The difference between PA, Secretary and Administrator

[mixedmama]

I sort of have my own idea:

PA - one on one (altho not so much now) very organisational.

Secretary - more typing and filing related.

Administrator - more project work???

Altho, when i look at jobs there seems to be a massive cross over and what some people call a PA is IMO a secretary.

So what are the right descriptions for each of these??

To be honest, bugger all IMO because a good PA/secretary/administrator will all do a combination of tasks.

But yes, PA - usually working for one or small number of people. Better paid, working for higher level people in an organisation.

Secretary - for a number of people. Not quite so responsible. Not as well paid.

Administrator - broader role, more responsibility, more project management, better paid.

PA - i would think works for just the one or two people

secretary - i thought this was an outdated term?

and in its place was administrator - the person in the office who does allt he paper work - phoned to get the fax and photocopier fixed etc

Agree with Dotty - a good PA will do ALL of the above but is usually tied to one or two top level managers/directors.

Secretary is supposedly a more junior role and would usually look after a team of people.

Administrator would IMO be someone who tends to look after the office and does all manner of things, i.e. not tied to a particular team or director.

Hope that makes sense?

Depends a lot on the organisation

In the NHS, Consultants have a secretary, Managers have a PA. PAs get paid more, but secretaries do more

Yes, there does seem to be a massive crossover, with some companies calling the position PA some calling it Admin. Just wondered whether there is actual differences still or just down to the organisation.

Whilst in this kind of subject , will someone explain what is an' accounts manager' . Is it another name for a sales person ?

Administrator is very broad. I had a well paid Admin job but if you ever tell anyone you were an Administrator they presume 'filing clerk'. [shakes chip off shoulder]

Accounts manager - isn't that someone who looks after a certain number of clients? Again, probably a very broad term with differring responsibilities.

Tissy - I'm an NHS manager and want to know where I can get a PA from..?!

I'll put it on my Christmas list..!

I'm an Administrator. Think since most employees now have pc/email access the traditional secretary role has become outmoded. Now you either have Administrators who handle the general running of a department/office plus have specific day to day responsibilities as aprt of that team or PA's who work for a small number of more senior managers, organising their diaries, events, meetings, some wp filing etc.

I work in a bank and changed my position when I went back in the summer (after mat leave for dd2) am part time pa for area manager (she actually needs a full time one but no budget) I

Organise diary/meetings and send invites to meetings

Type up all her stuff (she puts it on dictaphone)

Manage her emails - deal with what I can and ensure she actions the required ones by right date

Collate weekly figures for 10 branches in our area plus end of mont figures and end of month controls/audits

Schedule all her audit items to ensure they are done in right timescales

Deal with intial part of customer complaints/complaints against other members of staff etc

Organise any relevant maintenance needed in branches

If area/team meeting held on day I work do minutes (otherwise someone does them and I type and email)

Loads more she has asked me to increase my hours but I have worked my hours since going back to work in early 2005 after dd1 and cannot increase them till 2012 when dd2 at school (she knew this when she asked if I wanted job but was hoping i'd need the money from more hours) I love the job its hard work but days fly by and no sales targets plus she is a really nice boss!

oh forgot quite often have to pop out and get shopping for her (quite like that part!)

I'm PA

More organisational/diary management/hotel bookings/report producing/tea making servant

Well paid

I work for one director although some PA roles can be up to 4 directors

I am a PA for a Financial Controller but I also provide Admin support for the rest of the Finance Team

I am an administrator - albeit a fairly specific one so not yer general office administrator iyswim

The peculiarities of my particular job aside, I project manage a system within my department and do a certain amount of project work. I would say I am better paid than your average secretary but I have very specific experience and qualifications.

I'm an admin officer, but with quite a specific role. My main tasks involve finance and stats but I'm responsible for the admin side of the office as I'm the only admin bod in the location, but other admin officers have varying roles.

In my organisation, the typists are now administrators, and do the general day to day office stuff.

The PAs work to the Chief Officer and the directors.

The admin officers have specific but varied roles, and are on the same payscale as the PAs (payband above the administrators).