Business Administration
Programme Aim
To enable the learner to acquire/update the knowledge, skills and competence to work independently and under supervision in an administrative role in a range of business contexts and to gain a solid foundation in the academic, practical and personal skills. Ultimately the aim is to assist learners gain employment in this sector.
You can also progress to further or higher education and training by continuing to our Level 6 Tourism with Business 6M5012 award or applying to enrol in similar courses with Institutes of Technology e.g. Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT), Institute of Technology Sligo (IT Sligo), Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT), amongst others, with whom we have established links.
Entry Requirements
Education: No formal education or qualifications are required although applicants may have participated in primary and secondary education. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a standard of knowledge, skill and competence equivalent to NFQ Level 4 when accessing a Level 5 programme.
Aptitude: Applicants must have a motivation to learn, an interest in the subject and the ability to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies set out in the course.
Previous Experience: N/A
There will be an informal interview with all applicants to assess suitability to the course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Business Administration
Explore the different types of departments within an organisation and their functions, explore sources of finance for a business, the need for and types of controls, to include cash flow, break-even charts, quality controls, hygiene standards, health and safety. Examine different types of meetings held within an organisation, take minutes of meetings, draw up agenda’s, filing etc. Process a range of business documentation e.g. invoices, contracts, attendance records, emails etc. Explain the importance of insurance and risk management.
Bookkeeping Manual & Computerised
Understand the meaning, and processing of, key terminology associated with the recording and maintenance of bookkeeping records, using manual and computerised systems e.g. debits, credits, books of first entry (daybooks), ledgers (nominal and general), debtors, creditors, double entry bookkeeping, T-accounts, VAT and documentation such as invoices, credit notes, bank records, petty cash vouchers. Produce a variety of reports e.g. trial balance, bank reconciliation statement, VAT3 forms. Process and print a selection of reports using SAGE accounts.
Payroll Manual & Computerised
Understand the meaning, and processing of, key terminology associated with personal taxation in preparing and maintaining payroll records using manual and computerised systems i.e. taxable income, gross pay, net pay, salary statutory deductions, non-statutory deductions, superannuation (pension), tax credits, tax bands, standard rate cut off point (SRCOP), PAYE and PRSI, cumulative tax and pay, statutory documents P45, P60, P30, P35 and universal social charge (USC). Process payment for employees under the emergency and temporary tax systems and subsequent transfer to the cumulative tax system. Process and print a selection of reports using SAGE MicroPay accounts.
Communications Studies
Analyse current issues in communications and information technology (ICT), summarise the elements of legislation that must be observed to include health, safety and welfare at work and communications-related legislation. Use appropriate non-verbal and visual communication; to include one-to-one, in a group/team, and in formal and informal interaction. Demonstrate verbal skills appropriate to working under general direction, to include making a case and presenting (PowerPoint) a point of view in group discussion, formal meetings, interviews. Demonstrate listening skills appropriate to working under general direction, to include making eye contact, receiving and interpreting information, control of personal response. Use reading techniques appropriate to a task, to include skimming, obtaining an overview, identifying key points and critical evaluation.
Computer Application Skills
Students will complete 2 modules in Word Processing (Microsoft Word) and Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel)
Work Experience
Students will gain practical experience of employment in an office/business environment. Assistance will be given to all students to find such employment in particular through the preparation and creation/updating of their CV and interview simulations and through the contacts the centre has made with local businesses.
To provide a programme of learning that is flexible so that the learner has the maximum opportunity to improve his/her literacy, numerical, ICT and planning skills while participating in the programme.
To facilitate the learner to further develop his/her interpersonal, team working, problem solving and time management skills, as appropriate, so that the learner is enabled to take responsibility for his/her own learning and to support progression including future participation in education and employment.
To afford the learner opportunities to enhance his/her confidence and ability to develop the skills to reach his/her full potential.
Modules
- Business Administration 5N1610
- Word Processing 5N1358
- Spreadsheet Methods 5N1977
- Bookkeeping Manual & Computerised 5N1354
- Payroll Manual & Computerised 5N1546
- Communications 5N0690
- Work Experience 5N1356
- Customer Service 5N0972
- Desktop Publishing 5N0785
Further Details
These courses:
- Are FREE of charge.
- Allow you retain your social welfare benefits (even if you miss a day of class).
- Provide an increase to €232 for students aged 21—25 who are on an aged reduced rate of payment
- Qualify for National Childcare Scheme (NCS) formerly known as CETS.
- Provide meal and travel allowances.
- Provide the loan of a laptop for the duration of the course.
- Provide CV and interview preparation.
- Provide one to one meetings with an adult guidance counsellor.
- With a potential 390 CAO points available there is the opportunity of progression to Institutes of Technology.
- Provide Microsoft Office Specialist as an ad-on.
- Include relevant work experience and field trips.
- Include the opportunity to travel abroad for 2 weeks work experience under the Erasmus+ Programme – accommodation, travel and living expenses are covered.
- Utilise the local link bus service from Carrick on Shannon brings students to Drumshanbo town in the mornings and brings students back in the evening.
Job Opportunities
Clerical/Administrative/Front Office/Reception/Personal/Executive Assistant/Office work.
Roles in the public or private sector may involve tasks from entry level, (such as answering the phone, typing and word processing, maintaining customer accounts, sorting post and email as well as maintaining computer and manual filing systems, responding to senior staff requests, dealing with customers by telephone and in person, both under supervision and independently), to scheduling meetings, producing reports for management meetings as well as overseeing other members of staff.