Post job

What does an office associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Travis Kurowski Ph.D.
What does an office associate do

Office associates have varied duties and responsibilities within an organization. They are responsible for the cash management operation, customer service functions, and administrative services. Other responsibilities include organizing and maintaining files and documents, administering all bookkeeping activities, and managing the entire office. Office associates also oversee the overall human resource activities within an organization, such as handling employment forms and health insurance administration. The skills required for this position include communication skills, organizational skills, and active listening skills.

On this page

Office associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real office associate resumes:

  • Manage operational FedEx relationship through order fulfillment, shipment tracking, and communication with parties involve in shipment transaction.
  • Prepare complex PowerPoint presentations using sound and automate graphics.
  • Utilize PowerPoint and other graphics programs to develop supporting materials for presentations.
  • Arrange confidential documentation for patients and providers and correspond with providers regarding the status of their account.
  • Review payroll time sheets for accuracy and completeness and research discrepancies, enter data into computer system.
  • Design and implement a DoD program to improve transparency and accountability of combat equipment and procurement funding.
  • Assist incoming patients by completing the required documentation, and entering all information and history into the computer accurately.
  • Follow up to collect on-boarding paperwork and maintaining payroll detail, applicant/associate files and employment documents/posters per company requirements.
  • Train on HIPPA regulations and phone service etiquette to provide confidential and reassuring information to the clients.
  • Process patient admission documents and enter, review and scan patient admission paperwork in compliance with HIPPA guidelines.
  • Utilize AS400 system to process orders and update internal customer's notes.
  • Streamline direct office services such as weekly meeting material preparation, supply inventory, and delivery of legal paperwork to FedEx.
  • Perform other clerical duties as needed, such as filing, typing, photocopying, and collating.
  • Direct case managers on the clarification of federal regulations and policies of Medicaid waiver.
  • Analyze patient accounts to determine contractual underpayments/delay reimbursement with Medicare, Medicaid and commercial contracts.

Office associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Office Associates are proficient in Customer Service, Patients, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Organizational skills.

We break down the percentage of Office Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 22%

    Exemplified the second-to-none customer service delivery for which Adventure Works is nationally renowned in all interactions with customers.

  • Patients, 10%

    Arranged confidential documentation for patients and providers and corresponded with providers regarding the status of their account.

  • Data Entry, 9%

    Performed multiple types of data entry for clients enrolled in any substance abuse rehabilitation programs in Iowa while maintaining their confidentiality.

  • Office Equipment, 6%

    Reported any office equipment malfunctions to the proper maintenance company.

  • Patient Appointments, 6%

    Showcased professional communication skills by communicating with physicians while scheduling patient appointments.

  • Telephone Calls, 5%

    Answered voluminous inbound/outbound telephone calls; routed calls to proper department/person.

Common skills that an office associate uses to do their job include "customer service," "patients," and "data entry." You can find details on the most important office associate responsibilities below.

Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an office associate to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "general office clerks often provide general information to company staff, customers, or the public." Office associates often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "assisted incoming customers with any hr questions and/or concerns. "

Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling office associate duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "general office clerks perform many clerical tasks that require attention to detail, such as preparing bills." According to an office associate resume, here's how office associates can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "developed detailed training manuals of all office procedures and trained new associates. "

Organizational skills. office associates are also known for organizational skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to office associate responsibilities, because "general office clerks file and retrieve records." An office associate resume example shows how organizational skills is used in the workplace: "coordinate daily office support activities, provide organizational planning and problem solving skills to supervisor. "

Most common office associate skills

Choose from 10+ customizable office associate resume templates

Build a professional office associate resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your office associate resume.
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume
Office Associate Resume

Compare different office associates

Office associate vs. Support clerk

A support clerk is primarily in charge of performing administrative support tasks in an office, making the daily workflow easier. Their responsibilities typically include preparing and processing documentation, answering and forwarding calls, handling correspondence, disseminating and organizing files, and running errands as needed. They may also update databases, maintaining records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a support clerk, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff, coordinating to ensure efficient and smooth workplace operations.

We looked at the average office associate salary and compared it with the wages of a support clerk. Generally speaking, support clerks are paid $3,883 higher than office associates per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both office associate and support clerk positions are skilled in customer service, patients, and data entry.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, office associate responsibilities require skills like "patient appointments," "strong customer service," "phone calls," and "transcription." Meanwhile a typical support clerk has skills in areas such as "medical terminology," "patient care," "provide clerical support," and "credit card." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Support clerks really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $35,567. Comparatively, office associates tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $36,923.The education levels that support clerks earn slightly differ from office associates. In particular, support clerks are 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an office associate. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Office associate vs. Clerk

Clerks are responsible for many of the general administrative tasks in the office. They are in charge of manning office telephone lines, managing incoming and outgoing mails, filing paperwork and other needed records, scheduling and documenting meetings, typing out documents when needed, disseminating memos and other official announcements, and keeping an inventory of office equipment and supplies. Clerks should have good office skills, communication skills, business writing skills, and time management skills. They should also be able to treat any document or paperwork they handle with confidentiality.

On average, clerks earn a $113 lower salary than office associates a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Office associates and clerks both require similar skills like "customer service," "data entry," and "office equipment" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that office associate responsibilities requires skills like "patients," "patient appointments," "strong customer service," and "phone calls." But a clerk might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "basic math," "math," "cleanliness," and "customer satisfaction."

Clerks earn a lower average salary than office associates. But clerks earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $31,380. Additionally, office associates earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $36,923 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Clerks tend to reach similar levels of education than office associates. In fact, they're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for office associates in the next 3-5 years?

Travis Kurowski Ph.D.Travis Kurowski Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, Writing Program Lead, York College of Pennsylvania

It's probably because I'm answering these questions in 2020, and so during a health pandemic and economic recession, but it seems the fact that video conferencing and other tools that allow people to work as teams from a distance (such as project management apps) will become much more critical over the coming years for all workplaces. These tools have long been available, and students on campuses already use many writing programs. But these tools will become integrated and essential for almost all businesses moving forward as we adapt to current economic realities and plan for a successful future for companies and communities.

Office associate vs. Administrative clerk

An administrative clerk provides support to staff and does clerical works. These clerical duties include answering and making phone calls, typing documents, compiling and filing records, and scheduling appointments. The clerks often set up office meetings and invite reliable speakers. Also, they do research and prepare reports or presentations. Candidates for the job must be organized, detail-oriented, and can manage their time well. They must be tech-savvy and have a basic knowledge of bookkeeping. The salary depends on their experience, industry, and location of the job.

An average administrative clerk eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of office associates. The difference in salaries amounts to administrative clerks earning a $1,051 higher average salary than office associates.office associates and administrative clerks both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "patients," and "data entry," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an office associate is likely to be skilled in "patient appointments," "patient charts," "strong customer service," and "phone calls," while a typical administrative clerk is skilled in "payroll data," "database systems," "purchase orders," and "scheduling appointments."

Administrative clerks earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $33,044. Comparatively, office associates have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $36,923.When it comes to education, administrative clerks tend to earn similar degree levels compared to office associates. In fact, they're 1.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Office associate vs. Cash office clerk

A cash office clerk is primarily in charge of processing cash payments in an office, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Their responsibilities also include handling check and cash deposits, completing merchandising procedures, monitoring the inventory of supplies, and maintaining accurate records of all cash transactions, producing sales reports for managers regularly. Moreover, a cash office clerk also has clerical support duties such as preparing and processing documents, handling calls and correspondence, organizing files, arranging meetings and schedules, and providing support to managers as necessary.

Cash office clerks typically earn lower pay than office associates. On average, cash office clerks earn a $1,837 lower salary per year.According to resumes from office associates and cash office clerks, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "data entry," "telephone calls," and "cash handling. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. An office associate uses "customer service," "patients," "office equipment," and "patient appointments." Cash office clerks are more likely to have duties that require skills in "credit card payments," "responsive customer service," "lockbox," and "cash application. "In general, cash office clerks earn the most working in the government industry, with an average salary of $34,731. The highest-paying industry for an office associate is the finance industry.cash office clerks reach similar levels of education compared to office associates, in general. The difference is that they're 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of office associate

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse office and administrative jobs