One of the benefits of IVAA membership is that you also get web hosting with them, so that may make it worthwhile. Kill two birds with one stone. You are going to need a web site anyway so this may help.

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Julia

I am a IVAA member now for about 3 months. They have their own Yahoo list serv, monthly seminars, RFP system that gets almost daily RFPs and a certification testing. I would recommend Ivaa for all VAs..

Jo-Carole

I joined IVAA almost a month ago and have already volunteered to help out. I am also preparing to take the EthicsCheck exam and when funds permit, take the CVA exam. Participation is vital...sitting back and waiting for things to happen...it simply won't work.

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Caroline ~"Thoughts become things"

I have been wanting to join, I just have to get the finances available for it. With the surgeries I have had my budget is extremely tight. I can't wait though!!!

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Erin Stinson
http://premierevirtualoffice.com

Hello all...I am interested in becoming a certified VA. However, I need a program that can be completed through correspondance, if that's available. Does anyone know if a VA certification correspondance course is available?

I am a long time IVAA member (joined in August 1998 - one of the first 30-members) and hold all of IVAA's designations - CVA, CRESS, and EthicsChecked. These certifications and those I've achieved through other specialty sites, like REVA, have been so valuable to me over the years. While I don't probably get too many clients now because of them (almost all my new clients come by referral), in the first 3-5 years, I certainly did.

I highly recommend certifications and continuing education for ALL small business owners.

My membership in IVAA has so many benefits, I can't begin to tell you. Volunteering and attending online and live Summits are probably the biggest benefits of the organization, but again, my involvment and support of IVAA and our industry makes a HUGE impact on the caliber of client I attract and ultimately work with.

In addition to that, having access to the knowledge and resources of hundreds of other talented VAs, and the fabulous perks, like our Preferred Partner and Business Collaboration discounts, is second to none. Then sprinkle in the EOM's, Peer Discussions, Mentoring Program, File Cabinet with forms and contracts, President's Circle, Mastermind Groups, well, the list just goes on and on, and keeps growing.

The reason I devote so much of my time to this organization is because of what they do to support our industry and the opportunities they provide their members.

I am also an avid supporter of VA Networking, although they are not the same type of organization - they still provide us with many opportunities to learn and grow our businesses, as does IVAA.

In closing I must say...if you're not an IVAA member, you should be!

Originally Posted by Accurate Business Services

....and those I've achieved through other specialty sites, like REVA, have been so valuable to me over the years.

Jeannine ~

Which REVA site/certification are you referring to in this post?

There seems to be a few different sites offering REVA certifications, including one which seems to have ceased to exist as of late, and another which just established itself within the past couple of months.

I am trying to separate the wheat from the chaff here... which REVA certifications are valuable and/or "legit"?

Thank you.

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Susan Davis ~ EcoGreenREVA

I've been considering joining IVAA as well, it seems like a great opportunity and the credibility from the certifications and membership is huge. In all of my internet research, IVAA seems to be the gold standard that others reference.

Thanks for your comments. As a new VA, I too have done some research on the certifications and just when and if I need to be in a hurry to become certified. Your post helped to take some of the confusion away. Would you say I should be more concerned with getting the business up and running first, and then focus on certifications?

Tamika,
Thanks so much for your comments. As a new Va, your post really helped me in making the decision to focus more on getting my business up and running as opposed to wondering whether or not the certifications were really necessary at this point. I do intend to join IVAA, but so far I am happy with VAF.

Barbara Cooper
Preferred Virtual Services

When I decided to "go virtual" with my bookkeeping practice, IVAA was one of the first organizations I joined. My first retainer job (as a sub) was through a fantastic VA I met on the message boards. I've also gotten clients through the RFPs. But the best part has to be the listserv, which is a constant source of new ideas and new perspectives.

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Deb Howard Greenleaf, Certified QB ProAdvisor
Virtual Bookkeeping & QB Consulting

I really enjoyed reading these posts. Alot of my questions have been answered about becoming a certified VA. Once I have a little more established then I know that joining IVAA is worth it. Thankyou.

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Kristen Smith
www.bestrealestateassistant.com

Hi Tess, I am an REVA member. I didn't do their certification course. But was a Real Estate agent for two years. Am still thinking about doing the REVA certification but ran into a snag...

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Hi Tess, I have not had the opportunity to look into the IVAA and will try and do that over the holiday weekend.

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

All of these responses have been helpful to me as well. I've been debating on joining IVAA. For me, its all about the resources.

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Winston Stewart
PennWin Administrative Services