Need office / pa help

[marc8]

Hi all
sorry if this has been covered, we have recently won a few contracts & have been busy even before these & am not getting time to run the back office type work.
I currently have accountant that does all the VAT, CIS, wages ect. But need someone to do the daily stuff emails, test certs, post, general banking, MCS folders for solar to keep.
Can anyone give me some advice on where to look & what to look for?
Any help would be appreciated

 

[Octopus]

Asked your misses?

 

[marc8]

Hello Murdoch
we would end up having disagreements over the way things need to be done, sort of things spend £300 or so on a drill it's like the end of the world, has not got a clue about costs ect, thought about it but not good idea

 

[Octopus]

Issue is probably that you need somebody with quite a range of skills and I'm guessing you don't need too many hours a week.

 

[marc8]

I was thinking 2 mornings a week maybe more to get systems in place trouble is I can't do it all

 

[Octopus]

Got to be a "mum" or to local to you with school age kids who would appreciate the money/change/challenge!

Time to do some local networking!

 

[marc8]

Yes was thinking of using local Facebook site for businesses, or maybe looking at a college someone in business studies or similar. Think this would help the business move forward & let me get on with what I need to do

 

[Octopus]

Yes was thinking of using local Facebook site for businesses, or maybe looking at a college someone in business studies or similar. Think this would help the business move forward & let me get on with what I need to do

When I suggested networking, I meant ask around, lord knows what numpties you'll locate using the internet!

Do you have school aged kids?

 

[marc8]

No kids

 

[Octopus]

No kids

I would suggest you ask around at the school gates at home time, but I think you could get into trouble!

Seriously though the untapped resource of "mums" is what you need to tap into.

 

[marc8]

Thanks for that

 

[trev]

Whereabouts are you Marc?

 

[Besoeker]

Hello Murdoch
we would end up having disagreements over the way things need to be done, sort of things spend £300 or so on a drill it's like the end of the world, has not got a clue about costs ect, thought about it but not good idea

My missus has been my PA for about 14 years now.
She leaving at the end of the month - no major issues although inter-company dealings have become a bit silly to say the least..........but that's another story.

She will be sadly missed. She has a a work ethic that doesn't quit - we went out to a pub for lunch today. Free WiFi. It was an extended lunch as we had a couple of hours to kill off. She gets along with suppliers and customers alike. We use her Southern Belle accent as a weapon to negotiate - well anything negotiable.

Out comes her laptop and she is checking her emails. As did I. Sad, innit?

Anyway, I'd asked to briefly list out the different tasks she undertakes.

Order Entry (LM)
Invoicing (LM)
Purchasing (LM)
Get prices for engineers as requested
Receiving Goods In (LM)
Quoting for Spares
Quote for Service Visits
Quoting maintenance contract renewals
Customer Service
Reconcile Company Credit Card monthly and submit to other office
Obtain Certificates of Origin, Certificates of Conformity, POD as required
Schedule Safety Passport Renewal/New Courses
Maintain Achilles UVDB Supplier Information (on line)
Register Interest for Tenders and complete PQQs (Pre qualification Questionnaires)
Book hotels for engineers
Book flights for engineers
Update Production Schedule
Obtain Proof of Export as required
Post hours from time sheets to Job Costing Labour (LM)

I brought her in as a temp when my previous PA left on maternity leave - I had no expectation that she would come back. Actually, I knew that - two young children and a daily 80-mile round trip was never going to be on.

We actually have a number of couples working for us. I think at least four excluding us.
I think it can work for some and maybe not others.

We have a simple relationship. I'm the boss at work. She's the boss at home.
That way I get the job done - and hot dinners.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Behind every great man there is....

 

[rapparee]

Behind every great man there is....

A wife rolling her eyes and a surprised mother in law

 

[Richard Burns]

There is a local PA near me who offers assistance to small companies on an ad hoc or infrequent basis so that she is swapping around doing different tasks for different companies all the time, this may be the sort of thing you are looking for.

 

[marc8]

Hello to you all thanks for input, I am in the Dengie hundred area, maldon essex way.