What’s the difference between an administrative assistant and an office manager? Let’s take a look at each profession, and the training required.
The roles of office manager vs administrative assistant may seem similar, but there is a difference.
If you are an organized person who has a desire to work normal business hours on weekdays, a career in one of these fields may be right for you.
Southern Careers Institute offers online training in Texas as well as on-campus programs that can prepare you for a job in these positions and more.
Administrative assistant vs. office manager- what’s the difference?
Administrative Assistant Careers
An administrative assistant is also called a secretary. Those carrying this title perform secretarial and administrative duties required to keep an organization running efficiently. Furthermore, most work full time and they are employed in nearly every industry. For example, many are employed in government, law offices, hospitals, schools, and doctor’s offices.
Administrative Assistant Job Duties
The following are the main job duties of an administrative assistant:
- Answering telephones, taking messages, and transferring calls
- Scheduling appointments
- Updating calendars
- Arranging staff meetings
- Preparing invoices, memos, and other reports
- Handling mail, email, and faxes
- Editing documents
- Performing basic bookkeeping
- Maintaining electronic and paper databases and filing systems
Admin assistant skills like being proficient at using computer software like Microsoft Office is essential. They may also be required to buy supplies, negotiate with vendors, and manage stock rooms.
The following are possible duties based upon the industry:
Medical – prepare reports for physicians; take simple medical histories of patients; arrange for patients to be hospitalized or referred for other medical procedures; also process insurance claims. Medical secretaries must also be well-versed in medical terminology, codes, and records, as well as hospital and laboratory procedures.
Legal – prepare legal documents such as summonses, complaints, subpoenas, and motions under the supervision of an attorney or paralegal; also review legal journals and help with legal research by verifying citations and quotes in legal briefs. Legal secretaries must also have knowledge of legal procedures and terminology.
Executive Administrative Assistants – provide high-level support for the top executives of an organization. Additionally, some executive secretaries also supervise clerical staff.
Training For Admin Experience
The Administrative Assistant program at Southern Careers Institute provides specialized instruction in-office procedures, computer applications, and business communication.
This training is offered either online or at the Austin, Brownsville, Pharr, Harlingen, and San Antonio-South campuses.
Course work includes the following:
- Accounting Foundations
- Keyboarding I & II
- Word Processing
- Spreadsheets
- Business Communication
- Office Procedures I & II
- Communication
- Customer Service
- Application Presentation and Sharing
- Integrated Applications
- Executive Assisting
- Administrative Assistant Externship
- Career Readiness
Lastly, students of the program can be job-ready in just 27 weeks.
Salary For Admin Supports
The average salary for administrative assistants in the United States is $38,880. Medical secretaries earn about $35, 760; legal secretaries make $$46,360; and executive administrative assistants earn $59,340 annually. In Texas, administrative assistants earn $35,550. Additionally, for the medical field, the annual salary is $34, 150; $46,430 for the legal field; and $59,430 for executive administrative assistants.
Office Management Careers
To be an office manager in Texas, more training is required. Southern Careers Institute offers Business Administration and Management Associates Online Programs that will let you prepare for your new career at your convenience.
Manager Job Duties
An Office Manager, also called an administrative services manager, is the person in charge of planning, directing, and coordinating the activities of an office. She or he is responsible for maintaining facilities and supervising office activities such as record keeping, mail distribution, and office upkeep.
The following are tasks that office managers are in charge of:
- Supervising administrative staff
- Developing, managing, and monitoring records
- Setting departmental goals and guidelines
- Monitoring the facility to make sure it is well-maintained, secure, and safe
- Overseeing the maintenance and repair of equipment and mechanical systems
- Recommending changes to policies if it will improve operations
- Making sure the facilities comply with environmental, security, and health standards
Additionally, large organizations may have several office managers who oversee services for multiple departments.
Office Manager Career Training
To train for a career as an office manager, you can take one of two routes at SCI.
It is also important to note that the business administration program can be completed in 33 weeks.
It efficiently prepares students to become office services specialists or management trainees.
Similarly, the management associates program is an Associates of applied science in management degree that will jump-start a career in management.
It provides training in general business with a focus on accounting. This program takes 45 weeks to complete.
Coursework includes the following:
- Accounting (Foundations, II, Computerized)
- English
- Bookkeeping
- Customer Service
- Payroll
- Principles of Sociology
- Business (Communication, Processes, Reporting, Law)
- Introduction to Biology
- Office Procedures I & II
- Math
- Keyboarding
- Management Principles
- Word Processing
- Human Resource
- Management
- Application Presentation and Sharing
- Spreadsheets
- Introduction to Databases
- Career Readiness
Salary For Office Managers
The median annual wage for an office manager is $96,180 nationally. Furthermore, top earners work in finance, insurance, and professional services where the annual salary averages about $104,000. Similarly, Office managers in Texas earn approximately $103,800.
Admin Assistants or Managers in Texas
Administrative assistant vs office manager- it’s up to you. It’s time for you to be in control of your life. In order to do that, contact Southern Careers Institute today and let the admissions staff help you get on the road to a rewarding career that will not only bring you joy but will also help you feel like a winner.
Sources
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436014.htm#st
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436013.htm#st
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436012.htm#st
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436011.htm#st
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm#tab-2
Blog Disclaimer: Information stated in this blog is for general information purposes only. SCITexas.edu does not assume or guarantee income earning potential or salary expectations based on the programs offered at Southern Careers Institute. Career and program information stated in this blog does not guarantee that programs and specifics are offered at Southern Careers Institute.
This article was published on: 03/27/20 2:59 PM
* SCI does not guarantee employment or a starting salary upon graduation, completion, or withdrawal from SCI. As an accredited post-secondary institution, SCI has various federal financial assistance programs available for students who qualify and are enrolled in SCI programs. This does not apply to seminar students.
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