THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SECRETARY AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Both secretaries and administrative assistants typically work in an office environment. The office setting differs based on the industry and the standing of the particular company. For example, a secretary or administrative assistant at a manufacturing plant may work in a warehouse and a secretary or administrative assistant for an attorney may work in a high-rise building. Both secretaries and administrative assistants provide clerical work on some level, with administrative assistants typically providing more advanced and specialized services.

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Secretaries typically do nothing more than basic clerical work such as typing, filing and answering phones. They may also do data entry and other lower level duties such as running errands. They seldom make independent decisions.

Administrative assistants often also do basic clerical duties similar to secretaries, but are also often tasked with more demanding job responsibilities such as arranging meetings and conferences, researching and writing reports, and in some cases giving presentations. An administrative assistant often works with less supervision and is often expected to make decisions and organize work flow independently.

(adapted from http://voices.yahoo.com/the-difference- -between-secretary-administrative-7488742.html)