Does the thought of bookkeeping scare you? Do you dread sitting down at your computer and entering all your receipts, deposits, and making sure everything is documented right for taxes? Never fear, there is a new, more affordable solution to having your bookkeeping done. Two words-Virtual Assistant. The industry of virtual assistance is relatively new, though the concept has been around for some time. With the age of computers, it has made the opportunity for small business owners to outsource their bookkeeping (and administrative tasks-but that is another article) to a qualified individual. This saves time, headache, and the possibility of error. How does this work? Below are some of your questions answered by several experienced Virtual Assistants (VAs).

Is a Virtual Assistant the same as a CPA?

No. Usually a Virtual Assistant will work along side of your CPA. Depending on your Virtual Assistant and their experience, they will handle the daily accounting needs all the way to filing your taxes. Many Virtual Assistants will work with your CPA to be sure your books are in correct order. A Virtual Assistant who is just your bookkeeper will make sure the company is set up correctly (working with your CPA) and entries are posted correctly. A CPA will do the sales, unemployment taxes, and payroll IF the Virtual Assistant is not qualified. Cheryl Almstrom of Effective Office Services once calculated with one client she had cut his bookkeeping costs by 75% over his previous accountant. By finding the right Virtual Assistant, to meet your needs, there can be a tremendous amount of money saved.

Education

The Virtual Assistants who donated their time and information to this article had a vast amount of experience and training. Some had learned