Office Manager vs. Secretary: What Are the Differences?

Both office managers and secretaries play vital roles in the smooth operation of an office. If you’re interested in a career in office administration, you may be wondering what the difference is between these two positions. In this article, we compare and contrast the job duties, responsibilities and skills of an office manager and a secretary. We also provide information on the education and training required for each role.

What is an Office Manager?

An Office Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an office. They oversee office staff, manage office supplies and equipment, handle customer inquiries, and resolve any office-related issues that may arise. Office Managers also develop and implement office policies and procedures, and often serve as the point of contact for office visitors. In larger offices, Office Managers may also be responsible for managing office budgets and coordinating office events.

What is a Secretary?

A Secretary is responsible for providing administrative support to an individual, team or department. They manage schedules, coordinate meetings and travel, prepare correspondence and handle information requests. Secretaries also maintain filing systems, process incoming and outgoing mail and perform other office duties as needed. They may also provide support with special projects. Secretaries typically work in an office setting, but some may work remotely.

Office Manager vs. Secretary

Here are the main differences between an office manager and a secretary.

Job Duties

A secretary’s job duties can vary depending on the company and industry they work in. Typically, though, their responsibilities involve administrative tasks like typing, writing, filing and emailing. Secretaries often manage a company’s calendar, scheduling meetings and appointments. They may also schedule deliveries and transport documents between departments.

Office managers typically have broader responsibilities than secretaries. While secretaries focus on administrative tasks, office managers oversee an entire department of employees, providing leadership and guidance. They may also help with human resources by conducting interviews and offering benefits assistance. Office managers may also provide IT support to their team, helping with computer troubleshooting and software training.

Job Requirements

Office managers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the field. Some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree, but it is not always required. Additionally, office managers should have experience working in an office environment and managing staff. They should also be proficient in computer applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite, and have excellent communication and organizational skills.

Secretaries generally only need a high school diploma or equivalent to enter the field. However, some employers may prefer candidates with some postsecondary education, such as a certificate or associate degree in office administration or a related field. Additionally, secretaries should have strong computer skills and be able to type quickly and accurately. They should also have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Work Environment

Secretaries typically work in an office environment, where they can interact with their coworkers and the people who visit their company. They may also travel to different locations for meetings or events.

Office managers usually work in a more managerial role, so they often spend most of their time at the office. However, some office managers may have other responsibilities that require them to travel to different locations.

Skills

Both office managers and secretaries need to have excellent communication skills. This is important because they often act as a liaison between their department and other departments within the company, as well as between the company and external clients or vendors. They also both need to be able to effectively communicate in writing, whether it is drafting emails, creating memos or taking minutes during meetings.

Organization is another important skill for both office managers and secretaries. This is because they are responsible for managing many different tasks and deadlines at one time. They need to be able to prioritize their work and keep track of what needs to be done when.

Office managers tend to have more responsibilities than secretaries, so they need to have more developed leadership skills. They may be responsible for supervising and training other employees in their department, as well as handling personnel issues. They also need to be able to make decisions that will benefit their department, such as approving budgets and allocating resources.

Salary

The average salary for an office manager is $55,923 per year, while the average salary for a secretary is $38,212 per year. The salary for both positions may vary depending on the size of the company, the location of the job and the level of experience the employee has.