that and I handed him the final report in less than an hour, he was really impressed!  



I'll be back with more examples later, Wink.  Enjoy your Friday.



Energizer

[winkiebear]

OK, I've been pondering this a while now ... not just since you asked, MsG., but for a while.



I don't think that 'CPS' should be a test that one can prepare for without proper schooling.  One wouldn't take the bar or the CPA test, without the proper schooling.  



With that said, I think that there should be a certification course one could take.  Not necessarily a 2- or 4- year degree, but perhaps an intensive 6- or 12- month course, with the test at the end.



The MOUS should be involved in this, typing, filing, etc., no doubt about it.  Other things I would suggest are negotiation skills ... confidentiality courses ... ethics ... communication skills ... the Internet as a research tool ... business writing ... basic project management ... customer service.



Just my opinion.

  winkie

[execsec]

Winkiebear, vo-techs around here currently offer programs that cater to admins.  I sat on the advisory board of our local vo-tech for 12 years.  They offer 12 - 15 month programs that cover a wide range of topics - accounting, communication, filing, typing (or keyboarding I think it's called), different software.  Everyone has to take certain "core" classes and then they can branch off and take courses specific to the industry they would like to enter, such as medical terminology, insurance coding, administrative classes (to be an office manager), accounting, etc.



Also, to be eligible to take the CPS/CAP exam, you must meet certain education and experience requirements. The number of years of experience is reduced by the amount of college you have taken.  Since I had only one year of college I had to verify more years of experience.  



A lot of the topics you mentioned can most easily be learned by on-the-job training and/or mentorship on the job.  How would you measure confidentiality on a test?  That should be an inherent part of any admin's job.  Did you know that the word secretary means (somewhere way back in history) "keeper of secrets?"  I know most admin's today don't want to be known as secretary, we have evolved; but the root of our job still contains some secretarial skills.



But I do agree with you on several of your suggestions, there are many areas that we all could brush up on.  Remember, our job is to assist, if we knew it all - we'd be the boss!!!!! (just joking)

[winkiebear]

I didn't say that you would measure anything but knowledge.  Obviously you wouldn't be able to do something like that on a test or in a classroom.  



The point I'm making is this ... my opinion of the CPS is that it is not relevant to what I've seen admins do.  And that is strictly my opinion.



Yet it seems every time I post my opinion in this thread, it's met with undertones of animosity.  So I would suggest, to those of you requesting opinions, to respect them.



And I'd like to thank everyone who became involved in this thread.  Some of the suggestions and comments were most helpful.



winkiebear

[energizer]

Well said, Winkie!  



I happen to know a couple of people who attained the CPS rating, and to this day they wonder why they bothered.  I guess it just depends on what your job entails as to how relevant the knowledge is.   There is a CPS who is also an Admin in another department at my location.  She does mostly credit collections and very little typing.  Very rarely does she do any of the other standard "Admin Assistant" type functions like travel arrangements, meeting planning, spreadsheets, etc., yet her title is Administrative Assistant.



No matter how you feel about its relevance, knowledge is never "wasted."  If nothing else, it gives you a more rounded perspective.



And, Wink, you've obviously become well-schooled in the fine art of diplomacy.  My hat's off to you!    

[winkiebear]

Thanks Energizer.