Office Manager / Administrator
Office managers and administrators undertake a range of functions to ensure the smooth operation of the administration activities within an organization or office. Their responsibilities may include: the management of human resources, budgets, accommodation and property facilities, and records.
Office managers may be required to:
- supervise and coordinate activities of staff
- interview job applicants
- conduct orientation programs for new employees
- administer salaries and determine leave entitlements
- be involved in staff training and development, the preparation of job descriptions, staff assessments and promotions
- prepare annual estimates of expenditure
- maintain budgetary and inventory controls
- make recommendations to management
- maintain management information systems (manual or computerized)
- locate suitable accommodation and negotiate reasonable leasing agreements
- provide and maintain accommodation and other facilities including plant and equipment
- review and answer correspondence
- provide secretarial or executive services.
Satisfying Aspects
- regular office hours and a five-day week
- a pleasant, clean working environment
- opportunities to be creative and to specialize
- scope for advancement
- variety of work
Demanding aspects
- frustration of routine work
- working with difficult people
- restricted movement in an office
- sharing office accommodation
- the fact that results of efforts are not easily measurable
Requirements
- able to supervise
- good oral and written communication skills
- good interpersonal skills
- aptitude for figures, preferably some accounting experience
- well organized
- reliable
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory subjects: None
Recommended subjects: English and another official language, Geography, Economics, Accounts
Training
Degree: some universities offer a BAdmin degree, alternatively most universities offer BA degrees, majors recommended: Business Administration, an official language, Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Sociology, Communication, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics and/or Business Economics.
Diploma: most universities of technology offer diplomas in Office Management - CPUT, CUT, DUT, TUT, UNISA.
A course in Office Admistration is available at FET colleges, eg Flavius Mareka, False Bay, KZN Coastal, Northlink, S and Northern Cape, Tshwane South, Umgungundlovu.
A CIS (Chartered Institute of Secretaries) is a very useful diploma to obtain if you wish to pursue this type of career, eg DUT.
Some office managers are promoted from accounting, bookkeeping or secretarial positions and gain skills on the job. In some cases they are required to attend regular training courses in office procedures and information technology. Various government departments offer further in-service training. Training is also available in the Defence Force - Air Force, Army and Navy.
Employer
- most commercial firms and large industrial organizations
- banks and building societies
- government departments
Contact
The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA)
P O Box 331
Wits, 2050
Tel: (011) 403-2900 Fax: (011) 403-1522
Institute of Administration & Commerce of South Africa
P O Box 36477
Glosderry, 7702
252 Rosmead Avenue
Wynberg
Tel: (021) 761-6211 Fax: (086) 637-6989
www.iacsa.co.za
www.icsa.co.za