Accountants are notorious for being overworked and with the demand still increasing and the talent supply getting lower, most accountants are stretched too thin. It’s gotten so bad that 42% of firms are turning down work.
This forces firms to adopt modern solutions such as hiring outsourced virtual assistants to help accountants with their workload, but just like most things, there’s always a right way to do it. Here, we’ll explore the best virtual assistant tasks to delegate.
Administrative Support
1. Email Management
Let’s start with the basic personal assistant tasks. VAs can handle your email inbox, sorting through messages, responding to routine inquiries, and flagging important emails for your attention. This ensures that you stay organised and never miss crucial client communication.
2. Appointment Scheduling
VAs can manage your calendar and schedule meetings and appointments with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders. This prevents double bookings and ensures you use your time efficiently.
3. Data Entry
Accurate and timely data entry is essential for accounting firms. VAs can input client information, financial transactions, and other relevant data into your accounting software, reducing the risks of errors and freeing up your time for more critical tasks.
Bookkeeping
4. Accounts Payable and Receivable
Moving on to the more specialised tasks, virtual assistants can manage the invoicing process, track payments, and follow up on outstanding invoices. This ensures that your cash flow remains healthy and that clients pay on time.
5. Bank Reconciliation
VAs can reconcile bank statements with your accounting records, identifying and rectifying discrepancies. This task, while routine, is crucial for maintaining accurate financial records.
6. Expense Tracking
By monitoring and categorising expenses, VAs help you track expenditures. This enables better budgeting and financial planning, which in turn helps you provide more informed advice to your clients.
Client Support
7. Client Onboarding
A slow onboarding process is one of the primary challenges when acquiring a new client. Virtual assistants can streamline client onboarding by preparing necessary documentation, setting up initial meetings, and ensuring the new clients receive a warm welcome.
8. Client Communication
While you spearhead major client interactions, VAs can fill the gaps by handling routine client communications, such as sending reminders for document submissions, updating clients on the status of their accounts, and answering basic queries. This keeps clients informed and engaged without overburdening your team.
9. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
VAs can manage your CRM system, updating client information, tracking interactions, and ensuring that all client-related data is accurate and up to date. This helps in maintaining strong client relationships.
Marketing and Social Media
10. Content Creation
Creating content is another area where virtual assistants usually thrive. VAs can assist with creating and scheduling content for your firm’s blog, social media platforms, and newsletters. This helps maintain a consistent online presence and engage with your audience.
11. Social Media Management
Speaking of social media, VAs can manage your social media accounts by posting updates, responding to comments, and engaging with followers. This builds your firm’s online reputation and attracts potential clients.
12. Email Marketing
Email marketing remains one of the top marketing strategies even up to this date, with an average of $36 generated for every dollar spent. VAs can design and send out email campaigns, manage mailing lists, and track the performance of your email marketing efforts. This ensures that your marketing messages reach the right audience and that you’re not leaving any money on the table.
Research & Analysis
13. Market Research
Virtual assistants can conduct market research to help you stay informed about industry trends, competitor activities, and potential opportunities. VAs can also be instrumental in monitoring regulatory changes and new accounting standards, something that’s been a huge thorn in the side for many accounting firms.
14. Client Research
VAs are great for gathering information about prospective clients, helping you prepare for sales presentations, and tailoring your services to their specific needs. This personalised approach can significantly enhance client satisfaction.
15. Financial Analysis
VAs can also assist with basic financial analysis, such as preparing reports and analysing financial data. This provides you with the insights needed to make informed business decisions and offers well-founded advice for your clients.
Why Choose TOA Global’s Executive Assistants
When it comes to outsourcing, you need a team you can rely on. TOA Global’s executive assistant outsourcing solution stands out for several reasons:
- TOA Global’s outsourced executive assistants are proactive, they not only organise your meetings but also ensure you are well prepared for them.
- In addition to excelling at administrative tasks, TOA Global’s executive assistants are specially trained in bookkeeping, managing invoices, expenses, billing, and other accounting functions.
- Our EAs have expertise in using software like Xero/XPM, Now Infinity, and MS Office, and they can develop and maintain office systems.
- Our executive assistants offer comprehensive support and can handle ad hoc tasks, including research, marketing, and social media management.
- Leveraging TOA Global’s executive assistants allows firms to reduce overhead costs by up to 66% compared to hiring and maintaining in-house staff.
- TOA Global’s global talent pool provides 24/6 support, ensuring your firm has the assistance it needs around the clock.
Partner with TOA Global’s Elite Executive Virtual Assistants
Accounting firms are constantly looking to optimise their operations, and enhance client service, so outsourcing tasks to virtual assistants is a strategic move. By delegating the right virtual tasks, firms can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and focus on what truly matters—delivering value to their clients.
If you’re ready to explore how VAs can help your firm, visit TOA Global’s Executive Assistant Solutions, and if you’re looking for a guide on how to work with them effectively, download our Virtual Assistant Guide for free!
