Personal Assistant
Controller Job Description
Personal assistants work for managers and executives (or sometimes for wealthy or celebrity individuals and families), undertaking a variety of administrative tasks. A personal assistant (PA) typically carries out administrative work on behalf of one individual, unlike an administrator who tends to look after a team. This individual is usually a manager or executive in a commercial, not-for-profit or public sector organisation. The role of a PA is to free an executive’s time from administrative duties so that they can spend maximum time on strategic tasks.
Personal assistant positions require communication skills to create partnerships, adapt to any situation, and to ensure that managers are informed of important information in a timely manner. From secretarial duties to learning about their manager’s personal life, personal assistants must be able to easily interact with a large range of people in order to support their manager in a range of situations. The ability to organize and plan how to smartly divide time between specific activities is a key personal assistant skill. organizational skills are a top priority for personal assistants. Organization is second nature to them, and they have a high level of adaptability to be able to adjust schedules according to shifting business priorities. The list of personal assistant duties can be endless, therefore multitasking is a skill that all personal assistants must be able to master to deal with competing priorities and administrative tasks. Personal assistants are able to scrutinize and plan everything in minute detail.
The minimum education requirement for Personal Assistants is a high school diploma or GED. Personal Assistants supporting a high-level executive or CEO may need an associate or bachelor’s degree in business administration or business management. A degree related to the industry can also be useful. Some community colleges and private programs also offer certificates or diplomas for Personal Assistants.
Provide office support to managers and supervisors. Personal assistants may manage all incoming and outgoing information, including directing or answering phone calls, letters, and e-mail. They schedule business meetings, set appointments, and file important documents. The duties of a personal assistant include arranging the administrators’ personal affairs and ensuring that commitments don’t conflict with business obligations.
Typical duties of a Controller
• Organizing meetings.
• Taking minutes in meetings and producing reports later.
• Maintaining records.
• Managing diaries.
• Ensuring any health and safety legislation is adhered to.
• Answering and dealing with phone calls and emails.
• Making travel arrangements.
• Looking after visitors to the workplace.
• Dealing with accounts.
• Representing their manager or employer at events.
Skills: Organisational skills; Interpersonal and communication skills; Good written skills; Time management skills; Trustworthiness, discretion and responsibility; Commitment, motivation and enthusiasm; An understanding of different working styles; Active listening skills; Productivity and initiative; Coolness and calmness under pressure; Team work; Accuracy and attention to detail; Flexibility and adaptability.
Qualifications: administrative assistant, business, finance, or another related field.