Top 5 entry level jobs for Business Administrators

Every business, large and small, across every industry, needs Business Administrators.

This sounds like a pretty bold claim to be making, right? But it’s true. Whether it’s a small start-up company with just two employees, a charity consisting primarily of volunteers, or a global organisation with tens of thousands of employees across the world, Business Administrators play a key role in a business’s success.

Because while a Business Administrator’s tasks and responsibilities can be varied and wide-ranging, they all have one main focus: the smooth, efficient and successful running of the business.

What is the role of a Business Administrator?

The role of a Business Administrator can change depending on the type of company and the industry. For example, if it’s a very small company, the Administrator may also be the owner of the business and have other tasks that fall outside the sphere of business administration. But this doesn’t mean that the role of Administrator is less important for smaller companies. All businesses need someone who’s role involves overseeing and managing the running of the business.

Here are some tasks that might fall under a Business Administrator’s responsibilities:

• Keeping accurate files and records of business activity.
• Assisting in project management.
• Establishing organisational goals, policies and procedures for the business.
• Negotiating or approving contracts and agreements with employees, stakeholders, suppliers and clients.
• Overseeing budgets and finances.
• Analysing financial statements and sales reports.
• Providing office support to employees and management.
• Managing activities related to the business—such as setting up meetings, staff travel, diary management, organising documents, etc.

What are the best entry-level positions for Business Administrators?

If you’re thinking about following a career in business administration, then here are a few job titles that can help launch your career. None of these roles require a formal qualification; however a VET qualification can help to boost your resume and equip you with the skills to really excel.

Top 5 entry-level jobs for Business Administrators to kick-start their careers

1. Human Resources Assistant

The responsibilities of an HR Assistant, or HR Clerk, involve recruiting and retaining talent, organising training and development activities, organising special events, budget administration, maintaining employee records, generally assisting employees with HR queries and supporting the management team. They might help with placing recruitment ads, reviewing job applications and arranging interviews, as well as screening applicants. They may also be involved in the onboarding process for new employees.  

2. Payroll Officer

As the name suggests, a Payroll Officer is in charge of a company’s payroll. The workload will depend on the size of the company, however, the responsibilities will be the same for large or small businesses. For a smaller company, the job of Payroll Officer may fall under the responsibility of the company’s Bookkeeper or Accountant, or even the business owner. A Payroll Officer’s duties include monitoring employees’ work hours to ensure they’re paid correctly, remitting payroll taxes, collecting and managing data, compiling reports, and making sure that the company is adhering to government regulations.

3. Training Assistant

Some businesses will have their own in-house training team who organise and run training sessions for staff. A Training Assistant’s role is to research and implement new training strategies as well as develop new training materials and resources. Training programs could be needed for a range of reasons—such as orientation programs for new employees, upskilling or retraining sessions, or anything else that’s needed by the business. As well as running these programs, a Training Assistant will also need to monitor attendee feedback and performance and compile reports to check the effectiveness of the programs.

4. Accounting Clerk

The role of an Accounting Clerk is to support the business’s financial operations. This means reconciling bank statements and accounts, monitoring money transfers, generating financial reports, organizing data for audits, tracking company credit card spending and assisting with any other accounting projects that need doing.

5. Purchasing Assistant

A Purchasing Assistant is responsible for managing a company’s stock inventory, preparing purchasing orders, managing budgets, organising new product trials, conducting vendor research, liaising with suppliers and general admin tasks. As well as monitoring product inventory, a Purchasing Assistant may also need to learn to anticipate the needs of the company and its employees to pre-empt demand.

Do I need a qualification to become a Business Administrator?

You don’t need a university degree to become a Business Administrator. However, a VET qualification can help make you stand out to employers. It can also teach you foundational skills and knowledge that you can then build on as you progress through your career.

Open Colleges offers a number of online business administration courses. This means you can get qualified while fitting your study around your life’s other commitments.

Our business administration courses are accredited and nationally recognised, which means that once you graduate, you can use your qualification to help you find work anywhere in Australia.