A Virtual Assistant (or VA) is a business owner who specialises in providing ongoing administrative support by working with clients in a continuous, collaborative relationship.

Like other service providers, Virtual Assistants operate remotely from their own offices and utilise today’s technology to deliver their services and communicate with clients.

A Virtual Assistant’s support is primarily administrative, secretarial and clerical in nature. However, many Virtual Assistants offer additional specialties that fall under creative and technical services.

Virtual Assistants come from a variety of business backgrounds, but the single-most important qualification to become a Virtual Assistant is at least five (5) years administrative experience earned in the real (non-virtual) business world working in upper level capacities such as administrative assistant, executive assistant, secretary, legal assistant, paralegal, legal secretary, real estate assistant, office manager, etc.

From this level of experience, a VA is expected to possess the skill sets, training and business knowledge which are the hallmark of a truly qualified Virtual Assistant.

Virtual Assistant Definition from the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce