Thinking about hiring a virtual assistant for your business? You probably have questions, that's exactly what this section is for.
I am Victoria, founder of VA-VA and still a virtual assistant helping business owners reclaim their time by handling the tasks that keep piling up.
Below you will see honest answers to questions I hear most often, from how I work, to what kinds of tasks a VA can take off your plate. If you don't see your questions here, feel free to reach out directly, I'm always happy to chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a virtual assistant do?
A virtual assistant provides remote administrative, bookkeeping, customer service, and business support to companies and individuals.
VA Virtual Assistants offer professional virtual assistant services in Hertfordshire, across the UK, and internationally, helping businesses save time and improve efficiency.
What types of businesses use virtual assistants?
Virtual assistants are commonly used by small businesses, sole traders, start-ups, property managers, consultants, and busy professionals who need help with administration, diary management, invoicing, customer service, and general office tasks.
Do you provide virtual assistant services in Hertfordshire and the UK?
Yes. VA Virtual Assistants are based in Hertfordshire and support clients across the United Kingdom as well as overseas.Most work is carried out remotely, but local support may be available depending on location.
How much does a virtual assistant cost in the UK?
Costs depend on the type of work required and how many hours are needed.
We offer flexible pricing, including hourly work, pre-arranged packages, and ongoing support, so you only pay for the time you use.
Can a virtual assistant help with bookkeeping and invoicing?
Yes. We can assist with bookkeeping, invoicing, estimates, credit control, and general accounts administration using software such as QuickBooks and Xero.
Can I hire a virtual assistant for a one-off task?
Yes. We offer support for one-off tasks as well as ongoing work.
This could include document preparation, data entry, research, customer service, or diary management.
Do you offer customer service support?
Yes. We have a strong background in customer service and can help with email handling, customer enquiries, order processing, and general client communication.
Is hiring a virtual assistant cheaper than employing staff?
In most cases, yes.
A virtual assistant works on a flexible basis, meaning you do not pay for holiday, sickness, office space, or full-time wages.
This makes virtual assistants a cost-effective solution for many businesses.
How do you ensure confidentiality with client information?
Client privacy is taken seriously from day one.
We work from secure home PCs rather than shared networks, do not share data with third parties, and use encrypted tools for files and sensitive information.
Non-disclosure agreements can be discussed if required.
What tasks are not included in your service?
We do not currently offer a full-time telephone answering service.
Telephone support can be arranged on an ad-hoc basis, but ongoing answering is usually better handled by a specialist provider.
How do you prioritise urgent work when working for multiple clients?
Urgency and response times are agreed in advance with each client.
Work is managed using a priority system, and regular communication ensures expectations are clear.
Can you chase unpaid invoices professionally?
Yes.
Invoice chasing is a core task and is handled professionally using agreed reminder schedules, follow-up calls, and logging of contact attempts.
We can also set up automated reminders in QuickBooks or Xero if required.
Do you operate a retainer system or just ad-hoc?
We offer both.
Some clients prefer a regular monthly retainer, while others only need occasional support.
Availability can also be arranged for specific days or times if required.
How do you charge? Hourly or packages? Is there a minimum commitment?
We usually charge hourly, but packages can be arranged.
For one-off tasks there is normally a one-hour minimum.
If a contract ends, one month’s notice is usually given.
Does that include VAT? What are your payment terms?
VA-VA is not VAT registered.
Invoices are normally issued monthly and payment is due on receipt, although task-by-task payment can sometimes be arranged.
Can you work on creating presentations?
Yes.
We can help with research, drafting slide content, formatting, charts, and design using PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva Pro, or similar software.
Final decisions on messaging usually remain with the client unless agreed otherwise.