Hiring a virtual assistant: questions answered
Quick answer: a MyRemoteVA assistant is a trained person who uses AI to work faster, starts the same day, and costs from $5.62 an hour. Below are answers on hiring, managing and getting the most from a virtual assistant.
Every price on this page matches our pricing page, and prices are in US dollars.
A team lead reviews every task before it reaches you, and our assistants use AI tools to work faster.
We do not invent statistics, survey results, customer quotes or reviews in any answer.
What should a virtual assistant job description include?
Task scope (specific, not generic), required tools and software, weekly hours, pay rate or plan, time zone overlap needed, and how to apply or send a brief. Avoid vague phrases. The more specific the task list, the better the quality of applicants or service match. Read the full guide
How long should a virtual assistant job description be?
One page is enough. A good virtual assistant job description lists 5 to 10 specific tasks, the tools used, the expected hours per week and the pay or plan. Candidates or services do not need an org-chart or a company history — they need to know exactly what the work is. Read the full guide
Do I need a job description if I use a managed VA service?
Not a formal one, but a task brief does the same job. A managed service matches you to a trained assistant based on your task list and time zone. The free task brief templates at myremoteva.com/templates give you a ready-made format that replaces a job posting entirely. Read the full guide
What pay rate should I put in a virtual assistant job description?
For a managed service such as MyRemoteVA, the rate is set by the plan: $5.62 an hour on a full-time dedicated plan, or $12 an hour pay-as-you-go. If you are hiring a freelance VA directly, check current market rates on the platform you are using and state a range rather than a fixed figure. Read the full guide
What do online bookkeeping services NZ owners use include?
Coding bank feed lines, entering sales and supplier bills, attaching receipts, chasing late invoices and keeping GST records ready for your accountant. Read the full guide
When does a New Zealand business have to register for GST?
Inland Revenue says you must register once your turnover is over, or is expected to be over, NZ$60,000 in 12 months. The standard GST rate is 15%. Check ird.govt.nz for current rules. Read the full guide
Who files the GST return?
You or your accountant files it and decides the tax treatment. Your assistant keeps the records tidy so the return is quick to prepare. Bookkeeping is not tax advice. Read the full guide
How much does online bookkeeping cost?
Prices are in US dollars. Pay-as-you-go is $12 an hour and hours never expire. A dedicated assistant is $899 a month for 160 hours, which is $5.62 an hour. Read the full guide
What do online bookkeeping services Canada owners use include?
Coding bank feed lines, entering sales and supplier bills, attaching receipts, chasing late invoices and keeping GST/HST records ready for your accountant. Read the full guide
When does a Canadian business have to register for GST/HST?
The CRA says most businesses must register once taxable sales go over $30,000 in a single quarter or over four consecutive quarters (the small supplier limit). Check canada.ca for current rules. Read the full guide
Who files the GST/HST return?
You or your accountant files it and decides the tax treatment. Your assistant keeps the records tidy so the return is quick to prepare. Bookkeeping is not tax advice. Read the full guide
Does a virtual assistant contract need to be notarised?
No. A written agreement signed by both parties is valid in most countries without notarisation. For high-value engagements, ask a local lawyer. Read the full guide
What is the difference between a virtual assistant contract and a service agreement?
They are the same thing. "Contract" and "service agreement" both set out who does what, at what rate, and under what terms. Use whichever word you prefer. Read the full guide
Can I use a virtual assistant contract template without a lawyer?
Yes, for routine work. The template below covers all standard clauses. For complex or long-term arrangements, a lawyer review is a good idea. Read the full guide
Should I use a contract with a managed virtual assistant service?
A managed service provides its own Terms of Service. That is your contract. MyRemoteVA publishes terms at myremoteva.com/terms-of-service. You do not need a separate contract on top. Read the full guide
What tasks can a virtual assistant do for an Ireland-based business?
A virtual assistant Ireland businesses hire typically handles inbox management, calendar scheduling, data entry, customer enquiries, bookkeeping support, social media posting and web content updates. Any task that does not need a physical presence is a good fit. Read the full guide
What hours does a remote assistant Ireland work?
MyRemoteVA's team is based in India (IST, UTC+5:30). Ireland is GMT in winter and UTC+1 in summer. Tasks submitted before midday Irish time are usually returned the same working day. Read the full guide
How does bookkeeping services Ireland work with VAT?
Ireland's standard VAT rate is 23%. A remote bookkeeper records your VAT transactions each week and prepares return data for your accountant to submit via Revenue Online Service (ROS). Read the full guide
How much do virtual assistant services Ireland cost?
Pay-as-you-go starts at $12/hr. Block packs run from $33 for 3 hours to $510 for 60 hours. A full-time plan is $899/month for 160 hours ($5.62/hr). Hours never expire. All prices in USD. Read the full guide
What tasks can a virtual assistant do for a Singapore business?
A virtual assistant Singapore businesses use handles inbox management, scheduling, data entry, customer support, bookkeeping support, social media management and web content updates. Any task that does not need a physical presence is a good fit. Read the full guide
What are the hours for a remote assistant Singapore?
Singapore runs on SGT (UTC+8). The MyRemoteVA team is in India (UTC+5:30), a 2.5-hour difference. Tasks submitted in the Singapore morning are typically returned the same day. Read the full guide
How does bookkeeping Singapore work for GST-registered businesses?
Singapore's GST rate is 9% since 1 January 2024 (IRAS). Businesses over SGD 1 million annual turnover must register. A remote bookkeeper records transactions weekly and prepares return data for the IRAS myTax portal. Read the full guide
How much do virtual assistant services Singapore cost?
Pay-as-you-go starts at $12/hr. Block packs run from $33 for 3 hours to $510 for 60 hours. A full-time plan is $899/month for 160 hours ($5.62/hr). Hours never expire. All prices in USD. Read the full guide
What is the most important point on a virtual assistant evaluation checklist?
The quality review step. A managed service where a team lead checks output before it reaches you is very different from a freelance setup where you check everything yourself. Read the full guide
Should I ask for a paid test before choosing a VA service?
Yes. A short paid test on a real task tells you more than any interview. A 3-hour block at $33 is a low-risk way to test before moving to a monthly plan. Read the full guide
What does hour rollover mean on a virtual assistant service checklist?
It means unused hours carry forward to the next month. Without rollover, you lose any time you do not use. MyRemoteVA hours never expire while the account is active. Read the full guide
What contract terms should I look for when choosing a virtual assistant service?
Look for no long-term contract, clear cancellation terms and no lock-in period. Pay-as-you-go models let you adjust as your needs change. Read the full guide
How long should a task brief be?
Five to eight lines is enough for most tasks. Write one line per section: what the task is, how you do it, what done looks like, tools needed, deadline, and any rules. Longer briefs slow the VA down rather than helping. Read the full guide
What is the most important part of a task brief?
"What done looks like" is the most important line. If the VA does not know what the finished output should look like, they will guess. A clear output description removes guesswork and reduces corrections. Read the full guide
Do I need a new brief for every task?
No. Write a brief once for each repeating task, then reuse it. For one-off tasks, a shorter briefing note is fine. Keep your briefs in a shared folder so any VA covering for your main one can pick up the work. Read the full guide