SecretSchool.Org

1. A secretary follows instructions (ie typing, taking notes at meetings, taking telephone messages) but a PA actions the work of the boss in his absence and makes decisions on his behalf

2. PA’s are secretaries that move around and that act like co-bosses to u. If a PA works on a play set they will sometime shave a clip board, write the bad and good things then correct it by saying it out loud to the actors..

3. A Personal Assistant runs errands and makes things happen, travels and does a secretary’s job when on the road, a Secretary types letters, takes notes and deals with office type stuff

4. A secretary would normaly be involved with admin type work typing, mailing, filing etc and answer the phone , where as a PA would manage the line managers activities to free up their resource. For example prepair meetings, make plans and update schedules etc.

5. Originally the difference was that a secretary could be anything from someone who took telephone messages, files and did the typing to someone who organised everything, but also could, and often did, work for more than one manager.

A PA would work only for one person and tended to arrange everything for their boss (usually an executive) – meetings, dentist appointments, haircuts – you name it!

Mind you – I have been a secretary to 4 managers but worked as a PA for one of them (who was an executive) so often the difference is what the “preferred title” is in the company you are working for and the salary that is paid (PAs command higher salaries).

6. Salary usually.

7. I don’t think there is a great difference.Probably in these days of advanced technology somewhere along the line someone thought the title of Personal Assistant sounded more professional.