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Job outlook for administrative assistant/accounts receivables in the United States
Administrative assistant/accounts receivable job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected administrative assistant/accounts receivable job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -286,900 new jobs for administrative assistant/accounts receivables are projected over the next decade.
Administrative assistant/accounts receivable salaries have increased 12% for administrative assistant/accounts receivables in the last 5 years.
There are over 912,768 administrative assistant/accounts receivables currently employed in the United States.
There are 62,239 active administrative assistant/accounts receivable job openings in the US.
The average administrative assistant/accounts receivable salary is $54,968.
Are administrative assistant/accounts receivable jobs in demand?
Administrative assistant/accounts receivable job and salary trends over time
Administrative assistant/accounts receivable jobs over time
Administrative assistant/accounts receivable job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 912,768 | 0.27% |
| 2020 | 920,231 | 0.27% |
| 2019 | 1,007,507 | 0.30% |
| 2018 | 1,065,405 | 0.32% |
| 2017 | 1,106,783 | 0.34% |
Average administrative assistant/accounts receivable salary over time
Administrative assistant/accounts receivable salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,968 | $26.43 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $53,327 | $25.64 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $51,827 | $24.92 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $50,355 | $24.21 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $49,266 | $23.69 | +2.7% |
Administrative assistant/accounts receivable jobs by state
Most common states for administrative assistant/accounts receivables
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 306 | 44% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 140 | 19% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,160 | 17% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 180 | 17% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,077 | 13% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 527 | 13% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 855 | 12% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 726 | 12% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 672 | 12% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 666 | 12% |
| 11 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,223 | 11% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 346 | 11% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 332 | 11% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 216 | 11% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 150 | 11% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 80 | 11% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 603 | 10% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 348 | 10% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 108 | 10% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 58 | 10% |
Most common cities for administrative assistant/accounts receivables
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | 1 | 4% | $47,161 |
| 2 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $43,624 |
| 3 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $66,727 |
Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of administrative assistant/accounts receivable experts
Eastern Illinois University
Missouri University of Science & Technology
Centenary University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Rochester Institute of Technology
University of Kansas
Iona College
Penn State Wilkes-Barre and World Campus
University of Texas at El Paso
California State University Channel Islands
Ohio University - Lancaster Campus
Florida International University
Winona State University
Bucknell University
University of Iowa
College of Charleston
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Dixie State University
Albright College
West Liberty University
Dr. Nicholas Robinson
Director of AccountancyEastern Illinois University
EIU School of Business
What soft skills should all Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables possess?
Dr. Nicholas Robinson: Thinking of the less than the obvious answer would be the ability to ask questions the right way. If something is unclear or you just cannot figure it out, ask a question. The key part to this is TRYING to figure it out first and understanding when you are wasting your own time not getting anywhere. People will respect that you tried before coming to them for help. Another aspect of asking questions is listening to the answer. Make sure the answer is clear, and you know where or what you are supposed to do from there. Carry a notebook or something like that to both write down the questions you have on your project and their answers. I always find it impressive when people take notes and pay attention to the answer because it happens far too often that people ask questions but never listen to the response.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Dr. Nicholas Robinson: Excel, excel, excel. It does not matter how much you know in Excel. There is always something more to learn, improve upon, or make more efficient. If you are coming straight out of school, you may have had a lot of exposure to Excel, but if you are not using it every day in a work-like setting, you can get slow and forget how things work. Know how to look up techniques and tools. You will spend much of your working life dealing with Excel spreadsheets, so be sure you are comfortable with them.
What skills stand out on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable resumes?
Dr. Nicholas Robinson: In a general sense, the skills that are most impactful on a resume are demonstrating success when faced with a problem. This can be difficult to convey on a resume, but if you can show problems or challenges that you face, how you overcame them, and the resolution of the problem, recruiters love that more than almost anything.
Showing the ability to overcome and solve problems illustrates your skills in a practical way that will be beneficial to the company you are applying to. Every business has challenges. If you can help solve them, you are invaluable. Demonstrating a history of problem-solving will certainly make you stand out amongst the applicant pool.
What skills will help Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables earn the most?
Dr. Nicholas Robinson: Management and sales. If you can rise above your peers as a manager, you will make more. If you can drive sales, you will make more. If you enter an accounting firm and have the ability to not just do the work but can efficiently manage a team to do the work, you will be promoted to that position. Similarly, if you can attract more clients to the firm, you will become far more valuable to the firm. Your ability to create new revenue will be rewarded.
Working for a business as an internal accountant likely would not present the opportunity to drive new business. Promotion and raises will be determined by your ability to lead a team.
Christi Patton Luks
Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic AffairsMissouri University of Science & Technology
Linda & Bipin Doshi Department of Chemical & Biochemical Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Christi Patton Luks: I think that the pandemic has proven to everyone that online education can work. I think this will increase the number of undergraduates that want to take a course or two online while they are working on internship or co-op positions and professionals returning to school virtually for additional credentials and training. Some engineering jobs have been moved to work-from-home successfully, but many still need to be on site. Flexibility will continue, however.
What technical skills for an Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable stand out to employers?
Christi Patton Luks: I've always felt that the most important thing we teach our students is problem-solving skills. The students who can readily relate the theory to their practical experience to develop new solutions are the most valuable. Engineering students that are active on design teams or took advantage of internships and co-ops are in great position for this.
What's a good job out of college for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Christi Patton Luks: A good job out of college is one that can be adapted to the individual's skills and interests and encourages them to stretch. Frequently, students think they want to work in a particular type of job. Once they have it, they discover that it was not what they thought it would be. Many companies rotate new employees through a variety of positions. Those are great for helping people find their own hidden talents. I know that I have discovered abilities that I would not have even attempted when I was 20.
Frank Longo
Assistant Professor of BusinessCentenary University
Business Department
What hard/technical skills are most important for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Frank Longo: Proficiency with emerging technology is an attention-getter. We should note that the Certified Public Accountants Exam will contain three sections by 2024, including Data Analytics, Tax Compliance and Planning, and Information System and Controls. A basic knowledge will be required in each of these, and the CPA candidate will identify one area of the above for more detailed testing. This change in knowledge requirements reflects the skills employers see as most important to hire. Using technology in any of these areas can move a candidate to the top of the hiring list. We should emphasize that the job candidate does not need to be an expert in each area, but the ability to effectively use technology in one area is important. Employers are looking for the ability to use technology in information security, business processes, information systems, IT audits, data analytics, and tax planning but not all of them.
Keep in mind that successful firms performed audits, prepared tax returns, advised clients on data security, and much more during the pandemic, and they often did so remotely. This can be expected to continue into the future.
How have salaries changed over time for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Zev Fried Ph.D.: While starting salaries have not changed by that much in the accounting field, the big disparity comes with years of experience. As accountants gain valuable experience, compensation increases significantly. The rate of these changes has accelerated substantially in recent years. So while an accounting starting out now may not be making much more that they would have been a few years ago, after a few years they will be making much more.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Zev Fried Ph.D.: The good news is that there is still a high demand, if not an even greater demand for CPA's now. Individuals and companies are dealing with unpredictable business cycles and cash flows as well as constantly changing regulations. CPAs are needed to deal with all this and more. Of course, now that remote work is considered normal, it is likely here to stay in one form or another, deepening the pool of talent that employers can potentially dip into.
What technical skills for an Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable stand out to employers?
Zev Fried Ph.D.: For accountants, the same skills that were always needed such as proficiency with numbers, use of different types of computer software, and problem identification and solving are still needed. Emerging from the pandemic, there are also added skills such as the ability to work remotely and collaborate and share your work that will be important to employers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Qian Song Ph.D.: The pandemic has accelerated the immersion of technology in our work and life. People work remotely, study remotely, shop online from grocery to furniture, tour the museums and consult a doctor virtually. Increased closures of brick and mortar stores and online business play a role in the surge of technology stocks. Thus, the pandemic has changed the way companies use technology to conduct business. Ultimately, accounting and other professionals are expected to be proficient in the use of technology in their work. The Big Four and other public accounting firms are increasing their investments in technology such as data analytics and robotic process automation. Entry-level accounting or structured, repetitive, and rule-based tasks are increasingly being automated. Such automation in business processes also occurs in other industries. It is only a matter of time before we see robots and machines (and they do not get COVID) taking over a large number of accounting and other jobs that can be automated. Advances in data analytics will speed up this process and change the nature of the accounting function. For example, instead of a traditional audit sampling, data analytics tools can be used to examine the entire dataset. The accounting firms are expected to hire more data science professionals rather than traditional accountants.
Accounting graduates will face challenges and also opportunities in today's advanced technological environment. Other than the basic accounting knowledge, accounting students can acquire data analytics and technological skills. Although accounting jobs are predicted to increase in the future, the increase is likely to be for the newly transformed accounting jobs that utilize technology
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Qian Song Ph.D.: Certifications in data analytics and other technological skills are expected to have the biggest impact on future job prospects. Universities such as MIT, Cornell, Columbia and organizations such as IBM, Dell and Microsoft are offering certifications in data analytics and other technology. An increasing number of institutions are adding business analytics degrees or data analytics and other technology courses in their curricula.
How have salaries changed over time for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Qian Song Ph.D.: Salaries vary according to the region, employers, and positions. Salaries seem to be relatively stable with a slight increase for inflation. However, salaries are higher for graduates with data analytics certifications or advanced data analytics skills.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Alee Phillips CPA: As you might know, accounting recruiting starts so early. Many students secure their entry-level job during the spring of their Junior year. That is when they are recruited for Senior year spring or summer internships that then lead to full time offers after the end of their Master in Accounting and CPA eligibility year. As far as I know, none of those offers were pulled during the pandemic. If we do have a decrease in accounting opportunities, I think it will not be seen for another year or so as companies adjust to hiring less interns during these challenging times.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Andrew Griffith: With or without the pandemic, the most dominant trend in the accounting field is the need to continually upgrade one's skills and knowledge base. For several years, accounting has found ways to incorporate technology to automate routine tasks. The pandemic has been a catalyst to accelerate this evolution. This means that those who do not stay current will find their employment opportunities diminishing as their time in the workforce progresses. Those who can develop the skills and knowledge to be and remain at the front of their field's trends will have the most employment opportunities during their time in the workforce.
As I often tell my students, the days of simply having one degree and being done for life are long gone. Assuming the trends in educational attainment across the nation continue as they have since 1991, a bachelor's degree is no longer sufficient for those in the workforce. In every field, one will need at least one master's degree to remain viable in the workforce during the next 30 or more years. In fact, I've noticed a trend in the workforce where people have multiple master's degrees and some even have multiple research and professional doctorate degrees, albeit a much smaller percentage of the workforce than those that have not gone beyond the master's degree level.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Dr. Andrew Griffith: As a student (both undergraduate and graduate), the most important experience you can have while a student is collaborating with faculty on research projects that lead to co-authorship of academic research publications in legitimate, highly visible journals. For the past several years, higher education institutions have advocated for continual learning (AKA lifetime learning). I see this become more of a requirement than an elective as the workforce evolves over the next few decades. The institutions that will be truly successful in adding long-term value to their students' futures in the workforce are the ones that embrace research in high quality journals AND include their students on their projects. The collaboration of students with faculty on academic research that addresses real life problems or pushes the field forward is critical to those students' future success because it helps them understand the value of and how to use academic research. That experience also equips these students with the skills necessary to be able to identify early where their field of expertise is going throughout their careers. The engagement of students with current research projects at the undergraduate and graduate levels of higher education is a trend that is emerging in the business disciplines and it will become more obvious as the workforce evolves. In the long run, the lack of engaging students at all levels through serious academic research will certainly contribute to hastening the demise of financially insecure higher education institutions in the U.S.
Regarding certifications and licenses in the accounting field, I cannot emphasize enough that anyone entering the accounting field must make it a priority to obtain more than just the minimum licenses and credentials required to obtain or retain an employment opportunity. Meeting just the minimum expectations of their employment market is insufficient and will limit their employment opportunities. As Charles Windeknecht of Atlas Air Worldwide once said to some of my students, "Today is the day to get ready for the opportunities of tomorrow. If you don't, the opportunities of tomorrow will pass you by." His words are very accurate. To maximize one's employment opportunities while in the workforce, each of us need to exceed the minimum qualifications and expectations of every role we hold and pursue in the workforce. With that in mind, I highly recommend and encourage those in the accounting field to obtain the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) as a minimum qualification goal because this is the #1 credential sought by employers according to Robert Half International (see https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/salaries-and-skills/finance-and-accounting-certifications-employers-want-to-see). Based on the data presented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, I conclude that approximately half of the people working in the accounting field hold an active CPA license. This statistic alone is suffient enough to justify the CPA as everyone's first license/credential goal in the accounting field. Once that goal has been satisfied, I recommend that each person quickly shift their focus to any major licenses and certifications that are more in line with their career goals and current career opportunities. For example, if a CPA wants to work primarily in income taxation, then that person should also obtain the Enrolled Agent (EA) credential because it adds tangible value to those in the tax field. I also recommend that CPAs and EAs in the tax field consider obtaining the US Tax Court Practitioner (USTCP) credential. Another example involves CPAs who want to work in internal audit; they should obtain the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and other related credentials offered by The Institute of Internal Auditors as quickly as they can. CPAs who want to work in the fraud examination field should consider the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. CPAs who want to seek management positions should consider the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) from the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and/or the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the Institute of Management Accountants.
I highly recommend that "minor" credentials in every field be avoided because they do not add value to one's career. Instead, those consume valuable resources including time and money. Everyone is much better off pursuing well established and widely recognized licenses and credentials that are highly desired by employers and serve to enhance one's career opportunities. With that in mind, the list compiled by Robert Half International is a great starting place. As a selling point to get people to spend their money, most organizations that offer a professional credential in the accounting field make a claim that their credential holders make more money than those without the promoted credential. Such statements are often very misleading or not true. Unless one works for a beauracy (like the federal government), obtaining the next degree or license or certification does not normally result in a salary increase. Instead, the major accounting licenses and credentials will create more career opportunities for their holders that, depending on how one performs with the new opportunities, could lead to other better compensated opportunities. In other words, an employee's performance has a larger role in influencing compensation over time than some of these organizations are willing to acknowlege in their quest to entice people to spend their money to obtain the promoted credentials.
What's a good job out of college for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Dr. Andrew Griffith: Because of the CPA experience requirements by some states (California is an example), I recommend that students consider spending some time as external auditors to meet any state-mandated experience requirements in external audit. If a student's target state's CPA license qualifications does not require experience in external audit, then I highly recommend that students first spend five years as an accountant or as an internal auditor in a sizeable corporation before entering external audit. In my opinion (which is contrary to the commonly promoted career path in the accounting field), the time spent in corporate accounting or internal audit will make them more effective at external audit when they enter it, in part, because they will be less gullible and better positioned to recognize problems within the accounting systems and the organizations they audit. If a student wants to work in tax, I highly recommend that they enter public accounting first because it will certainly expose them to numerous situations and learning experiences that they cannot get anywhere else.
Lori Dunn CPA
LecturerPenn State Wilkes-Barre and World Campus
Department of Business Administration and Accounting
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Lori Dunn CPA: The largest trend in the job market for accounting careers is remote working. Professionals have already seen this transition even for entry level positions. Many interviews and onboarding are occurring remotely as well as most accounting tasks in a position. We may see this continue to be the trend even after the pandemic levels off. As indicated in the Robert Half Accounting and Finance Salary Guide 2021, the top skills that are going to be expected of professionals in accounting as a result of the pandemic include: technology skills in cloud based systems as well as data analytics, soft skills including working independently, exhibiting creativity, strong writing and verbal communication skills as well as the ability to be a team player virtually. Although all of these skills have been necessary, the pandemic has brought them to the forefront when hiring accounting talent.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Lori Dunn CPA: The most well-known licenses in accounting are the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Both of these licenses are still the licenses to get. However there are more specific licenses that can be attained in the accounting field dependent on where the accountant may specialize. For example a Certified Fraud Examiner, may be a license that an accountant in the forensic accounting field may want to earn. Whether the CPA, CMA, CFE or other license, attaining a license in a specialized field of accounting can only help talent to attain that position they are interested in.
As for course work, assuming a student has earned a bachelor's degree in accounting, the accountant should be sure to continue coursework in technology.
An understanding and use of cloud base technologies as well as data analytics software such as Tableau or Power BI are necessary skills that attractive talent must be experienced in. Recruiters also expect accounting talent to have experience in spreadsheet and accounting software.
A specialized master's degree is another way for talent to set themselves apart. There are specialty master's degrees in Finance, Taxation, Accounting and many other areas an accountant may want to focus on. If an accountant wants to attain a position in a specialty area, this advanced degree may help set them apart from other candidates.
How have salaries changed over time for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Lori Dunn CPA: Salaries have increased steadily over the years in the accounting profession at all levels. They tend not to stagnate and usually show an increase of at least cost of living each year. The outlook for the coming year according to Robert Half Accounting and Finance Salary Guide 2021 is that accounting position salaries will remain stable even during the pandemic. This is good news for not only new but seasoned talent as well.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
David Folsom Ph.D.: Although hiring for new graduates has slowed some, accounting firms are still recruiting for new positions. The students who have placed good job positions demonstrated leadership, adaptability, and a clear vision of what they can offer the firms/companies that employ them. Being able to successfully use technology and adapt to new technology is a needed skill as the workplace for accountants has largely moved to home or remote work. I believe the pandemic accelerated a commitment in the accounting profession to increased flexibility for workers and increased reliance on emerging technologies.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
David Folsom Ph.D.: I believe the CPA certification is still the "gold standard" for the accounting profession. Being a licensed CPA will give new accountants the most current and future career opportunities. I recommend new graduates have a clear plan on how they will achieve this certification post-graduation. Many large accounting firms will not seriously consider candidates without a clear path to becoming a CPA. Completing at least a section of the CPA test very quickly after graduation is evidence of this commitment.
The CMA certification is also very helpful in the job market, particularly for non-public accounting job prospects. Any accounting-based certifications (e.g., internal audit, forensic accounting, etc.) will help candidates distinguish themselves from their peers. However, a CPA license will provide the most opportunities as a standalone license. Having additional certifications beyond a CPA will only enhance a candidate's job prospects.
What's a good job out of college for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
David Folsom Ph.D.: Jobs in public accounting are excellent for new graduates. All of these firms (international, national, or local firms) generally provide assistance and incentives for new hires to become CPAs. Many positions in these firms allow new hires to see numerous different business situations that are valuable in the future. Many "industry" companies covet accountants who have public accounting experience for managerial or even executive positions. New graduates taking such positions will be exposed to a variety of business models and generally quickly create valuable contacts across many different industries.
Amanda Carpenter
DirectorCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Department of Career Development and Alumni Engagement
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Amanda Carpenter: -Market competition- We are seeing an increase in the number of applicants per position, making entry-level employment opportunities extremely competitive. New graduates may be competing for positions with professionals who have significantly more work experience. This means, new graduates must stand out in the applicant pool distinguishing strengths and skills related to the position.
-Recruiting strategy- Employers are adjusting their recruiting strategies in response to the pandemic with more recruiters opting to source candidates virtually. In result, candidates need to polish interview skills in a virtual environment and be prepared to interview in 1:1 and group settings virtually. Employers want to see how candidates respond in these challenging situations. Demonstrating resiliency, adaptability, and the ability to pivot are key skills to demonstrate during these times.
-Remote work- a significant increase in remote work positions opening doors for candidates to consider applying for roles outside of their geographical areas to including international and across the United States.
What's a good job out of college for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Amanda Carpenter: A solid position for a new college graduate offers training, ongoing development, organizational values alignment, and opportunities for professional growth within an organization. Gaining work experience is key and even if a new graduate is not applying for their ideal position. Staying focused on maintaining employment during this time is essential given the competitive market. Working with a staffing agency is a great way for a new graduate to explore career pathways and gain relevant work experience in temporary roles. For those who have seen job offers rescinded, this is a time to establish a career plan and maintain a keen focus on short and long-term career goals. New graduates should establish a career plan with contingency plans and always have backup options.
What technical skills for an Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable stand out to employers?
Amanda Carpenter: -Data analytics skills are critical technical skills that stand out to employers in today's market. According to NACE (2018), the use of data analytics is projected to have the most significant impact on an organization's operational efficiency and revenue generation.
-Source (NACE): www.naceweb.org
Brandy Bailey
Career CoachOhio University - Lancaster Campus
Student Services, Career Services
What soft skills should all Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables possess?
Brandy Bailey: Soft skills may vary depending on the employer, industry, and personal opinions. My biggest ones are communication skills, adaptability, self-awareness, teamwork, problem-solving, intercultural competency, creativity or innovation, and time management.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Brandy Bailey: Take a look at the job description for which you are applying, what certifications/licenses/courses do they list? If you personally have any of them that are included in the job description, be sure to include them on your resume. Tailoring your resume, including your skills and experiences, to the job description will have the biggest impact on your job prospects. If you have taken a course that the employer deems as necessary to be able to perform the job, list it on your resume and talk about it during your interview. If you are not quite ready to graduate and apply for jobs, you may still have some time to squeeze in a course or experience that will meet the qualifications of a job that you are interested in applying for in the future. Do your research and tailor your resume and experiences to the job you are applying for to increase your job prospects.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Brandy Bailey: The coronavirus pandemic has changed the job market in many ways. For recent graduates, they should highlight the fact that they have persevered and graduated during this time. It has impacted how they live, work, and go to school for over a year now! Many jobs may be work-from-home or only require employees to go in to the workplace one or a few days a week. There is more flexibility with work schedules, and employers are putting the health and safety of employees first now more than ever before. Today's graduates may be more adaptable to change, appreciate work-life balance, and possess communication skills that allow them to utilize a variety of communication methods, not only in-person, but virtually as well.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Jose Aldrich: -Rapid increase in quality of technology based solutions allowing for robust remote working and business interaction, will support working more from home where the business can adapt and has the technology solutions to support the new working environment. This trend will impact commercial real estate, primarily office space. Some companies may seek to reduce office space.
-Budgets for business travel, large meetings and in-person business meetings may decrease and budgets for remote technology may increase. Business travel industry may need to adapt to the reduced business travel as remote technology solutions continue to evolve.
-E-commerce is on the rise and will continue to increase as consumers become more comfortable with online purchasing (groceries, clothes and household items, etc). Shift from physical stores to virtual stores for a larger percentage of sales will lower cost of entry and give rise to new businesses to support the trend.
-Social norms have adapted to the new pandemic environment and may not fully return to pre-pandemic levels. Face masks, social distancing, handshaking, etc. may become the norm for some time and taper slowly with some habits continuing.
What soft skills should all Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables possess?
Jose Aldrich: -Strong relationship building skills. Trusted relationships with peers, bosses and clients/customers are key.
-Analytical abilities. A lot of the work will involve interpreting data and using business analytics.
-Effective decision making. Identifying business risks and courage to take calculated risks in business.
-Leadership skills
-Ability to speak up at meetings.
-Organizational skills
What's a day at work look like for an Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable?
Jose Aldrich: -Wake-up and turn on your computer to review the tasks waiting for them that day.
-Detailed work assigned by their immediate boss.
-Listening and learning at meetings whether in person or remote.
-Asking a lot of questions
-Developing a network of colleagues you can rely on when some help is needed.
-Contributing to the success of a project by detail work or providing ideas and input.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Jodi Olson: We expect our graduates to be even more resilient to change and highly technology savvy, because of the necessary adaptations and remote workflow requirements students have had to overcome in achieving academic success and internship responsibilities during the pandemic. We see this as an enhancement to the skills they will bring to their employers, which already expect incoming graduates to be on the cutting edge of technological advancements, working toward a paperless environment, and keeping up with the many recent and continuing changes for the profession.
What's a day at work look like for an Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable?
Jodi Olson: Graduates could see a range of possibilities from working entirely remotely to fully on-site with precautions in place, based on recent graduate and internship experiences we have seen during the pandemic. Except for a very few internships cut short or cancelled immediately at the onset of the pandemic as the profession adapted to unknowns and putting safety measures in place, we have not seen a significant change in the demand for interns or graduates. Some new graduates expect their first day on the jobs to be remote and feel ready to meet that challenge being familiar with the technology required to be productive and communicate virtually. It has become an assumption that precautions are in place, regardless of the remote or in-person setting. It seems that both graduates and employers are working hard together to achieve success, both with caution and the usual high professional standards.
What technical skills for an Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable stand out to employers?
Jodi Olson: Accountants serve many industries and sectors, so a broad range of technical skills is required to be ready to meet the needs of employers. Graduates must be technically competent in areas such as accounting information systems, tax preparation, auditing, managerial/cost accounting, financial reporting, and financial statement analysis. Also, graduates are expected to have general business acumen in areas such as management information systems, business law, operations, strategic management, and ethics. All these skills are important for graduates, but the pandemic has made the accounting systems and management information systems skills operative in allowing graduates to deliver their other areas of technical expertise.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Curtis Nicholls Ph.D.: In my opinion, we are likely to see a major shift to flexible work arrangements that are actually flexible. In the past, many firms have advertised flexible work arrangements that were only flexible to a point, with historic rigidity lurking under the surface. I think the pandemic has provided evidence that employee arrangements can be more flexible (e.g. remote, alternative schedules, etc.) with employees able to maintain a high level of productivity.
From the employee's perspective, this is welcome news. However, the shift to remote work and other pandemic trends have made the line between work/life blurrier. I've discussed with several former students the challenge remote work has created as flexible schedules often mean late-night meetings or critical emails at odd hours. The advent of technology, beginning with email and accelerating through Blackberrys to iPhones, already blurred those lines, but remote work has provided additional accelerant.
What skills stand out on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable resumes?
Curtis Nicholls Ph.D.: The obvious trends are going to become more pronounced: coding and technology-related skills. I think we are going to see an elevation in the coding expectations. In the future, I expect employers to begin providing coding assessments to potential candidates. This is a common feature of engineering and finance jobs, and I think we will see it with respect to claims about coding prowess.
Data skills will also continue to become more prevalent across all business disciplines. Employers are looking for experience with large data sets, data visualization software (e.g. Tableau, PowerBI, Alteryx, etc.) and statistical analysis. Data has become a major currency, and employees' ability to utilize data for decision making will be critical to success in the employment marketplace.
Beyond the obvious, I think the pandemic has also shifted focus to skills surrounding resilience and motivation. I've heard employers during the pandemic express surprise at the disparity of responses to the pandemic: some employees made the pivot to remote work seamlessly, others required significantly more support. Skills that demonstrate resilience, such as group work, honors programs, etc. will become more important.
I would encourage job seekers to highlight skills learned during the pandemic. I would anticipate a regular interview question inquiring about how the job seeker used their extra time during the pandemic. The most common answers will likely include lots of Queen's Gambit and Tiger King, but employers will look for answers surrounding the development of new skills or acquired certifications. Imagine the employer's thoughts when you suggest that you used the extra time to pursue a lifelong dream such as learning to play the piano or guitar. If you missed the early pandemic window of opportunity, take advantage now!
This line of questions may precede a dangerous trend for employers to look for indications of mental strength. I find this possibility disheartening as we could see employers screening employees with mental health challenges at a time when the solidarity of a job could provide much needed structure.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables to find work opportunities?
Curtis Nicholls Ph.D.: This is a tough question to predict. The pandemic has created more flexibility than ever, and we see workers exiting high price areas such as San Francisco and New York City. However, I'm uncertain how this will shake out in the post-pandemic world. There could be a demand for a return to occasional in person meetings, so employees may need to remain within reasonable proximity. However, employees could employ shared economy models such as Airbnb to meet the demand for temporary visits to the office.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Brian Lai Ph.D.: I think the impact of the pandemic will be around for another year or so as in-person opportunities start to return. For graduates, the disruption in the economy and lack of in-person opportunities in traditional hiring areas (e.g. DC) has made it harder to find opportunities than before the pandemic.
What type of skills will young Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables need?
Brian Lai Ph.D.: They need to be able to write well, specifically be able to clearly summarize and analyze ideas, policies, and arguments in a succinct manner. They will need at least a working understanding of data analysis techniques, if not some ability to analyze data. In the field of IR, the ability to network and work in a group environment will be important.
What experience really stands out on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable resumes?
Brian Lai Ph.D.: Authentic experiences that mirror what they will be doing in a job. So internships in similar kinds of positions or experiential learning opportunities that mirror what positions require you to do.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Jacob Craig Ph.D.: Yes, without question. I graduated with my undergraduate degree in 2008 while the economy was in collapse, and those impacts are still reverberating.
There are some smart people thinking about this right now. Scott Galloway and Fareed Zakaria have both published compelling books about the effects of COVID on the economic trends-including the education industry. Both of those thinkers have influenced my own ideas.
What's clear is that COVID-19 really only accelerated trends that people have been discussing for some time. Education has been shifting online, movie theaters have been dying, brick and mortar retail has been on decline, and the print industry has been in distress for at least 10 years because of consolidation. Aside from the economic impacts of COVID-19 that have affected the job market, there are a few other impacts graduates should consider. But many of these are good news for graduates who can write and learn to write in new forms for new audiences.
What's key for graduates to know is that the job they want still exists. It's just not in the same industry and goes by a different name.
What type of skills will young Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables need?
Jacob Craig Ph.D.: In school, students are often taught to work by themselves. In some cases, they are even penalized for working with others. In some rare cases, students are asked to do a little group work but only for a short amount of time, at the end of their learning in a class.
The first thing that graduates need to know is that the workplace is nearly opposite from school. Employees, especially professional, technical, and content writer jobs, are more often than not collaborative and teams-based. The added wrinkle is that office culture is unlikely to go back to pre-pandemic occupancy rates.
So graduates need to know is that odds are good that at least part of their job will be remote. And that might be the case for at least part of the time. Announcements from tech, finance, and insurance about their latest work-from-home policies keep making the news. So not only are the chances good that they'll be working in teams, their team members and co-workers won't be in the same room with them. They'll be working collaboratively through writing. This is good news for English graduates. Much of the writing someone in a professional, technical, or content writing job are products meant for public readership. Like press releases that are sent to news outlets. But all of that writing is built on a network of notes, memos, policies, and text threads meant for co-workers. Remote work just means that co-workers will be writing each other more and more often. English graduates who can make texts for public audiences and write effectively to co-workers are positioned to do well.
The second thing that students need to know is how to start and stop writing in the context of someone else's draft. They will rarely begin with a blank screen and end with a finished text.
The third thing is that it's likely small businesses will take some time to bounce back. In those workplace settings, it is likely that an employee will need to have a range of knowledge and skills because their job will combine parts multiple roles. So a copywriter in a small marketing firm might need to also know something about SEO and social analytics and visual design. In larger offices, however, jobs tend to be much more specialized and team-based. So graduates need to be comfortable working in teams where they have an assigned role, and they need to be able to receive work in-process, complete their assigned part, and hand that work off still in-process.
And finally, students need to learn how to learn new technologies. Learn just through documentation, without a human tutorial. Even if employees are exclusively using the Microsoft Suite, it will be used for writing, editing, project management. It will be used to collaborate and present. Depending on where a student studies and what classes they take, those digital pieces might not be a part of their coursework. So, at the very least, students need to know that the workforce will constantly ask them to learn new technologies and new uses for familiar technologies.
What experience really stands out on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable resumes?
Jacob Craig Ph.D.: I believe strongly in dexterity and a language of expertise. That means that if a student can show they can adapt to new demands by learning a new way of working, learning about a new audience, learning how to address a new purpose, learning a new genre or style, and learning a new technology, that employee attractive. Especially at the entry-level, the ability to learn and adapt is valuable. Being able to talk about their experience using a persuasive vocabulary is often useful. For instance, if students can describe their approach to communication without using cliches (short and sweet, clear) and something along the lines of purpose, audience, situation, genre, medium--that's persuasive.
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD
Recruitment & Scholarship CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Office of Student Services
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD: Despite the pandemic, careers that have direct contact with people continue to be in high demand. these include careers in teaching and social work. they are considered depression-proof careers. given the increased diversity in the USA, adding a second language to any career will be amazingly useful. Two-year degrees will not be seen as useful. If people are seeking post-secondary credits they need to think about a specific trade certificate, or a four-year degree.
What Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD: Most colleges want to see a gap year that is connected to making the world a better place. An internship or a job with a non-profit can be life changing for ones personal development, and ones career. These can be local with an agency in ones community, or national with an agency like City Year or Americorps. Gap years should focus on 'soft skills' where possible so working with the public is ideal. Having said that, any job will give young people valuable experience. My gap year included driving a taxi in Dubuque, Iowa. Boy did I learn a lot about working with people!
What general advice would you give to an Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable?
Dr. Robert Longwell-Grice EdD: 1) Assume your first job won't be your last one. It is very common to change jobs/careers/employers; 2) Be a life-long learner. Earn additional credentials/degrees. Attend workshops in your field; 3) Educate yourself about issues of diversity. The world is a diverse place. Your ability to be comfortable with diverse populations will be welcomed by any employer.
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.
Department Chair and Associate Professor of EnglishDixie State University
English Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.: There will be a lot more jobs that have telecommute options or requirements. Perhaps the office will never fully go away, but the pandemic has shown employers just how effective and cost-saving it can be to have people work from home. It saves money on things like office space and travel reimbursements. We'll see an increase in purely work-from-home jobs, but the biggest change will be the morphing of jobs into hybrid telecommute positions, where employees will still need to physically be in the office at times, but a good chunk of their work will be completed at home.
What skills stand out on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable resumes?
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.: Writing skills have always been valued by employers, but anything that shows an ability to write, produce, or communicate in digital spaces will stand out. While employers are becoming increasingly comfortable having employees work and collaborate digitally (from home or elsewhere), they may still be reluctant to train employees how to do that. They want to see evidence that applicants will know how to use technology and stay productive without extensive training and without a supervisor having to stand behind them. That isn't to say training won't take place, but employers want to use their valuable time and resources training employees on their own systems, policies, and procedures; they don't want to have to show new-hires how to use Zoom, how to format a memo, how to write an email, or how to co-edit a document using OneDrive.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.: The great thing about a degree in English is that graduates can find work anywhere: teaching, freelance writing, technical writing, content production, editing, reporting-you name it. There are ample jobs in small towns and large cities in all of these areas. English degrees are also highly valued in a variety of jobs-such as sales, public relations, marketing, and paralegal work-because employers know these applicants, from day one, will have strong skills in writing, communication, critical thinking, and creative thinking.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables?
Guillaume de Syon Ph.D.: In the short term, yes, partly because the learning varied in coverage and sometimes quality. Compressed courses may have included the same objectives as regular, semester-long ones, but reading and writing had to be rescaled. Even courses running a regular semester were affected by distance learning.
Furthermore, internships and other campus jobs were frozen, thus affecting income, but also experience the graduates could share with potential employers. It is too soon to tell how much more of an impact the pandemic will have, but the fact that it will have affected at least two college years will prompt a reevaluation of the campus experience.
What type of skills will young Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivables need?
Guillaume de Syon Ph.D.: The same as the ones they needed before. Employers want a combination of experience as well as writing and reading capacities. There may even be a greater need for decent writing, as the shift to online has affected the workforce. On the positive side, successfully negotiating the pandemic conditions could be considered a sign of adaptability.
What experience really stands out on Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable resumes?
Guillaume de Syon Ph.D.: It all depends on the job one seeks, but longer service with one employer suggests stability. Adding an internship or two, even short ones (e.g. from summer) reveals openness of mind. This is important in the case of a humanities degree. Employers welcome these, but do want to see that the applicant has put their skills to work. Finally, stressing one's technical skills in various programs or generic software is good, even if acquired on the go (who knew of "Zoom" before the pandemic?). It also points to adaptability, especially when starting in an office at the entry level.
Dr. Darrin Cox
Professor of HistoryWest Liberty University
College of Liberal Arts
What general advice would you give to an Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable?
Dr. Darrin Cox: Be open to new opportunities and be patient. Degrees in the humanities and social sciences don't just open a single door to a specific job like some others might. They open a wider array of doors that may not be as clearly defined in a recruiter's job placement or headspace. Remember, STEM fields might experience more initial salary, but overall they experience slower salary growth and higher attrition rates than those in the humanities and social sciences. Indeed, people specializing in degrees that train "soft skills" (like history) actually end up earning more than all other degrees on average, due in part to being able to slide more deftly into other positions because their skill set hasn't become obsolete as technology changed.*
*Nytimes
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Darrin Cox: The need for adaptability. Companies are going to focus more on hiring people with a wide array of skills and abilities that provide them the kind of adaptability needed for the modern workspace. It's one of the reasons why I think humanities and social science degrees will be in more demand in the coming years. At their core, these degrees are about analyzing how we interact in the social world while providing specific training in critical thinking, reasoning, and writing. Basically, employers will be looking for those who are tech savvy, but less so in terms of how to operate specific applications or technology and more so in ways that they can be adapted to best suit the needs of the company.
What Administrative Assistant/Accounts Receivable skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Darrin Cox: Reading. Then read some more. Read a wide array of materials from multiple perspectives related to your fields of interest and on topics that impact your immediate world. Reading will increase your specific knowledge in these areas, introduce you to competing interpretations, and hopefully stimulate critical thinking as you reconcile new information and perspectives into your own conclusions. Oh, and then read some more. Did I mention you should read?