Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Personal tools

Navigation

You are here: Home › Careers › Australian Careers › Careers Descriptions › Administrative Services Careers › Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant

Executive assistants provide general administrative and secretarial support to senior managers. They also have responsibility for budgets and financial planning, and can be involved in project work for their organisation.

 

Tasks & duties

Executive assistants may do some or all of the following:

  • co-ordinate and prepare monthly reports, financial data and presentations
  • organise meetings and conferences
  • respond to and write letters, memos and emails
  • take minutes and dictation
  • take messages, answer queries and screen telephone calls
  • maintain diaries, and make appointments and travel arrangements
  • have responsibility for budgets and financial planning
  • co-ordinate, assist, train and supervise other administration staff
  • compile statistics and other information
  • undertake and manage projects

 

Skills & knowledge

Executive assistants need to have:

  • knowledge of administration policies, systems and procedures
  • understanding of the purpose, background and policies of the organisation they are working for
  • understanding of the roles of other staff
  • project management skills
  • communication and listening skills
  • computer skills, including word-processing skills and the ability to use relevant computer software
  • the ability to use general office equipment such as photocopiers and printers 
  • planning and organisational skills
  • time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks
  • decision-making and problem-solving skills
  • good writing skills, including report writing skills
  • research skills, including Internet research skills
  • knowledge of budgeting
  • understanding of health and safety in the workplace

 

Entry Requirements

There are no specific requirements to become an executive assistant, but a diploma in business or business administration is useful.

 

Secondary Education

There are no specific secondary requirements, but subjects such as information management and business administration are useful.

 

Training on the job

Many workplaces provide internal training for their executive assistants on topics such as how to manage staff or prepare reports and financial data. Executive assistants may also be sent to attend relevant courses run by business management companies.

 

Useful Experience

Experience in general office work, as an administration assistant, receptionist or personal assistant, is useful for executive assistants.

 

Related courses

Human Resource Management
Secretarial and Office Studies

 

For more information, please refer to myfuture.

Document Actions