Crossword Genius

Useful assistant on end of party (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

handy

'useful' is the definition.
(handy can mean useful or convenient)

'assistant on end of party' is the wordplay.
'assistant' becomes 'hand' (hand can mean a worker or employee).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'end of' indicates one should take the final letters.
The final letter of 'party' is 'y'.
'hand'+'y'='HANDY'

(Other definitions for handy that I've seen before include "Convenient summary" , "Useful - competent" , "Local - nearby" , "Useful - within reach" , "Useful and convenient" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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