Admissions FAQ

The Admissions process can be completed in as little as seven days! Certification courses required to service a particular client can take between two days and several weeks to complete. Once you have obtained the certifications and established a Virtual Services Corporation, the Virtual Services Corporation is then eligible to begin earning income by servicing that client.

Q. Who can I contact if I am having technical difficulties during the admissions process?

The Arise Support Desk provides live support, 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for Arise related system issues. You may also reach support at http://support.arise.com. The Support Desk will answer most of your Arise and client related technical issues. Occasionally Support Desk technicians will need to further troubleshoot and research the answer. They will respond as quickly as possible, generally within a few hours.

Q. Is there an initial face-to-face meeting in your office?

No. There will be no initial meeting in our office. The entire admissions process is completed virtually.

Q. When do I sign the Master Services Agreement? Do I sign it online or do I have to fax it?

You electronically sign the Master Services Agreement online after you have completed forming your incorporated entity. You will not need to fax the Master Services Agreement.

Admissions - US

Q. Can a Client Support Professional who moves to a different state still service client applications?

You may continue to provide service as long as you are located within the United States and have access to broadband internet connectivity.

Q. Can I do business with Arise if I live in Canada?

Yes, our sister company Arise Virtual Solutions (Canada) Inc. is growing in Canada. If you are at least 18 years of age and have a right to work in Canada visit www.arise.com/in-canada to find out more.

Q. Do I have to be a legal resident of the United States?

Yes. Arise requires that all individuals seeking to become Client Support Professionals legally reside in the United States, if they are servicing customers based in the United States. However, we also have opportunities for individuals in the United Kingdom and Ireland for customers of clients in those regions.

Q. Why is a National Background Check required and what are the deciding factors in passing?

Arise and its clients have high integrity standards and, thus, no one can become a Client Support Professional if they are convicted, pled guilty or pled no contest to a felony or certain misdemeanor charges (such as fraud). Some clients have more stringent standards with respect to being eligible to service their particular account.

Most traffic violations do not constitute a disqualifying event. The request is submitted to the search partner via the Web. It takes approximately two-business days to receive the results.

Six states require additional background information checks. The six are California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Nevada, South Dakota and Vermont. The cost for these checks is $25.95 instead of the typical $12.95.

Q. How much will my Virtual Services Corporation earn from entering into a business relationship with Arise?

Virtual Services Corporations are paid service fees twice monthly by Arise for the services rendered by its Client Support Professionals. The service fee is usually comprised of a fixed rate ― by call rate — and a variable rate — by minute rate or any combination thereof. Some third shift applications offer a by hour rate. These service fee structures vary by client for either calls answered, transactions processed or minutes serviced each hour. Whether the service fee is paid on a per-call, per-minute or per-hour basis, it generally adds up to between $10 and $14 per hour, with some sales and service applications providing performance incentives and bonuses.

Q. How do I contact the Arise Admissions Department?

You may contact Admissions by sending an e-mail to Admissions@Arise.com, as this typically yields the fastest response time.

You may also call 866-771-0041, Option 1, or visit our Live Chat - 10AM to 5PM, Eastern Time..

Q. What will cause me to fail the background check?

Applicants with the following elements on their background check will not be accepted:

Felony Records: Any records with dispositions of guilty, convicted, no contest / nolo contendere, adjudication withheld / deferred adjudication / probation before judgment (if currently under probation), pending, or outstanding warrant, or that have been negotiated down to a misdemeanor .

Misdemeanor Records: Any records that are classified under any of the following elements:

• Theft / Common Theft (of any kind)/shoplifting

• Possession of drugs

• Prostitution

• Vandalism

• Obstructing justice

• Disorderly conduct

• Assault / Battery

• Breach of the Peace

• Computer Crimes or breaches

If you have any records involving the above with dispositions of guilty, convicted, no contest / nolo contendere, adjudication withheld / deferred adjudication / probation before judgment (if currently under probation), pending, or outstanding warrant, you will not pass.

Q. Can I move to a different location or State and still service Arise?

One of the benefits of being virtual is that you can service Arise’s Clients in any environment that continues to meet our home office requirements and equipment standards. If you are making a permanent or long-term move, we require that you update your contact information on our portal as soon as you can.

Admissions - UK

Q. When and how do I get results during and after completing the admissions process?

At the end of each section, you will receive an e-mail message informing you of your results. Please be sure to check your SPAM mail or JUNK mail folders because in many cases your ISP may mistakenly mark them as spam.

Q. How do I contact the Arise Admissions Department?

You may contact Admissions by sending an e-mail to AriseUKAdmissions@arise.com.

Or you may call 01312002100, 9AM to 9PM GMT

Q. Why is a Background Check required and what are the deciding factors in passing?

The UK Background Check is conducted by Disclosure Scotland.

When your residential address is in the UK and you have lived there for 12 months or more, you can apply for your background check online. If you have lived at your current address for less than 12 months you will have to apply by completing a paper application form that can be downloaded from Disclosure Scotland's website.

Disclosure Scotland processes 90% of background check requests within 14 calendar days and charge £25 for the service. You pay Disclosure Scotland directly using a credit or a debit card.

Admissions - CA

Q. How do I contact the Arise Canada Admissions Department?

You may contact Arise Canada Admissions by sending an e-mail to CAAdmissions@Arise.com, as this typically yields the fastest response time. You may also call 877-253-8737, Option 2, 10AM to 5PM, Eastern Time.

Q. Why do I have to form a Virtual Services Corporation or be affiliate with a Virtual Service Corporation?

We only contract and partner with incorporated companies, which we call Virtual Services Corporations (VSCs). A majority of Arise ACPs (Arise certified Professionals) form their own VSC with which they enter into a Service Agreement with Arise. Alternatively, you may choose to work for an existing VSC that is in good standing as an Arise VSC Partner.

Q. What is the Arise Canada Admissions Process?

The flow chart below describes the admissions and enrollment process.

arise canada admissions process

Q. How long is the process, from admissions to the time I start taking calls?

Once you have completed all the admissions steps which could take you less than 2-3 days, your next step will be to enroll in the Rogers Communications certification course. This certification course takes 5½ weeks. At the end of the 5 ½ weeks you earn Rogers Communication certification and start taking calls.

Q. Why do you require a Criminal History Check? What are the deciding factors in passing?

Arise and its clients have high integrity standards and, to become an Arise Certified Professional (ACP) we require clear criminal checks. Once you become an ACP, there could be additional security standards to meet to be eligible to service certain particular clients. The Background Check is conducted by MyBackCheck.com, Canada’s largest Background Checking provider, and is initiated online.

Q. What will cause me to fail the background check?

Anything causing your criminal record to come back as Not Clear.

Q. Is Arise a member of the BBB?

Arise is member of the BBB in the United States and is applying for membership with the Canadian Better Business Bureau.

Q. Is the personal information requested during the application shared with third parties?

Arise will not sell or share your personal information with third parties without your consent. We hold information provided by applicants and Arise Certified Professionals on secure servers that clients and other third parties do not have access to.

Q. I only have a postal box (no delivery at home). What are my options?

You can use your P.O. Box address for your application for Arise Canada.

Q. What is the approximate total investment (cost) to establish a Virtual Services Corporation?

The average investment ranges from $300 to $400 if your computer is already in compliance with Arise's minimum requirements. This covers the (estimates below):

National Background Check Fee ($29.95)
Incorporation (from $200 – a one-time fee)
High-Speed Internet Access (from $29 for the installation, and $9.95/month – varies by provider)
Dedicated Phone Line (from $29 for the installation, and $9.95/month – varies by provider)
Phone Equipment ($40-75 – varying by model, make and options)
Basic Certification Program ACP101 ($99) *FREE for a limited time!

Of the above stated expenses, only the $99 ACP101 registration fee is payable to Arise to participate in basic certification. The other costs are payable to third-party vendors and not Arise. If you have an existing Incorporated Business, choose to affiliate with a VSC instead of incorporating your own, have High-Speed Internet Access, adequate Phone Equipment and/or a Dedicated Phone Line, you will not need to incur those costs. All prices for third-party products and services are approximate, and for information purposes only. The cost of the Arise Basic Certification Program ACP101 is subject to change.

Q. Why does Arise charge Virtual Services Corporations a semi-monthly service fee?

The Arise service fee is charged for the infrastructure that Arise provides, including the Arise 24-Hour Client Technical Support Help Desk and StarMatic® scheduling system. Arise's semi-monthly service fee is currently $22.50 and is deducted twice a month from your Virtual Services Corporation Service Fees for each servicing Virtual Service Corporation assigned ACP. No Virtual Services Corporation is charged the fee until the first invoice period after it begins providing customer interaction services to its first client. The Arise Service Fee is only applicable when your business is generating revenue of at least $45 for that month.

Q. Are there any limitations on the type of incorporated entity I can use, or on the province/territory of its formation?

No. You may want to consult your accountant or attorney for information on which would be the most beneficial choice for you. You also may research how to form your own incorporated entity on your own. Once you have formed your incorporated entity, Arise Canada requires that you obtain a Business Number (BN) for your corporation and provide it to Arise. We will use the BN to report the payment of HST/GST to the VSC for the services provided.

Q. What is the Business Number (BN)?

The BN is a 9-digit business identifier number assigned by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). It is used by businesses to register CRA accounts with programs such as GST/HST. The BN identifies a business and associated account/s. Information about the CRA BN programs can be found at the CRA website through this link (Press your CTRL key and click the word “link”). In addition, you may use your incorporated entity for other activities not limited to Arise.

Q. What is the approximate total investment (cost) to establish a Virtual Services Corporation?

The total cost to incorporate is from $200 and up. It is payable either to the government entity (i.e. Industry Canada, provincial government agency or the third party vendor of your choice).

Q. Do I need to have liability insurance for my business?

Arise does not require you to have liability insurance for your corporation. Whether you elect to obtain insurance is your choice and business decision that is left entirely to your discretion.

Q. Can I add affiliated ACPs under my corporation?

Yes, you may add up to a maximum of 15 ACPs under your corporation, plus 2 Principals.

Q. How do I find a VSC that is currently accepting affiliating from new ACPs?

One of the ways our ACPs look for a VSC accepting applications is through our Facebook page. Simply look up Arise Virtual Solutions and become a fan to have access to discussions between ACPs and VSC Principals. Please note that the Facebook page also shows US-based VSCs; you cannot be accepted into a US VSC. Please be sure to clarify that you are a Canadian ACP looking for a Canadian VSC.

Q. Is there a cost to joining an established VSC?

Arise does neither get involved nor does it suggest how VSC should conduct business with their ACPs. You would have to discuss the terms of your joining directly with the VSC Principal Owner/Operator.

Q. Does Arise certify agents in every province/territory?

Arise certifies individuals to become Arise Certified Professionals anywhere in Canada.

Q. Will my VSC be paid for the time it spends in the client certification courses?

Arise does not compensate its Virtual Services Corporations for the time spent by their assigned ACPs in client certification courses. Attending the certification course represents a business investment in a revenue-generating opportunity, and the knowledge obtained will contribute to making your business successful. In some cases, Arise offers certification incentives as an additional reward to VSCs which ACPs successfully complete the certification course and service the client.

Q. What kind of Landline and Headset should I get?

Your telephone is the backbone of your VSC’s business and should be both comfortable and easy to use. Arise does not permit the use of VoIP (Voice over IP) Service Providers. Arise only permits the use of single analog telephone lines. No additional services should be on your servicing telephone line.

Minimum

Smith Corona DA-202

Major Telephone Company

Recommended

Smith Corona DA-202

Plantronics S11 Enterpprize

Rogers

Bell Canada, TELUS

Q. Why do we need a dedicated analog phone line?

Inbound calls will come to this line and as such, you need to be 100% available to take calls. The telephone needs to be an analog line and should not have any features such as call waiting, integrated voice mail, long distance, etc. Only you, Arise and your clients should have access to this phone number; as a result, an existing home phone line would not be sufficient.

Q. Can an Arise Certified Professional who moves to a different province still service client applications?

Yes, there are no geographical limitations so long it is still in Canada and you still meet the technology requirements. Note that VSCs may need to update their provincial business registration if they move or start conducting business in a province in which they are not registered at the time.

Q. Can an ACP work full or part time?

You can actually service as many hours as you would like from the minimum required. For example, if the client application requires 20 hours, you can service from 20 hours and up.

Q. Can I have another job or contract with another company while I provide services for Arise clients?

Yes, you certainly can! As an independent contractor you have the freedom to work for other companies while you provide services to Arise Clients. However, we do expect our Virtual Services Corporations to honor their scheduled commitments to our clients and meet all performance standards.

Q. How does Arise pay a Virtual Services Corporation for the services that it renders to an Arise Client? How often?

Virtual Services Corporations are paid a Service Fee by Arise via direct deposit into their corporate bank accounts twice a month on the 22nd (covering the 1st-15th days of the month) and 7th (covering the 16th through last day of the previous month). Arise provides Virtual Services Corporations with a report each payment period. The report is broken down by the fees attributable to the services performed by each Arise Certified Professional employee of your corporation.

Q. How much will my Virtual Services Corporation earn from entering into a business relationship with Arise?

Virtual Services Corporations are paid service fees twice monthly by Arise for the services rendered by its Arise Certified Professionals. The service fee is usually comprised of a fixed rate ― by call rate — and a variable rate — by minute rate or any combination thereof. Some third shift applications offer a by-hour rate. These service fee structures vary by client for either calls answered, transactions processed or minutes serviced each hour. Whether the service fee is paid on a per-call, per-minute or per-hour basis, it generally adds up to between $11.35 and $16 per hour, with some sales and service applications providing performance incentives and bonuses.

Q. If I'm unable to take calls for an extended period, will I lose my status?

No, if you are not under a current Statement of Work, you will not lose your status if you cannot take calls for an extended period of time. However, depending on the length of inactivity, we may require that you sign up for a refresher course to keep you updated with new systems that we may have implemented since the last time you were active.

Q. Does Arise provide benefits?

When you create your corporation, Arise and your VSC will be partnered up in a contracting relationship. As such, Arise does not provide benefits.

Q. Will Arise send me a tax form for my incorporation?

No, Arise will not send you a tax form for your corporation.

Q. Are we responsible for our own taxes, or is this handled automatically?

As the owner of your corporation you are responsible for your own taxes as well as any employment taxes for your Arise Certified Professional employees.

Q. What operating systems do Arise and its clients currently support in Canada?

Below are the minimum Software requirements that must be in place to provide service with Arise.

Operating System

Productivity Suite

Other Applications

Minimum

Windows XP Service Pack 3

Windows 7 (32bit or 64bit)

Microsoft Office 2000

Microsoft Office 2003

Microsoft Office 2007

Internet Explorer 7 or 8

Java 5.0 Update 1

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Recommended

Windows XP Service Pack 3

Windows 7 (32bit or 64bit)

Microsoft Office 2003

Microsoft Office 2007

Internet Explorer 7 or 8

Java 5.0 Update 1

Adobe Acrobat Reader

General

Q. What is a Client Support Professional?

A Client Support Professional (CSP) is an independent business owner who develops and manages his or her own business. A Client Support Professional (CSP) is required to establish an Independent Business in order to contract with Arise under a Master Services Agreement to receive calls from people requesting products or services from Arise clients.

Q. What are the characteristics of the most successful Client Support Professionals?

Successful Client Support Professionals share the following characteristics:

They possess tremendous entrepreneurial skills
They are self-motivated
They are professional and capable of providing a high level of service
They enjoy the freedom that running their own business allows them
They are positive and optimistic
They are tolerant and accepting of differing viewpoints
They are comfortable with numeric reasoning
They log-in on time and honor all time commitments
They have basic computer skills
They are self-motivated and conscientious

Q. How many hours can I work?

Through your VSC you can work as many hours as you desire. However, there is a minimum of 15 hours per week required under the terms of the Statement of Work (‘SOW”) on most client applications.

Q. When can my company begin earning income with Arise?

You can start generating revenue with Arise as soon as your Arise Certified employee successfully certifies on an application. The entire process – from expressing interest through course completion – may take two (2) or more weeks, which includes signing the Statement of Work (SOW).

Q. What is the process to become an Arise Certified Porfessional and entering into a business relationship with Arise?

The process is as follows:
1. Create a profile.
2. Take an Ideal Match Assessment test.
3. Pass a Background Check.
4. Pass our Basic Certification Course (ACP101).
5. Incorporate your business.
6. Sign our Master Services Agreement.

Q. What criteria must be satisfied to become an Independent Business Owner?

The criteria are as follows:

Become a Client Support Professional.
Become an Independent Business Owner (including EIN number and W9 in the USA).
Set up a home office that meets our technology requirements and other specifications.
Open a corporate bank account.
Sign the Master Services Agreement.

Q. Explain what you mean by flexible scheduling. Do I choose the client I would like to service, or does Arise choose for me?

Imagine being able to select the clients you will service AND be able to select the number of hours and when you will service EACH WEEK!

As a Client Support Professional providing customer interaction services through your Independent Business, you choose the clients and the applications you wish to service from the list of available certification courses for which you are qualified.

Q. Why would I choose to become an Independent Business Owner and enter into a business relationship with Arise rather than just become an employee of another work-at-home company?

There are tremendous benefits for you as an Independent Business Owner. You are free to choose the clients you wish to service. You determine when and how often you work within the guidelines of a service contract. (Read “Independent Business Owner vs. Employee” for more information.). Your home office business expenses can be tax-deductible. You can add employees to your Independent Business to generate additional income.

Our clients have found that small business entrepreneurs provide higher quality service, which attracts at large number of prestigious, Fortune 500 companies to Arise. As such, Arise will not contract with an individual to provide customer interaction services.

Q. Do I need to form a new incorporated entity if I already have a pre-existing corporation?

No. You may use a pre-existing incorporated entity. You must, however, own at least 50% of the capital stock or other equity interest in the incorporated entity.

Q. Can I service Arise clients as an Independent Business Owner?

Yes. You can become a Client Support Professional and seek employment with an Independent Business owned by others.

Q. Is it possible to switch clients, if for whatever reason, it is not a good match?

You would be able to switch from one client to another by successfully completing a certification course for a new client application. Normally, a Virtual Services Corporation employee will service the initial client application through the Statement of Work contracted service period (typically 90 days), and choose to decline service for the next service period when offered. The Virtual Services Corporation employee may express interest in another client offering while servicing the current client as long as they continue to adhere to the SOW requirements. While not recommended, Virtual Services Corporations are also eligible to express interest in a new client opportunity while currently enrolled in another client opportunity as long as the times are not conflicting.

Q. This opportunity will be replacing my full-time job. Are the Service Fees competitive to a full-time job?

This opportunity is very competitive. The amount of money your Virtual Services Corporation (“VSC”) can earn will depend on the amount of time you want to work and your performance. In fact, many of our clients offer extra incentives for good performance.

Q. Who do you give your dedicated phone number used to service Arise clients to? Arise or the client?

You will only need to provide your phone number(s) to Arise.

Q. Can we use our corporation for unrelated businesses?

Yes. You may use your corporation for unrelated businesses.

Q. Does Arise pay for client classes?

No. Arise does not pay for client classes. You are responsible for all certification costs.

Q. Why do I have to pay for certification?

This opportunity is a business-to-business (B-to-B) relationship. As a business owner, you are responsible for any investment related to the operation of the business and that includes the cost of certification.

Q. If a client certification costs more, will the amount of the service fees paid to a VSC going to be higher?

No. A higher cost for a client certification class does not necessarily mean that the application service fees paid to a VSC will be higher.

Q. Is a Client Support Professional an actual employee of your company or are they independent contractors?

All Client Support Professionals are employees of an independent incorporated business (the Independent Business Owner). Client Support Professionals are therefore not employees of Arise.

Q. Are there required meetings at the corporate facility (or anywhere)?

There are no required meetings at the corporate office.

Q. Do any clients require services in other languages?

From time to time, we get clients that request service in other languages. Those opportunities are usually announced as they become available.

Q. Is there any guarantee I will be selected for a client opportunity?

There is no guarantee that you will be selected for a client opportunity. Your selection for a client opportunity will depend on your experience and whether you meet the qualifications required by the client.

Q. Can you choose customer service or sales opportunities?

Yes. Depending on your experience, you may choose a customer or sales opportunity. (Other requirements may apply.)

Q. Can I have employees under my corporation? If yes, how many?

Yes. You can have as many employees as you desire under your corporation but Virtual Services Corporations are restricted to two principal owners. A Virtual Services Corporation can only have four Client Support Professional Employees providing services on any one Arise application at the same time. Independent Business Owners that demonstrate a propensity for managing their business may be asked to join the “Super VSC” program in which these ACP employee restrictions are lifted.

Q. Does Arise have a contractor relations department to address business-related issues?

Yes. Arise has dedicated a department to address your Virtual Services Corporation concerns and can be accessed once the admissions process is completed, through the Arise Resolution Center.

Q. What determines if I can take Customer Service, Technical Support, or Sales calls (or a combination of any/all)?

Your selection to a Customer Service, Sales, or Technical Support opportunity will be based on the credentials given when you created the profile as well as the results in the Ideal Match Assessment test. (Other requirements may apply.)

General - UK

Q. Are there any limitations on the type of incorporated entity I can use?

You must join or form a Limited Company. You may want to consult your accountant for information on how to proceed. Alternatively you can contact one of the following Accountancy Firms that are keen to work with UK ACPs http://www.arise.com/potential-accountancy-firms/. You also may research how to form your own incorporated entity on your own.

Q. Are we responsible for our own taxes, or is this handled automatically?

As the owner of your corporation you are responsible for your own taxes as well as any for your Client Support Professional employees.

Q. How does Arise pay a Virtual Services Corporation for the services that it renders to an Arise Client? How often?

Virtual Services Corporations are paid a Service Fee by Arise via direct deposit into their corporate bank accounts once a month on the 9th (covering the entire month). If the 9th of the month falls on a weekend or public holiday, the funds are made available the next business day. Arise provides Virtual Services Corporations with a report each payment period. The report is broken down by the fees attributable to the services performed by each Client Support Professional employee of your corporation.

General - US

Q. Are there any limitations on the type of incorporated entity I can use, or on the state of its formation?

No. You may want to consult your accountant or attorney for information on which would be the most beneficial choice for you. You also may research how to form your own incorporated entity on your own. Once you have formed your incorporated entity, you will need to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, you may use your incorporated entity for other activities not limited to Arise.

Please note LLCs are acceptable!

Q. What is the approximate total investment (cost) to establish an Independent Business?

The average investment ranges from $250 to $600 if your computer is already in compliance with Arise's minimum requirements. This covers the (estimates below):

National Background Check Fee ($12.95 in most states, $25.95 in CA, CO, MA, NV, VT or SD)
Incorporation (approx. $100)
High-Speed Internet Access ($50/month)
Phone Equipment ($35-100)
Dedicated Phone Line ($18-30/month)
Basic Certification Program ACP101 ($99)

Of the above stated expenses, only the $99 ACP101 registration fee is payable to Arise to participate in basic certification. The other costs are payable to third-party vendors unrelated to Arise. Client certification programs range from $30 to $225 and are payable to Arise. Many of the client opportunities are comprised of a deferred payment plan, whereby a portion of the certification class is paid after successfully completing the course.

All prices and fees quoted are subject to change. Some may vary by state or vendor. You may use an existing corporation if you have one already established.

Q. How does Arise pay an Independent Business Owner for the services that it renders to an Arise Client? How often?

Independent Business Owners are paid a Service Fee by Arise via direct deposit into their corporate bank accounts twice a month on the 22nd (covering the 1st-15th days of the month) and 7th (covering the 16th through last day of the previous month). Arise provides Independent Business Owners with a report each payment period. The report is broken down by the fees attributable to the services performed by each Client Support Professional employee of your corporation.

Q. Why does Arise charge Independent Business Owners a semi-monthly service fee?

The ARISE® service fee is charged for the infrastructure that Arise provides, including the ARISE® 24-Hour Client Technical Support Help Desk and STARMATIC® scheduling system and WILLOW® accounting services. Arise's semi-monthly service fee is currently $19.75 and is deducted twice a month from your Independent Business Owner Service Fees for each servicing Independent Business Owner employee. No Independent Business Owner is charged the fee until the first invoice period after it begins providing customer interaction services to its first client.

Q. Will Arise send me a W-9 form for my incorporation?

No. Arise will not send you a W-9 form for your corporation. When you get to that step, you will be provided a Web link that takes you to a form you can fill out and submit online.

Q. Do I need to have liability insurance for my business?

Arise does not require you to have liability insurance for your corporation. Whether you elect to obtain insurance is your choice and business decision that is left entirely to your discretion.

Q. Are we responsible for our own taxes, or is this handled automatically?

As the owner of your corporation you are responsible for your own taxes as well as any employment taxes for your Client Support Professional employees. Please see our webpage http://www.arise.com/potential-accountancy-firms/ for a list of Accountancy firms who are keen to work directly with Arise UK ACP's.

Q. Is Arise a member of the BBB?

Yes. Arise has an A+ rating as a member of the Better Business Bureau.

Q. I only have a rural P.O. Box (no delivery at home). What are my options?

You can use your P.O. Box address for your application. However, some states may require the use of a home address for the incorporation application.

Q. Is the personal information requested during the application shared with third parties?

Arise will not sell or share your personal information with third parties without your consent. We hold information provided by applicants and Arise Certified Professionals on a secure server that our clients do not have access to.

Q. Can I have another job or contract with another company while I provide services for Arise clients?

Q. How long before I can start servicing Arise clients?

Once you have completed all the admissions steps, your next step will be to enroll in a client certification course of your choice. Our courses may take between two to six weeks depending on the client selected.

Q. Will my VSC be paid for the time it spends in the client certification courses?

Arise does not compensate its Virtual Services Corporations for the time spent in client certification course as it considers that the knowledge obtained while attending the certification course will contribute in making your business successful. In some cases, certification bonuses are offered for VSCs that complete the certification course and service their selected client.

Q. What type of services can my Virtual Service Corporation (VSC) provide for your clients?

Our clients offer a wide variety of programs that you can certify your home business for. Our Client services are not limited to just taking or making calls, your business can also chose to provide email, chat or technical support to our Clients. Our inbound or outbound call types may include any or a combination of the following: sales, customer service, technical support and lead generation. Once you become an Arise Certified Professional, you can check the “Opportunity Page” on our portal to learn about the client programs and call types available to your Virtual Services Corporation.

Q. If I'm unable to take calls for an extended period, will I lose my status?

Q. Does Arise certify agents in every state?

Arise certifies individuals to become Client Support Professionals in the United States and in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Technical requirements

Technical requirements - US

Q. What are the minimum computer requirements?

Processor: 1.4 GHZ or better (2 GB RAM or better RECOMMENDED) If upgrading from a slower processor, consider purchasing a new system. It is usually more cost effective.

Hard Drive: 80 GB with at least 15GB of free space
CD-ROM : 48X Speed CD-ROM R/W, R/W DVD, or a 3 1/2
Sound Card & Speakers: 32-bit sound card and a pair of desktop speakers, 19 inch or larger monitor

Technical requirements - UK

Q. Do I need any headsets?

Yes. You will need two headsets with a microphone. Specifically, you need a telephone headset (to service the calls hands free) and a VoIP Headset (Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) which connects to your computer (to complete the admissions process). You may not use wireless phones, wireless headsets or any combination thereof.

You do not need to use a specific brand, but we recommend using a good quality brand such as Logitech, Plantronics, Sennheiser or Creative headsets.

Q. What operating systems do Arise and its clients currently support in the UK?

Operating Systems: Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, or Windows 2000 Professional, 32-bit and 64-bit only with the latest service pack installed. Windows Vista Professional and Windows Vista Home. The use of Windows 7, 32-bit and 64 bit operating systems are permitted on over 80% and 50% of our opportunities respectively. Please refer to the Opportunity Announcement Document for specific requirements. Please visit Windows Update to ensure all critical updates are installed.

Supported Anti-Virus Software: (One of the below anti-Virus versions must be installed, activated and updated with the latest virus definitions at all times)

Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus (8.x) (Free edition, Recommended)
McAfee Internet Security (6.x - 8.x)
McAfee VirusScan (8.x - 10.x)
Norton AntiVirus 2004 - 2006 (10.x - 12.x)
Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition (7.x)
Norton Internet Security (7.x – 8.x)
Symantec AntiVirus (9.x - 10.x)
Symantec Client Security (9.x - 10.x)

Q. What are the technical requirements?

We have put a PDf document together, which outlines all the technical requirements. You can click here to download that document.

Q. How do I contact Arise technical support?

When you are logged in the portal, click on “Contact Support” at the top of the screen, and select “Live Tech Support Chat”.

Technical support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Q. What type of phone line do I need?

To service clients, you are required to use a standard analog phone line similar to those provided by BT and Virgin.

The telephone line should have no functionality such as Call Waiting, Voice Mail, or Caller ID.

VoIP/Mobile phone lines are not suitable for servicing Arise clients, and are therefore prohibited.

Q. I have a telephone line that I do not use, can I use this line?

If you do not use your existing telephone line, you can make it your dedicated telephone line. You will need to ensure that there are no functionalities such as Call Waiting, Voice mail or Caller ID on the line.

Technical

Q. What are the Internet connectivity requirements?

DSL or Cable Modem: DSL or cable fast access Internet service is a requirement. No Satellite connections or connections to a Wireless Home Network at any time with your computer used to work your Arise Clients.

Back up ISP: A back up ISP is required. It can be a dial up as long as it is not the same provider as your primary ISP.

Q. What are the specific requirements on the dedicated landline telephone?

Telephone Line: Standard POTS phone line dedicated to your business with no special features. In other words, you can only have touchtone and dial tone phones. (No VOIP, fax or answering machines/services are allowed and no one should have this number other than your client and Arise.)

Q. Can I use my existing home telephone to receive calls?

No. You need a separate landline telephone dedicated to receiving Arise incoming calls. This line cannot be used for any other incoming or outgoing personal calls. Arise does require you to provide us a separate contact telephone number. In addition, no one should have this phone number other than Arise.

Q. Will I need to call long distance?

No. Long distance calls will not be necessary.

Q. Can my cell phone be used for incoming calls?

No. Arise will not support cell phones due to security reasons.

Q. Can I use my laptop to serve Arise clients?

Yes. You can use your laptop to service Arise clients as long as your laptop meets the minimum computer requirements.

Technical - US

Q. What operating systems do Arise and its clients currently support in the US?

Note: WINDOWS VISTA IS NOT CURRENTLY SUPPORTED

Operating Systems: Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home, or Windows 2000 Professional, 32-bit and 64-bit only with the latest service pack installed. The use of Windows 7, 32-bit and 64 bit operating systems are permitted on over 90% and 60% of our opportunities respectively. Please refer to the Opportunity Announcement Document for specific requirements. Most new computer models that come with 64 bit, will include the software to allow you to run it on 32 bit mode if needed. Please visit Windows Update to ensure all critical updates are installed.

Supported Anti-Virus Software: (One of the below anti-Virus versions must be installed, activated and updated with the latest virus definitions at all times)

Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus (8.x) (Free edition, Recommended)
McAfee Internet Security (6.x - 8.x)
McAfee VirusScan (8.x - 10.x)
Norton AntiVirus 2004 - 2006 (10.x - 12.x)
Norton AntiVirus Corporate Edition (7.x)
Norton Internet Security (7.x – 8.x)
Symantec AntiVirus (9.x - 10.x)
Symantec Client Security (9.x - 10.x)

The Basics

The Basics - UK

Q. What is homeshoring?

Homeshoring is the name given to the practice of transferring service industry work out of offices and call centres to home-based workers.

The New York Times described homeshoring as "a sibling of offshoring... but while offshoring uses agents in call centers based overseas, homeshoring literally keeps agents at home, where technology has enabled them to work."

Q. What is Arise?

Arise is the only homeshoring organisation in the United Kingdom whose business model depends on people just like you: entrepreneurial self-starters who have a desire to manage their own time and workload.

Thousands of Independent Business Owners have affiliated with Arise, because we make it easy to find rewards for your hard work, service well-known brands, and balance your career with your personal life – all from the convenience of your home office.

Q. What are the benefits of becoming an Arise UK Certified Professional?

Once you become an Arise UK Certified Professional, you will have:

1. The flexibility to service Arise’s clients from the comfort of your own home at the times that you choose.

2. The ability to set your own schedule in half hour increments and to plan your work around your personal life and other commitments.

Q. What does the work involve?

You will choose the client you wish to service. The work typically consists in taking inbound customer calls involving customer service. There can be an element of sales involved.

Current opportunities are visible on the Arise portal once you have completed the Admissions process. Opportunity announcements are also sent out via email to those who have completed Admissions. Please take a look at these in detail before expressing interest, as they will give you further information about client specific certification classes and an idea of the kind of work involved with the specific client.

Q. What is an ACP?

CSP stands for Client Support Professional. What that means is an individual who has gone through the initial assessment steps (detailed in the What does the admissions process involve? section, below), and who has successfully completed the ACP101 Basic Certification program (see below for more details).

Once an individual has ACP Certification it means they are ready to set up their VSC (see below) and be matched with a client.

Q. What is a VSC?

VSC stands for Virtual Services Corporations.

A Virtual Services Corporation is simply an incorporated entity (for example, a Limited Company) that you own, and through which you will operate your business.

You can read more details in the 'Setting up a limited company' section.

Earnings and hours

Earnings and hours - UK

Q. How much money can I expect to make?

Independent Business Owners receive payment from Arise UK for services rendered in any one of three ways: per call, per talked minute, or per hour.

All of these methods should result in an average hourly rate of £6 to £11 per hour.

Of course, rates will vary from client to client, and some opportunities will include a bonus or incentive for achieving established targets

Q. How many hours can I work?

Every opportunity will have a minimum number of hours that each ACP will be required to service per week. This will depend upon the actual needs of the client.

The minimum requirement is normally 20 hours per week, but varies from client to client. For some client applications, the minimum may be lowered to 15 hours per week.

Some clients might require that a small amount of hours be serviced on weekends.

Q. How do I get paid?

Arise UK Certified Professionals will be paid in any one of three ways: per call, per talked minute or per hour.

Payments will work out at an average hourly rate of £6 to £11 per hour performance based.

You will find payment details for the individual client in the relevant Opportunity Announcement.

Payments are processed monthly, on the 9th of each month or the nearest working day thereafter.

Payments are made by direct deposit into the VSC’s business bank account.

Q. If I have booked hours and no calls come through, do I still receive payment for that shift?

Arise manages the call volume by making shifts available to a different number of ACPs depending on the volume of calls expected for a particular shift, to ensure that all ACPs receive a high volume of calls when servicing.

ACPs can expect to be on calls between 85% and 95% of the time they are logged in our systems.

Q. Am I guaranteed a certain number of hours?

Hours are posted weekly and you will book your schedule on a first-come, first-served basis.

For this reason, Arise cannot guarantee a minimum number of hours; however, ACPs do not usually have any difficulties finding the hours that they require to work.

You can certify for more than one client to ensure a maximum number of hours is available to you.

Q. Is it possible to take time off?

While the Statement of Work will specify the minimum weekly commitment for the application, Arise understand that on occasion, you will not be able to service due to emergencies or other commitments.

You should advise us that you will not be servicing for a period of time and will not book any shifts for the period in question.

Please keep in mind that as an independent contractor, the decision not to service is yours; however, failure to meet the contractual metrics may negatively affect the VSC’s standing.

If you are not servicing for 30 consecutive days or more, you might be required to complete the certification class again.

Q. Do I get paid holidays/sick leave?

Arise is not an employment opportunity. ACPs can take time off but will not receive service fees for the time not servicing.

As an independent contractor, the decision not to service is yours; however, failure to meet the contractual metrics may negatively affect the VSC’s standing.

Q. How much tax will I have to pay on my earnings?

How much tax you pay will, of course, depend on how much you earn. Unfortunately, Arise cannot offer financial advice.

However there are some great resources out there to help you with your tax questions:

hmrc.gov.uk

taxaid.org.uk

thisismoney.co.uk

Q. Can I change my schedule at short notice?

You can release hours at short notice if necessary.

We ask all ACPs to release hours no less than 48 hours in advance.

If hours need to be released at shorter notice, this is possible however it may affect your metrics.

Additionally, we provide all ACPs with the ability to “swap” shifts – if a successful swap occurs, there is no negative impact on your metrics.

It is also possible to book extra hours at short notice.

Q. Can I service calls for multiple clients?

Many ACPs are certified and service the calls for multiple clients.

The ACP cannot attend two client certification classes at the same time and can service one client per interval.

Q. Can I service outside the UK?

Arise UK offers service opportunities in the United Kingdom only.

Arise UK is currently not available outside of the UK however the opportunity may become open to other countries in the future.

Please check our website regularly or become a fan of our Facebook page to keep updated on Arise announcements.

Start up costs and other expenses

Start up costs and other expenses - UK

Q. Are there any start up costs involved?

There are no sign up fees payable to Arise, but as with starting any new business, there are costs involved.

These will vary based on the equipment you already have; providing you already have a computer and a broadband connection, other start up costs will include:

• Background Check - £25

• ACP101 Basic Certification Course - £15

• Limited Company - Up to £40

• Dedicated Phone Line - £30 to £125 (Many of you will have this already)

• Telephone keypad & headset - Up to £50

• Client Specific Certification Course - Free for some clients, but a fee payable for certain clients attracting higher rates of pay or a higher certification bonus - Usually between £50- £100

We’ve put together a PDF document to help you get more information on the equipment you’ll need, you can download it by clicking here.

Q. How much is the Arise monthly service fee?

The Arise UK Monthly Service Fee of £20 will be deducted from your monthly VSC payment prior to direct deposit. This fee covers the use of Arise's technology systems.

The Monthly Service Fee is only payable once you start servicing. If you earned less than £20 in the month, you will not be charged the service fee.

Setting up a Limited Company

Setting up a Limited Company - UK

Q. Why do I need a Limited Company?

The Arise model is based on a business-to-business model and we only contract with Limited Companies, which we call Virtual Services Corporations.

You will not be employed by Arise, instead you will run your own company and work alongside Arise to build your own business.

Q. How do I set up a Limited Company?

If you already have an existing Limited Company that you are a principle owner of, you may use this to contract with Arise UK.

If you don’t have a Limited Company you can establish one through Companies House. Their website is http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk.

You may also set up a Limited Company by going through a company formation agent. You can find links to several company formation providers on at http://www.arise.com/uk-how-arise-works.

Alternatively you can contact one of the following Accountnacy firms http://www.arise.com/potential-accountancy-firms/ who are keen to work directly with UK ACP's and can help you set up your limited company.

You also have the option to operate under an existing Virtual Service Corporations that is already contracting with Arise, in which case you will not be required to set up your own limited company.

Arise does not recommend any particular VSCs, however, you can get in contact with VSCs contracting with Arise by visiting the Sureboom site.

You can also email AriseUKinfo@arise.com to request a copy of the Small Business Owner's Guide. You may find this helpful in establishing your Limited Company.

http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php also has a good database of information on how to start your own business.

Q. Do I need to set up a business bank account or can I use my personal account?

If you operate under your own limited company, you will be required to set up a business bank account in the name of your limited company.

Arise cannot process payments to a personal bank account. You will need to provide us with the banking details before you can be contracted.

The admissions process

The admissions process - UK

Q. What experience do I need before I can apply?

There is no specific experience required to start the admissions process with Arise.

The admissions process includes online assessments as well as live telephone assessments to establish the candidate’s suitability.

Q. What does the admissions process involve?

Your first step in becoming an Arise UK Certified Professional is to complete an online profile, if you have not done so already. Please also ensure that you have completed your credentials.

We would recommend revieiwing the Arise UK workstation requirements prior to beginning the Admissions process. You can find those requirements here: PDF document.

Once you have completed your profile, you may begin the Admissions process. The Admissions process is comprised of:

Voice Assessment: This step gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your voice quality where you will be asked to call a phone number and submit a quick recording.

PASS Telephone Screening: Once we have reviewed your Voice Assessment, you will receive an email with details on how to arrange a telephone assessment with one of our admissions specialists. This interview will assess whether you have the relevant competencies required to become an ACP with Arise.

Background Check: Arise UK and its clients have high integrity standards.All candidates are required to provide us with a copy of a clear Criminal Record Background check. You will be directed to the Disclosure Scotland website to order a Basic disclosure. It takes approximately 14 calendar days to receive the results. You will need to supply Arise with a copy of this document to complete the Admissions process, however you can also temporarily move through to the next stage (ACP101) using only the ‘Application Reference Number’ which is provided by Disclosure Scotland upon application. This ensures no delay in completing the admissions process.

Some clients have more stringent standards with respect to being eligible to service their particular account and will perform internal checks. Most traffic violations do not constitute a disqualifying event.

Arise reserves the right to remove any ACP from an application if an updated background check comes back with a disqualifying event.

ACP101: ACP101 Basic Certification is an on line, self-paced certification program that covers the skills and knowledge necessary for an individual to perform customer representative services from a remote location.

You will have seven calendar days to complete the course after you have enrolled and will be able to access the course 24 hours a day, seven days a week during your seven-calendar day enrollment.

Limited Company: Arise only contracts with Limited Companies, which we call Virtual Service Corporations (VSCs). Should you have an existing Limited Company that you are a principle owner of, you may use this to contract with Arise UK. Limited Companies can be established through Companies House. Their website is: www.companieshouse.gov.uk.

You may also set up a limited company by going through a company formation agent. You can find links to several company formation providers on our website.

You also have the option to operate under an existing Virtual Service Corporation that is already contracting with Arise, in which case you will not be required to set up a limited company yourself.

Arise does not recommend specific VSCs, however, you can get in contact with VSCs currently contracting with Arise, and who are taking on ACPs, by visiting the Sureboom website

Client Security Check: Certain clients request additional information on ACPs to run internal security checks prior to giving full and live access to their internal systems. On a small number of occasions, they may refuse an ACP access to servicing their account.

Q. I have completed admissions. What is the next step?

Once you have successfully completed all the admissions steps, you can express interest and enroll in a Client Specific Certification Course.

Most courses cover client specific applications, policy, procedures and systems.

Details of these classes can be found on the Arise Portal once you have completed admissions.

Q. I have failed part of the Admissions process. What is my next step?

If you are unsuccessful during the admissions process, you will be notified via email and your profile inactivated.

If you wish to reapply, you will need to wait for 90 days before your account can be reset. Once the 90 day period has elapsed, please contact us to request for your account to be reset. You account cannot be reset before this period has elapsed.

Q. I already have a background check, can I use it?

Arise will accept an existing disclosure if it is less than 3 months old from the date you start the admissions process.

If it was not issued by Disclosure Scotland, please scan and e-mail it to AriseUKadmissions@arise.com or fax it to: 00353 6568 40013. We will review it and confirm if we can accept it.

Q. If I have any convictions, will this stop me from continuing with the admissions process?

Any unspent conviction reported on the background check will prevent you from proceeding with the admissions process. Driving convictions would not generally be taken into consideration.

Q. I received my disclosure back from Disclosure Scotland. What do I need to do?

You can send us a scanned copy of your background check issued by Disclosure Scotland. You may email it to us at AriseUKadmissions@arise.com or fax it to us on 00353 6568 40013.

Q. How do I gain access to ACP 101?

Once you have completed the Voice Assessment and PASS Telephone Screening, you will be able to gain access to ACP 101 by clicking on “Enter Background Check Number” and entering the disclosure application number (without the first 2 zeros) in the box provided.

This will give you access to ACP 101 immediately.

Q. I have completed admissions, but no classes are available. What should I do?

Classes are announced based on the business need of our clients.

ACPs that have completed the admissions process will be notified of new classes by e-mail.

ACPs should also check the portal regularly.

Q. I have seen a class on which I would like to enroll. What next?

Once a class is announced on our portal that you would like to attend, you will need to enroll and in most cases pay the enrollment fee. This is a client specific payment that varies depending on both the client and type of class, and is normally offset by the certification bonus payable on course completion.

Client certification class lengths vary from client to client and are typically 2 to 8 weeks long, depending on applications.

Q. Where and when are classes held?

All Certification Classes are online with a combined approach of instructor led and self-paced curriculum. You will attend class from home.

The opportunity announcement will specify when the classes are held, however, we typically schedule classes to start at different times of the day to accommodate as many candidates as possible.

They usually take place in the evenings and can also be held in the morning and/or afternoons.

Full attendance is required for the duration of the class- if you miss a class, you will be dropped from it and will need to re-enroll in a subsequent class; you will also be required to pay again as your dropping out will have prevented another candidate from attending the class.

Admissions / Getting Started

Admissions / Getting Started - US

Q. Can I use the wireless network in my home to complete the admissions process?

Wireless networks are not supported within the admissions process. In addition, as an Arise Certified Professional (ACP) you will not be allowed to use any wireless connections to provide service to you client applications. Please see the Technical Requirements FAQs for additional details.

Arise

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Admissions - US

Admissions - UK

Admissions - CA

General - UK

General - US

Technical requirements - US

Technical requirements - UK

Technical - US

The Basics - UK

Earnings and hours - UK

Start up costs and other expenses - UK

Setting up a Limited Company - UK

The admissions process - UK

Admissions / Getting Started - US

Admissions

Admissions - US

Admissions - UK

Admissions - CA

General

General - UK

General - US

Technical requirements

Technical requirements - US

Technical requirements - UK

Technical

Technical - US

The Basics

The Basics - UK

Earnings and hours

Earnings and hours - UK

Start up costs and other expenses

Start up costs and other expenses - UK

Setting up a Limited Company

Setting up a Limited Company - UK

The admissions process

The admissions process - UK

Admissions / Getting Started

Admissions / Getting Started - US

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