difference | Administrative clerk | Office clerk | comparison | retraining | Berlin

Difference between administrative clerk and office clerk

Reading time: approx. 20 minutes | Status: 08.07.2022 | Author: I. Neigefoundt

A job that promises a secure professional future, is attractively remunerated, has a variety of tasks in store for you and leaves room for individual development - Does that sound like what you had in mind? Then we would like to present you not just one, but two apprenticeships that will give you a great start in your career! Maybe you are already looking for the right job with the job titles Legal Analyst / Researcher or office clerk met. Two fields of activity that are closely related and similar in many areas of work - but not completely. We will show you what the differences are between these two qualifications and which of them could suit you better Central German Institute you in this guide. Here you can find out everything about the requirements, the training, the tasks, the salary and your career prospects.

 

Office clerks vs. administrative clerks: What are they Differences?

Administrative clerks and office clerks, isn't that the same job? – Not quite: Administrative clerks and office clerks are concerned Not about Job titles that can be used interchangeably. Although the job descriptions are related in terms of activity, they exist independently of one another and each have their own qualification. Using our TOP 5 comparison categories, we will show you that these two professions differ in more than just their name. Read on now and find out which job suits you better!

If you want to embark on a new career path, you should always reflect on yourself first:

  • How do I imagine my future professional life?
  • What would fulfill me?
  • What character traits distinguish me?
  • Where are my strengths, where are my weaknesses?

 

Once you have found the answers to these basic questions, the next step is to check the requirements for the desired career goal: Do my strengths and skills match the general requirements of the job?

In the following sections you can find out which of the two professions – administrative clerk or clerk for office management – ​​might suit you better in terms of the requirements.

Administrative clerks: an overview of the requirements

In order to start an apprenticeship as an administrative clerk, although legally no specific qualification mandatory, but training companies usually hire school graduates with university entrance qualifications. Organizational talent and a careful way of working are of great advantage for your future professional life, in addition to sound knowledge of the subjects German, mathematics, economics/law and politics/social studies. After all, you will not only be responsible for coordinating administrative tasks, but also for checking the legality of administrative acts and regulations. You should also be sociable and enjoy dealing with people and their concerns on a daily basis. It is also advantageous if you can always keep a cool head in stressful situations and, above all, keep an overview.

Administrative clerk requirements at a glance

 

Office clerks: requirements at a glance

There is also a way to start an apprenticeship as an office management clerk no legal qualifications. But even in this case, companies give priority to applicants with at least a secondary school diploma or several years of professional experience. Organizational talent is one of your strengths? Then you will later be in the best position to coordinate administrative tasks in your job. You should work accurately and carefully so that the orders that arise in the company can be carried out reliably. You should also be able to react flexibly if unexpected coordination problems arise in everyday work. In addition, communication skills and good expressiveness are essential. Since office management clerks often act as communicative interfaces, you must be prepared to deal with a lot of written correspondence and telephone calls. Good grades in German, math and English are also an advantage.

Office clerk Requirements at a glance

 

training and retraining

It doesn't matter which of these professions you decide on in the end: In both cases, the path to a job usually leads to an apprenticeship. On your three-year course, which touches on both practical and theoretical aspects, you will learn everything you need to excel in your chosen profession. However, the training content varies. We will now show you in detail how the respective training path is designed and what training content is taught.

All information about administrative clerk training

In the three years of your training, you will learn everything you will later need for a career as an administrative clerk:

Administrative clerks_training content

With the skills you have learned, you will be able to do all of them once you have completed your training office and To look after administrative tasks in authorities, institutions and municipalities, to develop administrative regulations and decisions, to participate in the implementation of resolutions, to keep files carefully or to advise citizens competently on their concerns.

Retraining administrative clerks: Who is this for?

If you are planning a new career later in life - be it for health reasons or personal interests - you should consider retraining. And the retraining to become an administrative clerk offers you excellent career prospects!
In general, the same entry requirements apply to retraining as to training (see the section on administrative clerks: an overview of the requirements). Of course, first experience in administration is advantageous.

 

 

All information on office clerk training at a glance

The trainees are given all the relevant knowledge to work within a company organization, communication and planning able to provide competent support. The following graphic illustrates the specific training content:

Office clerk Training content at a glance

The focus during the training is above all administrative tasks that are essential in the day-to-day running of a company make to keep operations running. It is less about business processes and more about organizational processes that are essential for the functioning of a company. You will not only get an insight into these important office processes, but also all the necessary skills in the course of the training Design processes yourself to be able to.

Retraining as a clerk for office management at the MIQR

You have already embarked on a career path, but are looking for new professional opportunities? Or maybe you can no longer work in your previous job for health reasons? Then it's worth taking a look at our retraining offer! At the Central German Institute we offer you the chance with retraining, too to pursue a new career path later in life – without you having to complete any training for this. Next to one shortened learning period from only two instead of three years you continue to benefit from an extensive practical learning phase in the company, which optimally prepares you for a successful new start in your career.

 

 

Areas of responsibility

The overviews of the content of the respective training may have already given you a first insight into your future field of activity. In this section we would now like to go into more detail about the tasks of the two professions.

Administrative clerks: Tasks and everyday work

As an administrative assistant, a new challenge awaits you every day. In addition to doing varied office and administrative tasks, provides the Dealing with legal aspects an important task in your day-to-day work. They advise citizens and organisations, provide information, process payment transactions and benefit applications or determine and check facts. They also draw up administrative decisions on the basis of federal, state and local local law, issue notifications and provide information to those involved. They are also involved in the enforcement of applicable laws and regulations.

administrative clerk duties

Office clerk: Tasks and everyday work

The area of ​​responsibility of office management clerks is also varied and versatile. she coordinate appointments, organize conferences, seminars, meetings and trips. In addition, they always have all important data and figures at a glance: This includes wages, salaries, invoices and relevant deadlines. They also act as communicative interface operational. They serve as contact persons for employees and customers and in this way form the lynchpin of the company that connects everything. With these tasks, you ensure that operational processes run smoothly.

Office clerk tasks

 

salary

When choosing the right job, however, not only the requirements, training content or our later activities play an important role. Financial security is also a key criterion in the decision-making process. You should therefore carefully research what salary you can expect based on your professional qualifications.
The MIQR relieves you of this time-consuming part of the research: Here you will find all the information on the income of administrative clerks and office management clerks.

Compensation of Administrative Specialists          

From a financial point of view, you are making a good decision with the administrative clerk training – because it is one of the TOP 15 of the best-paid apprenticeships listed (Which). On your educational path, you can already count on very solid remuneration during the three-year apprenticeship:

  • First year of apprenticeship: 1040 €
  • Second year of apprenticeship: 1095 €
  • Third year of apprenticeship: 1140 €

After you have successfully completed your training, you can expect an average starting salary of between €2.876 and €3.184, of course depending on the size and industry of the company. Administrative clerks are paid in most cases according to collective agreements. With years of professional experience, you can move up to salary group 9, which corresponds to a gross income of around €3.500. An additional course in administration can increase your income to up to €3.700, with a degree in administration you can even count on up to €4.200. At the same time, a degree gives you the prospect of becoming a civil servant: with a monthly gross income of up to €4.300, you should be able to look to your future with peace of mind. Financially, this training is definitely worthwhile - also with regard to further professional qualifications.

 

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Training allowance for administrative clerk vs. office clerk in comparison

Office Clerk Salaries

The training allowance for office management clerks is in the middle range of salaries, with the amount of the compensation depending on how large your training company is, what its focus is or what industry the company belongs to. Here, salaries vary greatly even during the training period: Office clerks who complete their training in metalwork earn between €585 and €964, whereas trainees in the public sector can expect remuneration of around €1.045 in the first year of their apprenticeship.

  • First year of apprenticeship: €585 – €1.050
  • Second year of apprenticeship: €690 – €1.100
  • Third year of apprenticeship: €790 – €1.200

After completing their training, office clerks earn between €3.060 and €3.362 gross per month. The nationwide average income for office management clerks with many years of professional experience is around €3.408 gross per month [as of 2022]. Baden-Württemberg leads with €3.644 gross per month. This is followed by Hesse (€3.643) and Hamburg (€3.573).

Salaries are lowest in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt. While in Saxony-Anhalt you can count on €2.681 gross per month, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania it is around €2.595 per month. The salary depends on various factors. It depends on the size and orientation of the company, your qualifications and the position to be filled. This means that, in principle, higher salaries are also possible in the individual federal states.

Monthly Gross Salary

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Perspectives and opportunities for advancement

The decision for a vocational training path is always accompanied by a long-term decision for one's own future. Where do I see myself in five or ten years? What do I want to achieve? What goal am I striving for in my professional future? In the following section we will show you what career prospects await you after the respective training.

Career prospects for administrative assistants

Administrative clerks work in a crisis-proof job with regulated working hours. By completing the employee training course II, you have the opportunity to climb further up the career ladder to the level of administrative specialist. This course qualifies you to carry out a wide range of administrative activities in higher administrative service: you will take on managerial tasks and thus more responsibility. Financially, you can expect an approximate income of €3.381 gross per month (TVöD pay group E10). In addition to an additional course to become an administrative specialist, you can optionally complete a degree. As a graduate in administration, you can then count on an attractive salary of up to €4.200 gross per month.
Of course, there are a number of alternative training opportunities open to you if you are aiming for career advancement as an administrative clerk. The following are popular: administrative business economist, business economist for law, business economist for communication and office management or business economist for human resources management. Even if you are interested in studying, many doors are open to you. Popular fields of study are, for example, economics, business administration, administrative management or public management.

Clerk for office management: prospects and opportunities for advancement

Career prospects are also very good for clerks in office management. This is partly due to the fact that almost every company has an office that needs to be organized. And this is where office clerks are real experts, who can score points with their in-depth knowledge of all internal processes.
There is the option of being trained as a specialist in office management. This will give you in-depth expert knowledge that will allow you to stand out from other applicants. In order to advance, clerks for office management (depending on state regulations) must first complete employee training course I, which takes them to the level of administrative clerks. Only after completing this further training and at least one year of professional experience can office clerks apply for the employee training course II or for the administrative specialist course.

Possible career stages

Clerk for office management: further training that really pays off

Regular training is essential to stay up to date. For office clerks this is z. B. particularly relevant for IT applications. Since this job profile is very multifaceted, profiling in certain areas of responsibility makes sense. Of course, this depends entirely on your own interests.

 

In our top 5 we present the most popular training courses for office clerks:

  1. Certified commercial specialist
  2. Certified business administrator for office and project organization
  3. Certified personnel specialist
  4. Certified Accountant
  5. Certified business economist

 

Certified commercial specialist:
With this degree, you can work in retail and wholesale companies in all sectors of the economy and take on specialist and managerial tasks at middle level. Of the German qualification framework awards level 6 for a degree at this level. This is equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

Certified business administrator for office and project organization:
Since 2012, this qualification has replaced the previous advanced training to become a specialist in office management. This further training qualifies you to work as an assistant and clerk. With increasing expertise and professional experience, you will later be able to take on management tasks and manage control tasks in the area of ​​training and further education as well as personnel development. According to the German Qualifications Framework, this qualification is at level 6 and is equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

Certified personnel specialist:
As part of this further training, you will be given an overview of the diverse tasks involved in human resources and given the tools you need to carry out practical human resources work. This enables you to process personnel processes independently and to implement personnel policy. According to the German qualification framework, a degree corresponds to level 6, which is equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

Certified accountant:
As a certified accountant, you ensure the organization and functioning of operational finance and accounting. They prepare interim and annual financial statements and evaluate the figures for planning and control decisions. Furthermore, accountants can take over the administration and support of human resources. The German Qualifications Framework awards this qualification level 6, which corresponds to a bachelor's degree.

Note: All four further training courses then enable you to take part in an advanced training course at the third professional training level to become a certified business administrator!

Certified business economist:
You will acquire the ability to develop entrepreneurially competent, targeted and responsible solutions to business problems in companies. Particular attention is paid to the challenges of international competition and sustainable management. The German Qualifications Framework assigns the degree to level 7, which is equivalent to a master's or diploma degree.

Under certain conditions, you can of course also take up a course of study. Popular courses are: business administration, personnel management, event management, communication management or economics.

Good to know: The MIQR offers you the opportunity to update and expand your commercial and business management qualifications. Here you will find all the information about our wide range of further training opportunities.

 

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Compare

You have probably noticed that these two job descriptions are quite similar in some respects, especially with regard to their areas of responsibility.

The biggest difference, however, is probably that Vocational Training and employment by administrative staff more legal are shaped than those of office clerks. Because of this, they vary Areas of application: Administrative clerks are primarily employed in municipal, state, federal or church administrations as well as EU authorities, universities and associations. A wide range of employment opportunities opens up to office clerks: You can find a career start in almost any company, regardless of the industry.

The table below summarizes the results of our Top5 comparison categories once again for you:

Legal Analyst / Researcheroffice clerk
RequirementsLegally, no specific previous education is required (predominantly employment with university entrance qualification)

School knowledge in the area:
Economics/Law
German
Mathematics
Politics/Social Studies

Personality:
organizational skills
sociability
Care
legal understanding
Legally, no specific previous education is required (predominantly recruitment with secondary school leaving certificate, university entrance qualification)

School knowledge in the area:
German
Mathematics
Economy
English

Personality:
organizational skills
sociability
Care
communication skills
Vocational Training 3 years
recognized professional qualification
3 years
recognized professional qualification
Tasks• Carrying out office and administrative tasks in authorities, institutions and municipalities
• Development of administrative regulations and decisions
• Participation in the implementation of resolutions
• Record keeping
• Advice to citizens
• Application of legislation in areas of responsibility of local government
Organization and processing of office tasks
- Planning of business trips, meetings etc.
- Application of text and communication systems
- Information research
- Inbox Outbox
- Customer contact
Commercial activities in areas such as
- order processing,
- material procurement,
- Accounting
- Marketing
- HR management
salary1st year of apprenticeship: €1.040
2st year of apprenticeship: €1.095
3st year of apprenticeship: €1.140

Starting Salary: Sample collectively agreed gross basic salary (monthly): €2.876 to €3.184
1st year of apprenticeship: €585 - €1.050
2st year of apprenticeship: €690 - €1.100
3st year of apprenticeship: €790 - €1.200

Starting Salary: Sample collectively agreed gross basic salary (monthly): €3.060 to €3.362
job prospectsCrisis-proof with fixed working hours

Opportunities for advancement:

• with employee training course II at the level of administrative specialists

• Further training
(e.g. administrative business economist, business economist for law, business economist for communication and office management, business economist for human resources management, specialist for office and project organization)

• Studies
(e.g. economics, business administration, administrative science, administrative management, public management)
Crisis-proof with fixed working hours

Opportunities for advancement:

• initially employee training course I, in order to reach the level of administrative clerks; then at least one year of professional experience in order to apply for the employment course II

• Further training
(e.g. certified commercial specialist, certified specialist for office and project organization, certified human resources specialist, certified accountant, certified business economist)

• Studies
(e.g. business administration, personnel management, event management, communication management, economics

­

 

Conclusion

A comparison of the two training occupations makes it clear that you are choosing secure future prospects, regardless of which occupation you choose. Now it's up to you to reflect in which of the areas of responsibility you recognize your abilities more and which job shows the better future prospects for you personally.

Would you like to reorient yourself professionally and enter the commercial sector, but are unsure whether a job in administration or office administration is really the right thing for you? Do not worry! There are many other commercial retraining professions to choose from. Take a look at our course catalogue. In addition to retraining in office management, our range also includes retraining to become a Industrial clerk or Clerk in health care. You can also choose between Clerk in foreign trade management as well as our retraining as a Merchant in e-commerce  choose.

 


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