[2] Because virtual assistants are independent contractors rather than employees, clients are not responsible for any employee-related taxes, insurance, or benefits, except in the context that those indirect expenses are included in the VA's fees.
[8] Common modes of communication and data delivery include the internet, e-mail and phone-call conferences,[9] online workspaces, and fax machine.
[citation needed] Virtual assistants consist of individuals as well as companies who work remotely as independent professionals, providing a wide range of products and services, both to businesses and consumers.
Virtual assistants perform many different roles, including typical secretarial work, website editing, social media marketing, customer service, data entry, accounts (MYOB, Quick books), and many other remote tasks.
[10] Ferriss claimed to have hired virtual assistants to check his email, pay his bills, and run parts of his company.