What’s the difference between an executive assistant and an administrative assistant?

Administrative assistants provide general office support, while executive assistants work directly with senior leaders to manage communication, calendars, and priorities. EAs operate at a higher level of trust and strategy.

BELAY FAQ - Executive vs. Administrative Assistant: Essential Insights

What’s the difference, really?

An administrative assistant typically handles office support tasks: filing, scheduling, answering phones, managing documents, and assisting teams. Think logistics, coordination, and general admin.

An executive assistant is more strategic. They work closely with one leader (often a CEO, founder, or senior exec) and act as a right hand. They don’t just manage calendars—they protect time, prep meetings, handle communication, and keep priorities moving forward.

It’s not about tasks—it’s about trust

The administrative assistant keeps the office running.
The executive assistant keeps the leader focused.

Executive assistants often anticipate needs, act as a gatekeeper, and make decisions on the leader’s behalf. They're embedded in the business—part administrator, part project manager, part problem-solver.

If you're relying on someone to simply schedule and file, you need admin help.
If you're relying on them to protect your time, help run your day, and manage upward, you need an EA.

Where BELAY fits in

BELAY matches busy leaders with U.S.-based executive assistants who are already trained, already vetted, and already operating at a high level.

No temp pools. No resumes to sift through. Just one match—made for your working style, personality, and business needs.

Whether you call them a “VA” or an “EA,” what matters is that they get results—and ours do.

Summary

Administrative assistants handle general office support. Executive assistants provide personalized, high-level support to senior leaders. BELAY connects you with U.S.-based executive assistants who work remotely—but operate like they’re in the office next door.

What We Offer

A BELAY Virtual Assistant is the expert in:

Research & Reporting
Inbox & Schedule Management
Book Travel & Expense Reporting
Project Coordination
Social Media Assistance
Light Bookkeeping

Stop trying to do it all. Accomplish More by Hiring a BELAY Virtual Assistant.

A BELAY Accounting Specialist can provide:

Bookkeeping
Accounting Clerks
Full-Service Payroll
E-Commerce Support
Tax Services
CFO & Controller Services

Your Books. Done Right. Accounting Services from BELAY.

A BELAY Marketing Assistant can help:

Develop Calendar & Schedule Posts
Create Content
Develop Strategy
Drive Engagement
Email Marketing
Provide Reporting

Twitter and LinkedIn and Facebook. Oh, My! Let a BELAY Marketing Assistant Help.

How it Works

Step 1

Sales Call

Meet with your Solutions Consultant to identify your exact needs and pain points and determine the right hire for you. If BELAY is a good fit, we’ll send you an agreement to sign, and you’ll be paired with a Client Success Consultant.

Step 2

Discovery Call

Meet with your Client Success Consultant to deep dive into your tasks, tools, culture, and personality requirements to ensure we match you with the right BELAY Professional.

Step 3

Placement Process

Now for our Secret Sauce: Your Client Success Consultant will vet and interview top candidates from our bench of nearly 2,000 U.S.-based Professionals. They’ll select the best match for you—in an average of just one week.

Step 4

Kickoff Call

You, your Client Success Consultant, and your new teammate will have a kickoff call—the official start to your partnership—to meet each other, set initial goals, discuss communication plans, and set yourselves up for success.