Benefits of Business Office Specialist Certification
The Business Office Specialist (BOS) certification:
1. provides access to information and training that is specific to Michigan law and regulation; and
2. provides a basis for advancing professionalism of Business Office Specialists in Michigan schools.
The BOS Program
MSBO certification courses provide a great deal of information in a short time. Most courses are “bulleted” information rather than in-depth training. They are intended to cover major points about their respective topics, offer an opportunity for questions and discussion, and provide resource information for future use.
The recommended beginning course for Business Office Specialist certification is Introduction to School Business. Although anyone may benefit from this or other individual certification courses, the full program is generally intended for Business Office Specialists in their first 1-5 years of employment. However, any person employed in school business operations who meets the stated requirements may receive Business Office Specialist certification. There is no requirement for holding a particular position in a school district.
Requirements
This program and the courses listed have been created and reviewed by the Professional Development Committee of MSBO. An applicant for certification must be a member of MSBO, and hold a Associate’s Degree or have equivalent experience.
In some circumstances courses from other sources may be counted toward MSBO certification. Please be aware that some courses and/or requirements may change. MSBO and the committees that created this program continue to evaluate and make minor modifications as deemed appropriate.
MSBO’s Certification Program Benefits:
- Provides access to information needed to succeed in your job
- Offers practical overviews of key areas of law, regulations and practices
- Identifies resources for in-depth and additional information that may be utilized at a later time
- Assures a quality curriculum is developed and monitored by the MSBO Professional Development Committee
- Uses experienced practitioners to teach classes
- Offers seminars at regular intervals and reasonable prices
- Uses adult learning principles and provides a learning environment where colleagues can share experiences and information
Questions?
Contact Courtney Byam at 517.327.5937;
or Debbie Kopkau at 517.327.2587.
Business Office Specialist (BOS) Course Descriptions
Cash Management (3 hours): Learn how to develop specifications for the selection of banking and other financial services; apply concept of compensating balances; comprehend procedures and legal constraints for cash collection and disbursement; analyze monthly internal transfers and loans; prepare a cash flow analysis, including a fund balance report for the board of education; and identify and deal with fraud and abuse.
Next Class: 2/15/24
Collective Bargaining Agreement, Contracts (3 hours): Learn how to interpret bargaining agreement language, understand leave benefits and grievance procedures, including an overview of union dues and political deductions and non-deductions. Learn how to administer overtime, FMLA, and FLSA. Understand the difference between an independent contractor vs. an employee.
Next Class: 2/8/24
Introduction to School Business (14 hours): An overview of school business operations with a focus on several key areas. The program will begin with a brief background on the general functions of the school Business Office Specialist. Major components of the program will include: listing and describing reports that must be filed with federal, state, and local agencies; reviewing school laws and the Revised School Code; introducing fund accounting processes; reviewing school organizational issues and operational issues (how school boards and administrators function); and exploring inter-relationships between the business office and site operations – offices in school buildings, facilities, transportation, and food services. Part of the program would be devoted to discussion about the roles and functions of the school business official.
Next Class: 9/12/23
Principles of Education (3 hours): Understand the educational process, culture of schools, major learning theories, teaching methodologies, school improvement, design of in-service programs, and the structure and function of the principalship.
Next Class: 12/13/23
Team Leadership (3 hours): Learn how to match your leadership style with the culture of the organization. Matching leadership style to the cultural landscape will allow you to increase your productivity, decrease communication problems and strengthen your conflict management skills.
Next Class: 10/24/23
Wrap-up/Ethics (2 hours): Celebrate completion of your certification program! Reflect on what you have learned and your role in the educational process and your school district. This class can be taken only if you are two classes or less from completing your certification (not counting the Wrap-Up/ Ethics Session). Elective (6 hours): Any course taken outside of this certification track but required in another.
Next Class: 1/10/24
Elective (6 hours): Any course taken outside of this certification track but required in another.