Hiring based on stress is expensive. It’s something we say often at Step By Step Accounting, because we’ve watched it play out again and again with business owners. They wait until they’re completely maxed out, then hire fast, hoping for instant relief. Sometimes it works. Often it adds a new layer of stress instead: a new expense, a new person to manage, and not always the right role for what’s actually needed.
There’s one hire that gets overlooked more than almost any other: an Executive Assistant.
Why This Role Gets Skipped
Most business owners picture “hiring” as bringing on someone client-facing, someone who directly drives revenue. An Executive Assistant doesn’t do that, at least not directly. What an EA actually does is protect your time, your follow-through, and your ability to think clearly instead of constantly reacting.
The Signals You’re Ready
-
Your Profit & Loss shows consistent revenue over the last 3–6 months, not just one strong month
-
Your payroll or contractor costs are under roughly 30–35% of revenue
-
You are regularly missing follow-ups, not because you don’t care, but because there isn’t time
-
Your best strategic thinking happens after hours, because your workday is consumed by tasks anyone could do
The Return You Don’t See on a P&L
An Executive Assistant’s ROI rarely shows up as a clean line item on a financial statement. It shows up as invoices followed up on before they age 90 days. It shows up as fewer decisions made from exhaustion. It shows up as the hours you get back to do the work only you can do.
What to Do This Week
-
Pull your P&L trend for the last 3–6 months and check for consistency
-
Calculate your current payroll/contractor cost as a percentage of revenue
-
List five tasks you did this week that someone else could have done
-
If the list feels long, that’s your answer
The Takeaway
Hiring shouldn’t be a last resort you reach for once you’re already underwater. When it’s backed by your actual numbers, an Executive Assistant is one of the highest-leverage hires a growing business can make, not because it adds more hands, but because it protects the hours where you actually lead.
If you’re weighing this decision and want to look at your actual numbers before you commit to it, that’s exactly the kind of conversation we’re here for. One step at a time.
About the Author
Melissa L. Miranda is the founder and CEO of Step By Step Accounting, where she helps business owners gain confidence through clear financial guidance. A CPA, and a three-time Top 100 QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Melissa is passionate about helping entrepreneurs build profitable businesses that support strong families and communities.