Virtual assistants can help with support in such areas as presentation creation, e-mail filtering, transcription, database creation and more. Bookkeeping - Virtual assistants can take this task off the shoulders of clients. Bookkeeping services may include such things as payroll, credit control, invoicing and VAT returns. Event planning - When special events are a part of doing business, planning them out can be quite tedious. Cost reduction - Virtual assistants might not work for free, but they tend to be much more affordable than full-time employees. When a virtual assistant is hired, there is no need to worry about such things as payroll taxes, vacation pay and other benefits. Basically, companies get the benefits of business support without the "hidden costs" of hiring workers. There are virtual assistants who specialise in taking on this task and making sure the resulting function shines. Virtual assistants can bring a lot of benefits to companies they work for. Making the choice to outsource certain tasks to an assistant rather than hiring in-house help can be very wise for a number of reasons. Basic office administration - A virtual assistant can improve a company's image almost instantly by lending a hand with basic administrative duties. Some assisting firms are skilled at helping in such areas as appointment setting, organisation and more. Business support - Virtual assistants exist to take on tasks that others within a company do not have the time or the skills to tackle. When they take on important, but often time consuming, jobs, on-staff employees are freed up to handle other, more pressing business. The end result is better performance all the way around and a more professional image. Virtual assistants can help with support in such areas as presentation creation, e-mail filtering, transcription, database creation and more. Bookkeeping - Virtual assistants can take this task off the shoulders of clients. Bookkeeping services may include such things as payroll, credit control, invoicing and VAT returns.