Belay
Belay is a premier US-based virtual staffing organization matching vetted virtual executive assistants, remote bookkeepers, and website specialists with business executives and pastors.
Editorial Rating
★ 8.1 / 10
Very Good (7.5 - 8.4)
Editorial Overview
Founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 2010 by Bryan and Shannon Miles, Belay has consistently been named one of the best remote companies to work for in America. Belay specializes in placing Virtual Assistants (VAs), Bookkeepers, and Website Specialists with corporate CEOs, church leaders, and small business owners.
Contractors enjoy significant advantages: Belay matches you directly with long-term dedicated clients (typically 10 to 30 hours per week per client), handles all billing and collections, pays competitive hourly rates ($18 to $25+/hour), and deposits earnings reliably twice monthly. However, Belay enforces a very high standard: applicants must possess at least 5 years of commercial executive support or bookkeeping experience, pass rigorous video interviews, and provide glowing references. It is not an entry-level platform, but for experienced administrative professionals, it is one of the premier remote placements in the country.
Worker Suitability & Realities
✓ Best For
Experienced executive assistants, corporate administrative coordinators, and professional bookkeepers in the United States looking for dedicated, recurring client retainers ($18-$25+/hr).
✕ Not Recommended For
Beginners without administrative office experience, non-US residents, or workers looking for casual microtask work.
⚠️ Primary Limitation / Drawback
Highly selective admissions process (historical acceptance rate under 3-5%); requires multiple video interviews, skills tests, and professional references.
Verified Fee Schedule & Financials
Verified fee schedule researched directly from official terms of service.
| Registration Fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Subscription Fee | None |
| Platform Commission | 0% deducted from agreed contractor hourly rate |
| Bidding / Connects Fee | None |
| Withdrawal & Payout Fee | Direct deposit via ACH twice monthly with zero platform fee |
| Minimum Payout Threshold | No minimum threshold (bi-monthly payroll schedule) |
| Payment Timing & Frequency | Guaranteed bi-monthly direct deposit payments for all tracked client hours. |
| Payment Protection & Escrow | Belay contracts directly with clients and guarantees contractor compensation regardless of client invoice status. |
Application & Admission Process
Executive calendar management, travel coordination, professional email etiquette, bookkeeping (QuickBooks), project coordination, discreet confidentiality.
Resume demonstrating 5+ years of relevant administrative, executive assistant, or bookkeeping experience.
Multi-round vetting: detailed application review, video interview, technical skills assessment, and reference verification.
Independent Pros & Cons
👍 Key Advantages
- ✓ Consistently ranked among the top remote workplaces in the United States
- ✓ Dedicated long-term client matching provides predictable, stable weekly hours
- ✓ Guaranteed bi-monthly ACH payments backed directly by Belay
- ✓ Zero worker fees or commissions deducted from hourly pay
👎 Key Disadvantages & Risks
- ✕ Extremely competitive admissions process (approves under 5% of applicants)
- ✕ Strictly requires 5+ years of relevant executive administrative or bookkeeping experience
- ✕ Restricted to US residents and excludes certain states with restrictive contractor rules
Actionable Job-Seeker Advice
Recommended First Steps
Apply at BelaySolutions.com/jobs, upload a polished resume highlighting 5+ years of administrative or bookkeeping experience, and complete the video questionnaire.
Main Risks & Pitfalls
Application rejection if experience does not meet the 5-year executive threshold.
Competition & Market Reality
No public price bidding; Belay talent coordinators match vetted assistants directly with clients based on personality fit.