IT Passport vs MOS / TOEIC / Bookkeeping: Which Should You Prioritize?

Comparison of the Four Certifications

Features of Each Certification

IT Passport

The IT Passport is a national qualification that demonstrates general IT literacy. It covers a wide range of knowledge, including management, legal affairs, security, and AI. This certification is recognized across all industries and is highly valued in job hunting, making it a credential worth obtaining first.

MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist)

MOS is a vendor certification operated by Microsoft that certifies operational skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. It is effective for showcasing readiness in clerical positions, and can particularly prove practical skills in Excel functions and pivot tables.

TOEIC

TOEIC is a score-based test that measures comprehensive business English proficiency. Instead of a pass/fail result, it is evaluated on a score out of 990. A score of 600 or higher tends to be seen as "able to speak English," while over 800 is considered "able to use English." Study time is greater than for other certifications and varies depending on the target score.

Bookkeeping Level 3

Bookkeeping Level 3 is a proficiency exam that teaches the basics of accounting and finance. It is highly regarded in commercial and accounting roles, and is also useful for sole proprietors and side business owners filing tax returns. Obtaining Level 2 or higher becomes a powerful asset when switching to an accounting career.

Recommendations by Goal

"College students wanting an edge in job hunting"

1. IT Passport (IT literacy)
2. • TOEIC 600+ (English)
3. • MOS Excel (clerical skills)

Acquiring this set of three credentials provides a strong selling point: "I can handle IT, English, and PCs."

"Want to be valued in a clerical position"

1. MOS (especially Excel)
2. • IT Passport
3. If you have room, add Bookkeeping Level 3

"Aiming for an accounting role"

1. Bookkeeping Level 3 → Level 2
2. • IT Passport
3. • MOS Excel

Accounting roles require a combination of IT skills, bookkeeping, and English, so holding multiple certifications is advantageous.

"Switching to the IT industry"

1. IT Passport
2. • Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (IT Passport vs FE)
3. • Specialized technical skills (e.g., programming languages)

"Aiming for a global company"

1. TOEIC 800+
2. • IT Passport
3. If majoring in business, add Bookkeeping Level 2

Comparison by Study Time

Order from shortest to obtain:

1. Bookkeeping Level 3 (100h, low passing threshold)
2. MOS (30–80h, practical exam)
3. IT Passport (50–100h, national qualification with best cost-performance)
4. TOEIC (100–500h, score-based, depends on target)

The Classic Order of Acquisition (Working Professionals & Students)

1. IT Passport (highest versatility, get it first)
2. TOEIC (can study in parallel, long-term effort)
3. Specialized certifications (MOS, Bookkeeping, FE)

Related Articles

For a detailed look at the differences between the IT Passport and the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination, please see the article IT Passport vs FE. The impact on career and salary after obtaining the certification is explained in How Getting the IT Passport Affects Your Job Change and Salary. Study methods for humanities graduates are summarized in IT Passport Prep for Humanities Majors.

Summary

The IT Passport is an introductory national qualification that is "universally applicable across all industries with the best cost-performance." The classic strategy is to combine it with other certifications based on your goals. You can streamline your IT Passport preparation by using this site's list of past exam questions and practice exams.