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Finance/administrative assistant vs administrative associate

The differences between finance/administrative assistants and administrative associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a finance/administrative assistant and an administrative associate. Additionally, a finance/administrative assistant has an average salary of $39,756, which is higher than the $34,873 average annual salary of an administrative associate.

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

Finance/administrative assistant vs administrative associate overview

Finance/Administrative AssistantAdministrative Associate
Yearly salary$39,756$34,873
Hourly rate$19.11$16.77
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs127,37954,499
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age5050
Years of experience22

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.

What does an administrative associate do?

An administrative associate is responsible for performing various tasks such as handling and processing paperwork, attending meetings and preparing minutes, responding to inquiries and other forms of correspondence, keeping accurate records, updating databases, and monitoring the company's financial activities. They also communicate with various department personnel, ensuring coordination should any important matter would arise. Furthermore, as an administrative associate, they are in charge of procuring supplies, implementing company policies, and supporting any staff members if needed.

Finance/administrative assistant vs administrative associate salary

Finance/administrative assistants and administrative associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Finance/Administrative AssistantAdministrative Associate
Average salary$39,756$34,873
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $52,000Between $23,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyTALENT Software ServicesLord Abbett
Best paying industryProfessionalFinance

Differences between finance/administrative assistant and administrative associate education

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

Finance/Administrative AssistantAdministrative Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaWestern Carolina University

Finance/administrative assistant vs administrative associate demographics

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

Finance/Administrative AssistantAdministrative Associate
Average age5050
Gender ratioMale, 12.8% Female, 87.2%Male, 21.6% Female, 78.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 finance/administrative assistant and administrative associate duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Administrative associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage consultants' calendar, arrange travel, paid bills via QuickBooks software.
  • Support medical doctors, manage sensitive and confidential records pertaining to high risk patients with emphasis on accuracy.
  • Enter invoices in QuickBooks and P2P.
  • Fulfill medical record requests from patients, providers and insurance companies in a HIPAA compliant way.
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentations and address day to day general operations and office procedures.
  • Prepare PowerPoint & other digital media for presentations that are distributed to upper management.
  • Show more

Finance/administrative assistant vs administrative associate skills

Common finance/administrative assistant skills
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • PowerPoint, 10%
  • Travel Arrangements, 7%
  • Purchase Orders, 6%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Expense Reports, 5%
Common administrative associate skills
  • Administrative Tasks, 12%
  • Purchase Orders, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Telephone Calls, 9%
  • Travel Arrangements, 9%
  • Patients, 8%

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