The program was unveiled at SFA's inaugural Administrative Education Conference in Atlanta, GA, and focuses on skills in core areas including operations, communications and compliance.

On top of regular webinars, conference calls and presentations on these topics from SFA subject matter experts, vendors and sponsors throughout the year, the “Administrative Education Program” facilitates the sharing of best practices among administrative professionals through in-person meetings.

Examples of key issues facing administrative support staff today – as flagged up at the conference – include managing transactions, implementing and monitoring cybersecurity safeguards, and technology.

“As the day-to-day business of running an advisory practice becomes more complex and time-consuming, administrative professionals are increasingly functioning as the de facto chief operating officers of their respective firms,” said chief executive of the SFA, Clive Slovin.