Find the information you need to become an office administrator
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An office administrator sorts through client data.
Office administrators are vital to the inner workings of any business. They manage and supervise all of the actions and activities that are involved in running an operational company. Office administrators are essentially jacks-of-all-trades, as they are often responsible for everything from data entry, correspondence and client communication to organizational support and party planning. Office administrators are often the exterior face of an office, greeting clients, employees and visitors and helping to direct them as needed.
As all organizations need timely and effective office and administrative support to operate efficiently, office administrators are employed in virtually every sector of the economy, working in positions as varied as teller supervisor, customer services manager or shipping-and-receiving supervisor.
Although most administrative support positions begin as entry-level, employers may prefer or require you to have office administration training. Many schools offer office assistant and office administrator certificates, diplomas and associates degree programs that will give you a solid foundation in the professional skills and required technology that will help you succeed in the field. Most office administrator training programs require a relatively low time commitment—the longest of programs last up to a year—and are generally less expensive than other business degree options.
Because office administrators usually work with other office staff, they should be cooperative and able to work as part of a team. Employers prefer individuals who are able to perform a variety of tasks and satisfy the needs of the many departments within a company. Additionally, office administrations should have good communication skills, be detail-oriented, and be ready and willing to adapt to new situations. As more and more companies become technologically dependent, it is also crucial that office administrators are competent with office computer systems and possibly even the industry's software.
Experienced and well-trained office administrators have a variety of career options available to them in almost ever field of business, as well as in many legal and medical jobs. The career landscape can be quite competitive, and while the increased competition can make finding work more difficult, it does mean that salaries climb in response. Office administration positions range from general office managers to more specific roles such as:
- Accounting Assistant
- Bookkeeper
- Business Executive Assistant
- Customer Service Representative
- Health Claims Administrator
- Legal Secretary
- Loan Officer
- Medical Office Manager
- Law Office Manager
- Payroll Accountant
- Word Processor
While obviously the work itself will vary depending on your company’s industry, it is likely that regardless of field, your job responsibilities will include staffing, maintaining records, word processing, transcription and database management.
Office administrators' salaries also range somewhat depending on industry and experience, but Payscale.com places the median office administration salary at between $37,160 and $40,479. Entry-level office administrators will find that their salaries range roughly from $23,000 to $32,000, while senior level executive assistants can earn up to $54,000. According to the International Association of Administrative Professionals, professional designations earned through certificate, diploma or associate's programs such as Certified Administration Professional (CAP), Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) or Microsoft Office Specialist Certification can increase salaries up to 10 percent.
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