Starting school in a new environment is always a challenge. Most students attend school in the traditional way of physically going to a location, sitting in a classroom, and being taught by the instructor. With the advancements in technology the way people attend school is rapidly changing. Online programs are growing in popularity and many students prefer the format over traditional attendance. The following will provide a few tips on organizing information to manage an online degree program.

Get Organized to Succeed

Regular classes provide structure with regular class attendance, written assignments, and deadlines. An online program remains flexible while offering many of the same opportunities to have a structured program. At the start of an online program at the University of Phoenix, each student is provided a Course Syllabus, Instructor Policies, and often a Course Calendar.  Review of this material will provide a basic outline of expected assignments and time commitments.

Step 1: Build a folder on your computer for each course you are taking. Name the folder either by course name such as “Organizational Design” or by the Course number HRM/530. This will allow you to return to the course material as needed in future courses.

Step 2: In the folder build 7 additional folders for a 6 week course. Label each folder as Week 1, Week 2, Week 3… The seventh folder will be for your “Class Materials” such as your syllabus, rubric, e-books, etc.

NOTE: Working from a new folder each week will help you keep track of what is due, where you are saving your current project, and the chapters from the e-books as well as any other electronic articles you may download from your research.

Step 3: As you begin taking your online course use the folder you have created to store your information and assignments. Typically online programs focus on writing papers, reading, and research. Depending on the program you may also be required to take online exams. The folders will keep your information organized for easy access while studying or writing.

Step 4: Keep your folders for future reference. Throughout your degree program you may need to reference a paper you previously wrote, or you can access e-books and other information easily if it is stored in an organized way.

Schedule in School Daily

Step 5: Create a personal schedule for when you will look at the class forum, complete discussion questions (DQs), and work on weekly assignments. In an online program students are more independent and therefore need to have self-discipline to succeed. Take a few minutes each morning before work to view the classroom forum. Get an idea of how much time you will need and then plan ahead to schedule time during your lunch break or after work to accomplish the assignments.

NOTE: Keeping track of reoccurring events such as DQs and weekly assignments on a calendar populated with the information can help students to complete task on time. Each week students can view the calendar and know they have a DQ due Wednesday and Friday and the main assignment is due on Monday.

Remain Involved

Step 6: Stay involved with the class. “Out of sight, out of mind” can easily happen if daily life interferes with online school attendance. Work to check the classroom forum daily and no less than four times a week to stay involved with the class.

Step 7: Accomplish the small things. Many of the points are awarded for small assignments such as completion of the DQs, classroom discussion, or small assignments due weekly. Don’t let something slide just because it is only worth one or two points. Just like with money, those small points add up and can make the difference from a B+ to an A. You will be kicking  yourself at the end of the course if you miss the desired grade by one point.

Be Responsible and Ask Questions

Step 8: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Although much of the learning in the online program is self initiated through reading of course materials and research, the instructor is there to guide you and to answer questions you may have. Use the forum to ask questions, but remember it is your responsibility to read the course material such as e-books and articles to gain a better understanding of the topics.

Step 9: Work harder when a team is relying on you to do your part. Nothing is worse than having a team member who doesn’t communicate well, turns in assignments late, or doesn’t hold up their end of the deal. Other students take note of this and it may hurt you later on in your career.

Step 10: Set goals and stay committed. It is easier to fall out of touch with classmates and staying in school is more difficult when a student is completing an online degree program. Talk to others about what you are doing so they can help support you and understand why you are not spending time socializing as often. Staying committed to your career and education goals will help you to succeed in an online degree program.

Starting a degree program is a daunting task. It takes time and commitment to succeed and achieve a diploma. Set your goals before you begin school and discipline yourself to complete each task. Get organized, stay in touch, and stay focused to manage your online program. Doing so will create a standard for performance leading to success.

Do you have any suggestions for completing or managing an online degree program? What was the biggest problem or challenged you faced during our program? Feel free to share your thoughts on online degree programs with our readers.

Business Name

Step 1: The first step in creating a new company is choosing a business name. In Ohio the name of your business must be “distinguishable upon the records” according to the Ohio Secretary of State. This means the name cannot be the same as or similar to any other company name.

The name must also include certain words such as “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited,” or an abbreviation like “LLC”, “L.L.C.”, “ltd.,” or “ltd”.

Other rules apply to the type of name you can give your business. To review specific rules visit the Ohio Secretary of State, Name Availability Guide. The Name Availability Guide provides more information about when a name can be used, what a name must contain, how a name is or is not considered distinguishable, and other limitations.

Articles of Organization

Step 2: To register your company in Ohio you must prepare and file articles of organization with the Secretary of State. The articles of organization (533a in Ohio) functions like a constitution for your business. In Ohio many of the requested items are optional, but the form request the following information:

• Is your organization a domestic for-profit LLC or a domestic Nonprofit LLC?
• What is the name of your LLC?
• Effective Date of the LLC (Optional)?
• What is the period of Existence for the LLC(Optional)?
• What is the Purpose of the organization (Optional)?

The form then requires the organization to assign a statutory agent for the company. A statutory agent is an individual residing in Ohio that takes responsibility for being served any legal documents regarding your business entity and is responsible for sharing the information with the members of the LLC.

Finally, the members of the LLC are required to sign the 533a to authenticate the appointment of the statutory agent.

Once this is accomplished then the form can be submitted to the Secretary of the State of Ohio.

Operating Agreement

Step 3: This step is not required by law, but is highly advisable if you are starting your LLC in partnership with other members or by yourself allowing you to separate your business affairs from your personal affairs. The members of the LLC need to negotiate and execute an operating agreement. An operating agreement is a written agreement between the owners or members of the LLC often detailing the initial members, how the business will operate, allocation of profits and losses among members, as well as, procedures for admitting new members or member withdrawal.

Local Licenses

Step 4: You will need to obtain any required local licenses. This may include municipality, city, or county. In many cases it is simply a basic business license or tax registration certificate. Contact your city council or the clerk of courts for your county to find out the requirements for your location.

Determine Tax and other Regulatory Obligations

Step 5: All companies need to request an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Visit The IRS Businesses “Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online”. This is a free service and no fees are assessed for the application.

If you are hiring employees you will need to register for Ohio employment taxes, inform both the IRS and the State of Ohio,  and begin withholding for pay. The IRS Hiring Employees and the Ohio New Hire Reporting Center provide information on hiring and detail how to report new hires to both agencies.

You may also need to get workers’ compensation coverage or be granted the privilege of self-insurance for liabilities. Check with the state’s Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation for more program information.

Bank Account

Step 6: You will need to open a business bank account to keep your financial transactions separate from your personal finances. You will need a tax ID number (the EIN from Step 5) and a copy of the articles of organization (Step 2). You may also need a resolution identifying anyone else in the LLC authorized to use the account that did not sign the articles of organization.

Applying to establish a Limited Liability Company in the State of Ohio is just one step in creating a new business. Talking with other small business owners, local government authorities, and doing research in your area will help to keep you on the right track with your goals. Work with your business partners to learn the processes of owning and operating a new business, perform the proper market research, and be prepared for hard times. Starting a business will have its ups and downs, but building a successful business is a rewarding endeavor.

Filing your taxes becomes a more complicated task as you earn more, have various sources of income, invest, or donate to tax deductible organizations. If you own your own business or work out of your home then filing your taxes becomes even more involved increasing your chances for an audit on your tax return. The following is a brief description of the most common tax forms available from the IRS.

Common U.S. Tax Forms

• 1040 EZ

Form 1040 EZ is single or joint filers with no dependents. This is the most basic form and you can only take the standard deductions if you file this form.

• Form 1040 A

Form 1040 A is individuals who only had income from wages, salaries, tips, interest and ordinary dividends, capital gain distributions, taxable scholarship and fellowship grants, pensions, annuities, and IRAs, unemployment compensation, taxable social security and railroad retirement benefits, and/or Alaska Permanent Fund dividends. The taxable income (line 27) must be below $100,000. The only adjustments to your income include educator expenses, IRA deduction, student loan interest deduction, and/or tuition and fees deduction. You cannot use a 1040 A if you plan on itemizing deductions (such as for donations to charity, etc.). Also, you can only claim the child tax credit, additional child tax credit, education credits, EIC, credit for child and dependent care expenses, credit for the elderly or the disabled, retirement savings contributions credit, and/or making work pay credit to use the 1040 A.

• Form 1040

Form 1040 is used by anyone who has income from a different source such as self-employment (business or farm income), if you received income as a partner in a partnership, shareholder in an S corporation, or a beneficiary or an estate or trust, or dividends on insurance policies. You will also need to use the 1040 if you are itemizing your deductions, have experienced a loss through a nationally declared disaster, are a debtor in a bankruptcy case, or your employer did not withhold social security and Medicare tax.

While not all inclusive of the details describing which form tax payers should use, this information provides basic details to help find the forms you may need for filing your taxes. You can download any of the required tax forms from the IRS.

• Schedule A

Schedule A will be used in conjunction with Form 1040 to itemize deductions. Deductions may include medical and dental expenses, taxes you paid, interest you paid, gifts to charity, casualty and theft losses, job expenses and certain miscellaneous deductions, and new motor vehicle taxes.

• Schedule C

Schedule C is used in conjunction with Form 1040 and is used to report Profit or Loss From Business (Sole Proprietorship).

• Schedule D

Schedule D is used in conjunction with Form 1040 and is used to report Capital Gains and Losses.

• Schedule M

Schedule M will be used in conjunction with Form 1040A or 1040 and is the Making Work Pay Credit.

• Schedule SE

Schedule SE is the Self-Employment Tax form used in conjunction with Form 1040 to report earnings from Self-employment.

• From 1040 X

Form 1040 X is the Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. This form will be used if changes need to be made to your original return.

• Form 8917

Form 8917 is used to report Tuition and Fees Deduction based on qualified education expenses paid to an eligible post secondary educational institution.

• Form 8863

Form 8863 is the Education Credits (American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits) to use in conjunction with Form 1040 or 1040A. This credit cannot be combined with the tuition and fees deduction for the same student for the same year.

Finding the right form may be a difficult task if you have not worked on more complicated tax filings. Consulting a professional to help file your taxes may be to your benefit or simply by using and self-help program such as Turbo Tax can reduce the amount of time you spend looking for a specific form. Also, if you need more time to file your taxes file an extension for tax return. Most, if not all, forms can be found on the IRS website or at your local U.S. Post Office.

How to File a Form 4868

Choice 1: You can file Form 4868 by accessing the IRS e-file using your personal computer or through a tax professional such as H&R Block.

Choice 2: You can pay all or part of you estimate of income tax due using a credit or debit card. This does not mean you will not need to file your taxes. You will still need to file your taxes, but it may offset any interest you will be assessed for filing after the due day even if an extension is granted.

Choice 3: You can file a paper Form 4868 to request the extension of time.

Filing for an extension may be your only option if you are unable to file by the federal deadline. You will still be responsible to file within 6 months and you may owe interest on the taxes you owe. If you are out of country you may still need to request an extension if you are unable to file your taxes. See Form 4868 for more specific details. Also, using programs such as Turbo Tax may help you speed up the time it takes to get your taxes done instead of filing for a tax extension.

In 2010, citizens of Ohio voted to thank the veterans of the state through an Ohio Veterans Bonus program. The program pays $50 per month, not to exceed $500, for service anywhere in the world during the compensable time periods, or $100 per month, not to exceed $1,000, for service in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan or Iraq during the compensable periods. The maximum bonus is $1,500 combined.

To apply for this bonus veterans must meet specific criteria, provide proof of service with a DD-214, Member Copy 2 or 4 showing home of record (must be somewhere in Ohio), dates of service and service locations, and character of service at discharge (must be under Honorable conditions). The Ohio Veterans Bonus Program Web Site provides an online eligibility tool to help veterans determine if they qualify. The following will provide a few tips on what veterans should consider when submitting an application.

Applying for the Ohio Veterans Bonus

Step 1: Before entering the Ohio Veterans Bonus eligibility tool locate your DD-214. This is the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Copies called Member-1 and Member-4 are given to you when you leave the service. The form shows your service dates, locations, rank, and other important service information. Member-4 contains more information than Member-1, hence the reason you need Member-4 for the application process for the Ohio Veterans Bonus program.

Step 2: If you do not have the DD-214 Member-4 form you can request a Service Copy-2 from the National Personnel Records Center’s online military personnel records system. The DD-214 Service-2 shows the same information as Member-4 and can be used during the application process for the Ohio Veterans Bonus Program.

NOTE: The Ohio Veterans Bonus Program refers to the DD-214 Copy 2 as a member copy. This is the Service Copy. Service-2 will be located on the bottom right hand side of the form.

Step 3: You will need to show proof of current Ohio residency. This is basically showing where you currently live as an address in Ohio.

NOTE: Requirements to receive the bonus include being a resident at the time of entry and a resident of Ohio currently. Your DD-214 Member-2 or Service-4 will show your Home of Record at Time of Entry in block 7b. If this block does not indicate you were a resident of Ohio then you are not eligible for the bonus.

Step 4: Log on to the Ohio Veterans Bonus Program site and run the eligibility tool. You will be asked several questions including:

• Are you a veteran, active Service member, or family member/legal guardian of an incompetent veteran?
• Are you currently a resident of Ohio?
• Were you a resident of Ohio at the time you entered active duty?
• Did you serve in active duty during at least one of these bonus qualifying periods? Persian Gulf 8/2/1990 through 3/3/1991, Afghanistan 10/7/2001 through TBD, or  Iraq 3/19/2003 through TBD.
• Were you honorably discharged or discharged under honorable conditions?
• Have you received a similar bonus from another state?

NOTE: If you are applying for a deceased military member you will need to show additional proof including a death certificate of the member, marriage license if you are a spouse of the member, and/or your birth certificate or adoption papers indicating it is your parent that was eligible for the bonus.

Step 5: One you have determined you are eligible to receive the bonus then you can fill out the online application on the Ohio Veterans Bonus Program Web site. Use the information directly from your DD-214 to fill in the information.

NOTE: The web site says the application will be processed within 8 weeks. This is only an estimation of time. The actual processing time may take longer based on the number of applications received.

NOTE: Do not reapply once you receive a claim number. If you apply more than one time this will make the processing of your claim very difficult and will drastically slow down the process. If you loose your initial claim number you need to contact the Ohio Veterans Bonus Processing (VBP) center for assistance (1-877-OHIO VET (1-877-644-6838)).

NOTE: Be prepared to print your application after you finish entering your information. Print two copies–one to mail to the VBP and one for your records. If you cannot print then you can opt to have a copy of the form mailed to you using the USPS.

NOTE: Do not sign the application until you are with the notary or at the office of the clerk of courts of common pleas. The notary must witness your signature on the application.

Step 6: Once you have finished the application, printed it, signed it in front of the notary, then you will need to mail it along with the required documentation to:

Ohio Department of Veterans Services
Veterans Bonus Program
Post Office Box 373
Sandusky, OH 44871

NOTE: You may want to send the package as registered mail since it contains personal information about you to include your social security number.

NOTE: The Ohio Veterans Bonus Program web site says the documents must be mailed using the United States Postal Service.

NOTE: Do not send your original documents. Send only copies of your DD-214, birth/death certificates, and/or marriage licenses as needed.

NOTE: The deadline for applications is three years following the end of the conflict as established by the President of the United States. Persian Gulf Veterans have until December 31, 2013 to apply for the bonus. The end dates for the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts have not been determined. Once determined all other eligible veterans will have three years to complete the application process to receive the bonus.


Taking the time to fill out the required information may seem like a hassle to some, but receiving the bonus as a veteran of the State of Ohio is a deserving Thank You for your service to our great nation!

Please let us know if you have any questions or tips on filling out the Ohio Veterans Bonus Program application. If you are not a resident of Ohio you may be eligible for a bonus program from your state. Check with your local VA department to find out if your state provides any compensation to thank veterans for their service or check with The Military Wallet and search your state’s name with “Veterans Bonus” (i.e. West Virginia Veterans Bonus).

Tip 1: If you make more than $100,000 annually your risk of being audited is greater. Maintain accurate records especially if you are itemizing, have large and varied investments, and ask a professional for help. Many companies such as H&R Block offer to represent you in the event if you are audited or if they make a mistake on your taxes when filing. These types of offers also exist when you use online or at home software products to file your taxes.

Tip 2: Having off shore accounts may put you at a higher risk to be audited. Hiding money in places you think are safe from the IRS may lead you to a potential audit for tax evasion. Income gained anywhere in the world must be reported to the IRS.

Tip 3: Business owners may place themselves at higher risk for audit when converting personal expenses into allowable business expenses. If you own a business then you should have legal business expenses to claim. If your business does not have a profit objective then you may face a risk of a possible audit if your claims for business expenses do not seem legitimate.

Tip 4: If you claim more dependents in your household than typical you may face an audit. Cross check with the individuals living in your household for a substantial amount of time if they are being claimed by another person on their taxes. If it is a minor you are not legally responsible for you may not be entitled to claim them on your taxes. Check with a professional CPA to find out the tax laws concerning dependents in your household to avoid an audit.

Tip 5: Avoid mistakes on your return. Doing the math correctly can lead to a happy IRS review, but if your return is riddled with mistakes an audit is sure to follow. Purchase an in home software package such as TurboTax or H&R Block to help you perform the correct math throughout your return. Check your return for errors before submitting the forms. Look for simple clerical mistakes such as juxtaposed numbers ($106,298 rather than $160,298 could create a huge problem on a tax return) or adding in more zeros than required during a donation amount.

Above all else, be as honest as possible when filing your taxes. Don’t hide taxable income, don’t claim deductions you shouldn’t be taking, be accurate in your accounting, and file an extension if you need more time. If you are audited, have all of your documents in order from donation receipts to loss reports. Work with local agencies if you need assistance when filing or hire a professional. You can also access the IRS Interactive Tax Assistant to find answers to questions you may have before filing your taxes. You can also access Publication 556, Examination of Returns, Appeal Rights and Claims for Refund. This publication details information about being audited.

Disclaimer: The above contents are suggestions for avoiding an audit by the IRS, are intended for informational purposes only, and do not constitute any legal or binding actions. Please contact a CPA or professional tax adviser to assist you with your questions and for filing your taxes.

What are your thoughts on avoiding a tax audit? Have you been audited? How did you resolve the situation? Our readers would like to hear from you.

When separating from the military each member is given a DD Form 214 which gives a detailed history of that person’s military service. The DD Form 214 is a very important document that is used for employment benefits, taxes, educational benefits, medical benefits, and compensation programs like the Ohio Veterans Bonus. Losing the DD Form 214 can be devastating. If you lost your DD Form 214 there is a painless way to get a copy as long as you have the required information.

How to Get Your DD Form 214 from the National Archives Web-Site

Step 1: Log onto the National Archives Web-Site.

Step 2: Select the “Veterans’ Service Records”. This box will give you the option to “Request military records and learn about other services for yourself or a family member.”

Step 3: Select the “Learn about military service records” option under the “Request Military Service Records” section.

Step 4: In the top center or bottom of the page select “Use our eVetRecs system to create your request”

Step 5: Select the “Launch eVetRecs System to start your request online”

Step 6: You will be asked a series of questions to retrieve the correct document. Information to have ready includes branch of service, active or reserve, officer or enlisted, reason for request, full name of individual, SSN, date of birth, place of birth, service number, and the date the service member left the service.

Note: Not all of this information is required. However, the more information you input into the system the more likely the information requested will be correct.

Step 7: Sign and Fax the Signature Verification form.

Note: If you do not do Step 7 you will not receive your DD Form 214. Try to sign and fax this paperwork the same day. All the paperwork requires you to do is sign and print your name. The fax number you send it to is part of the document.

Step 8: After about 1 week you will receive your DD Form 214 electronically as a pdf. This process according to the National Archives can take up to 90 days. It may come quickly or it may take the 90 days based on the workload of the archives at the time of your request.

Now that you have a copy of your DD Form 214 make sure you have plenty of copies stored in a place you can remember and out of the hands of others you do not want to have a copy. My suggestion is a safety deposit box or a trusted family member.

Are there other ways to get your DD Form 214 or benefits where you need your DD Form 214? Let us and our readers know your ideas.

Various formats exist when formatting letters. A typical business letter is in a block format and includes the writers address block, the date, and the addressee’s address. Then the letter can contain a reference line and a salutation (opening). Following the formal information, the body of the letter is written, and finally a closing. Variances occur when you use letter head containing the name and address of the company writing the letter along with variances in who the letter is addressed to and the closing used. The letter is always single-spaced and no indentation is required; simply skip a line between paragraphs.

8 Basic Steps for Writing a Business Letter

Step 1: Type the return address (sender’s address) at the top of the page along the left margin.

123 Anywhere Street
Your city, State 12345

NOTE: You will omit the return address if this information is contained on the letter head at the top of the paper.

Step 2: Skip a line after the address and type the date for the day, month, and year the letter is to be signed.

January 15, 2011

OR

25 March 2012

Step 3: Skip a line after the date and type the addressee’s address (inside address or where the letter is going).

The Direct Company (or the first and last name of the person to whom you are writing)
123 Somewhere Drive
Their city, State 54321

NOTE: When possible, find out the name of the individual you are mailing a letter to rather than simply sending a letter to a company.

Step 4: Skip a line after the addressee’s address and type a reference line.

RE: The main topic the letter is about.

NOTE:The reference line is optional in a business letter, but often helps the receiver know what department the letter should go to within the company and provides and easy reference for filing.

Step 5: Skip a line after the reference and type your salutation. If you know who you are sending the letter to, use their first name.  If you only know of them and have not had a formal meeting or if the person is higher ranking than you, use a personal title such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, or Dr. If you do not know who the letter will go to directly, you can use a department name or simply Sir/Ma’am or “To Whom It May Concern.” Regardless of the greeting used, a colon follows.

Dear Sally:

OR

Dear Mrs. Johnson:

OR

Dear Warranty Repair Team:

OR

Dear Sir/Ma’am:

OR

Dear To Whom It May Concern:

Step 6: Skip a line and begin the main body of your letter. The body should be written as concisely as possible delivering what needs to be communicated to the reader quickly and clearly.

The main body is single spaced without indentations. The writer can use a simple opening paragraph to praise, congratulate, or thank the company and then move on to the next paragraph.

The second paragraph is also single spaced with a blank line left between the paragraphs. The entire letter is left-hand justified without indentations. The second paragraph is often the action paragraph. If the writer needs something accomplished by the company or a request is being made, it is often in this paragraph. Each paragraph from this point should offer justification, supporting details, or provide solutions to the problem. You can also offer assistance to the individual/company as needed.

The final paragraph follows the same format as the previous paragraphs and usually includes personal contact information such as a contact telephone number, hours of availability, and email addresses. A very brief review of the reason for the letter can also be included.

Step 7: Skip a line and type the closing. The closing can vary depending on how closely the writer knows the individual the letter is being sent to.

Sincerely yours,

OR

Thank you,

OR

Sincerely,

Step 8:Skip four lines and type your name along with any signature block you may have such as your title, degree, position, department, etc.

Sample Business Letter

These are the basic steps for writing a business letter. Variations exist and some organizations have different expectations or mandatory requirements. Check with your Human Resource or Communications department to find out if your company has specific requirements when writing communications to other organizations.

Do you have any questions or concerns? Please feel free to contact us.

In today’s competitive workplace staying educated is one of the most important ways to improve job security.  Several ways to stay educated include traditional degree programs, on-line degree programs, and certifications.  Depending on your time availability, each one of these programs has specific advantages and can help you gain the job security needed.  Recently, I took and passed the Advancing Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success (APICS) Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) exam and passed. One of the biggest benefits of earning a certification is the amount of time it takes to get it.  Most certifications can be obtained in less than 3 to 6 months and if you have experience in the area of the certification you are trying to obtain the time can typically be decreased to less than a week.  For example, Cheetah Learning offers an accelerated prep course, under a week, for taking the Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

What is APICS

APICS: “the Association for Operations Management is the global leader and premier source of the body of knowledge in operations management, including production, inventory, supply chain, materials management, purchasing, and logistics. Since 1957, individuals and companies have relied on APICS for its superior training, internationally recognized certifications, comprehensive resources, and worldwide network of accomplished industry professionals” (APICS.org).

What is CSCP

“The APICS CSCP brings your company’s entire value chain into perspective. By giving you a truly end-to-end view of the supply chain, you become the expert, not just within your organization’s walls—you become the global expert. From manufacturing to service, in business and consumer markets, the increasingly important role of effective supply chain management affects all organizations. Customer expectations are high—with the APICS CSCP, you can ensure that your company not only meets, but exceeds them” (APICS.org).

How to Qualify to Take the Exam

To qualify for the exam you need to meet one of the three criteria.  You need to have the CPIM, CFPIM, CIRM, or C.P.M. designation plus two years of related business experience, a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus two years of related business experience, or Five years of related business experience.

How to Study for the CSCP Exam

There are several ways to study for the CSCP exam. The first way is to have your corporation pay for an instructor to teach a group of employees. Doing so will allow the employees to save money on training cost because the company can save money through group discounts. Second, is to attend an instructor-lead course at your local training facility. Visit APICS CSCP for a course nearest you.  The last is study-at-your-pace format.

I decided to go with the combination of an instructor lead course alongside a self-directed format. The instructor lead course was one day a week for 14 weeks for 3 hours each day.  What was nice about taking the instructor lead class is that it allowed for questions and feedback.  This is particularly important for those who have been in the industry for an extended period of time.  APICS teaches what APICS believes to be the best practices for the industry.  Those who have been in the industry for a longer period of time may believe or have been taught differently than what APICS believes to be the best business practices.  It does not mean that one side is correct.  The important item to remember is that you are trying to get an APICS certification and that is what you will be tested on.  Taking an instructor lead course will help clear up any confusion.

One of the best study aids I can recommend is the APICS Learning System.  The APICS CSCP Learning System divides the material into the four main areas with hundreds of test questions for each section.  The Learning System will start you off with a pre-test to see what areas are your strong and weak points.  Then you can concentrate on those areas with questions in each of the areas that you choose.  When you are finished taking those individualized sections then you can take a post test to see if you have improved.  These tests can be taken as many times as the user likes with each test different than the last.

Other features of the Learning System include printable or on-line flash cards, a how to for getting ready to take the CSCP test, and updates from previous years learning material.  If you received older material or you took the test and failed and decided to take the test in the next calendar year, it would be in your best interest to read the updated material from the Learning System.

APICS CSCP Tests

There are two types of APICS CSCP tests.  The first is the pencil and paper test and the second is the Computer Based Test (CBT).  I have taken them both and prefer the CBT.  With the advancements in technology it is easy to believe the pencil and paper test will not exist in the future, but I am not certain when.  I found the questions from pencil and paper test to be more general than the CBT.  The questions also seemed to take longer to read through.  What I did like about the pencil and paper test is that it was easier to refer back to questions I was not sure about, as well as, using previous questions on the test to help determine answers to other questions later on.

The CBT seemed to have more questions that were less general.  The questions seemed to take less time and even short in text.  I also like that it had questions that were pictorial.  The CBT allowed you to mark questions that you wanted to go back to, but it was hard to navigate through previous questions to help solve other questions on the exam.  One thing I found stressful, that I did not expect while taking the CBT, is the closer I got to the end of the exam the more anxious I became. This anxiety was based on the knowledge that the CBT would provide an instant result of pass or fail where the written exam takes up to 6 weeks later for results to be mailed.

APICS CSCP Test Structure

There are 175 questions from the CSCP four modules on the CSCP test.  Twenty five of those questions will be taken out of the exam when completed.  The twenty five questions are considered new or experimental questions.  The 150 question remaining will be 30% from Module 1: Supply Chain Management Fundamentals, 20% from Module 2: Building Competitive Operations, Planning, and Logistics, 30% from Module 3: Managing Customer and Supplier Relationships, and 20% from Module 4: Using Information Technology to Enable Supply Chain Management.  I found module 1 and 3 to be the easiest, however please do not underestimate module 2 and 4.  When I took the exam the first time I mainly studied module 1 and 3 and did very well in those sections, but my low scores from modules 2 and 4 brought my overall average down.  When studying for the second test I concentrated more on module 2 and 4 and passed with a higher score than before.

CSCP Test Eligibility and Registration

There are two important things to do before taking the exam.  First, you need to submit the eligibility application.  Once you receive an approval for eligibility then you can register for the exam. Test fees will differ depending on your situation and may change over the next few years.

APICS Members $575 (US)
Nonmembers $725 (US)
Retake Fee $350 (US)

I hope this information helps you to consider and/or take and pass the APICS CSCP exam.  There are a lot of resources and opinions of how to take and pass this exam.  Please do what works best for you and if you have any additional tips or questions please feel free to ask and share on this post. If you are still unsure a certification program is right for you there are plenty of other opportunities.