What Does an Office Manager Do?
Office managers, also called administrative service managers, are business professionals who are responsible for a diverse set of administrative tasks. Whether calculating payroll or hiring new employees, office managers must perform their duties with decisiveness and accuracy for a business to perform well. Employers only usually require a high school diploma or GED, but some employers may require a bachelor's degree for office managers.
| Degree Level | High school diploma or GED; bachelor's may be required |
| Degree Field(s) | Business or related field |
| Licensure/Certification | None |
| Experience | Office, administrative, or supervisory experience |
| Key Skills | Supervisory, communication, organization, and interpersonal skills; business and accounting skills a plus |
| Job Outlook (2018-2028) | 7% growth (for administrative service managers) |
| Median Annual Salary (2018) | $96,180 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Office Manager Duties
Office manager's duties can vary significantly based on the size and type of organization of employment. For example, a medical office manager may be required to greet patients, set appointments, and handle billing; while managers working within a corporate office may focus exclusively on one aspect of business, such as insurance processing. Duties also might include evaluating office procedures and looking for more efficient ways of conducting processes.
Office managers must be adept at supervising other employees in a fair, consistent manner. They must have the ability to motivate others, encouraging them to increase both productivity and work quality. Supervisory duties may also include hiring and firing employees, and resolving disputes or other issues that arise among employees. Within sales offices, office managers may track the sales force; reporting monthly sales numbers, and noting areas in need of improvement.
Office Manager Job Description
In addition to overseeing personnel, office managers ensure the smooth functioning of a business. For example, office managers within a healthcare facility may be called upon to order general supplies like paper, pens, and toner, as well as medical supplies such as syringes, medicine or vaccinations from specific vendors. Accordingly, managers may be required to research several vendors for pricing, delivery dates, and other terms of sale.
With the increasing use of computer systems, office managers may also be responsible for ensuring that systems operate cohesively. In small offices that don't have their own computer support personnel, office managers may need computer systems troubleshooting skills. In larger offices, managers may oversee the work of technical specialists; recording frequent problems and researching potential solutions.
Some office managers may take on accounting responsibilities. In these cases, office managers may be required to oversee payroll expenses, send invoices, and process paperwork and therefore, might benefit from taking some accounting courses. An office manager may be required to monitor overtime, ensuring that expenses remain as low as possible, while another manager may be called upon to follow up on unpaid invoices.
Office Management Job Outlook and Salary
Office managers can also be called administrative services managers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 300,200 administrative services managers employed in the U.S. in 2018. Administrative services managers earned a median salary of $96,180 in 2018, based on the BLS data. According to the BLS, employment prospects in this field are faster than the average for other professions, with a 7% growth rate expected between 2018 and 2028.
