Duties of Various Administrative Positions

With so many positions falling under the general category of administrative work, you may be looking for information about what each position entails. In general, a person working in the administrative field performs a myriad of duties in order to keep the business or organization going. Every business needs administrative workers, whether it is a receptionist in the front office, a network administrator to maintain the computer network, a secretary to file papers and prepare report or a manager to tie everything in the business together. These simple descriptions do not do justice to each position as each one carries a requirement for education and training that allows each one to perform multiple specialized tasks.

The administrative position of receptionist is an important one in any setting. When one enters the office, the receptionist is the first person you see. This person must not only have the training to perform the job, which is usually a one-or-two year course. Even through this type of training will qualify you for a higher position, you can get your start in the field working as a receptionist. Many people actually get their start in the administrative field by working as a receptionist part time with very little training and then taking extra course.

An accounting associate is another of the administrative positions you can obtain. In this job, you would be required to research information, have knowledge of how to process requests for external funding and write grant proposals as well as monitor the company’s accounts and process all the paperwork. Along with a degree of diploma in accounting, you will also need to have excellent organizational skills and perhaps a broker’s license if you are working in real estate.



There are also many administrative positions for public library personnel. As a library services associate, your primary duty will be overseeing the library department desk, answering the questions that user pose and provide them with the help they need as well as maintaining the data base of the library. You will also have to train student workers in the library and reshelve the books that come back in. A thorough knowledge of the Dewy Decimal System is essential for this position. The education requirements include a certificate in Library Studies and the ability to use and access the library computer system.

Most companies and businesses have an administrative secretary, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the main office. This administrative position requires a degree in office administration or a diploma from a technical or vocational college in combination with experience. In this position, your duties will include overseeing the support functions of the office, establishing work prioities and training of new staff. Composing correspondence is part of the job, which means you need excellent written communication skills. You will be responsible for maintaining the budget in reconciling bank statements, sending out bills and paying for expenditures. This requires knowledge of accounting software. You will also have to arrange schedules for meetings and travel as well as filing all important documents.