Typical Services Offered By Virtual Assistants – Bookkeeping Services

Every business owner needs assistance with managing their finances.  Although they may have a dedicated bookkeeper to handle such tasks, there is much a Virtual Assistant can do to help in this regard.  Following are a 8 ways a Virtual Assistant can help a client with their bookkeeping:

1. A client needs bill-paying services. The client has all bills mailed to a post office box near a VA. The VA sets up a checking account with payment authorization for both the client and the VA. As the bills are prepared for payment, the VA notifies the client how much money to deposit into the account. The bills are then paid. Another option, if available from the client’s bank, is to use on-line bill payment services or email money transfers.
2. A client needs bill-paying services. The client collects bills and mails them to the VA twice a month. The VA sets up a checking account with payment authorization for both the client and the VA. As the bills are prepared for payment, the VA notifies the client how much money to deposit into the account. The bills are then paid. Another option, if available from the client’s bank, is to use on-line bill payment services or email money transfers.
3. A client needs bill paying services plus data entry into accounting software. The client’s bills can be mailed to a post office box near a VA, or a client can collect all the bills and mail them to the VA periodically. The VA can (1) set up a checking account with payment authorization for both the client and the VA. As the bills are prepared for payment, the VA notifies the client how much money to deposit into the account. (2) Prepare the checks for payment and mail back to the client for signature and mailing. (3) If available from the client’s bank, use on-line bill payment services or email money transfers. As bills are paid, the VA then enters the transactions into accounting software. In addition, the VA can reconcile bank statements, enter credit card transactions, prepare invoices, make and/or enter deposits, and prepare end of month reports.
4. A consultant needs invoicing services only. A consultant sends an email to the VA with the number of hours to be billed to a client. The VA prepares and emails/mails the invoices.
5. An association mails annual due invoices upon membership renewal. The VA prepares the invoices and mails according to schedule. The VA can also receive payments and deposit into the association’s account. All transactions are recorded in accounting software and sent to the association via FTP transfer or mailed on diskette.
6. A client has several account receivables that are past due. The VA can mail past due notices or follow up via telephone to collect on past due invoices.
7. A client continues to pay his/her own bills, but needs monthly bank reconciliation. The client mails a copy of their check register along with the bank statement. The VA enters all data into  accounting software and reconciles the account. The accounting software is sent back to the client via email attachment.
8. A client continues to pay their own bills, but needs reminders to pay on a timely manner.   The VA can remind the client via email or telephone when due dates arrive.

Would you like to add to this list?  Or have you developed a system to assist  your clients with such tasks?  If so, we’d love to hear from you!  Leave your comment below.