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The SmartHire

10 Essential Answers in Our Virtual Assistant FAQ – The Smart Hire
US Manager Onboarding in 24 Hrs Cost Savings Up to 70%

Welcome to our official virtual assistant FAQ guide. Deciding to scale your business with offshore talent backed by US-based oversight is a major milestone for any founder. Below, we have compiled comprehensive answers to help you navigate pricing, onboarding speeds, security, delegation practices, and day-to-day communication workflows with complete transparency and confidence.

Virtual Assistant FAQ – Getting Started
Where are your virtual assistants based?
Our VAs are based internationally and are all English-speaking, which is how we're able to offer rates significantly lower than US-based talent. Every client account is also assigned a US-based manager who oversees the work, handles communication, and ensures quality.
How fast can I get started?
Once your agreement is signed, we work to match you and get your Virtual Assistant introduced within one business day. Most clients are fully onboarded and working within 24 business hours.
How is The Smart Hire different from other VA companies?
Most Virtual Assistant companies make the introduction and step back. We stay involved. Every client has a US-based manager actively overseeing the work, which means you get the cost savings of offshore talent without feeling like you're navigating it alone. That combination — affordability plus active oversight — is what makes us different.
Packages & Pricing
What's the difference between Fractional and Dedicated?
Fractional is part-time support — ideal if you're just getting started with delegation or have a lighter workload. Dedicated is full-time coverage for founders who are ready to fully step back from the day-to-day. Both include a US-based manager.
Are there any contracts or hidden fees?
We keep it simple — no onboarding fees, no switching fees, and no hidden costs. We do ask for a 30-day commitment with a 30-day cancellation policy, which gives your VA time to get fully up to speed and delivering consistent results.
Working With Your Virtual Assistant
How do I communicate with my Virtual Assistant?
However works best for you — email, Slack, project management tools, or a daily task list. Your US-based manager helps set the communication system up during onboarding so expectations are clear from day one.
What tasks can my Virtual Assistant NOT do?
Our VAs are built for operational, administrative, and support-level work. They are not designed for high-level strategy, licensed professional services (legal advice, financial planning, medical), or complex creative production like original video editing or graphic design from scratch. If you're unsure whether a task is a fit, just ask — we're happy to give you an honest answer before you sign up.
Are there hours restrictions or time zone considerations?
We'll discuss your specific needs during onboarding. Hours and time zone coverage depend on your package and preferences, and your manager will ensure your VA's availability aligns with your working style and business hours.
Support & Management
What if my Virtual Assistant isn't a good fit?
According to industry best practices in remote delegation, finding the right personality and skill alignment is key. We take matching seriously, but if it's not working, we'll rematch you. Your US-based manager is there specifically to catch issues early — and if a new VA is the right call, we make it happen without disrupting your workflow.
What happens if my VA is sick or unavailable?
Your US-based manager is your point of contact if there's ever a gap. We work to ensure continuity so your business doesn't miss a beat — that's one of the key advantages of having a management layer behind every client account.

Still have questions?

We're happy to walk you through anything before you get started. Reach out and we'll get back to you quickly.