Your role as a secretary will vary based on the business you work for. Some secretaries are assigned to a specific duty such as answering and directing phone calls, while others have a much broader job description that could entail basic IT work, assisting with payroll, and maintaining large databases and filing systems. Most businesses rely on computer systems for daily operations. Your role as a secretary requires that you understand how to use computers effectively. In addition, you need to understand how to use standard office software such as Microsoft Office and any proprietary software the business may rely on to function efficiently.