An administrative assistant plays a pivotal role in assisting the management by providing general support services for office administration. This includes directory maintenance, electricity and telephone connections, preparing research reports, logistics management, repairs and overhauling, vendor management, equipment management, tracking paper and electronic files, etc. Sometimes he also troubleshoots administrative hindrances by analyzing problems and providing immediate solutions.
Inventory Management
An administrative assistant has to monitor and maintain the level of stocks of stationery and various office supplies. Accordingly, he has to anticipate the inventory needs and expedite orders by inviting tenders, …show more content…
He has to prepare reports for dispensing advance cash or company credit cards to the employees who travel and also collect their expense sheets along with proofs.
Cost Management
An administrative assistant is in charge of buying and acquiring office equipment like printers, fax machines, photocopiers and stationery. He has to follow a process as per the organization's purchase policy. This also includes cost approvals from senior authorities. Also, he has to prepare and control administrative budgets. He should be able to negotiate with the vendors. He has to undertake cost reduction and implement cost-efficient methods wherever possible, in the interest of the company.
Maintenance and Overhauling
The administrative assistant has to ensure that the office equipment is in constant working condition by undertaking preventive maintenance for old equipment and evaluation of new equipment. He has to prepare, validate and renew the yearly service contracts of various repair and safety equipment …show more content…
Also, he has to maintain a record of the incoming and outgoing mail. In some organizations, it is the duty of administrative assistant to ensure that the housekeeping activities are undertaken on a daily basis and a report is presented on the same. In some companies, he has the responsibility to maintain records as required by Federal and State laws. At times, an administration assistant has to prepare and maintain confidential records and files for the senior