At the end of this article, you will understand what a good outsourcing firm looks like. This knowledge will help you differentiate the great from the good (not to mention the bad) outsourcing firms.

What Is Finance and Accounting Outsourcing?

Finance and accounting outsourcing is the delegation of some of your firm’s finance and accounting services to a third-party service provider.

Companies do this to buy back time to channel their resources where they prefer, instead of trying to do everything internally.

Differences between outsourcing, offshoring, and shared services

Outsourcing: Outsourcing allows you to contract a third-party team of accounting professionals to handle some of your processes or tasks.

To ensure value for your money, you’ll have to define expectations for the outsourcing partner, which may be located abroad or in the same country.

Offshoring: With offshoring, you also delegate your services to another firm, but this firm is located in another country.

This is usually done to take advantage of lower labor costs abroad (think India). You can either offshore to an existing firm in another country or build a subsidiary in another country.

Shared Services: In a shared services model, an organization’s finance and accounting department serves multiple units or departments in the organization.

The service provider in shared services is not a third-party firm like in an outsourcing relationship. It is fully owned and controlled by the organization.

Top Benefits of Finance and Accounting Outsourcing for Modern Firms

• Cost Savings: Cost is the primary motivation for 59% of outsourced finance and accounting services because it reduces salary budgets.
• Efficiency: About 24% of accounting business owners admit to outsourcing their services to improve efficiency by using external expertise.
• Scale: Outsourcing allows firm owners to find more talent to take on more clients and grow their firms.

Top Countries for Finance and Accounting Outsourcing: India vs. Philippines

• Cost

India: Thanks to lower cost of living and differences in currencies, labor costs in India are as low as $5-$15 per hour for outsourced finance and accounting services, depending on the complexity of the task and expertise required.

Philippines: In the Philippines, labor costs are slightly higher. Outsourced finance and accounting services are accessible at $7-$20 per hour, depending on the complexity of the task and the expertise required.

• Talent Pool

India: With 400,000 CAs, which are equivalent to CPAs, India is full of BPO professionals trained in global accounting standards (GAAP, IFRS, IRS), advanced accounting technology (QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, etc..), and complex accounting tasks.

The Indian outsourcing workforce is more skilled in technical and analytical processes, making them highly suited to financial reporting, tax preparation, and other finance and accounting tasks.

Philippines: The finance and outsourcing talent pool in the Philippines is smaller in volume and less advanced in technical expertise and technological capabilities than that of India. Still, the 200,000 finance and accounting professionals make the Philippines a great place to outsource your accounting services.

However, the Philippines’ BPO professionals are more specialized in communication and client-facing roles (customer support, call center, etc.).

Time Zone Benefits

India: The Indian time zone (UTC+5:30) is about 4.5 hours ahead of the European time zone and about 9-10 hours ahead of the US.

This gives firms in Western markets the advantage of overnight service. Tasks assigned in their business day get completed by the next morning.

Philippines: The Philippines’ time zone (UTC+8) aligns with businesses in Australia, but is less aligned with European businesses. It is (12-13 hours ahead of the US, which enables US firms to provide 24/7 client service.

Security

India: Reputable outsourcing firms in India invest in specialized offshoring centers that comply with India data regulation frameworks like the DPDP Act 2023, IT Act, and SPDI Rules. These regulations comply with data privacy and security standards and certifications like GDPR, ISO 2700, and SOC II.

That is why global finance and accounting firms like Deloitte are rushing to India for their outsourcing solutions.

Philippines: The Philippines also has a BPO industry that ensures data security with regulations like the Data Privacy Act of 2012, which aligns with global standards like GDPR and ISO.

Government interventions through the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have also made it a secure environment for global brands like Amazon.

Language Fluency

India: As the second-largest English-speaking country in the world, business and education are conducted in English, enabling Indian finance and accounting professionals to communicate numbers and technical concepts fluently.

Philippines: The Philippines is culturally linked with the United States, and it shows in the fluency of their English language communication. Their 92.5% proficiency rate and neutral accent make them ideal for client-facing roles, such as communication and client support.

What Services Do Outsourced Finance and Accounting Companies Offer?

Bookkeeping

Outsourced finance and accounting companies understand what it takes to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance by recording and organizing sales, purchases, receipts, and payments information.

Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable(AP/AR)

Finance and Accounting outsourcing firms are also skilled in ensuring the timely payment of the money your client owes (Accounts Payable). They also understand the techniques to help clients collect what they are owed to maximize vendor relationships and facilitate positive cash flow.

CFO Services

Apart from lower-level accounting and bookkeeping tasks, outsourced accounting professionals have the expertise to provide strategic financial leadership through financial planning, analysis, and decision-making.

Payroll

With knowledge of global payroll regulations, your outsourcing partner can help your clients calculate wages, taxes, and manage employee compensation in compliance with relevant labor and tax laws.

Tax Preparation

Reputable outsourcing companies (especially those in India) use CPAs, who are knowledgeable and up-to-date with global tax laws (like IRS regulations). 

This enables them to prepare and file tax returns for individuals, businesses, or organizations, ensuring compliance with tax laws and maximizing deductions.

Financial Reporting

You can also outsource the preparation of detailed financial statements and reports to provide your clients with the insights they need to meet regulatory or stakeholder requirements.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Company?

Average rates (India vs. US vs. Philippines)

India: Finsmart Accounting’s rates are $2600/month for a dedicated professional with 160 hours of work per month. Its hourly rate is $20 per hour. Check its pricing page for more information.

Philippines: In the Philippines, monthly rates are accessible at $3,500. Hourly rates are $25/hour.

United States: You need around $5,000 to get accounting professionals, and hourly rates are available at $36/hour.

Factors affecting pricing

• Service Type

Since the complexity of a service determines the level of training and expertise required to complete it, it is only natural that the depth of work your service requires determines the amount you pay for it.

• Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Similarly, the scope and conditions of your service will determine the time and other resources required to complete it.

The longer a project takes and the expertise required, the higher the cost of outsourcing it.

• Compliance

Your client’s compliance needs are another factor. Industries like software-as-a-service (SaaS) require mastery of revenue recognition and deferred payment, which can make financial reporting more difficult (and prices higher) than other industries.

Top 10 Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Companies in 2025

• Finsmart Accounting

Finsmart Accounting provides outsourced finance and accounting services to accounting firms, CPAs, CFOs, and multinational corporations (MNCs) in the US, UK, Australia, Etc.

Its accounting experts combine AI technology with human judgment to ensure client satisfaction through timely (and accurate) service delivery and attention to detail.

Its services include bookkeeping, AR/AP, payroll, tax planning and preparation, audit support, virtual CFO, NetSuite-driven automation, and financial reporting.

“The Sales Tax report is done quarterly, requiring a complex pivot table and great attention to detail. Your team executed this with excellence, saving me significant time. I was very impressed with the work and the overall results.”

Nikki, Thrive Business Services

• InDinero

InDinero provides Bookkeeping, AR/AP, payroll, CFO advisory, business tax, technology implementation, and business intelligence services to clients in Tech, professional services, nonprofits, e-commerce, and healthcare businesses.

“The team is incredibly knowledgeable & responsive. They have streamlined our complete accounting, booking, and tax-filing process, allowing us to have a lean finance team and focus on the core part of our business. Furthermore, the team understands the cross-country accounting rules that only a handful of firms do. They help us sleep well at night, knowing that the accounting part of the organization is under control.”

Kishan Gupta, CEO of UXCam

• QX Global Group

QX Global Group is a finance, recruitment, and accounting outsourcing company that seeks to

transform business operations to enable firm owners in the UK, US, Canada & Australia to become more profitable, efficient, and competitive.

Its clients include businesses in manufacturing, restaurants, CPG, retail, etc.

• Connext Global Solutions

Connext helps firms find accounting talent to grow their custom offshore support teams, improve productivity, and streamline costs.

Beyond accounting firms, Connext Global also serves customer services, marketing, and healthcare.

“I’ve worked with several accounting support teams in the Philippines at my previous workplace, and I can wholeheartedly say that you folks are the best I’ve ever worked with.”

Alison Inafuku, Accounting Manager, Tony Hawaii Automotive Group

• CapActix

CapActix helps firms reduce staff & overhead costs with our offshore staffing solutions. It’s flexible Hiring Models for Accounting to elevate their competence, relieve stress, and improve their revenues.

Its finance and accounting talents provide accounting, bookkeeping, AP/AR, QuickBooks, and tax preparation services to businesses in agriculture, hotels and restaurants, retail, and E-Commerce etc.

• Outsourced Bookkeeping

Outsourced Bookkeeping saves business owners the stress of monotonous accounting services, allowing them to deploy their resources where they’ll make the most profits.

They serve both accountants and non-accountants, including legal, marketing,  and restaurant businesses.

“Sunil is a strong accountant with high integrity. I have worked with Sunil for seven years, and during this time, he has provided high-quality work ranging from bookkeeping to tax returns and financial spreadsheets. Sunil is a pleasure to work with and always delivers a good product on time. Highly recommended.”

Simon Frost, CEO & Co-Founder of Tiber Capital Group

• RSM Global

RSM Global is a network of assurance, tax, and consulting experts that tailor their skills, insights, and resources, as well as a client-centric approach based on a deep understanding of your business needs.

Beyond finance and accounting services, RSM’s professionals also provide digital, legal, and environmental sustainability services.

• Unison Globus

Unison Globus seeks to help accounting firms, CPAs, and EAs focus on client relationships and firm growth while we manage your accounting and tax back office.

Its virtual accounting workforce seeks to be an extension of accounting firms by building trust, empathy, and connections through professionalism.

“Working with Unison Globus has been the most rewarding experience I’ve encountered with an international team. The remote accountant I collaborated with blends effortlessly into our firm, truly becoming part of the team.”

Snehal Patel, Accountant –Tax & Business Solutions

• Ignite Spot

Ignite Spot provides expertise that elevates businesses and helps the owners reduce costs and cut risks.

Ignite Spot provides its services to accountants and non-accountants alike, including fashion. Healthcare and marketing.

“I love Ignite Spot. I’ve been with them for a while now, and they’re awesome. They organize my financial information, so I can make better decisions for my business. I work with Tom and Guy for bookkeeping and John for tax services. Holly also checks in with me on a quarterly basis to make sure I’m satisfied with their services. My experience so far has been 5-star quality.”

Sean Smith, CEO, Jungle Hustle

• Near

Near eases the process of finding and hiring outsourced finance and accounting professionals to help manage your workload and keep operational costs low.

Its target industry cuts across sales, customer support, and engineering.

“Near’s team gave us confidence that we’d hire great talent quickly. They did a deep dive into our requirements, asked the right questions, and communicated our needs and goals back to us. They advised us on compensation, different talent markets, and our hiring process.”

Anton Lipkanou, President, Delve

Key Questions to Ask When Hiring a Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Firm

• Due Diligence Checklist

A due diligence checklist gives you structured criteria to qualify potential outsourcing partners.

The checklist should include understanding the company’s:

Background and Reputation: The longer they’ve been in existence, the higher their chances of meeting your outsourcing needs (if they serve your client’s industry).

You should also ask for references from their past clients and check for independent reviews on sites like Clutch and Glassdoor.

Team Expertise and Capacity: This is where you find out how many finance and accounting employees they have and their qualifications. A reputable firm should include CPAs who are grounded in the financial reporting standards and tax regulations that matter to your clients.

Technology and Infrastructure: What tech tools do they use, and how proficient are they in those tools? You want to be sure they can work with the tools you already use.

Cost Transparency: Clear pricing information will protect you from hidden fees later on. With Finsmart Accounting, you’ll know (by looking at the pricing page what you need to pay per hour or month, depending on your chosen package.

• Security & Data Policies

Security and Compliance: Considering the sensitivity of accounting data, your outsourcing partner must have effective data protection policies and advanced security certifications that keep your client’s data safe in line with relevant regulatory frameworks.

Key certifications include ISO 27001, SOC 2, SOX, GDPR, etc.

“A reputable outsourcing firm should invest in a specialized offshoring Center with a lot of emphasis on data security. They should have protected servers, managed switches, and antivirus software.

They should also have certifications like ISO or SOC 2, etc. When you are evaluating a partner, ask for their security certifications to get a kind of assurance.”

Maanoj Shah, Offshore Accounting Expert and Co-founder of Finsmart Accounting

• Onboarding and Reporting Structure

Onboarding sets the tone for any business relationship, so it helps to understand how you’ll transition into a client.

When you have been successfully onboarded, ask about the reporting structure to understand the communication frequency you should expect.

Real-World Examples of Successful Finance Outsourcing

EXAMPLE 1: How Finsmart Enabled Account Ability Consulting to Tackle a Massive QuickBooks Cleanup

Susan Cook leads Account Ability Consulting, a firm that specializes in QuickBooks training, sales, and integrations.

When a client required a massive QuickBooks Online cleanup covering three years of financial data, Susan knew it was time to turn to Finsmart Accounting for this service.

Having received the data and other necessary information, the Finsmart Accounting team worked with Susan to figure out the most effective way to handle the project. This took roughly four stages:

• Dedicated Experts: Dedicated financial experts worked closely with Susan to ensure the cleanup followed her specific instructions.
• Detailed Tracking: Detailed spreadsheets and documentation ensured transparency in missing or corrected records.
• Regular Updates: Regular Zoom meetings and email updates provided clear visibility into progress and allowed for adjustments as needed.
• Efficient Execution: The project was completed efficiently, turning three years of financial disarray into a structured, reliable accounting.

At the end of the project, Susan’s client had accurate financial records to move the business forward confidently.

Here’s what Susan had to say:

“Finsmart was excellent at communicating and ensuring the work was done thoroughly. They provided spreadsheets, followed up diligently, and worked efficiently. If you have a financial project that needs attention, try it; you’ll find they are accommodating and reliable. You can feel confident that you’re in good hands.”

–Susan Cook, President, Account Ability Consulting

EXAMPLE 2: How Rapid Circle Streamlined Financials with Finsmart Accounting

Rapid Circle is a Global leader in Microsoft Cloud Solutions. When they faced the challenge of maintaining accurate financial records, which led to audit concerns and operational inefficiencies, Finsmart Accounting’s services came to the rescue.

Finsmart Accounting’s solution involved four phases:

• Discussion: We conducted stakeholder meetings to identify gaps and developed a customized plan for successful project execution.
• Process: We identified and corrected general ledger errors through reconciliation, processing adjustments to balance the books.
• Distribution: We developed a plan, assembled expert teams, and reconciled Rapid Circle’s balance sheet, verifying all assets and liabilities.
• In-Depth Cleanup: Following client consultation, we assessed PNL impact and cleaned up financial statements to ensure accuracy.
• Documentation: We provide ongoing financial maintenance, ensuring accurate and compliant records through regular documentation and reconciliation.

“We initially outsourced because we were small, but even as we grew, their (Finsmart Accounting) services were so reliable that we never felt the need to hire internally. Payroll on time, 100% accuracy, accounting with no faults, and never missed a date. From understanding international principles to handling complex structures,  it’s always a pleasure working with Finsmart.”

–Riya Chandan, Financial Analyst at Rapid Circle

Expert Tips to Maximize Your Outsourcing Relationship

Onboarding: Embed Your Outsourced Team Member to Increase Alignment

If you’re going to get the best out of your outsourcing partner, embed the outsourced professional, instead of treating them as a separate entity from your firm, recommends Maanoj Shah, F&A outsourcing expert and the co-founder of Finsmart Accounting.

“Offshoring is not about hiring external members. At Finsmart, it is about embedding the outsourcing company into your own. Since outsourcing gives you expert finance and accounting professionals, what you will need to focus on is seamlessly integrating them into your processes, tools, and software.

This will help them understand your best practices (your Dos and Don’ts), which will help to standardize your service delivery.”

Maanoj Shah, Offshore Accounting Expert and Co-founder of Finsmart Accounting

Tracking Metrics: Measure hours saved on routine tasks to focus on advisory and client acquisition

Getting these three metrics will help you understand how well your outsourcing relationship will support your growth.

Cost Savings: Operational cost is a primary reason for outsourcing your services. This will show you how much you have gained in labor costs, overhead expenses, etc.

Quality of Service: Outsourcing your services gives you access to qualified accountants. If your outsourcing partners are delivering quality service, you can confidently focus on strategic work.

Timeliness: The finance and accounting industry runs on deadlines. Quick turnaround time is crucial to keeping your clients compliant.

Using Finsmart Accounting has freed up my time to onboard new clients. I’ll keep assigning clients to them, so I can focus more on advisory and supervision, as opposed to the back-office operation of bookkeeping, which Finsmart does so well.

—Adrienne Dove, Founder, Corban Accounting Solutions

Communication Tools: Use secure, cloud-based tools for communication and reporting to ensure data protection

Collaborating by email is no longer sustainable as far as the security of client information is concerned. The risk of phishing and other forms of email fraud is more common today than before.

Fortunately, accounting client communication and collaboration tools are not in short supply. These tools are built with the security features finance and accounting professionals need to share files and information with their outsourcing partner.

For example, tools like Microsoft Exchange and Dropbox are built with encryption technology that renders information inaccessible to unauthorized persons.

Final Thoughts – Is Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Right for You?

Generally speaking, the finance and accounting outsourcing above are some of the best on the market, but they may not benefit your firm so much unless you understand why you need to outsource your services in the first place.

That is why we put this checklist together to help you get the most out of your outsourcing relationship.

Download it here to be clear when and how you can maximize third-party finance and accounting expertise for your firm.

Click Here to Book a Free Consultation with Our Outsourcing Expert Today.

The post Your Complete Guide to the Best Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Companies appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

This article presents some of the most reputable finance and accounting outsourcing companies you can use to address your capacity needs today.

Why Businesses Are Prioritizing Finance & Accounting Outsourcing in 2025

• Post-Pandemic Digital Push

Only a few firms ever considered outsourcing before COVID-19. But with the lockdowns forcing every firm to work from home, firm owners had to find more reliable ways of getting work done without sacrificing quality.

This new system opened firms up to the reality of hiring not just within their countries but also abroad, allowing them to take advantage of knowledgeable and qualified accounting talent in foreign countries.

• Inflation and Cost Optimization

With inflation (always) on the rise, businesses are forced to find creative ways of doing more with less, and one major way is to outsource as many of their services as possible.

Outsourcing allows them to pay a fraction of a full-time employee’s salary to get qualified finance and accounting professionals. They don’t have to worry about an expensive hiring process, salary, and employee benefits.

• Rise of Remote Finance and AI-led Automation

Thanks to remote work tools like practice management software with AI features, team members can complete tasks faster and collaborate from opposite ends of the world with little to no misunderstanding and information gap.

This has enabled top finance and accounting outsourcing to ensure accurate and compliant financial reporting for their clients.

• Outsourcing as a Strategic Growth Enabler

Outsourcing allows you to manage increased client demands more confidently. It gives you the flexibility to add and reduce your workforce as your workload ebbs and flows.

This assurance of capacity sufficiency enables you to take on as many clients as you need to grow your firm. The top finance and accounting outsourcing companies do not require long-term commitment, so you won’t have to worry about severance packages when an outsourcing relationship ends.

What Makes a Top Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Company?

• Domain Expertise and Certifications

Reputable finance and accounting outsourcing firms have strict educational requirements, which play a crucial role in their hiring decisions.

Indian outsourcing companies, for example, use certified chartered accountants and CPAs who are well-versed in global financial reporting standards (GAAP, IFRS, etc.).

You wouldn’t need to train them on accounting procedures, as Rebecca Sanitago can confirm:

“Our outsourcing partner, The Finsmart Accounting team, already knows the accounting processes. That means I don’t have to train somebody, like I had done in the past.

All I do is provide the client context so that they can apply their accounting, QuickBooks, and reconciliation knowledge to the specific issues of that client. I don’t have to show them how to do accounting.”

—Rebecca Santiago, Owner, Advance Professional Accounting Service

• Technology Integration

Outsourced accounting teams can use the latest software programs to automate manual work and streamline accounting processes.

So, instead of worrying about training them on how to use the tools you currently use, they’re even more likely to teach you how to use software solutions like NetSuite, QBO, Xero, Karbon, Financial Cents, Liscio, etc.

“The Finsmart team can work with any software you have. QuickBooks Desktop, Xero, Bill.com, you name it!

They are experienced. There is no learning curve, so we don’t have to train anybody. They’re already trained.

—Mariko Hayashi-Hall, Founder and CEO of Chicago-based Brilliant Solutions Group

• Global Delivery and Time-zone Alignment

Having all your team members in one time zone helps with real-time collaboration, but that makes it difficult to always have someone attending to client work.

Many US firms outsourcing to India have appreciated the time zone alignment, even though both firms are 11 hours apart.

The time zone difference allows firms in the US to assign work to their teams in India, knowing they will wake up to completed tasks ready to move to the next stage.

• Client Support and Scalability

By nature, outsourcing firms allow you to expand on your terms with flexible staffing resources that allow you to quickly and easily increase your staff strength to meet increased client demands.

Without this flexibility, you either hire more staff ahead of client demand or do it after the fact. Either way, you’ll risk over- or underutilizing your team members, which could amount to a waste of precious resources.

Since working with Finsmart, we have had one main person who has been with us the whole time, and she has continued to learn and develop with us. When we had to bring on additional projects, Finsmart had additional staff to help us during that process.

—Elizabeth Bergen, owner of Foray Business Group

• Regulatory Compliance

Outsourced finance and accounting professionals are usually up-to-date with their clients’ changing financial reporting needs.

Their training in global financial reporting standards and tax regulations (GAAP, IFRS, SOX, IRS, etc.) enables them to guide your clients through difficult financial situations. That is why some of them can boast of an average client retention rate as high as nine (9) years.

Top 10 Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Companies in 2025

• Finsmart Accounting #1

At Number One is Finsmart Accounting, founded by a Chartered Accountant (equivalent of CPA). Its team of 100+ expert accountants and its comprehensive range of services position it as a one-stop solution for growing accounting, bookkeeping, CPA, and tax firms in the US, UK, Australia, and beyond.

Headquarters: Finsmart is headquartered in Pune, India, with offices in Mumbai and New York.

Key Services: Finsmart’s breadth of services includes bookkeeping, AR/AP, payroll, audit support, virtual CFO, and NetSuite-driven accounting automation and reporting.

Clients Served: over 300 accounting firms, CPA firms, global CFOs & Businesses (wanting to gain entry into India.

Key Strengths: Finsmart’s TAT framework (which encourages timely reporting) and expertise in finance and accounting software (like NetSuite) save its 150+ clients up to 50% on costs while ensuring accuracy and scalability. This has enabled the firm to retain clients for up to 9 years on average.

Certifications/Tech Stack: Finsmart emphasizes data security and compliance training for staff. Its security and technology certifications include SOC II, QuickBooks, and NetSuite certifications. Apart from NetSuite and QuickBooks, the team is proficient in Xero, Bill, Asana, Financial Cents, Microsoft Exchange, and Dropbox.

Why It’s in the Top 10: Finsmart was founded in the early stages of outsourced finance and accounting services. This early entry, NetSuite specialization, and domain expertise have ensured consistent quality client service, earning it this top spot.

Finsmart Pricing:

• Dedicated Seat at $2600/month for a dedicated bookkeeper (who will work 160 hours a month).
• Hourly Seat at $20 per hour.
• USA Tax Seat at $3000/month (for a dedicated tax accountant who will work 160 hours a month).

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Seemantini Karmarker is a chartered accountant and a US accountant and tax manager at Finsmart Accounting.

She joined Finsmart Accounting in May 2023, and since then, she has used her expertise to work on various US tax forms and accounting software.

For each client she’s assigned, she spends a fair bit of time trying to understand the client’s business processes to enhance their workflows.

Her accounting skills include:

• Bank Reconciliation
• Account Reconciliation
• Tax Planning and Preparation
• Auditing support
• Financial Reporting

“At around 15 clients, I completely ran out of capacity. I was working around the clock, seven days a week. I ran out of time, space, and the ability to take on more clients and grow. I did not want to be in a position where I was turning clients down.

Using Finsmart has freed up my time to onboard new clients. As I grow, I’ll be assigning more clients to them, so I can focus more on advisory and supervision as opposed to the back office operation of bookkeeping. Finsmart does the back office operation so well.  They have allowed me to add clients and grow with them.”

—Adrienne Dove, Founder, Corban Accounting Solutions

• InDinero #2

InDinero is a full-service finance and accounting outsourcing firm for small and enterprise-level businesses that need help focusing on their core business.

Headquarters: Covina, California. USA.

Key Services: bookkeeping, AR/AP, payroll, CFO advisory, business tax, technology implementation, and business intelligence.

Clients Served: all businesses in technology, professional services, nonprofits, e-commerce, and healthcare lacking full finance departments.

Key Strengths: Provides end-to-end finance and accounting services and technology, including monthly financial reviews, ensuring strategic alignment and profitability.

Certifications/Tech Stack: inDiero employs CPAs and financial advisors who are fluent in QuickBooks, Xero, and other cloud-based automation tools.

Why It’s in the Top 10: InDinero’s holistic approach to finance and accounting has helped business owners to keep more money in their business for over 13 years.

• QX Global Group #3

QX Global uses a 3-pronged approach that blends people, process & platform to provide outsourcing solutions that help enterprise businesses manage their capacity.

Headquarters: Skipton, North Yorkshire, UK, with offices in other countries.

Key Services: bookkeeping, financial reporting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, tax, and audit support.

Clients Served: over 100 enterprise clients in 15 industries (accounting, manufacturing, and public sector).

Key Strengths: QX Global’s 24-hour service delivery and “3P” approach ensure access to niche expertise at a more cost-effective rate.

Certifications/Tech Stack: SOC 2, GDPR-compliant staff. Its tech stack includes QuickBooks, Xero, Microsoft Clarity, and Power BI.

Why It’s in the Top 10: Its 22 years of experience have enabled it to grow its client base through consistent client service.

• Connext Global #4

Connext Global Solutions provides accounting talent through global talent integration. Connext supports its finance and accounting talents with the personal and professional help they need to be productive and efficient in client service.

Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, with delivery centers in the Philippines, India, Mexico, and Colombia.

Key Services: bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable, payroll processing, and IT support.

Clients Served: 50+ middle-market clients in construction, accounting, healthcare, real estate, insurance, and retail.

Key Strengths: High employee retention that saves hiring costs.

Certifications/Tech Stack: HIPAA-compliant for a healthcare accountant. Its tech stack includes QuickBooks, Xero, cloud-based automation, etc.

Why It’s in the Top 10: The diversity and agility of Connext’s outsourcing agile model have continued to drive growth for middle-market firms for over 10 years.

• CapActix #5

CapActix partners with accounting and non-accounting businesses to grow their businesses with flexible hiring models.

Headquarters: Ahmedabad, India.

Key Services: bookkeeping, tax preparation, virtual CFO, and digital transformation.

Clients Served: 100+ CPA firms and SMEs in real estate, e-commerce, manufacturing, hospitality, agriculture, etc.

Key Strengths: capable of catering to non-accounting businesses in real estate, health care, manufacturing, etc.

Certifications/Tech Stack: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013, and GDPR certification. Tech stack includes QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Xero Advisor certified. Tech stack: QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, RPA, Zoom.

Why It’s in the Top 10: CapActix has advanced security protocols and QuickBooks/Xero certifications to protect sensitive client data.

• Outsourced Bookkeeping #6

Outsourced Bookkeeping’s specialized services help accountants in North America to grow their firm’s capacity through outsourcing.

Headquarters: Punjab, India.

Key Services: bookkeeping, tax, accounts payable, and QuickBooks.

Clients Served: Accountants, CPA firms, and SMBs in real estate, retail, and professional services.

Key Strengths: ‘overnight’ bookkeeping that ensures 24-hour client service and 20 years of outsourced experience.

Certifications/Tech Stack: Tech stacks include QuickBooks, Xero, Bill, Microsoft Dynamics, R365, Propertyware

Why It’s in the Top 10: Outsourced Bookkeeping has served 500+ accounting firms with a 90% Client retention rate.

• RSM Global #7

RSM International is an integrated network of accounting firms that provides accounting and tax expertise to firms at all levels.

Headquarters: London, UK, with offices in the US, India, and El Salvador.

Key Services: accounting, bookkeeping, AR/AP, payroll, tax outsourcing, audit support, risk advisory, and technology consulting.

Clients Served: middle-market businesses, conglomerates, and SMEs in manufacturing, real estate, nonprofits, etc.

Key Strengths: Global reach of up to 65,000 professionals in 900 offices.

Certifications/Tech Stack: RSM Global’s professionals are SOC and GDPR-compliant. Tech stacks include QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, RPA, and Power BI.

Why It’s in the Top 10: RSM has global appeal and has made significant progress in tech innovation (AI and RPA).

• Unison Globus #8

Unison Globus partners with CPAs, EAs, and accounting firms to focus on client relationship building and firm growth.

Headquarters: Ahmedabad, India.

Key Services: bookkeeping, tax, payroll, AP/AR, audit support, and management advisory.

Clients Served: CPA firms, EAs, and CMAs in real estate, retail, and professional services.

Key Strengths: tailored systems that match their clients’ operations. A close-knit team that works collectively to address client challenges.

Certifications/Tech Stack: experts with ISO certifications (27001). Tech stack includes QuickBooks, Xero, Drake, ADP, Etc.

Why It’s in the Top 10: Unison Globus’ ISO 27001 gives it an edge over many finance and accounting outsourcing firms.

• Ignite Spot

Ignite Spot’s services provide businesses with the insights they need to make better financial decisions through consistency, community, and contagious improvement.

Headquarters: Kaysville, Utah, USA.

Key Services: bookkeeping, payroll, financial reporting, tax preparation, fractional CFO, and controller.

Clients Served: small to mid-sized businesses in professional services, media, e-commerce, and healthcare.

Key Strengths: personalized, profit-driven methodology for small to mid-sized businesses making $500,000–$20 million in revenue.

Certifications/Tech Stack: QuickBooks ProAdvisor, HIPAA/GDPR-compliant. Tech stack includes QuickBooks, Xero, Bill.com, Fathom, Rewind, HubSpot, etc.

Why It’s in the Top 10: its ability to help small businesses grow, as shown by the revenue growth of Huddled Masses Media’s 25x revenue growth in one year.

• Near #10

Near’s recruitment process outsourcing gives accounting firms access to finance and accounting talent. They manage the entire process from hiring to onboarding, payment, and retention. Unlike Finsmart Accounting, Near’s talent pool is exclusively from Latin America.

Headquarters: Lewes, Delaware, USA, with offices in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina.

Key Services: accounting and bookkeeping (through recruitment process outsourcing, end-to-end staffing, and employee of record services).

Clients Served: midmarket enterprises and fast-growing startups in technology, healthcare, e-commerce, financial services, and retail.

Key Strengths: Near’s nearshore model ensures cultural, time-zone, and communication similarity between US firms and their outsourcing partners.

Certifications/Tech Stack: Near’s Latin American talents have a CPA-equivalent certification. They can use software programs like QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, Sage, Power BI, etc.

Why It’s in the Top 10: A 360 solution to find, hire, onboard, pay, and retain top Latin American talent in under 3 weeks.

Top 10 Ranking Companies Compared

Why India and the Philippines Dominate This List

• Cost-Effective Talent

The cost of outsourcing to India and the Philippines is far less than the rest of the world, especially the US, the UK, and Europe.

In these countries, the labor costs combine with favorable exchange rates to give firms in America and other Western markets access to cheap, but quality accounting services.

• High English Proficiency

Both countries have English as their official language, so communication and collaboration are not a problem for firms in other English-speaking countries.

They’re also culturally linked to these firms. This makes it easier for all parties to understand project requirements, establish context for work, and meet client deliverables consistently and satisfactorily.

• Strong Accounting Education Pipeline

Trained in global financial reporting standards, Indian accounting professionals can ensure financial reporting in line with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Plus, the Indian education system is known for its rigorous finance and accounting standards, which produce thousands of knowledgeable CPAs every year.

• 24/7 Service Delivery

India’s 9 AM is around 10 PM (CST), meaning when your US team is off work, your outsourced partners in India will be working.

This time difference ensures continuous service delivery for your clients, which gives a better chance of meeting tight deadlines.

• Tech-savvy Workforce

Business Process Outsourcing is a key part of both countries’ economies. That is why it has attracted huge investments from their governments through IT infrastructure and technology ecosystems.

This has exposed outsourced professionals in these countries to the most advanced programs for automating workflow, extracting data, and managing projects.

How to Choose the Right Partner in 2025

Here are a few things to note to make the most of outsourcing in 2025:

• Prioritize alignment with your business needs: The outsourcing provider’s expertise, certifications, and tech stack will amount to nothing if they don’t understand your business, industry, and needs.
• Focus on providers with a modern tech stack: Outsourcing thrives in a remote work environment when your team has the right tools to work with. A modern tech stack will free your outsourcing partner up to apply their expertise to your client’s financial situations. If they can’t deploy these tools, productivity will suffer.
• Request detailed proposals and SLAs: proposals and service level agreements clarify expectations and obligations, helping to prevent unmet needs that will negatively impact the outsourcing relationship.

Explore Finsmart’s cost-effective outsourcing solution today. Click here to book a session, so we can understand your needs, walk you through our tech stack, and discuss your engagement terms.

The post Top 10-Ranked Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Companies in 2025 appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

In an industry like accounting, where it is all about numbers, it is important to have KPIs. It keeps the firm owners and the teams on the right track. As Nicole mentioned in the podcast, it is quite easy to put a finger on what should be your KPI. Every KPI should constitute an actionable item; it should compel the teams to deep dive into what is going on, pivot if needed, and change the strategy to get the results that you are looking for.

No matter what the accounting role is, it is about outcomes, efficiency, compliance, and decision-making. Adding KPIs to the job descriptions when you are setting out to find the right members for your teams. Leaders can use these metrics to craft key financial strategies that can help them achieve organizational or departmental goals. Monitoring KPIs can help businesses assess what works and what still needs a lot of improvement. 

What Makes a Good Accounting KPI?

What many firm owners mistake KPI for is just adding random parameters to their team’s to-do’s. The problem with that is it shifts the team’s focus from what is really important. When you set multiple KPIs and they are a mix of not-so-important and key business-driving factors, it can distract them from the true focus area.

Before setting KPIs, focus on incorporating KPIs that go beyond what is generic: 

• Role-Specific

Not every accountant contributes to the business in the same way, so why measure them with the same yardstick? A Junior Accountant responsible for data entry and reconciliations shouldn’t be held to the same KPIs as a Tax Manager dealing with compliance or a Controller driving strategic financial decisions.

Tailoring KPIs uniquely to each role will help ensure relevance, fairness, and effectiveness when the time comes for performance evaluation.

• Measurable and Objective

In accounting roles, when you add vague metrics like “ensure accuracy”, it does not give the candidate a clear understanding of what they are expected to achieve. Instead, focus on defining what success looks like in a concrete team. You can try using: 

• “Maintain a 98% accuracy rate in monthly reconciliations.”

• “Complete all vendor payments within 3 business days of approval.”

• Aligned with Business Impact

The best KPIs connect daily accounting tasks with the larger business outcomes. Whether it’s cash flow management, compliance, profitability, or audit preparedness, every KPI should help move the business forward.
For example, tracking days to close books every month helps leaders get quick insights to make strategic decisions. After all, you do not want your accountants to just do their jobs. It is also about contributing to the organization’s growth and stability.

• Balanced: Quantitative + Qualitative

Although it is a number-driven industry, some roles in accounting require qualitative metrics too. For example, in a senior or strategic role, metrics could also include:

• Maintain team engagement score of 80 %+

• Implement two process improvement initiatives each quarter

Deciding upon the KPIs has a lot to do with the kind of role you are hiring for. In fact, at all levels, it is best to strike a balance between quantity and quality to ensure you help your teams grow in a well-rounded manner. 

Role-wise KPI that You Can Add in Your Job Descriptions

Like many others, are you struggling to determine which role, or at what seniority level, which KPI fits in just right? We are here to help. 

• Accounting Associate/Junior Accountant:
  
  This is a junior-level position, and it is important to treat it that way, especially when setting KPIs. Be careful not to make your associate work like a team leader. This will lead to frustration and eventual burnout. Understand what the role entails better. 

Common KPIs could include:

• Number of transactions processed per day/week

• Data entry error rate (in percentage)

• Time taken to reconcile accounts

• Timeliness of bank reconciliations

• SLA adherence for invoice processing

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• Senior Accountant:
  
  A Senior Accountant should be responsible for handling more complex tasks than their junior counterparts. Avoid hiring freshers or extreme junior candidates for the position. Understand what the role entails better. 

Common KPIs could include:

• Accuracy of month-end close (adjustments or corrections needed – in percentage)

• Days to close monthly financials

• On-time delivery of reports to leadership

• Audit readiness (number of audit queries raised)

• Compliance adherence score (based on internal audits)

DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE PACK NOW

• Accounting Manager:
  
  An Accounting Manager is more of a client-driven role. They are the bridge between the accounting firm and the clients. The goal of meeting client satisfaction parameters lies with them. Understand what the role entails better. 

Common KPIs could include:

• Team task completion rates (in percentage)

• Reduction in reporting errors across the team

• Financial reporting delivery SLA

• Process improvement initiatives completed

• Cross-functional issue resolution turnaround (in days/hours)

DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE PACK NOW

• Tax Accountant: 

Taxation is one of the key functions in accounting firms. Laying out what they are expected to do and how they are expected to do it can go a long way in preventing burnout, especially during the season. Understand what the role entails better. 

Common KPIs could include: 

• On-time filing of all tax returns

• Reduction in tax penalties and notices

• Number of audits without findings

• Tax planning recommendations implemented

• Time spent per client/account (if outsourced)

DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE PACK NOW

• Payroll Accountant:

For most of your clients, their payroll is critical. It keeps the business going, ensuring that the teams, vendors, and other partners are paid on time. The KPIs of this role need to be defined, depending on the scope of work you have from the client. Understand what the role entails better. 

Common KPIs could include: 

• Payroll error rate (% of incorrect payslips)

• Time to resolve payroll discrepancies

• Timeliness of tax withholdings and filings

• Clients’ satisfaction rating for the payroll process

• Compliance audit results

DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE PACK NOW

• Director of Accounting/Controller:
  
  This is one of the most important strategic roles in accounting functions. This is a leadership role, and the candidates should be expected to see the success of the entire accounting function. Understand what the role entails better. 

Common KPIs could include:

• Reduction in closed cycle duration
• Accuracy of financial forecasts vs. actuals
• Internal audit score improvement
• Team performance metrics and engagement
• Number of automation/process upgrades implemented

DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE PACK NOW

To get a head start in finding the right resources for your accounting roles, download our complete JOB DESCRIPTION TEMPLATE PACKAGE.

But the job description is just one part of it. If, like many other accounting firms, you too are struggling to find skilled accounting resources who understand your business and can set you up for success, you might want to consider offshoring.

At Finsmart Accounting, our resources range from junior bookkeepers to reviewers, outsourced CFOs, tax consultants, and so much more. With our team of about 160+ accounting professionals, experienced in US Accounting, with a special focus on the compliance and regulatory requirements, we help make the processes seamless. When you partner with Finsmart, you get access to pre-qualified, pre-vetted accounting talent that helps you scale with ease.

Ready to grow with offshoring?

Book your free consultation call: https://finsmartaccounting.com/usa/free-consultation/ 

The post KPIs to Include in Accountant Job Descriptions [+ Free Templates] appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

That’s because every country represents not just a set of people, but a way of life, getting work done, and potentially serving your clients.

Let’s look at the reality of outsourcing your work to India and the Philippines to help you determine the most suitable country for your financial and accounting outsourcing needs.

Why Businesses Are Turning to Finance and Accounting Outsourcing

The same technology that has enabled Finance and accounting firms to work remotely has empowered firms to augment their in-house teams with a global pool of skilled accounting professionals to reduce costs and capitalize on skilled accountants in other countries.

This trend has been driven by:

• Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing allows you to pay for only the services you’re using. Not only are you getting accounting services at a lower cost, but you’re also saving on employee benefits, insurance, payroll, tax, etc.
• Talent Gap: Finding qualified accountants in the US, UK, Australia, etc. is getting harder. Outsourcing allows you to source talents trained on global financial reporting standards (GAAP, IFRS, etc.) and are proficient at using advanced accounting software programs from anywhere in the world.
• Scalability: When your lower-level tasks are handled by competent third-party professionals, your in-house human resources are better deployed to high-impact projects, helping you focus on leading the firm into your dream future.
• Flexibility: Outsourcing helps your recruitment strategy by allowing you to add more staff during periods of increased demand. This helps your firm manage short and long-term workload demands confidently.

India vs. Philippines – Key Differences in Finance Outsourcing

India: India’s 400,000 accounting professionals are certified and trained in international financial reporting standards like GAAP and IFRS. This qualifies them to provide outsourced accounting services globally.

As the second-largest English-speaking country in the world, their language skills are strong enough for the communication and collaboration needs of back-office operations like outsourced finance and accounting services.

The Philippines: The Philippines is another thriving hub for business process outsourcing. Their culture and communication styles align with Western markets.

This makes the country a great destination for outsourced services in client-facing roles like sales, customer support, and telemarketing.

Although they are also proficient in financial and accounting, their education curriculum is less emphatic in complex financial reporting standards like IFRS.

Cost Comparison: India vs. Philippines

India: On average, accounting BPO in India costs an average of $10 per hour. Monthly rates cost between $2,500 per month ($25,000 – $30,000 annually), depending on the type and complexity of the service.

With $2600/month, Finsmart Accounting, an accounting BPO in India, will provide a dedicated professional with 160 hours of work per month to:

• Update the client’s book of accounts.
• Do bank and credit card reconciliation.
• Close the books of accounts every month.
• Etc.

Its hourly rate is $20 per hour.

Philippines: In the Philippines, hourly rates cost around $25/hour. Monthly rates are available for an average of $3,500 ($40,000 – $50,000 annually) depending on the type and complexity of the service.

The cost of outsourced accounting is lower in India because of the larger pool of accounting professionals (compared with the Philippines) and lower cost of living.

Cost-effectiveness for Startups vs Enterprises

India’s BPO market size and the technological advancement of its outsourced professionals make it a better and more cost-effective outsourcing destination for enterprise-level clients. That is why the Big 4 accounting firms outsource and invest heavily in India, further strengthening accounting BPO in India.

With a smaller finance and accounting market and a less mature accounting technology ecosystem, the Philippines is better positioned to serve startups and SMEs than enterprise businesses.

Time Zone Compatibility

India is 11:30 minutes ahead of the United States of America (USA), and four-and-a-half hours ahead of the United Kingdom (UK).

The Philippines is 12 hours ahead of the United States of America (USA), and seven hours ahead of the United Kingdom.

Service Range & Specializations

Here’s how both countries stack up against each other in terms of service range:

• Bookkeeping: This is common in both India and the Philippines.
• Accounts Payable/Receivable: This is more common in both countries.
• Payroll: This is common in both countries, but the Philippines emphasizes this service more because it is more communication-intensive than Bookkeeping.
• Tax Prep: As a specialized service, tax preparation is more emphasized in India as a key service for multinational corporations. It is an emerging service in the Philippines.
• Audit Support: Not as common as the service above, but thanks to its technological advancement, Indian BPOs provide this service to enterprise clients. Outsourced audit services are less common in the Philippines.

Security, Compliance & Data Protection

India: The Institute for Chartered Accountants (ICAI) provides the contractual safeguards and IT infrastructure to enable Accounting BPOs in India to manage your client’s information in line with international regulatory standards.

This has enabled its outsourcing hubs in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, etc., to attract clients from even the Big 4 accounting firms.

The data protection frameworks in India include:

• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act): regulates digital data processing in India. It requires firms to receive consent before digital data can be obtained and processed.
• The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) and SPDI Rules: require data confidentiality, encryption, and access control protocols when handling sensitive data.
• ISO Certifications for Data Protection: while not compulsory, most Indian BPO firms are encouraged to adopt ISO certifications (such as ISO 27001 and ISO 27701) to ensure secure data handling in compliance with regulations like the GDPR. This helps to protect your client’s financial data.

The Philippines: The Philippine government has also invested heavily in IT infrastructure to make the Accounting BPO industry in the Philippines more secure.

In places like Manila, Cebu, and Davao, the government has created an environment, remote work legislations, and special economic zones that make it easy for accounting BPOs in the Philippines to thrive.

Its data protection regulations include:

• The 2012 Data Privacy Act: prevents the unauthorized access and processing of personally identifiable information in line with international standards.
• The 2012 Cybercrime Prevention Act: regulates data management and transfers in the Philippines.

Industry Use Cases & Strengths

India: Best in Tech, SaaS, E-commerce

When it comes to technical and analytic services (like IT and Engineering), you have to give it to the Indians.

The country’s investments in developing its tech hubs and IT infrastructure have enabled its teeming graduate population to gain real-world experience (after rigorous academic studies) in finance and accounting.

With hundreds of thousands of graduates entering the job market every year, the accounting industry is highly competitive in India. This competition makes the average Indian accounting professional go the extra mile to update their accounting skills, proficiency in technology, and client service.

Philippines: Best in Customer Support, Hospitality

The Philippines’ BPO industry is better equipped for client-facing services, such as sales, customer services, and telemarketing, where they address customer inquiries and challenges to promote brand loyalty.

There is also a sizeable number of outsourced accounting professionals in the Philippines, although not as many, and as trained in international standards as the average outsourced accounting professional in India.

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing to India

India: PROS

The benefits of outsourcing your finance and accounting services to India include:

• Cost Savings: the average salary of an accountant is $4,680 a month in the US, £2,651 ($3,525) a month in the UK, and AUD5,536 a month (3,521 USD) in Australia.

Using an outsourced accountant in India costs around $2600 a month, and you don’t have to pay for a full month if your accounting needs do not warrant a month-long engagement. You can pay as low as $20 per hour for a dedicated accounting professional to meet your accounting needs.

• Language of Business: English is the language of business communication in India. This makes it easy to communicate and collaborate (especially in writing) on projects.
• Improved Productivity: The time zone difference between India and the US, UK, and Australia presents the opportunity to work around the clock. You can assign work today and wake up to completed tasks. This helps you to meet client deliverables much faster.

India: CONS

The major challenges of outsourcing to India include:

• Cultural Differences: Indians are generally more withdrawn and indirect in their interactions, which may negatively affect their ability to give and receive feedback.
• Data Security: If you don’t choose a reputable outsourcing partner, your data security is at stake.

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing to the Philippines

Philippines: PROS

The benefits of outsourcing to the Philippines include:

• Cost Efficiency: where hiring an in-house accounting staff will cost you an average salary of $4,680 per month in the US, £2,651 ($3,525) per month in the UK, AUD5,536 per month (3,521 USD) in Australia, it costs less than $3,000 per month to use Filipino accountants. Hourly rates are around $25 per hour.
• Skilled Labor: With government investments in the business process outsourcing industry (such as the IT-BPM Roadmap 2028), Filipino talent enjoys professional training through thriving talent hubs and internships, which improve their skills and resourcefulness.
• High English Proficiency and Cultural Affinity: The Philippines and American cultures are significantly similar, enabling them to provide sales and customer support services to American firms.

Philippines: CONS

The challenges with outsourcing to the Philippines include:

• Less IT-Oriented than Indians: Compared with the Indians, Filipinos are less proficient in IT and analytical skills, which are critical in finance and accounting. Plus, there’s less emphasis on global accounting standards like IFRS.
• Data Security Risks: Outsourcing anywhere limits your control over the security of your client data. You have to rely on the effectiveness of your outsourcing partner’s security measures.
• Potential Disruptions: The Philippines has a history of natural disasters that affect productivity.

Final Thoughts: Which Country Is the Better Fit for You?

With India and the Philippines providing some of the best talents to the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, your outsourcing needs and the complexity of your requirements should inform your decision.

India seems better for finance and accounting outsourcing services, but the Philippines is better for outsourcing client-facing roles.

Here’s a summary of our findings:

However, ultimate success in finance and accounting outsourcing depends on your chosen outsourcing partner. That is why we invite you to consider Finsmart Accounting.

Based in Pune, one of India’s BPO hubs, Finsmart Accounting provides accounting professionals to help you meet finance and accounting outsourcing workload needs.

Here’s how it works:

• Once you subscribe to our service,  we’ll assign you one (or more) dedicated accounting professionals based on the type and complexity of your needs.

Our CPA-level accounting professionals have experience in global accounting standards, so you wouldn’t need to train them afresh. You may only need to teach them about your firm’s unique workflows.

• You won’t have to worry about committing to a long-term relationship. Our subscription model allows you to use our services for as long (and as often) as you need.

• Our dedicated professionals will work with the rest of your team in the systems you already use for work. This gives you visibility into their work and more control of your client information.

Want to discuss your needs today to see if we are a good fit? Click here to book a free consultation with us.

The post Top Countries for Finance and Accounting Outsourcing: India vs. Philippines appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

What would your outsourcing strategy be? Before you answer, you have to understand what can (and can’t) be outsourced in the first place.

Here are the most common finance and accounting services firms outsource and how they do it.

Overview—Why Outsource Finance and Accounting Services?

The supply of finance and accounting talent has declined over the last few years. You must find qualified professionals to balance your firm’s workload to meet evolving client needs and deliverables. Outsourcing your finance and accounting services is the most reliable way to do that.

Here’s why:

• It Reduces Labor Cost

Being a trusted adviser to business organizations, you know what it means to be profitable.

Outsourcing your service allows you to use qualified professionals from other countries, most of whom have lower labor costs.

• It Connects You with Experts

Using third-party service providers allows small and big firms to tap into external financial and accounting experts without going through the long and stressful hiring process or committing to a long-term relationship.

Core Accounting Services Typically Outsourced

• Bookkeeping

Outsourced bookkeeping services project transfers transaction tracking, bank reconciliation, and ledger maintenance to an external bookkeeper, ensuring accurate record-keeping for your clients without using your in-house resources.

Once the bookkeeper is onboarded and set up in your systems, transfer all relevant data to them in your file-sharing system. If you use practice management software, you can see all bookkeeping projects assigned and all the files and information needed to complete them.

This also enables you to monitor their work and collaborate with them where necessary.

• Accounts Payable (AP)

Outsourced AP professionals will handle invoice processing, vendor payments, and aging analysis to ensure your client’s vendors get paid on time.

Using their technology skills, these professionals will do 2 or 3-way invoice matching to ensure accuracy and fraud prevention.

Here’s what you’ll need to do in accounts payable outsourcing:

• Transfer your client’s invoices to your outsourcing partner.
• They use software tools to:

1. Extract and validate data.
2. Route invoices through customized approval workflows.
3. Once invoices are approved, the vendors will be paid using the applicable payment method (ACH, card, etc.).
4. The AP dashboard centralizes this payment information, keeping everyone involved up to date on vendor payments.

• Accounts Receivable (AR)

When you outsource your accounts receivable projects, your outsourcing partner takes over the management of your client’s receivables from invoicing to payment.

Combining technology and human touch, these professionals will use their expertise in customer relationships to manage collections (using creative follow-up strategies) to improve Day Sales Outstanding (DSO).

Here’s how it works:

• Your outsourced AR partner receives your client’s receivable data.
• They create invoices using QuickBooks.
• Automate receivable collections with a receivable collection management software solution.
• Implement personalized follow-ups that align with client communication preferences.
• Track customer payments.
• Match incoming payments with invoices.
• Reporting

• Tax Preparation & Filing

You can also outsource your corporate, sales, and personal tax projects to external experts knowledgeable about your client’s tax laws and all other relevant regulations.

By outsourcing this aspect of your tax work, you can channel your in-house resources to the more advanced work, like tax planning.

Here’s how it works:

• Data Transfer: send the client data (or provide access to it) to the external tax preparer.
• Document Processing: The financial data, like income and expenses, is entered into the tax software. Tax software like DrakeTax is used here to save time and avoid errors.
• Return Preparation: The preparer enters the financial information into the right forms. Deductions are applied and liabilities are calculated according to relevant regulations, like the IRS.
• Review and Approval: Your in-house team can review the return here for accuracy and compliance.
• Delivery and Filing: The client receives the returns for approval before it is filed.

• CPA Support & Controller Services

Outsourced CPA support or controller services can also be outsourced. In this case, the outsourcing service provider will adjust your client’s financial strategy to help them achieve their business goals and manage their financial operations to ensure compliant financial reporting.

Here are some of the tasks involved in CPA outsourcing services:

• Reconciliations: using relevant software to reconcile accounts, such as a bank, credit card, ledger, etc.
• Financial Forecasting: Using technology to forecast budgets and cash flow to help your clients make more accurate decisions.
• Compliance Management: Manage your clients’ financial processes to ensure compliance with relevant standards.
• Real-Time Reporting: Using business intelligence tools to create trial balance, adjusting entries, etc.

• Audit Support Services

Outsourced audit services allow you to use third-party financial auditors for your audit projects. These professionals are skilled in asking the right questions, verifying the right data, and testing controls to help clients understand their risks and make timely decisions to address them.

By delegating these projects to external professionals, you can focus on monitoring the process while you ensure effective client communication.

This service is in three main stages:

• Pre-Audit Preparation: This is where you help your outsourcing partner collect the financial data needed to identify risks and prepare schedules.
• Documentation: Your outsourcing partner compiles financial documents to account for the procedures, evidence, and conclusions collected during an audit.
• Year-End Reconciliation: This is where they use tools like NetSuite to reconcile accounts and resolve discrepancies.

• Financial Reporting & Analysis

Outsourced finance and accounting professionals also produce financial statements that help your clients understand and disclose the health of their business.

This involves:

• Management Reports: creating customized reports that show financial KPIs and using variance analysis for risk management and strategic planning.
• Cash Flow Forecasting: projecting the inflow and outflow of cash from your client’s business.
• Profit and Loss: Gathering and comparing revenue and expense data to measure your client’s profitability.
• Balance Sheet: reconciling assets, liabilities, and equity to show what businesses are worth.

• Virtual CFO Services

This service lets you capitalize on the wealth of experience of an external chief financial officer (CFO) to enjoy financial leadership through forecasting and other advanced financial processes.

This provides your clients with insights that guide their financial decisions and business goals.

• Strategic Advice: An outsourced CFO will create a strategic plan that helps you meet your business goals.
• Budgeting: using their expertise in financial management tools like NetSuite, they will help you budget your resources from your cash flow projections.
• KPI Tracking: monitoring important metrics to provide financial insights for business growth.

How These Services Work When Outsourced

Engagement Model (project-based, retainer, FTE)

Using outsourced financial and accounting services starts with defining the way you want to engage with your outsourcing partner. This could be:

• Full-Time Engagement: This gives you a dedicated outsourced professional who works exclusively for your firm.
• Monthly Retainer: This gives you a set number of work hours at a fixed monthly fee.
• Project-Based: This gives you a professional who comes in to perform a specific task.

How to understand which model will work best for your firm:

Examine Your Workload to identify which services you need external help with and how frequently (weekly, monthly, or seasonal) you need the help.

Projects like bookkeeping require ongoing work, so a retainer engagement is fitting.

For a one-time project like financial audits, a project-based engagement works well. If you need as many as 30 or more hours weekly for services like those of a CFO, you should consider a full-time engagement.

Tools Typically Used

You don’t need additional software or tools when outsourcing your services.

Your outsourcing partner will use the tools you already use for client work, which include:

• QuickBooks Online, Xero, Etc.: tracking income and expenses and organizing financial information.
• Financial Cents, Karbon, Etc.: practice management software to track projects, client information, and team capacity.
• Bill.com: managing accounts payable (AP) with invoice matching and payment schedule.
• SAP: financial management (AP, AR, and tax) for your enterprise clients.
• Drake Tax: tax preparation with portals for secure document exchange.
• NetSuite: an integrated system for managing financial processes for your clients.

Sample Workflow from Intake to Reporting

I assume you have done your partner selection and successfully onboarded them. If not, click here to see how to understand how the process of hiring outsourced accounting professionals works.

Here’s how to start using your outsourcing partner to meet your client deliverables:

• Intake: The first step is to assign projects to the professional by sharing work information and documents with them. This is where they get access to every relevant software solution.
• Processing: The outsourcing partner starts executing the tasks needed to complete the project.
• Service Delivery: When done, the review (most likely your in-house team) reviews the work and flags errors for correction (if any).
• Reporting: The outsourcing partner shares a weekly or monthly work report, including relevant metrics and documents.

Who Typically Uses These Services?

• Bookkeeping, Tax, and CPA Firms Needing to Scale

Firms want to scale their operations for different reasons. One, it enables them to tap into external resources to provide services that their in-house teams may not be so good at.

It also allows them to focus on the services they are most passionate about without sacrificing the opportunity to generate revenue from other services.

• MNCs with Global Accounting Operations

Operating in different accounting jurisdictions, it can be hard for multinational corporations to manage their financial and accounting needs from their headquarters.

Foreign experts trained in relevant reporting standards will help them comply with all financial requirements across the board while also keeping labor costs low.

Final Thoughts: How to Choose the Right Services for Your Needs

Outsourcing is resourceful, but knowing what to outsource is more beneficial.

Here are key questions to ask yourself to outsource as intelligently as the Big 4:

• Is it cheaper to outsource?
• Is direct control over the task crucial?
• Can the outsourced provider guarantee quality?
• Does the task require specialized technology that you don’t have in-house?

Once you’re sure of what to outsource, don’t assume your processes and technology are effective enough for an outsourcing relationship.

Use our Outsourcing Readiness Checklist to adjust your firm and get the most out of your outsourcing partner. Click here to get the checklist.

For more information on outsourced finance and accounting services, book a free consultation with our outsourcing expert.

The post What Services Do Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Companies Offer? appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

They had massive turnover frequently, and I had to explain my SOPs to new employees on a regular basis.

Secondly, they scheduled our meetings for the start of their day, which is 9 or 10 PM in my time. It didn’t work for me.”

—Elizabeth Bergen, Owner of Foray Business Group

Although so many CPAs, CFOs, and accounting firms are enjoying the benefits of offshore accounting, there are so many ways you can get it wrong, like Elizabeth did (before finding Finsmart Accounting).

In this article, we’ll show how to hire offshore employees for your accounting firm so that you won’t sacrifice your time, money, and convenience on an offshore accounting partnership that won’t work.

What Is Offshore Hiring in Accounting?

Offshore hiring is sourcing talents from another country to handle your accounting tasks.

These talents could work with you independently or through an offshoring partner.

The Difference Between Outsourcing, Offshoring, and Nearshoring

First, these all involve transferring work to a third-party professional to lighten the workload for your in-house team and leverage external expertise.

Outsourcing is hiring these third-party accounting professionals within your country.

Offshoring is hiring these third-party accounting professionals in another country. This is what many call “moving” operations abroad.

Nearshoring is hiring accounting professionals from a country in the same region.

Why Offshore Hiring Is Booming Among Accounting Firms

If you speak with firms hiring accounting talents offshore, most will point to one or more of the following as their motivation:

• Cost Efficiency: Since accounting work can be done from anywhere, most firms are going after offshore hands who can get the job done to standard at a more affordable rate.

Plus, no full-time hiring saves them from worrying about employee benefits, payroll taxes, etc.

• Talent Shortages: Why are accounting talents changing careers? Pay rise, work/life balance, or some other factor?

It could be a combination of both, but the point is that they are leaving, and that leaves a vacuum, a lot of client work that needs attention.

Why insist on local accounting professionals when there are enough qualified hands abroad?

We’ve been working directly with Finsmart’s Amuda for about 2 years, and she’s been a great part of our team. She’s really helped improve our efficiency, especially with the bookkeeping tasks that bog us down every day.

Looking forward to what we can eachieve together, and we’re glad that we were introduced to Finsmart Accounting.

Kellie Work, CPA, Pittsburgh-based CPA with Collins & Ganley, P.C

• 24/7 Support: For many people, the time zone difference is a deal breaker because it threatens real-time collaboration and work handoff.

But on the flip side, this time difference makes you available for client service and support around the clock.

This means that as one team is ending for the day, the other is just starting theirs, allowing for a continuous flow of work in your firm.

Who Should You Hire Offshore?

Generally, accounting firm owners, CPAs, and CFOس prefer to keep their senior roles local. It helps with quick decision-making.

Other than that, any accounting role can be filled with offshoring hiring, including:

• Bookkeeper: records your client’s daily financial transactions and keeps their books tax-ready.
• Internal Auditors: Ensure your client’s financial processes are transparent, their risks well-managed, and staff completely accountable.
• Tax Accountants: They are proficient at filing your client’s taxes (to claim all available tax credits) in line with IFRS, GAAP, or another applicable accounting framework.
• Accounts Payable/Receivable: They’ll manage bills to ensure timely payments (and maintain vendor relationships) and track collections to improve cash flow.
• Payroll Specialists: Trained to handle volumes of data to ensure prompt payment of salaries and filing of payroll taxes.
• Financial Analysts: They are proficient at analyzing financial data to provide insights that improve your client’s profitability.

Direct Hire vs. Partner Firm: Which Is Better for You?

Reputable offshoring partners provide dedicated accounting human resources to firms using their wealth of local and industry experience.

Their accounting talents are put through rigorous professional and security checks to ensure that they don’t only meet client deliverables but also protect the client information they work with.

Finsmart Accounting, for example, uses workspaces with strict security protocols and requires their staff to have relevant security certifications.

Additionally, we take care of the legal and logistical requirements of using our offshoring resources. This frees you up to simply enjoy our plug-and-play service without worrying about employee compensation, benefits, etc.

With Direct Offshoring, your offshore employees are directly accountable to you. This sounds great until you remember that it also makes you directly responsible for their data security measures, which can increase your administrative work.

The Offshore Hiring Process: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Define Your Needs

You need to be clear about your firm’s accounting needs, but you can go beyond that to define the performance standards, communication frequency, and every other work-related expectation you have for your offshore employees.

Missing this can result in having round pegs in square holes.

Step 2: Choose the Hiring Model

This is where you decide how to source the offshoring talent, and you have two options here.

You either hire them directly or partner with an offshoring company. Offshoring firms usually have a pool of trained and certified professionals with expertise in your accounting domain.

Usually, these offshoring firms have a reputation to protect, so they’ll use every resource at their disposal to ensure service quality, provide great client experience, and win your trust.

Step 3: Select Country (and Provider)

With variations in labor cost, language proficiency, accounting expertise, and time zones, any country you hire employees from can determine your particular experience.

No country has it all, but knowing their strengths and weaknesses should inform your choice, considering your firm’s offshoring needs.

Step 4: Interview and Assess Candidates or Partner Firms

The main difference between interviewing for onshore and offshore hiring revolves around data security and cultural fit, and that is where working with offshoring firms (instead of hiring directly) helps.

Accounting talents from offshoring firms have already scaled through rigorous skills and personality assessments, which take care of some of the screening for you.

Whether you’re hiring directly or partnering with an offshoring firm, ask about their security certifications and protocols to ensure your client’s data is safe in their hands.

Other tips for an effective interview include:

• Make them comfortable: The fear of rejection alone can make the best of accounting talents fumble in an interview. Making your interviewees comfortable can help you identify suitable talents.

• Implement skills test: While they might have been vetted by your offshoring partner (if you’re using one), it’s probably best to test their technical abilities yourself.

Here, you can give them a bookkeeping, tax, or payroll assignment to evaluate their hard and soft accounting skills. At the end of the day, the more technically able the talent is, the less training they’ll need on the job.

Step 5: Sign Agreements

When all parties are aligned on the services, scope of work, delivery timelines, fees, and confidentiality requirements, you can sign the proposal and engagement letter to kickstart the working relationship.

Step 6: Onboard

This is where you help the offshore accountant ease into your culture, workflows, and technology.

You don’t have to do this in one day. You can spread it across weeks until they’re fully integrated into your work systems.

Philippines vs. India: Where Should You Hire Offshore Accountants?

• Cultural Fit

The work ethic in the Philippines is more similar to Western work culture, but that does not take anything away from the Indians.

That is why American, Australian, and UK firms are 65% more likely to work with Indians than talent from other offshoring countries.

• Language

Generally, the Philippines have a stronger command of the spoken English language than Indians. But that only matters a little.

Reputable Indian outsourcing firms (like Finsmart Accounting) prequalify their workforce for language proficiency. This ensures that the average Indian offshore employee is more than capable of communicating exceptionally clearly.

• Time Zone

India and the Philippines have two-and-a-half hours between them.

The Philippines is between 12 and 13 hours ahead of the United States of America (USA), seven hours ahead of the United Kingdom, and two hours behind Australia.

India is 11:30 minutes ahead of the United States of America (USA), four-and-a-half hours ahead of the United Kingdom (UK), and four-and-a-half hours behind Australia.

• Cost

While the Philippines and Indian workforces are affordable due to their cost of living, India’s rates are lower.

Plus, the Indian population is more than that of the Philippines, so more Indians are ready to work. This higher supply of labor (versus the demand for it) also contributes to the affordability of Indian talent.

5 Trusted Firms to Hire Offshore Staff in 2025

1. Finsmart Accounting

Finsmart Accounting is an offshoring firm that helps accounting, bookkeeping, and CPA firms in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Etc. to fill the gap in accounting talent shortage.

Its Indian accounting professionals have studied accounting up to CPA levels and are trained to integrate seamlessly into your team, learn your processes, and deliver results as quickly as possible.

Pricing

Finsmart Accounting offers a subscription model through the innovative Accounting Seat model, helping you understand the cost of using its services from the start.

Its services are priced as follows:

• Dedicated Seat: $2600/month for a dedicated resource at 160 hours per month
• Hourly Seat: $20 per hour
• USA Tax Seat: $3000/month

“The Finsmart team can work with any software you have. QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online, Xero, Bill.com, you name it!

Another good thing about Finsmart Accounting is that they are experienced. There is no learning curve, so we don’t have to train anybody. They’re already trained. 

It’s like having an expert sitting next to you. We usually just hand them the work, and once they finish it, their supervisor will review it and get back to me. I usually glance through it because everything is always perfect at this point.”

—Mariko Hayashi-Hall, Founder and CEO of Chicago-based Brilliant Solutions Group

2. The Back Room

The Back Room team uses Filipino and Colombian accounting professionals to handle entry-level accounting and bookkeeping tasks so your team can focus on higher-value work.

Although it offers offshore digital marketing services, its primary services revolve around accounting and bookkeeping.

Pricing

The Back Room’s prices are not publicly available, but it covers for:

• Monthly fee
• One-off setup fee
• An optional one-off training fee

3. Accritic Offshore Accounting

Accrittic Offshore Accounting helps you manage capacity challenges to increase profit margins and enjoyment.

Based in India, the team of chartered accountants provides tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll services, and audit support to help you grow your accounting firm.

Pricing:

Prices are not publicly available. Contact the Acrrittic team to get a quote.

4. Innovature BPO

The Innovature offshoring team provides the accounting expertise you need for your time-consuming but important financial tasks so your in-house team can focus on the more profitable services.

Based in the Philippines, its accounting services include tax preparation, AP/AR, bookkeeping, payroll and financial analysis, and budgeting.

Pricing:

Contact the Innovature team to get their pricing information.

5. Unison Globus

Unison Globus delivers accounting, tax preparation, and bookkeeping solutions to accounting firms, CPAs, and EAs.

By providing its offshoring resource, Unison Globus seeks to be an extension of your firm, helping you to focus on growth.

Pricing:

Contact the Unison Global team to get a quote.

Common Challenges (and How to Solve Them)

The most common challenges accounting firms, CPAS, and CFO face when using offshoring resources are:           

• Communication

Even though English is the official language in offshoring countries like India, the local accent can be a challenge when communicating with a Briton or American, for example.

Firms that are thriving in offshoring have learned that speaking slowly takes care of most of the challenges with local accents.

Similarly, asking for clarity when you don’t understand what was said has proven helpful with oral communication in offshoring relationships.

Honesty is key. If you didn’t hear what was said, ask for it to be repeated.

• Data Security

Giving someone on the other end of the world access to your client’s information can be unnerving. But knowing how offshoring firms like Finsmart Accounting protect work information will put your mind at rest.

“Security was one of the biggest hurdles in my mind, but having seen the security measures and dedication of the Finsmart Accounting team, and how the team is run has eased many of my fears.”

—Patricia Hendrix, Head of Coaching and Communities at Woodard

Three Ways to Ensure Data Security in Offshoring Relationships:

• Ask about the data security protocols your offshore accounting partner uses to protect work information.
• There’s also a need for data encryption technology to prevent unauthorized access to client data. If you have a solid practice management solution, it should encrypt your client information automatically.
• Sign an NDA to obtain guarantees that your client information will not be used for non-work-related purposes.

Legal Requirements

The legal challenge of offshoring your accounting tasks revolves around compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks.

Once you train your offshore team (and regularly review operations) to ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and frameworks (GAAP, IFRS, SOX, etc.), you should be fine.

But you never say never. That is why Maanoj Shah advises CPA & Accounting firms to:

“have a plan in place to address non-compliance, including clear protocols for reporting and investigating potential breaches, as well as a plan for addressing any resulting legal or reputational risks. This is really important if by any chance non-compliance with US regulations and standards happens while offshoring finance and accounting.”

—Maanoj Shah, Co-founder & Director of Growth Strategy & Alliance, Finsmart Accounting

Team Integration

It’s easy to isolate your offshore employees because they are first employees of another organization. But making them feel comfortable with your team will help the offshoring relationship significantly.

For example, including your offshore team in your monthly team-building exercises and games can help them understand how your in-house team members see the world, the work, and your clients, which can strengthen bonds and improve collaboration and client service.

Offshore Hiring as a Growth Strategy

Growing your accounting firm depends on your ability to consistently meet existing client deliverables while trying to expand your services or client base.

With the shortage of accounting talents (and the prevalence of part-time staff changing jobs frequently), it’ll be difficult to consistently improve service quality to win more clients and grow the firm.

Hiring Offshore employees connects you to a constant stream of professional accountants who are available to work with your firm in the long term.

This helps to lower operating costs, increase productivity, and improve your profits while freeing up your in-house team to higher-level and growth-oriented work.

Want to start growing your firm through offshore hiring? Click here to book a consultation with our dedicated offshore hiring expert today.

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The journey to becoming a premium service provider requires a strategic approach. It involves redefining the services offered, repositioning the firm’s brand, and refocusing efforts on delivering exceptional client experiences. By doing so, firms can establish a strong reputation, build trust with clients, and ultimately drive business growth.

Establishing a premium reputation in the accounting industry takes time, effort, and a deep understanding of what sets firms apart. In this article, we will explore the key strategies and best practices that accounting firms can use to establish themselves as premium service providers and take their business to the next level.

Let’s look at Salesforce, the global leader in customer relationship management (CRM). Salesforce revolutionized its industry by offering more than just CRM software. It went above and beyond by positioning itself as a premium solution through constant innovation, customer-centric features, and a cloud-based experience that turned the traditional way businesses managed relationships with customers upside down.

Salesforce didn’t merely sell software. Instead, it created a premium solution through:

• Highly Customizable Services: Tailoring solutions specifically to the needs of each company.
• Seamless User Experience: Offering an easy-to-use interface combined with powerful back-end tools, making it accessible for companies of any size.
• Value-Added Resources: Beyond just providing a software product, Salesforce built an ecosystem around its tool, including training, dedicated support, and continuous product updates.

This shift in how they delivered their service made customers value what they were purchasing — and even led them to justify high-end prices for premium-tier products and features. Clients understood that they weren’t just buying software; they were buying a tailored solution that transformed their customer relationship processes in ways competitors couldn’t match.

If Salesforce can position itself as a premium B2B service provider in the crowded and competitive CRM space, your accounting firm can do the same by applying similar principles.

Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) 

One of the first and most important steps to establishing your accounting firm as a premium provider is to clearly define your value proposition. What makes your firm unique? What can you offer that other accounting firms cannot?

Think of Salesforce as a great example. Instead of competing purely on price or general software offerings, Salesforce focused on customization and creating long-term customer solutions. In doing so, they attracted large enterprise clients and built a loyal customer base that was willing to pay high rates for tailored services.

For your accounting firm:

Focus on a Niche or Specialized Service

You need to specialize and build expertise in specific areas of accounting that are both valuable and underserved. This could mean becoming an expert in:

• Mergers and Acquisitions Accounting: Serving firms that need highly specialized guidance during mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.
• International Taxation for Global Firms: Providing advice and services to large multinational corporations with complex tax structures.
• Fraud Prevention and Forensic Accounting: Offering detailed investigations and analysis to businesses that require strict adherence to financial regulations.

By positioning your firm as a go-to provider of high-value, specialized services, you can charge premium rates for the expertise and personalized solutions you bring to your clients.

Focus on Solving Big Problems

Many clients hire accounting firms simply to file their taxes or prepare their annual financial statements. However, to position yourself as a premium service provider, focus on solving larger and more complex business problems.

Whether it’s advising on the integration of accounting systems post-M&A or helping high-net-worth families manage their investment portfolios, aligning yourself with critical financial decision-making positions will make you indispensable. You’re not just doing “basic accounting” – you’re giving companies the tools and expertise to grow, evolve, and succeed

For a more detailed, step-by-step guide to growing your Client Accounting Services, see our article “2025 CAS Roadmap: A Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Your Client Accounting Services“.

Focus on Delivering Unmatched Customer Experience

Salesforce, as a software company, worked hard to create a user-centric experience from onboarding to customer support. The company’s cloud-based solutions are easy for clients to access, which improves overall client satisfaction, leads to less friction, and ensures a seamless experience. Whether clients were deploying the CRM themselves or working with an expert consultant, the overall experience was consistently superior.

Similarly, you need to focus on offering a premium experience from the moment a potential client reaches out. This can be broken down into a few key areas:

Clear Communication and Responsiveness

Your clients want quick, clear, and decisive communication, much like Salesforce provided seamless customer support that was always available to answer queries and help with issues. Establish clear channels for communication via email, phone, or chat, and be sure to respond on time. Clients should feel prioritized at all times.

Some practical ways to do this include:

• Offering clients a direct line to an expert (partner or senior consultant) who will understand their specific needs. 
• Offering an exclusive “VIP” support service for your high-end clients to ensure that all their needs are handled promptly.

Smooth, Streamlined Processes

Just like Salesforce provides a smooth, easy-to-understand interface for its users, you should make your services simple, organized, and easy for clients to engage with. This could mean:

• An intuitive onboarding process that makes engaging with your services hassle-free.
• A secure client portal where clients can easily access their financial data and reports at any time.
• Offering easy access to relevant advice without having to sift through piles of paperwork or too many back-and-forth communications.

These small touches show your commitment to offering more than just numbers — you’re offering a fluid, seamless experience that reflects your firm’s premium position in the market.

For a more comprehensive exploration of effective communication strategies in accounting, refer to our article “Communicating in Accounting: High-Impact Strategies for CPAs and Firms“.

Elevate Your Branding and Positioning

If you want clients to pay a premium for your services, you must communicate your firm’s quality through every touchpoint — from your website to how your team communicates with clients.

Just as Salesforce doesn’t look or feel like a low-budget software solution, your firm should ensure its branding reflects quality. It’s not just about the logos and the colors on your website—it’s about the language you use, the design of your office (if in-person), and your reputation as a whole.

Design a Premium Website and Marketing Materials

Create a website that reflects your firm’s high-level service offering. This includes:

• Sleek and modern design that gives the impression of a company that’s in tune with industry trends.
• Well-written content that communicates both expertise and your value proposition.
• Case studies, testimonials, and results-focused copy that show your expertise in real-life client outcomes.

Your marketing materials, including brochures or pitch decks for potential clients, should reinforce this positioning. You’re selling expertise, personalization, and high-value problem-solving.

Be Thought Leaders in Your Industry

As part of your premium positioning, Salesforce’s constant commitment to innovation allows the company to be viewed as a thought leader. Similarly, your firm should focus on becoming recognized as an expert in your specialty. Write articles, offer free resources like webinars or financial toolkits, and engage in discussions within specialized communities.

When you show that your firm is up to date on current trends, tax law, and financial regulations — and that you’re innovating in your approach to accounting — your brand’s perceived value will skyrocket.

Set Pricing that Reflects Your Premium Brand

Salesforce recognized early that a premium product demanded premium prices. It didn’t just push a standard product and cut costs; it created systems that were custom-tailored for each of its customers, thus commanding higher fees. You must do the same.

Value-Based Pricing

Pricing should reflect the value you deliver, not just the time spent doing the work. This is key to offering premium services. If you’re helping a client save or generate a significant sum of money with your advice, your pricing should align with that value. For instance, if you are working with a company on streamlining tax reporting for international subsidiaries, your pricing should reflect the value that this solution provides to the client.

Specialized Packages for Larger Accounts

Salesforce offers several different pricing tiers, from basic to more specialized enterprise-level solutions. Similarly, you can create pricing tiers that cater to clients with different needs:

• Standard Services Package: Includes the core services like bookkeeping or simple tax preparation.
• Comprehensive Accounting Consulting: Adds in-depth advisory for specific needs such as financial forecasting or tax strategies.
• Enterprise Consulting for Large Clients: Special pricing for large, more complex firms or long-term financial advisory.

For a more in-depth exploration of pricing strategies and best practices, our article “Accounting Services Pricing Guide: How to Emphasize Value in 2025” offers expert insights and guidance on pricing your services to reflect their true value.

Build an Exclusivity Network

Finally, it’s important to identify a segment of your ideal clients who can appreciate and understand the premium value your firm brings. Much like Salesforce’s model of working with large enterprises or growing tech companies, you should aim for larger, high-value clients who will both benefit from your services and be willing to pay a premium.

Refining your client base can be done by:

• Vetting clients during the onboarding process to ensure they align with your firm’s mission and values.
• Creating an ongoing relationship with a select few clients that prioritize the service you offer, which will ultimately create high-value cases that build your reputation as a go-to premium firm.

How Finsmart Accounting Can Support Your Premium Service Journey

For accounting firms looking to elevate their services without sacrificing quality or client relationships, Finsmart Accounting can support with outsourced accounting solutions that reflect premium standards. Finsmart offers highly skilled, English-speaking professionals who not only possess deep knowledge of US GAAP but also leverage cutting-edge technology to streamline accounting tasks, giving you a competitive edge.

Finsmart Accounting specializes in flexible, subscription-based pricing models, allowing firms to choose the level of service they need without locking into rigid pricing structures. This flexible model means you can scale your firm’s offerings, maintain consistent high-quality work, and avoid the pitfalls of traditional billing systems.

What sets Finsmart apart is their focus on aligning with each firm’s unique needs. Whether you require complex international tax expertise or specialized accounting for fast-growing companies, Finsmart’s tech-savvy, domain-expert team offers tailored outsourced accounting solutions that allow you to focus on growing your business while ensuring the highest level of service for your clients.

By incorporating Finsmart’s outsourced accounting services, your firm can benefit from top-tier accounting support that matches your premium brand, enhancing service delivery while optimizing costs.

The post How to Establish Your Accounting Firm as a Premium Service Provider appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

However, in order to be  successful in CAS/CAAS  CPAs and accounting firms need to build a strong operational foundation. It means improving on tax preparation and bookkeeping, which are fundamental components of any accounting business. One tactic  that has been very effective for these basic initiatives is outsourcing. Finsmart Accounting is one of the  companies that CPAs can partner with to ensure that the basic tasks are done accurately, efficiently and on  a large scale. 

The Importance of Building a Strong Foundation in Bookkeeping and Tax Preparation

This is  because for any firm that wants to expand its CAS or CAAS, CPAs & accounting firms have to examine their current state. Good bookkeeping forms the basis of sound financial management and also facilitates tax  preparation, and thus, decision making.

Accurate and complete bookkeeping is, therefore, crucial for effective tax preparation as well as for ensuring that the firm is in compliance with the current regulations. This enables accounting firms to:

• Improve client confidence through accurate and on time financial reporting.
• Spend more time and effort on advisory services.
• Deal with increased business volumes without considerable changes to their operations.

This means that the CPA & Accounting firms are in a good position to transition to advisory roles with minimal hitches.

Outsourcing: Unlocking Growth Potential for CPA Firms

Accounting outsourcing has emerged as a key strategy for CPA firms looking to optimize their bookkeeping and tax preparation efforts. By partnering with offshore firms like Finsmart Accounting, firms unlock a suite of benefits as mentioned below:

1. Access to Expertise

Outsourcing firms specialize in key accounting tasks, employing seasoned professionals trained in GAAP and the latest accounting standards. Their expertise extends beyond routine bookkeeping, often including cleanup projects and complex tax computations for various industries. This minimizes the need for constant oversight by in-house teams.

2. Scalability

The flexibility of outsourcing solutions allows firms to quickly adapt to seasonal demands. Whether your firm needs tax experts for specific hours during peak months or dedicated accountants year-round, this scalable model ensures operational efficiency.

3. Time Zone Advantage

Operating in multiple time zones, outsourcing teams can help in expediting project delivery and ensuring faster client response times.

4. Focus on Core Competencies

With routine tasks delegated to outsourcing experts, CPA and accounting firms can redirect resources toward high-value services such as strategic planning and advisory roles, differentiating themselves in the marketplace.

5. Technological Proficiency

Firms like Finsmart Accounting bring advanced technological infrastructure to the table. Whether integrating tools like QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho Books, or practice management systems like Dext, ClickUp, and Canopy, their technology-agnostic approach ensures seamless workflows with firms and gives them flexibility to work on any technology that firms are used to working with.

6. Financial Efficiency

By outsourcing, CPA firms significantly reduce operational costs while tapping into top-tier talent. This strategic choice not only optimizes expenses but also drives profitability.

Overcoming Challenges: Selecting the Right Outsourcing Partner

Partnering with the right outsourcing firm is crucial for realizing the full benefits of accounting outsourcing. When choosing a partner, consider these factors:

1. Reputation and Experience

Select a firm with proven expertise in supporting CPA operations, as demonstrated through testimonials, case studies, and client feedback.

2. Structured Onboarding Process

Look for partners offering structured onboarding plans, complete with dedicated specialists to streamline integration. Effective onboarding minimizes disruptions during transitions.

3. Expertise and Skillset

Ensure the outsourcing team possesses certifications like quickbook certified accountant, and relevant experience in bookkeeping, tax preparation, and advanced accounting methodologies.

4. Data Security and Compliance

Prioritize firms with stringent data protection protocols, including encryption, secure servers, and compliance with regulations like GDPR.

5. Transparent Communication

Effective partnerships thrive on open communication. Select a firm with reliable communication channels and collaborative practices.

6. Technology Compatibility

Evaluate the partner’s technology infrastructure and ensure compatibility with your existing systems. Efficient integration facilitates better collaboration and workflow management.

Additional Considerations for Sustaining Outsourcing Success

Building a Collaborative Culture

Fostering mutual trust and understanding between onshore and outsourcing teams is crucial. Encouraging regular check-ins and updates ensures alignment in goals and deliverables. A well-coordinated relationship minimizes errors and strengthens the overall efficiency of outsourced tasks.

Continuous Upskilling

As regulations and accounting standards evolve, outsourcing teams should participate in regular training programs. Firms like Finsmart Accounting ensure their professionals stay updated with the latest developments, contributing to the seamless handling of complex projects.

Leveraging Analytics for Decision-Making

Many outsourcing firms offer advanced analytics services, enabling CPA firms to glean valuable insights from financial data. These insights can guide strategic decision-making, adding more value to client offerings.

Tailored Service Models

CPA firms often require a tailored approach to outsourcing. Outsourcing partners like Finsmart Accounting offer bespoke service agreements to align with the unique needs of every client, whether it’s periodic bookkeeping or comprehensive year-round financial support.

Empowering Success with Finsmart Accounting

Finsmart Accounting’s expertise makes accounting outsourcing, bookkeeping outsourcing, and tax preparation outsourcing indispensable strategies for CPA firms aiming to excel in CAS and CAAS. By collaborating with Finsmart Accounting, you gain:

• Comprehensive Accounting Solutions: Expertise in bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial reporting.
• Flexible Staffing Models: On-demand access to top-tier professionals based on your firm’s needs.
• Technology-Driven Processes: Integration of advanced accounting tools for efficient operations.

Ready to strengthen your accounting foundation and grow your advisory services?

Book Your Consultation Today: https://calendly.com/maanoj-shah/calendar

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But how should firms respond to these trends? How can they use these insights to not only maintain profitability but also strategically position themselves for long-term growth? Below, we break down the report’s findings and outline practical steps for firms to thrive in a changing pricing landscape.

Key Findings: A Data-Driven Approach to Pricing

The report surveyed 345 U.S. accounting firms, uncovering critical trends that firms can use as benchmarks:

• 57% of firms plan to increase fees across all services in 2025.
• 90% of firms plan to increase fees for individual tax returns.
• 87% of firms plan to increase fees for business tax returns.
• 70% of firms plan to increase fees for tax planning and advisory services.
• 85% of firms plan to increase fees for bookkeeping and accounting services.
• 76% of firms plan to increase fees for CFO and controller services.

Rising business costs—such as inflation, wage growth, and operational expenses—are the primary drivers for these adjustments, cited by 58% of respondents. Despite these upward adjustments, only 5% of firms mentioned revenue growth as a reason for price hikes. This presents an opportunity for firms to reconsider how pricing can serve not only as a reaction to costs but as a proactive strategy for growth and differentiation.

Pricing Model Trends: A Shift Towards Value

One of the most notable shifts identified in the report is the migration away from hourly billing models to fixed-fee and value-based pricing. This evolution represents more than just a change in methodology; it reflects a broader trend toward emphasizing outcomes and client value.

• 54% of firms use fixed-fee or value-based pricing for tax preparation services.
• 67% of firms use fixed-fee or value-based pricing for tax planning and advisory services.
• 79% of firms use fixed-fee or value-based pricing for bookkeeping and accounting services.
• 75% of firms use fixed-fee or value-based pricing for CFO and controller services.

By aligning fees with results rather than time, firms can:

• Enhance client relationships by delivering clearer expectations and perceived value.
• Strengthen profitability by bundling services that align with client goals.
• Establish trust through transparent pricing, reducing client pushback during fee discussions.

Firms that embrace these models are better positioned to mitigate increasing operational costs while maintaining client satisfaction.

Read our article on Accounting services pricing guide: How to emphasize value in 2025 for more details.

Exploring Outsourcing as a Strategic Cost Reduction Tool

In addition to revising pricing strategies, firms should evaluate outsourcing as a vital approach to cost reduction. Outsourcing enables firms to streamline operations, access specialized expertise, and reduce overhead costs. By partnering with an outsourcing provider, accounting firms can:

1. Lower operational costs by eliminating the need for in-house support teams.
2. Scale operations efficiently without adding fixed expenses.
3. Leverage domain-specific experts who are familiar with global accounting standards and compliance requirements.
4. Free up internal resources to focus on high-margin advisory and consulting services.

Outsourcing accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and even CFO services ensures consistent quality while maintaining flexibility to adjust to market demands.

Practical Steps for Implementing Pricing and Cost-Optimization Strategies

Implementing price increases and transitioning to value-based models can be challenging. Here are actionable steps for accounting firms to consider:

1. Conduct a Pricing Audit: Compare your fees against the benchmarks provided in Ignition’s report. Identify services where your pricing lags industry standards and opportunities to introduce value-based offerings. 
2. Communicate with Clients: Transparency is key. Explain the rationale behind fee adjustments, highlighting rising costs and the added value your services bring. Offer detailed breakdowns when introducing new pricing models. 
3. Leverage Outsourcing: Partner with specialized outsourcing firms like Finsmart Accounting to reduce costs, maintain service quality, and gain access to English-speaking, tech-savvy talent with domain expertise. 
4. Train Your Team: Equip your staff with tools and scripts to articulate the benefits of new pricing structures. Their confidence in communicating value will impact client acceptance. 
5. Test Tiered Pricing: Consider introducing premium service packages that cater to clients with complex needs. This approach allows you to offer flexibility while boosting revenue potential. 
6. Use Technology to Enhance Delivery: Leverage automation, AI, and cloud-based tools to increase efficiency, justifying pricing based on faster and more accurate results.
   

Opportunities Beyond Fee Increases

Firms that only view pricing changes as a response to operational costs may miss a larger opportunity. By treating pricing as a strategic lever, accounting practices can unlock benefits such as:

• Expanding service offerings to differentiate themselves in competitive markets.
• Improving resource allocation by focusing on high-margin services.
• Creating scalable revenue streams with subscription-based or retainer models.

The firms that stand out in 2025 will be those that use pricing not just as a necessity but as a competitive advantage.

How Finsmart Accounting Can Support Your Firm

To navigate these industry changes, partnering with a reliable outsourcing provider can make all the difference. Finsmart Accounting offers comprehensive outsourcing solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of CPA and accounting firms. Our services include:

• Accounting and Bookkeeping: Delivering accurate, timely financial management that reduces operational burdens.
• Tax Preparation: Ensuring compliance with U.S. and international tax standards, leveraging tech-savvy professionals.
• Advisory Services: Providing insights that help clients achieve their financial goals while enhancing your service portfolio.
• CFO and Controller Services: Offering experienced professionals to manage strategic financial planning and reporting.

With a team of English-speaking, domain-expert professionals, Finsmart Accounting empowers your firm to maintain quality while optimizing costs. Our tech-enabled processes ensure seamless integration into your operations, allowing your firm to scale without compromising client satisfaction.

Choose Finsmart Accounting to stay ahead of the curve in 2025. Leverage our expertise to enhance profitability, streamline workflows, and deliver exceptional client value in an ever-evolving market.

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