Business Assistant Job Description

Business assistants perform a wide range of support functions in the office, from photocopying to giving presentations. Once they've been on the job for a while, good business assistants can often predict what actions will be necessary without being specifically told what to do.

Business assistants work in offices and most of them are full-time employees. Standard hours Monday through Friday are the norm, but deadlines or peak seasons can result in overtime. Identifying the exact roles of a business assistant is difficult, as their responsibilities can vary widely based on industry, staff size, and managers' willingness to delegate. Business assistants at a university, for example, may be instructed to send welcome packets to accepted students. In an insurance office, business assistants can sit down with new clients and ask questions to process a question or application. In a small office, business assistants may have a broad job description due to a lack of staff members.

Duties and responsibilities of the business assistant

While what a business assistant should do can vary greatly by industry, some tasks tend to be common to most. From our analysis of job openings, some of the key responsibilities of business assistants include the following:

Facilitate the operation of the office

Whether the printer requires more paper or a customer needs to be moved to the right office, business assistants take the initiative to do whatever it takes to keep operations running. Administrative tasks cover the gamut: typing, report writing, ordering supplies, shipping and sorting, filing, and replying to emails.

Plan and coordinate events in the office

Business assistants frequently agree on the time and place for internal and external meetings. They ensure that all parties know the details by presenting agendas and other relevant material. For special events, they can keep track of RSVPs and deal with third-party vendors to make sure everything goes according to plan.

Provide customer support

Answering the phone and greeting visitors can be part of a business assistant's daily duties. Some serve as support when a receptionist or secretary is not at the desk.

Conduct business / human resources activities

In some locations, business assistants manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, insurance, and paperwork for new hires.

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