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Clerical and Accounting Support Defined

In a nutshell, outsourcing is subcontracting work, such as product design or manufacturing, to third- party companies that are usually based in a different country. Information Technology based client support is also very popular among many western countries, and these IT-based services include performing such necessary services as clerical and accounting work.

Usually, companies who seek the services of Business Process Outsourcing or BPO companies do so in the interest of conserving energy that could be directed at the competencies of the business, of lowering firm costs, and of making more efficient use of capital, labor, resources and technology.

Outsourcing involves the transfer of the management and day-to-day execution of an entire business function such as the companies’ accounting and clerical work.

Virtual Clerk / Virtual Assistant

Clerical work is a staple of most outsourcing companies these days. Even small and micro businesses in western countries are now finding the benefits of re-assigning the most basic clerical works out of their walls. Clerical works can be as simple as handling of correspondence, keeping of records, and transcribing documents.

In the last few years, clerical work has taken on a new name. From BPO companies offering very broad services, there are now micro entrepreneurs who specialize in being VA or Virtual Assistants. A VA is an independent contractor who provides such assistance in their clients’ administrative and technical tasks. Some VA specializes in more specific tasks like creative writing, legal documentation, or record keeping for realtors.

A VA work in his or her own workstation, usually in their own home office or the like, hence, the term “virtual” assistant. Because of this easy working atmosphere, it is now growing in popularity. As of 2006, it is estimated that there are now about 8,000 VA in the world. Aside from the Internet, there are other common modes of communication that the VA uses like the fax machine and the File Transfer Protocol or FTP.

Although the VA has many advantages, particularly giving the person a large degree of independence, this type of work is still on a contractual basis and must rely on a long lasting cooperation with the client. Many western clients prefer virtual assistants who have at least five years of administrative experience in office work. A VA can work as an executive assistant, a legal assistant, a legal secretary, a paralegal, a real estate assistant, a secretary, and even as an office manager.

Of course, part and parcel of becoming a VA is to do most of the accounting, or at least, part of the company’s bookkeeping records. Some clients find this particularly attractive, alleviating many of the more repetitive activities. Also, outsourcing is definitely more affordable than hiring an in-house accountant, a separate bookkeeper and another person to do secretarial work. Clients can also dedicate most of their time into thinking of marketing schemes; they can also redirect their money into advertising campaigns – efforts and funding which would likely funnel through the hiring of personnel that the company may not be able to afford.

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