Completing coursework or obtaining degrees in clerical procedures, information technology (IT), or administrative management are three avenues to become a back office administrator. Proficiency in administrative software applications is often expected in a back office administrative candidate, as well as a penchant for accuracy and attention to detail. Preparation to become a back office administrator may be customized to a specific service or industry niche. Cultivating a demeanor that meshes well with executive-level staff is another way to prepare for a career in back-office administration.
Those who wish to become a back office administrator often pursue a college degree as a first step. Common degrees held by those in this position include accounting and IT degrees. Computer science majors may also achieve success as back office administrators, since database administration and website maintenance usually fall under back office duties. Smaller firms may recruit candidates who received training in a trade school or through a secretarial course.
Trade or business schools may offer courses that support back office administrative duties. Specific job responsibilities may include activities such as IT management, or maintaining legal, financial, and regulatory compliance as part of a company's operations. These types of duties cut across virtually all industries.
If a candidate is contemplating a back office administrative job in a hospital, for example, then additional preparation may include coursework in medical terminology. Training in the customary procedures used in insurance billing could also be involved in preparing for this career. A back office administrator in an industrial operation, on the other hand, may be expected to manage bills of lading, or import and export paperwork and documentation.
Those who work in these support positions are usually expected to demonstrate competency in using various software programs, such as database management, or tracking and fulfillment software. The more business software expertise a candidate possesses, the more likely it is that the person will become a successful back office administrator. He or she likely will be expected to maintain a high level of accuracy as well. Strict attention to minute details is frequently valued in those who aspire to become a back office administrator.
Some who are planning a career in back office administration would likely do well to obtain a high level of comfort in interactions with executive staff. Experience obtained by working with those in executive positions may help the aspirant to exude confidence and engender a close working relationship with a company's senior management. Such a relationship may eventually lead to promotion opportunities.