Administrative Assistant

What is administrative assistance?

Administrative assistance consists of providing office support in almost every kind of business, schools, executive offices, and government departments by attending to the clerical duties of communication, procedures, finances, and personnel.

What should I look for in an online administrative assistant school?

The best online administrative assistant schools should possess either regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, you can often recognize top online administrative assistant schools based on:

• The school's name and status
• The school's history
• Teacher credentials
• Alumni network

In choosing the best online administrative assistant school for you, you should consider the following factors:

• Admission requirements
• Residency requirements
• Class and teaching style
• Testing methods used
• Course content and presentation
• Program length
• Class size
• Student-teacher interaction
• Technology use
• Tuition and financial aid
• Transferability of credits
• Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources

What levels of online administrative assistant programs are available?

The following levels of administrative assistant degree online programs are available:

• Online Administrative Assistant Certificate Programs
• Online Associates in Administrative Assistance
• Online Bachelor in Administrative Assistance

How long does it take to get an online administrative assistant degree?

The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online administrative assistant degree depends on the level of administrative assistant degree being pursued and the pace of the student. Typically, the breakdown is as follows:

• Online Administrative Assistant Certification Programs - 6 months to 1 year
• Online Administrative Assistant Associates Degree - 2 years
• Online Administrative Assistant Bachelor Degree - 4 years

What are some examples of online administrative assistant courses?

Top online administrative assistant degree programs include training in the foundational skills of office management and business. In the best online administrative assistant schools, students will complete coursework in topics such as:

• Introduction to Business

  This overview business course shows students the structure, key components, and main areas of business environments.

• Finance and Budgeting

  One area that administrative assistants will often oversee is the immediate accounting, budgets, or bill payments of the office. This class trains students how to understand, read, and utilize office budgets, finance sheets, and accounting principles.

• Office Software and Internet Basics

  This course focuses on training in an essential skill set that is popular in online administrative assistant schools: how to utilize common business software, computer networks, PC systems, databases, and web pages.

• Office Management

  This course offers training in office organization, professional telephone and customer service etiquette, and the basics of supervising other office professionals.

• Administrative Leadership

  In addition to organizational, planning, and communication skills, top online administrative assistant degrees offer courses in leadership that explore how to take initiative, cultivate problem solving skills, and empower other employees with delegation.

What areas of administrative assistant specialization are available?

Within popular online administrative assistant degree programs, the core degree trains students to work in any type of office or department setting. However, additional concentrations can offer specialized study in particular fields such as:

• Administrative Technology Support
• Legal Administrative Assistant
• Medical Administrative Assistant
• Executive Administrative Assistant
• Operations Administrative Assistant

What can I do with an administrative assistant degree?

Many types of administrative assistant jobs are available in settings ranging from small and large businesses, to schools, local and national government, law firms, accounting, and technical offices. Popular administrative assistant jobs include:

• School Secretary/Administrator
• Law firm Administrative Assistant
• Doctor's Administrative Assistant
• Human Resources Administrative Assistant
• Tax/Accounting Office Administrative Assistant
• Executive Administrative Assistant
• Hospital Administration
• Non-Profit Administrative Assistant
• City Government Administrative Assistant

What is an administrative assistant?

An administrative assistant is a member of an office team responsible for coordinating the details of an office or department's organization, including welcoming customers, internal employee communication, accounting, and personnel needs.

What does an administrative assistant do?

Administrative assistants usually answer phone calls and e-mail, send internal office communications, welcome and announce guests or customers, and present the first point of contact for visitors to the office. Additionally, an administrative assistant may manage records via a database, perform data entry, create presentations, prepare reports, maintain organized files of inventory, personnel or accounting payments, and coordinate the schedules of one or more directors or executive officers in the firm.

How much does an administrative assistant earn?

An administrative assistant earns an average annual salary between $18,440 and $43,240. Administrative assistant jobs are plentiful and expected to remain a strong, with growing job markets until 2018 with a job growth rate of 11%. Many openings for administrative assistants will be available as current assistants move into other positions. Software skills, leadership, and online administrative assistant degree training will improve one's employment opportunities.

How do I become an administrative assistant?

Although choosing a top online administrative assistant schools' training is the best first step in how to become an administrative assistant, the field also offers some certifications. Online administrative assistant degree graduates can apply to become Certified Administrative Professionals or Accredited Legal Secretaries to advance an administrative assistant career. Getting additional skill training in legal or medical terminology, or pursuing ongoing administrative assistant training may lead to better-paying and more advanced employment opportunities.