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Administrative support assistant vs finance/administrative assistant

The differences between administrative support assistants and finance/administrative assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an administrative support assistant and a finance/administrative assistant. Additionally, a finance/administrative assistant has an average salary of $39,756, which is higher than the $36,341 average annual salary of an administrative support assistant.

The top three skills for an administrative support assistant include customer service, provides administrative support and data entry. The most important skills for a finance/administrative assistant are data entry, powerpoint, and travel arrangements.

Administrative support assistant vs finance/administrative assistant overview

Administrative Support AssistantFinance/Administrative Assistant
Yearly salary$36,341$39,756
Hourly rate$17.47$19.11
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs118,512127,379
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

What does an administrative support assistant do?

Administrative support assistants are individuals who provide support to employees and managers. They provide assistance in general functions in various administrative or academic units. Their primary duties involve the management and dissemination of information within an organization. They take memos, maintain files, and answer phone calls. They should develop skills in technology, written and verbal communication, independence, and organization. Excellent skills in problem-solving, time management, and attention to detail are also important.

What does a finance/administrative assistant do?

A finance administrative assistant is responsible for performing clerical duties and basic bookkeeping tasks to support financial operations under the supervision of financial executives. Finance administrative assistants generate financial and business reports, update account information on the database, assist with payroll release, and help the accounting staff in resolving financial discrepancies and disputes. They also reach out to the clients for payments and billing, respond to their inquiries and concerns, and escalate their complaints to the supervisor for immediate resolution.

Administrative support assistant vs finance/administrative assistant salary

Administrative support assistants and finance/administrative assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Administrative Support AssistantFinance/Administrative Assistant
Average salary$36,341$39,756
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $44,000Between $29,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CitySeaTac, WAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiConnecticut
Best paying companyBrookhaven National LaboratoryTALENT Software Services
Best paying industryGovernmentProfessional

Differences between administrative support assistant and finance/administrative assistant education

There are a few differences between an administrative support assistant and a finance/administrative assistant in terms of educational background:

Administrative Support AssistantFinance/Administrative Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Administrative support assistant vs finance/administrative assistant demographics

Here are the differences between administrative support assistants' and finance/administrative assistants' demographics:

Administrative Support AssistantFinance/Administrative Assistant
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 16.6% Female, 83.4%Male, 12.8% Female, 87.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between administrative support assistant and finance/administrative assistant duties and responsibilities

Administrative support assistant example responsibilities.

  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Coordinate highly confidential and sensitive material relate to employee relations, payroll and personnel actions.
  • Complete diverse administrative tasks accurately and efficiently including verification of insurance information, payroll administration, and coordination of department meetings.
  • Create PowerPoint's of upcoming activities/events to distribute to departments/teams.
  • Interview patients and determine primary need of interest by providing assistance to other responsible personnel.
  • Maintain a database with confidential information regarding patients and providing medication for the HIV/AIDS section.
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Finance/administrative assistant example responsibilities.

  • Initiate both domestic and international wire transfers as well as ACH payments to manage vendor payments.
  • Manage all AR, AP, sales orders, work orders, and prepay inventory reconciliation.
  • Orchestrate special events and reservations; manage customer relations and provide exemplary service to all customers.
  • Alphabetize, sort, files FAFSA's code, and assemble letters for mass mailing.
  • Help students and officials file and summit FAFSA application forms and develop and maintain spreadsheets for documenting cases.
  • Process accounts payable and receivable utilizing QuickBooks.
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Administrative support assistant vs finance/administrative assistant skills

Common administrative support assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Provides Administrative Support, 6%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Travel Arrangements, 4%
  • Phone Calls, 4%
Common finance/administrative assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • PowerPoint, 10%
  • Travel Arrangements, 7%
  • Purchase Orders, 6%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Expense Reports, 5%

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