Updated June 01, 2022
An administrative assistant fulfills administrative duties, ranging from organizing files to assisting with research. In some cases, the assistant may work from locations other than a formal office. The nature of these tasks will vary, depending on what kind of professional the assistant is supporting.
Types (4)
Executive Assistant – Handle day-to-day tasks for a single person.
Medical Assistant – Manage paperwork and health records, make appointments, and perform other tasks for a medical office.
Legal Assistant – Also known as a “paralegal,” this person has knowledge of the law and helps attorneys with their administrative tasks.
Remote Assistant – The assistant is responsible for completing administrative tasks from a remote location, typically a home office.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Answering phones and taking messages;
- Scheduling appointments;
- Arranging meetings;
- Handling mail;
- Preparing memos;
- Editing documents;
- Maintaining filing systems;
- Processing payments;
- Assisting with research;
- Performing basic bookkeeping.
Qualifications
- High school diploma;
- Experience using word processing and spreadsheet software;
- Strong organizational skills;
- Strong interpersonal skills; and
- A bachelor’s degree (for executive secretary positions).