What is a fractional executive assistant?

What is a fractional executive assistant?

A fractional executive assistant (EA) is a remote professional who handles executive admin work for a set number of hours a month instead of a full week. Boldly defines the role as part-time work “just like a full-time employee, but only for the hours you need.”

You get the same kind of help a full-time EA gives: inbox, calendar, travel, documents and follow-up. You pay for a fraction of the week. Prialto notes that fractional EAs usually work with two to three executives, which is where the word “fractional” comes from.

A fractional executive assistant is not a temp. Good ones learn your preferences and stay for the long term. The only difference from a full-time executive assistant is the hours.

At Peachtree VA, our fractional executive assistant model starts at 25 hours a month on flexible month-to-month agreements. Our assistants are U.S.-based, vetted professionals. They are 1099 independent contractors to Peachtree VA.

Fractional EA or full-time EA: which do I need?

Choose a fractional EA when your admin work takes a few hours a day or less. Choose a full-time EA when you need steady coverage across a full week. Prialto suggests full-time support when you need more than 30 hours a week. The table at the top of this page compares the two.

A fractional EA usually wins in four cases:

• You are a founder or small team with a growing inbox and no admin hire yet.
• Your workload comes in waves, with busy weeks and quiet weeks.
• You lack the time to recruit, train and manage an employee.
• You want to test the value of delegation before you commit to payroll.

A full-time hire usually wins when your work needs a person in the building, deep industry knowledge that takes months to learn, or support all day, every day. See the guide on how to hire an executive assistant if that is you.

What does a fractional executive assistant do day to day?

A fractional EA clears the recurring work that crowds your day: email, calendar, travel, documents, scheduling and follow-up. You set the priorities. Your EA handles the details and tells you what needs your decision. Scope grows as trust grows.

Typical work for a Peachtree VA includes:

• Inbox and voicemail management.
• Calendar and complex scheduling.
• Travel planning and booking.
• Document editing and formatting.
• Event arrangements and meeting coordination.
• Personal and family calendar management, reservations and appointments.
• AI prompt libraries and voice-to-task workflows.

Start with tasks that repeat, follow clear steps, and are easy to check. As Jason Levin of Ready Set Launch says, it helps to “have someone that I can just ping.” Read our guide to what to delegate to a virtual assistant for a longer list.

Your EA does not guess at judgment calls. You keep decisions on money, hiring and strategy. Your EA prepares the facts so you decide faster.

How many hours does a fractional EA need to be useful?

Twenty-five hours a month is enough to be useful. That is about six hours a week, which can cover an inbox, a calendar and a travel plan. Most owners start there, learn what they hand off, and add hours. Our clients reclaim 15 or more hours a week.

The table below converts monthly hours into weekly hours using 4.33 weeks per month. It is our math, and the scope column is an illustration, not a promise.

To choose your number, run a two-week time audit. Track every task in 30-minute blocks. Mark what only you can do. Add up the rest. Start with a package that covers about half of that total, then add hours once you see the first month.

Hours at Peachtree VA do not roll over to the next month, so we recommend keeping a long-term “evergreen” project in the background. Your assistant shifts to it in slower weeks.

How much does a fractional executive assistant cost?

The cost depends on the hours you buy and the provider. Boldly requires 40 hours a month per assistant. Athena sells one full-time EA at a fixed monthly price. Peachtree VA gives a custom quote after a free call, with packages from 25 hours a month. Our virtual assistant cost page lists published prices side by side.

Compare the total, not only the hourly rate. Ask each company about minimum hours, commitment length, rollover rules and backup coverage. A lower minimum can cost less each month even if the rate per hour is similar.

Is a fractional EA different from a virtual assistant?

The two overlap, and titles vary by company. A fractional EA is a virtual assistant who focuses on executive support and works for you part-time. A virtual assistant can also work full-time or handle a narrower set of tasks. Compare the task list, hours and terms, not the job title.

In practice, “executive” points to a higher level of trust. An EA manages your calendar and priorities, sees sensitive email and acts on your behalf. A VA may handle tasks from a list. Our guide on virtual assistant vs. executive assistant explains the full difference.

How do I hand work to a fractional EA?

Hand work over in small steps, with clear instructions and a deadline. Start with one or two repeating tasks, show an example of a good result, and review the first few runs. Add tasks once the work comes back right. This builds trust faster than a big handoff.

1. Pick two repeating tasks, such as inbox triage and calendar scheduling.
2. Write short steps for each, or record a quick video. A standard operating procedure keeps the work consistent.
3. Say what “done” looks like and when you need it.
4. Review the first week and give specific feedback.
5. Set a weekly 15-minute check-in, then add the next task.

If this sounds hard, you are not alone. Read the delegation page for a framework and a handoff script. Our Relationship Specialist stays with the engagement, so you have a person to call if something slips.

How does Peachtree VA match me with a fractional EA?

We match you by hand, through Method Matching, on four things: skill set, personality, culture and capacity. A person who knows your business makes the match, not an algorithm. Most clients are matched in as little as 10 business days. The process starts with a free 30-minute discovery call. Read more about Method Matching.

Every assistant clears multi-stage interviews, a skills assessment, reference checks and a background check. Each one signs a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before seeing your business. A dedicated Relationship Specialist stays with the engagement.

If the fit stops working, tell your Relationship Specialist. Our 100% Matching Guarantee means we rematch you at no extra cost, with no expiration date.

What are the limits of a fractional EA?

A fractional EA is not the right tool for every job. Our assistants work Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in your time zone. They are not on call overnight. Hours do not roll over from month to month.

Know the limits before you start:

• Hours are a budget. Your package is a set number of hours. If you need more in a busy month, you can add them.
• Real-time phone answering. Returning calls works well. Live answering is usually not the best use of an assistant’s time.
• Your decisions stay yours. Your EA prepares and recommends. You approve money, hiring and strategy.
• In-person tasks. A remote assistant cannot sign for a package or greet a visitor.

When should I switch to a full-time hire?

Switch when your assistant’s work regularly runs past about 30 hours a week, or when you need someone physically in your office. You can add hours when you need them.

If a full-time hire is the answer, we can find one. Our direct-hire team searches, screens and presents candidates for roles such as executive assistant, and clients save an average of 42 days in vetting. See recruitment services.

Not sure which path fits? The VA matching quiz points you to a starting profile.

Next step

Tell us what a good week looks like, and we will suggest a number of hours. Book a free strategy call, or read about our virtual assistant services.