A virtual assistant (typically abbreviated to VA, also called a virtual office assistant) is generally self-employed and provides professional administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients from a home office.
Because virtual assistants are independent contractors rather than
employees, clients are not responsible for any employee-related taxes,
insurance or benefits. Clients also avoid the
logistical problem of providing extra office space, equipment or
supplies. Clients pay for 100% productive work, and can work with
Virtual Assistants, individually, or in multi-VA firms to meet their
exact needs. Virtual Assistants usually work for other small offices.
Common modes of communication and data delivery include the Internet, e-mail and phonecall conferences,online work spaces, and fax machine. Professionals in this business
work on a contractual basis and a long-lasting cooperation is standard.
Typically 5 years of administrative experience in an office is expected
at such positions.
In recent years Virtual Assistants have also worked their way into
many mainstream businesses and with the advent of VOIP or other services
such as Skype it has been possible to have a Virtual Assistant who can
answer your phone remotely without the end user's knowledge. This allows
many businesses to add a personal touch in the form of a receptionist
without the additional cost of hiring someone.
