Occupation

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

Human Advantage 80%

Strongly human-essential role

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.4 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.

Also Known As: Accounting Administrator, Accounting Clerks Supervisor, Accounting Director, Accounting Manager, Accounting Supervisor, Accounts Payable Manager, Accounts Payable Supervisor, Accounts Receivable Manager +184 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Supervise the work of office, administrative, or customer service employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures, correcting errors or problems.
  2. Resolve customer complaints or answer customers' questions regarding policies and procedures.
  3. Provide employees with guidance in handling difficult or complex problems or in resolving escalated complaints or disputes.
  4. Review records or reports pertaining to activities such as production, payroll, or shipping to verify details, monitor work activities, or evaluate performance.
  5. Discuss job performance problems with employees to identify causes and issues and to work on resolving problems.
  6. Prepare and issue work schedules, deadlines, and duty assignments for office or administrative staff.
  7. Recruit, interview, and select employees.
  8. Interpret and communicate work procedures and company policies to staff.
  9. Evaluate employees' job performance and conformance to regulations and recommend appropriate personnel action.
  10. Train or instruct employees in job duties or company policies or arrange for training to be provided.
  11. Research, compile, and prepare reports, manuals, correspondence, or other information required by management or governmental agencies.
  12. Implement corporate or departmental policies, procedures, and service standards in conjunction with management.
  13. Compute figures such as balances, totals, or commissions.
  14. Coordinate activities with other supervisory personnel or with other work units or departments.
  15. Participate in the work of subordinates to facilitate productivity or to overcome difficult aspects of work.
  16. Make recommendations to management concerning such issues as staffing decisions or procedural changes.
  17. Develop or update procedures, policies, or standards.
  18. Maintain records pertaining to inventory, personnel, orders, supplies, or machine maintenance.
  19. Consult with managers or other personnel to resolve problems in areas such as equipment performance, output quality, or work schedules.

Supplemental Tasks (9)

  1. Develop work schedules according to budgets and workloads.
  2. Analyze financial activities of establishments or departments and provide input into budget planning and preparation processes.
  3. Design, implement, or evaluate staff training and development programs, customer service initiatives, or performance measurement criteria.
  4. Keep informed of provisions of labor-management agreements and their effects on departmental operations.
  5. Coordinate or perform activities associated with shipping, receiving, distribution, or transportation.
  6. Monitor inventory levels and requisition or purchase supplies as needed.
  7. Plan for or coordinate office services, such as equipment or supply acquisition or organization, disposal of assets, relocation, parking, maintenance, or security services.
  8. Arrange for necessary maintenance or repair work.
  9. Plan layouts of stockrooms, warehouses, or other storage areas, considering turnover, size, weight, or related factors pertaining to items stored.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
45%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
23%
Some College Courses
20%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
10%
Master's Degree
1%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Apple macOS
  • Facebook
  • Google Docs
  • Henry Schein Dentrix
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • MEDITECH software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • SAP software
  • Salesforce software
  • Slack
  • Tableau
  • Yardi software

Software (89)

  • ADP Workforce Now
  • Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
  • Blackboard software
  • Bookkeeping software
  • Citrix cloud computing software
  • Contract management software
  • Data entry software
  • Database software
  • Delphi Technology
  • Document management system software
  • Dropbox
  • Evernote
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Fund accounting software
  • Google Drive
  • GroupMe
  • HCSS HeavyBid
  • HCSS HeavyJob
  • Handheld computer device software
  • Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
  • Human resource management software HRMS
  • IBM Cognos Impromptu
  • IBM Domino
  • IBM Notes
  • JamBoard
  • LexisNexis
  • LogMeIn GoToMeeting
  • Loom
  • Medical condition coding software
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • MicroStrategy
  • Microsoft Dynamics GP
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Minitab
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Nearpod
  • NetSuite ERP
  • NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
  • Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
  • Oracle Eloqua
  • Oracle Fusion Applications
  • Oracle Hyperion
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
  • Oracle Taleo
  • Padlet
  • Payroll software
  • Project management software
  • Qlik Tech QlikView
  • Quicken
  • SAP Business Objects
  • SAP Crystal Reports
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Screencastify
  • SmugMug Flickr
  • Social media sites
  • Tax software
  • Web browser software
  • Work scheduling software
  • YouTube

Tools & Equipment (14)

  • 10-key calculators
  • Computer data input scanners
  • Computer laser printers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Personal computers
  • Photocopiers
  • Photocopying equipment
  • Postal scales
  • Scanners
  • Voice mail systems

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Leadership & Operations Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 3
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers You are here
Zone 5

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Construction

Zone 3
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers You are here
Zone 5

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