Columbia combines state government, a large university and Fort Jackson. A virtual assistant helps its firms stay organized for all of them.
Virtual Assistant gives Columbia businesses a dedicated virtual assistant from $240 a month, working Eastern time. You choose the role and the hours, and a US account manager matches you within 1 to 3 business days.
Why Columbia businesses hire a virtual assistant
South Carolina's capital has state agencies, USC, insurance back offices and a big Army training post. Small firms deal with forms and clients in these sectors, and staff are often limited.
The roles Columbia businesses should hire first
Administrative Assistant
Contractors and associations can hand off forms and calendars.
Nothing depends on your memory. Every recurring job goes on a written checklist, so it still gets done in your busiest weeks.
- Draft replies in your voice for you to approve or send
- Take meeting notes and send out the action items
- Fill in online forms and keep track of account renewals
- Research and book travel, with options to choose from
Administrative assistant packages start at $240 a month for 20 hours. Hire an administrative assistant for your Columbia business.
Insurance Assistant
Agencies can hand off quotes and policy work.
Producers get back to selling. Quote prep and service work leave your producers' desks, so they can spend their time with prospects.
- Prepare quote comparisons for your agents
- Contact clients ahead of renewal dates
- Process policy changes and endorsements
- Answer client service calls and emails
Binding and coverage advice stay with your licensed agents. Insurance assistant packages start at $280 a month for 20 hours. Hire an insurance assistant for your Columbia business.
Bookkeeping Assistant
Small firms can keep books in good order.
Money comes in faster. Invoices go out on time and late payers get regular, polite reminders.
- Keep vendor records up to date
- Create and send invoices
- Gather payroll data for Gusto, ADP or QuickBooks Payroll
- Flag unusual transactions and missing paperwork
Tax returns and tax advice stay with your CPA or enrolled agent. Bookkeeping assistant packages start at $320 a month for 20 hours. Hire a bookkeeping assistant for your Columbia business.
What it costs in Columbia
You pay the same clear price wherever you are, and you see the exact total before you order. Skilled VA prices for the roles above:
- Administrative Assistant: $240 for 20 hours, $456 for 40 hours or $864 for 80 hours a month
- Insurance Assistant: $280 for 20 hours, $532 for 40 hours or $1,008 for 80 hours a month
- Bookkeeping Assistant: $320 for 20 hours, $608 for 40 hours or $1,152 for 80 hours a month
Senior Specialists, with 5+ years in the field, cost 35% more. US-Based Specialists, who live and work in the United States, cost 90% more. If you would rather not commit to a monthly package, pay-as-you-go hours start at $14.40 an hour and stay valid for 90 days.
Why hire your Columbia assistant from Virtual Assistant
Your assistant works remotely and keeps Eastern time business hours, so your day and theirs line up. You get a person who learns your business, with a team behind them when something needs fixing.
- Easy to start small: Begin with the inbox and calendar on 20 hours a month, then add more as you see what can come off your plate.
- Knows agency systems: Applied Epic, AMS360, HawkSoft, EZLynx, QQCatalyst and NowCerts.
- Old books can be fixed: Start with a one-time cleanup project, then use a monthly package to keep everything current.
- Clear prices, no lock-in: See your exact price before you order. Month-to-month packages can be cancelled any time, and unused hours roll over within your package limit.
- A US account manager: One person matches you, runs your kickoff call and stays your contact if anything needs fixing.
- Free replacement: If your assistant is not the right fit, we match you with a different one at no extra cost.
A virtual assistant or an in-house hire?
An in-house hire makes sense when the job needs someone physically on site. For work done on a screen or a phone, a virtual assistant usually costs far less, because you pay only for working hours, with no recruiting, desk, equipment or payroll taxes to arrange. You can also start with 20 hours a month and grow, instead of committing to a full-time salary before you know how much work there is.
How to get started this week
- Build your package: choose a role, your hours and an experience level, and see your price straight away
- Pay your itemized invoice by card or crypto
- Your US account manager matches you within 1 to 3 business days and runs your kickoff call
- Your assistant starts on a written checklist of your first tasks for your Columbia business
Towns and districts we serve around Columbia
Your assistant works remotely, so you get the same service in Columbia and nearby, including the Vista, Five Points, Irmo, Lexington, Cayce and Forest Acres. If your town or district is not listed here, we still serve it. Just enter it on the order form.
More for South Carolina businesses
See virtual assistant services and prices in Columbia or our guide to hiring in South Carolina. Other South Carolina guides: Spartanburg, Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Anderson, Rock Hill, Greenville.