What Is a Corporate Administrative Assistant?
Corporate administrative assistants are detail-oriented individuals who manage the daily tasks of an office, such as filing or taking phone calls. Read on to find out about more about job requirements and salary.
Career Defined
Corporate administrative assistants, also known as executive administrative assistants, are an integral part of a company's daily operations. Common responsibilities include being the first point of contact for visitors, scheduling meetings between supervisors and clients, filing and faxing documents, purchasing supplies, proofing correspondences, and taking phone calls. Most assistants use computer software programs, like Microsoft Excel or PowerPoint, to manage spreadsheets or create presentations. Executive administrative assistants may have additional duties, like reviewing financial reports or training other clerical workers. Most assistants work under the supervision of managers or top executives.
Important Facts About Corporate Administrative Assistants
| Responsibilities | Answer the telephone, schedule various meetings and appointments, draft and send memoranda |
| Key Skills | Reading comprehension, service oriented, critical thinking, time management, social awareness, monitoring, clear judgment and decision making |
| Work Environment | Health care and social assistance, educational services, governmental agencies, professional, scientific, and technical services |
| Similar Occupations | Receptionists, information clerks, general office clerks, court reporters, medical transcriptionists, medical records and health information technicians |
Job Requirements
According to June 2019 Monster.com job postings, employers may prefer executive administrative assistants who have some college-level training; some employers look for job candidates who hold an associate's or bachelor's degree. Administrative work experience may be required as well, particularly when applying for an executive assistant position.
Just as important as your formal education is your knowledge of computer software programs, your ability to communicate clearly, and your typing speed. In some cases, a high school diploma, in addition to some professional experience, may qualify you for a job in this field. Additionally, many community and technical schools offer office administration certificate programs that can help you learn the skills necessary for this occupation.
Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, www.bls.gov), administrative assistants earned an average annual wage of $38,030 as of May 2018. During this time, executive administrative assistants made an average annual salary of $61,550. The number of employed secretaries and administrative assistants was expected to decrease by 5% from 2016-2026, although executive and corporate administrative assistants will likely see little to no growth in employment, reports the BLS.
Certification
In some cases, earning voluntary certification can lead to additional career opportunities. The International Association of Administrative Professionals offers the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) credential to individuals who have at least four years of administrative experience and pass an exam. If you hold a bachelor's degree, you only need two years of experience in order to qualify. According to PayScale.com in 2019, most executive administrative assistants holding CAP certification earned between $37,000 and $74,000 a year.