Why Choose an Approved Virtual Assistant? The SVA Difference

Person working remotely from a home office

If you're running an SME, working as a sole trader, or managing a micro-organisation, you've probably heard about virtual assistants. But have you considered the significant advantages of working with an approved VA, specifically one recognised by the Society of Virtual Assistants (SVA) in the UK?

Let me explain why this distinction matters and how it could transform the way you work.

What Does SVA Approval Actually Mean?

When a virtual assistant is approved by the Society of Virtual Assistants, they've demonstrated their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to industry standards. This isn't just a badge that’s been purchased, it's recognition they've earned through meeting stringent criteria around business practices, professional development, and ethical standards.

Think of it as the difference between hiring someone who claims they can help and hiring someone whose credentials have been independently verified.

The Key Benefits of Using an Approved VA

So why should you choose an Approved VA?

Professional Standards You Can Trust

Approved VAs operate according to the SVA's professional code of conduct. This means you're working with someone who:

• Maintains proper business insurance and data protection compliance

• Operates transparently with clear contracts and pricing structures

• Commits to ongoing professional development to stay current with best practices

• Adheres to confidentiality and ethical business standards

Specialist Skills for Real Business Needs

Here's where many people get confused about what virtual assistants actually do, and it's worth addressing head-on.

Virtual Assistants Are Not Social Media Managers (or Bots!)

This is often a common misconception, but virtual assistants and social media managers are different professionals with different skill sets. And no, we're definitely not chatbots or automated systems!

A social media manager focuses specifically on your social media presence - creating content calendars, posting updates, engaging with followers, and running campaigns across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

An approved virtual assistant, on the other hand, provides comprehensive business support across a much wider range of services. We're real people with diverse professional backgrounds who might help you with:

• Diary management and email handling

• Bookkeeping and invoice processing

• Customer service and client liaison

• Research and report preparation

• Event planning and coordination

• Document creation and data management

• Project management

• HR administration

For details of the services Smallbizbod can support you with, visit our Services page here

Some VAs do offer social media management as one service within their portfolio, but it's just one part of what we do. We're business support professionals, not marketing specialists exclusively focused on Instagram aesthetics.

And crucially, we're human professionals who bring judgement, discretion, and personalised service to your business, not automated responses or algorithms.

Unless, that is, you are specifically looking for someone who specialises in automations!

Flexibility That Scales with Your Business

One of the greatest advantages of working with an approved VA is flexibility. You're not committing to a full-time salary, pension contributions, or office space. Instead, you pay for the hours or services you actually need.

Need five hours of administrative support one week and fifteen the next? An approved VA can adapt to your fluctuating requirements, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses at any stage of growth.

Access to Expertise Without the Overhead

Many approved VAs bring years of experience from corporate backgrounds; they've been executive assistants, office managers, project coordinators, or finance professionals. When you hire them, you're tapping into that expertise without the cost of a senior permanent hire.

Peace of Mind Through Professionalism

Because approved VAs are part of a recognised professional body, there's an added layer of accountability. If any issues arise, you're working with someone who answers to industry standards and peer review, not just to themselves.

You also benefit from VAs who network with other professionals, meaning if your project requires skills outside their core expertise, they can often connect you with trusted colleagues who can help.

The Bottom Line

Choosing an approved VA isn't just about getting tasks done, it's about building a professional partnership with someone who understands business, operates with integrity, and can genuinely support your growth.

Whether you're drowning in admin, struggling to keep on top of your bookkeeping, or simply need someone reliable to handle the day-to-day tasks that keep you from focusing on strategy, an SVA-approved virtual assistant offers a solution that's professional, flexible, and tailored to the realities of running a small or micro business in the UK.

We're not bots, we're not just social media schedulers, we're experienced business professionals ready to help you work smarter, not harder.

Ready to discover how an approved VA could support your business? Get in touch through our Contact page to discuss your specific needs and find out how Smallbizbod can make a real difference to your productivity and peace of mind.

And if you want to know more about the Society of Virtual Assistants and how they can support you either as a business owner looking for a VA, or a Virtual Assistant wishing to sign up, you can find everything you need here: https://societyofvirtualassistants.co.uk/