Hi!
I'm so brand new here that I haven't even had a chance to create a profile. Sorry! I'll do it soon, I promise!

I've been toying with the idea of throwing my hat into the VA ring, but I'm wondering if I have enough skills to survive.

What skills do you use the most? Can someone get by without any book-keeping/financial experience?

Thanks for all the help!
Jessica

Hi Jessica, welcome
I don't offer bookeeping services and my practice is just fine without it.

I would suggest listing the skills you have and the relative services you would enjoy providing - that might help determine if working as a VA would be right for you and if you have the experience necessary to do so.

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Bookkeeping is just one of the many types of VA work provided. Tess, as usual, is absolutely correct! I attended a seminar that they suggested making a list of 15 skills that you have, putting them in order of what you like doing best, ordering them by type, and then using that to create your VA business. It's worth a try!

You can always hire a bookkeeping VA to assist you in setting up your business accounting, but you don't have to be able to provide it to others.

Be sure and read the past posts. I"m sure you will find lots of suggestions of VA types.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I believe the previous advice is dead on! Personally I don't have much book keeping experience either yet I do have a customer. I provided my customer with customer service and scheduling support. Two of my listed strengths!

Good luck in your endeavor!

John Runer

When I get my business up and running, I'm not going to offer bookkeeping at first. I have 3 years experience in that industry with my schooling, but I want to learn some of the softwares before I out in that area.

But you don't need it. You can tailor your business to your skillset.

As the others have said, everyone has their own "niche". I primarily do bookkeeping and real estate related activities. There is a lot that I do not do, such as answering phones. I suggest getting to know a couple of other VAs who provide different service than you do that you would feel comfortable referring to.

If I have a client who wants something that I don't do, I refer them to one of my VA friends, and vice versa. I would absolutely NOT provide bookkeeping services if you have no experience or training in that area, especially not taxes. You have a higher amount of liability when you are dealing with people's finances. I have done bookkeeping for over 14 years and I still insist that my corporate clients use a CPA to prepare their taxes. I will do individual and small business returns if I feel it is pretty straight forward.

In general, I would suggest not doing anything that you do not feel you are experienced or proficient enough in. Don't feel intimidated by other VAs who offer a wide variety of services, just offer what you are good at. It is better to offer one service that you are really good at than a lot of services that you are only so-so at.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Originally Posted by Rebecka

As the others have said, everyone has their own "niche". I primarily do bookkeeping and real estate related activities. There is a lot that I do not do, such as answering phones. I suggest getting to know a couple of other VAs who provide different service than you do that you would feel comfortable referring to. If I have a client who wants something that I don't do, I refer them to one of my VA friends, and vice versa. I would absolutely NOT provide bookkeeping services if you have no experience or training in that area, especially not taxes. You have a higher amount of liability when you are dealing with people's finances. I have done bookkeeping for over 14 years and I still insist that my corporate clients use a CPA to prepare their taxes. I will do individual and small business returns if I feel it is pretty straight forward. In general, I would suggest not doing anything that you do not feel you are experienced or proficient enough in. Don't feel intimidated by other VAs who offer a wide variety of services, just offer what you are good at. It is better to offer one service that you are really good at than a lot of services that you are only so-so at.

Great post, Rebecka! I have a specialization of skills and services that I provide to individuals as well as small home businesses. I offer home-base business start up assistance and small business support in its early stages. However, there may be a time when I may have to refer a client to a fellow VA if the request is something I cannot, or do not like, to do. At first start, I did accept a project I didn't usually do and did not like to do it. I think when we are new and anxious, we may bend in that direction. But after that experience, I will only accept the projects I prefer and have experience in.

Rebecka, when you referred clients to fellow VA friends, did you two enter into a subcontract type of agreement? And were incentives given, such a percentage or a direct fee exchanged for the referral? Just wanted to ask for future reference.

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Delilah Smith
Caliber Virtual Services

Hi Jessica -

Welcome to the forum. I don't have bookkeeping skills either. I hone in on my other talents and services.

Again, the best thing to do is what you know and feel comfortable in doing.

Wish you all the best and Be Well,

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Be Well,
Carla
www.bwellbusinessservices.com
virtually meeting your needs

Thank you all for the great advice!
I've been thinking about all of this and I'm very excited.
I think I'm going to start advertising some desktop publishing and copy writing services. Those are things I can do after hours. Eventually I can move on to scheduling, travel arrangements, etc.
I'm excited!

Originally Posted by DelilahS

Great post, Rebecka! Rebecka, when you referred clients to fellow VA friends, did you two enter into a subcontract type of agreement? And were incentives given, such a percentage or a direct fee exchanged for the referral? Just wanted to ask for future reference.

Thanks! As far as referrals, it just depends, I have a few friends that I would pass the referrals on to with no fee (and they would do the same with me), I do not do subcontractor agreements. This is just a personal choice, because if I enter into a sub-contractor agreement I am still responsible for monitoring the quality and completion of services for the client as well as maintaining liability, which right now I just don't want to do.

I am in the process of considering a referral agreement with a larger multi-va service, in which I would receive a referral fee for passing clients to them, because I have been getting some requests for accounts larger than I am able and/or have the desire to handle.

*Note: As I mentioned before, when you do a sub-contractor agreement with someone you maintain liability as the contractor of the agreement. I would caution anyone to sub-contract with any VA that they did not have an established relationship with or were completely confident in their abilities, especially if you do not maintain Errors & Omissions Insurance or are bonded. If you do work with sub-contractors agreements make sure you get a completed and signed W-9 Form as well as a certificate of insurance with you and/or your companies name listed as an additional insured.

Because I specialize in bookkeeping and am handling highly sensitive information it is important to be extremely cautious.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services