FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Everything you need to know about hiring virtual assistants through Aristo Sourcing. Can’t find your answer? Book a free consultation.
Pricing and Cost Savings
What is the average cost savings when hiring through Aristo Sourcing?
Most businesses save 60–70% compared to local hires. You reduce costs like office space, benefits, payroll overhead, and the time it takes to recruit and onboard.
You pay a clear monthly fee. We handle the admin and payments, so you avoid surprise add-ons.
How do you handle payroll, taxes, and international compliance?
We handle the operational setup, so you do not need to manage cross-border admin. You pay one monthly fee, and we support the workflow behind the scenes so your team can focus on delivery.
If you want a simple breakdown by role and location, book a call, and we will map it out.
How hiring through Aristo works
What happens if my VA has an internet outage or hardware failure?
Remote work runs smoother with clear communication rules and backup plans. A VA follows a documented contingency checklist (how to notify you, where updates get posted, what tasks pause, and what can continue offline), plus backup connectivity options and a reliable home office setup.
On the power side, South Africa’s grid has been far more stable recently. Eskom reported 224 consecutive days without an interrupted supply as of late December 2025, and it has also noted periods where available generation capacity exceeds demand.
The Hiring Process
How long does it take from the first call to hiring my virtual assistant?
Most hires take 7–14 days.
- Free consultation (30 minutes): define the role and workflow
- Candidate sourcing (3–5 days): screen and shortlist
- Client interviews (2–3 days): you meet 3–5 vetted candidates
- Onboarding (2–3 days): tools, access, and working cadence
Most clients start working with their VA within two weeks.
Which countries do you source virtual assistants from?
We primarily source from South Africa and the Philippines, two specialized offshore hubs with strong English proficiency and strong remote work talent.
- South Africa: strong communication, overlap with UK/EU hours, ideal for client-facing and operations roles
- Philippines: service-first mindset, reliable execution, strong for admin and support roles
This approach gives you global talent arbitrage without lowering standards.
Can I hire a VA for part-time projects or only full-time?
Most clients choose full-time (40 hours/week) because it delivers the best consistency and ROI. Full-time VAs integrate faster, respond quicker, and reduce coordination costs.
We can discuss flexible arrangements when the workflow supports it.
What happens if my virtual assistant is not the right fit?
Tell your account manager quickly so we can fix the issue fast. We diagnose the root cause, then coach for improvement or replace the VA when the mismatch runs deeper.
Our goal stays simple: keep your workflow stable and your delivery consistent.
Quality, Expertise, and Security
What tools and software can your VAs work with?
Virtual assistants work with tools including project management, CRM, communication, accounting, marketing, and eCommerce software. Virtual assistants get matched to your existing tech stack and workflow. Candidate shortlists prioritize experience with your specific tools to eliminate onboarding delays.
Common tools virtual assistants use include:
- Project management: Asana, Trello, ClickUp, Monday.com
- CRM systems: HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho, Pipedrive
- Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Workspace
- Accounting software: QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks
- Marketing platforms: Mailchimp, Canva, Buffer, SEMrush
- eCommerce platforms: Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon Seller Central
Read more: Browse VAs by specialty
How do you ensure cultural fit and language proficiency?
We screen for more than skill. We test communication quality, work style, and alignment with your expectations.
Our KSA evaluation (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) includes practical skills checks, communication assessment, and fit screening based on your workflow and standards.
What security measures do your remote workers follow?
Security is set by the employer. You decide what access is allowed, what tools are used, and what oversight is required.
We recommend controls like NDAs, role-based access, password managers, and structured approval workflows, but implementation and enforcement sit with your team.
Read more: Safe delegation and access control
Why use Aristo Sourcing instead of hiring a VA independently?
Independent hiring can work. It also creates predictable failure points: screening time, quality risk, compliance complexity, and no backup plan when the hire fails.
Aristo Sourcing gives you vetted candidates, structured onboarding, and ongoing support so the role stays productive long after the hire.
- Faster hiring with pre-vetted candidates
- Support systems that keep delivery consistent
- A process for solving mismatch and performance issues