What a fractional operations assistant does

The work the role covers

The role sits between admin and the systems the business runs on. In a typical week, I handle:

• ●Inbox and calendar management, meeting preparation and follow-up on action items
• ●Client onboarding, from the signed contract to the welcome email and first session
• ●Project and task tracking in the tool your team uses, such as ClickUp, Asana or monday.com
• ●CRM upkeep: contacts, pipelines, tags and the follow-ups that should send
• ●Small automation and website fixes when something stops working
• ●Invoicing follow-up and getting records ready for your bookkeeper
• ●Written processes for tasks that repeat, so anyone on the team can follow them

How it differs from a general virtual assistant

A general virtual assistant usually works through a list of tasks you hand over. A fractional operations assistant also looks after how the work gets done: which tool holds which information, who owns each next step, and what happens when something is late. I organize priorities, track outstanding items and follow up before they become forgotten tasks. If something could affect a deadline, I raise it early so we can decide what happens next.

How it differs from an online business manager

An online business manager usually takes on more of the planning: managing other contractors, setting targets and owning a larger part of the business. A fractional operations assistant does more of the hands-on work. The two roles overlap, and I offer both. My online business manager page explains the difference in more detail.

How the work is set up

We start with a call about where your time goes and what keeps landing back on your desk. I then ask for access to the tools involved, agreed with you, and spend the first weeks learning how things work today. I write down what I find, suggest an order for the work and start with the tasks that take up the largest share of your time. After that, we agree a weekly rhythm: a short written update from me, a list of what needs your decision, and a check-in call if you want one.

When it makes sense

It makes sense when you are the one holding all the details together, when tasks fall between people or tools, or when you have tried handing work to several freelancers and spent more time coordinating them than doing the work yourself. Hiring and coordinating a different person for every connected task can create more work for you. One person who looks after the admin and the systems together can keep it connected.

How pricing works

I work on a monthly plan with a set number of hours. My pricing page lists the hourly rates and the minimum hours for each plan. We agree the hours and the work in your proposal before anything starts.

Working with me

I'm Valentina Akpan, based in Moncton, New Brunswick, and I work remotely with clients in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia. I review inquiries personally. You can read more about my admin and operations support, or book a free call and tell me what you would like to hand over.