Simi Institute for Careers & Education
Career Pathway Certificate Programs
About Career Pathway Certificate Programs
Earn a career pathway certificate in one of four pathways:
- Business & Accounting
- Microsoft Certification
- Office Occupations
- QuickBooks Specialist
All pathways start with Basic Computer Essentials. Once you have successfully completed or tested out of Basic Computer Essentials, you can begin the pathway of your choice. Students may also test out of pathway classes based on prior experience and knowledge. Completion times are approximate and are based on 25 hour per week attendance. Some career certificate programs may require multiple open-entry sessions.
Begin any time!
Start Here: Basic Computer Essentials
Basic Computer Essentials is a prerequisite for all three of our Career Certificate Pathways.
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Windows | 60 |
| Keyboarding (30 WPM) | 60 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Business & Accounting Pathway
Account Clerk OR Payroll Account Clerk
Account Clerks produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy. Provides eligibility for QuickBooks Certified User Exam (QCBU).
Payroll Account Clerks compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees’ time worked, production and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions or prepare paychecks. Provides eligibility for QuickBooks Certified User Exam (QBCU).
Prerequisite: Basic Computer Essentials
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Accounting 1; Accounting Essentials; or Payroll Accounting | 114 / 45 |
| 10 Key | 30 |
| Keyboarding (30 WPM) | 25 |
| Excel Level 1 | 40 |
| QuickBooks Level 1 | 30 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Accounting Technician
Accounting Technicians act as support for bookkeepers by maintaining critical records to build the financial records. They manage accounting records, including specialized systems, and ensure that financial transactions are accurate and proper. The also resolve errors and balance accounts. Provides eligibility for QuickBooks. Certified User Exam (QBCU).
Prerequisites: Basic Computer Essentials AND Account Clerk / Payroll Accounting Clerk
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Accounting 2 | 114 |
| Keyboard Speedbuilding (35 WPM) | 25 |
| Excel Level 2 | 40 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers produce financial records for organizations. They record financial transactions, update statements, and check financial records for accuracy. Provides eligibility for National Exams in Bookkeeping, Microsoft Office Specialist, and QuickBooks.
Prerequisites: Basic Computer Essentials, Accounting Technician AND Account Clerk / Payroll Accounting Clerk
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| QuickBooks Level 2 | 30 |
| Accounting 3 | 100 |
| Excel Level 3 | 40 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
QuickBooks Specialist Pathway
QuickBooks Online Specialist
QuickBooks Online is used in a large variety of settings from small businesses to large corporations. The program will train students to not only be proficient at entering data into QuickBooks Online, but how to verify accuracy and correct errors. Provides eligibility for QuickBooks Certified User Exam (QBCU)
Prerequisite: Basic Computer Essentials
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Accounting Essentials | 42 |
| Excel for Accounting Levels 1 & 2 | 48 |
| QuickBooks Levels 1 & 2 | 60 |
| 10 Key | 30 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Microsoft Certification Pathway
Microsoft Certification 1: General Office
General Office Clerks perform a variety of clerical tasks including answering telephones, typing documents and filing records. Microsoft Certification Level 1 is a basic level of Microsoft Office Programs and provides eligibility for Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MSO).
Prerequisite: Basic Computer Essentials
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Excel Level 1 | 40 |
| Word Level 1 | 40 |
| PowerPoint Level 1 | 40 |
| Access Level 1 | 40 |
| Keyboard Speedbuilding (35 wpm) | 25 |
| Outlook | 15 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Microsoft Certification 2: Advanced Office
Microsoft Certification Level 2 is an intermediate level of Microsoft Office programs and provides eligibility for Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MSO). Advanced Office assistants perform tasks such as entering data in spreadsheets, maintaining databases, creating and organizing documents, and creating and presenting PowerPoint presentations.
Prerequisites: Basic Computer Essentials AND Microsoft Certification 1: General Office
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Excel Level 2 | 40 |
| Word Level 2 | 40 |
| PowerPoint Level 2 | 40 |
| Access Level 2 | 48 |
| Keyboard Speedbuilding (40 wpm) | 25 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Microsoft Certification 3: Office Specialist
Microsoft Certification Level 3 is an advanced level of Microsoft Office programs and provides eligibility for Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MSO). Office Specialists perform tasks such as, creating spreadsheets, creating and maintaining databases, readying a presentation for final delivery, create and organizing long documents and handbooks.
Prerequisites: Basic Computer Essentials, AND Microsoft Certification 1: General Office, AND Microsoft Certification 2: Advanced Office
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Excel Level 3 | 35 |
| Word Level 3 | 45 |
| PowerPoint Level 3 | 35 |
| Access Level 3 | 40 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Office Clerk Pathway
Front Desk Associate
Front Desk Associates perform a variety of clerical tasks such as typing documents, filing records, answering phones, receiving visitors, and providing general information about their organization to the public and customers.
Prerequisite: Basic Computer Essentials
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Excel Level 1 | 40 |
| Word Level 1 | 45 |
| Outlook | 15 |
| Keyboard Speedbuilding (35 wpm) | 25 |
| Telephone Techniques | 24 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties including organizing files, preparing documents, scheduling appointments, and supporting other staff. Provides eligibility for Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MSO).
Prerequisites: Basic Computer Essentials AND Front Desk Associate
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Business English Review | 75 |
| Word Level 2 | 40 |
| Proofreading | 50 |
| PowerPoint Level 1 | 40 |
| PowerPoint Level 2 | 40 |
| Keyboard Speedbuilding (40 wpm) | 25 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Executive Assistant
Executive Assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties including organizing files, preparing documents, scheduling appointments, and supporting other staff. Provides eligibility for Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MSO).
Prerequisites: Basic Computer Essentials, AND Front Desk Associate, AND Administrative Assistant
| COURSE TITLE | HOURS |
| Word Level 3 | 45 |
| Excel Level 3 | 50 |
| Access Level 1 | 40 |
| Access Level 2 | 40 |
| PowerPoint Level 3 | 35 |
| Keyboard Speedbuilding (50 wpm) | 25 |
Course Fee: $360
Contact Lisa Iavello to enroll:
805.579.6200
lisa.iavello@simivalleyusd.org
Design Your Own Program
Meet with the instructors to design a career program to reach your goals. Register in the classroom. Completion time varies.