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.

-says Rob Brown in the Accounting Influencers podcast episode of Why traditional CPA firms struggle to retain top talent.

The accounting industry is evolving rapidly, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. Accountants are hired soon after they graduate from college, and then they work a few years with a firm to become a partner eventually. Previously, this is what the journey of an accountant looked like. But times have changed – the workforce has evolved, and they want more. This career trajectory doesn’t work for the accountants anymore. And the firms that have not evolved in terms of what they offer to the accountants are struggling to retain the top talent. 

In 2024, 83% of financial leaders reported a shortage of accounting talent as compared to 70% in 2022. Today, the US has about 3,40,000 fewer accountants than it did a few years ago. Some of the most common factors contributing to these declining numbers include retirement, the change in the workforce, accountants unwilling to work the long hours, a shift in mindset, and disruption because of tech, AI, and so much more. This compels the modern-day accounting firms to focus on adjusting their strategy to improve performance and retain the high-performing accounting teams. 

Why does a clear job description matter?

Building a high-performing accounting team isn’t easy. In an industry where precision, accuracy, compliance, and accountability are non-negotiable, the role of a job description that helps align the candidates with the organizational goals and vision from day 1 is more important than ever. It not only helps teams hire well-aligned individuals but also ensures retention. 

The Role of a Clear Job Description in Improving Performance & Retention

• Helps set expectations from day 1:
  
  The problem with unclear, confusing job roles is that they lead to underperformance and early attrition. When teams end up with overlapping job roles, it creates confusion and frustration. A well-written job description helps outline: 

• Key roles and responsibilities

• Key skills and qualifications, including any software and tools

• Reporting structure

• Expected outcomes and KPIs

Having clarity on the roles and responsibilities helps avoid multiple people working on the same job. With a clear job description, employees know what they are signing up for, how their work fits into the bigger picture, and what they are expected to achieve. When teams know what success looks like, they are more likely to remain on track. 

• Helps improve accountability and ownership:

The role of an accountant comes with high stakes. Even a single error can lead to penalties, compliance failures, or client dissatisfaction. Defining each role clearly can help teams operate with greater focus and independence. Employees can be held accountable for their outcomes only when expectations are set right from the beginning. This also creates a more collaborative work environment. When team members don’t waste time chasing, negotiating, or second-guessing responsibilities because the lines are already drawn, they are more productive and efficient. 

• Keep a track of performance with measurable KPIs:

When you include measurable KPIs in the job descriptions, it gives managers and leaders a shared understanding of what high performance looks like. Whether it is closing books on time, maintaining 100% payroll accuracy, or achieving zero tax filing errors, KPIs help keep track of performance reviews and cause corrections. 

When job descriptions are written with performance metrics in mind: 

• Employees are motivated to meet targets
• Managers can coach with clarity
• Conversations become outcome-driven, and not subjective

• Streamline hiring and onboarding: 

Constant turnovers are expensive. In a field like accounting, where training cycles are long and recurring, it can be extremely costly for businesses. Having a clear job description that is specific and role-aligned can help attract better-fit candidates, reduce hiring mismatches, and cut down onboarding time because new hires have complete clarity on what is expected of them. The internal documentation for your HR or staffing partner can help find steady and consistent hires.

•  Helps reduce burnout through defined roles and responsibilities: 

When accounting team members have overlapping duties or there is a disparity in the division of tasks, it can lead to burnout. In such cases, what usually happens is that some teams end up doing more jobs than they can, and they juggle to meet deadlines and maintain client satisfaction. One person ending up doing it all is most definitely not a sustainable model.

A clear job description balances out the workloads while preventing overextension. They help in distributing tasks fairly and highlight when a team is stretched beyond its limits. When you see that the tasks extend the team’s capabilities, it allows you the time to hire or offshore before burnout sets in. 

• Helps create a positive culture and transparency: 

Trust is based on transparency, and it has to be mutual. When employees know what is expected of them and what their responsibilities are, it leads to better communication, less conflict among team members, and a culture where everyone is aligned on the goals. 

Clear job roles are effective, and when it comes to performance conversations, they become less personal and more constructive. Employees feel more seen, valued, and empowered, which in turn boosts morale and retention. 

So, how do you use job descriptions to your advantage? 

In accounting, no two job descriptions are the same. One-size-fits-all often doesn’t work. The best practices include: 

• Customize descriptions as per your firm’s industry, position hiring for, workflow, etc.
• Include measurable KPIs tied to business results
• Maintain transparency about reporting lines, collaboration, and growth paths
• Update the JDs regularly to reflect changes in the process or scope of work

Not sure where to get started? Our customizable, ready-to-use job description templates are designed for accounting firms like yours. These templates will make it easier to hire, onboard, train, and retain talent and are applicable for building an in-house team and scaling with offshore support. 

Struggling to find talent that accelerates growth? With Finsmart’s Embedded offshoring model, we make it easier. You get access to pre-vetted, pre-qualified, English-speaking resources for different seniority levels. Whether you want junior bookkeepers or senior auditors, you’ve got it all covered. 

Have more questions about offshoring? Meet our team of offshoring experts to get started: https://finsmartaccounting.com/usa/free-consultation/ 

The post How Clear Job Descriptions Improve Performance and Retention in Accounting Teams 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.

However, finance and outsourcing costs can be relative. Every firm should understand the dollar amount of outsourcing its specific services.

In this article, we attempt to narrow down the cost of outsourcing different finance and accounting services to help accounting firms (in the US, UK, EU, Australia, Singapore, etc.) negotiate better rates and plan their resources confidently.

Why Understanding Pricing Matters

• Rising Demand for Outsourced Finance

As more firms turn to outsourcing to reduce operational costs and manage workload, adequate knowledge of pricing structures and models will help them build more profitable outsourcing relationships.

• Cost is A Major Concern for Every Decision-maker

Accounting, bookkeeping, and CPA firms need the right pricing information to plan their budgets and allocate resources. This knowledge is key to realizing the value of outsourced finance and accounting services.

• Transparent Breakdown Helps to Avoid Hidden Surprises

When you and your potential outsourcing partner are on the same page concerning the price of their services, hidden and unpleasant cost surprises that disrupt budgets and stifle cash flow are prevented.

What Influences the Cost of Finance and Accounting Outsourcing?

• Scope of Services

All things being equal, outsourcing a function that can be completed in under an hour will cost much less than a task that requires four hours to complete.

That is why a basic bookkeeping service costs less than a financial audit. Similarly, running payroll for 20 employees will be less expensive than doing the same for 100 employees.

Many times, projects with larger scopes also require greater expertise to complete.

• Geography: Location of the Outsourcing Provider

Cost of living (and other economic factors) varies across geographical locations. This reflects on labor (and accounting) costs.

You can’t compare the cost of outsourcing a service to a company in India (where the minimum wage is $674) to a company in the US (where the minimum wage is $15,080), which is why PwC and other Big-4 firms outsource to India.

• Complexity of the Finance Function

If your clients have multiple products, intricate revenue systems, or international locations, more detailed and complex financial reporting is needed.

This requires more time and resources to complete, which will increase your finance and accounting outsourcing costs.

• Volume of Transactions

Transaction volume also drives up labor costs as your outsourcing partner may need to commit more accounting resources to get the job done.

Transactions in e-commerce and hospitality are usually more voluminous and involve multiple accounts. These transactions take a longer time to reconcile and are done more frequently.

Bookkeeping and financial reporting here will cost more.

Tools Used

The software your outsourced partners use for your clients’ work will either increase your operating costs (through subscription fees) or reduce costs indirectly (due to faster turnaround time).

• Experience Level of Staff

The more specialized (and certified) employees an outsourcing firm has on staff, the greater the outsourcing costs to deliver projects because paying CPA-level professionals will naturally be more expensive than entry-level bookkeepers.

That will also reflect in the quality of work you receive. This means quicker turnaround time, fewer revisions, and timely payments.

• Compliance and Reporting Requirements

When your clients operate in a heavily regulated industry like construction and non-profit, you will need more specialized knowledge and a strenuous financial reporting process to keep your clients compliant. You’ll pay more for the depth of work.

Common Pricing Models in Finance and Accounting Outsourcing

Sample Pricing by Service Type

Finsmart Accounting’s prices are structured as follows:

Pricing Comparison – India vs. Philippines vs. US

India-based outsourcing partners like Finsmart offer up to 60–70% cost savings compared to US providers.

Here’s a table showing the price difference between India, the Philippines, and the USA for the role of an accountant.

Why India Is the Preferred Destination for Finance and Accounting Outsourcing

India is one of the most affordable and advanced finance and accounting destinations due to:

• Availability of CPAs: The finance and accounting industry in India is highly competitive, thanks in part to government support and a rigorous education system.

Between 2020 and 2025, the country added over 9,000 new CPAs, who can walk into any firm, any business, and deliver excellent end-to-end accounting services.

• Domain Expertise: The Indian education system also emphasizes global financial reporting standards, like the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This means your outsourced accountants do not need any training on accounting procedures.

Moreover, outsourcing companies in India prequalify their staff through a rigorous selection process, turning them into plug-and-play finance and accounting resources for US, UK, and Australian firms.

• Fintech Adoption: Investments from the Indian Government and the Big-4 accounting firms have helped to improve proficiency in financial technology, artificial intelligence, and analytics.

When you outsource to India, you wouldn’t need to train your partners on the tools you use for client work (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, etc.).

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

We don’t have to train anybody. They’re already trained.

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

Cost vs. Value: What Are You Really Paying For?

• Expertise and Accuracy

The average finance and accounting outsourcing company has spent years helping accounting and CPA firms with diverse challenges in your industry.

This has given them the wealth of knowledge and experience to deliver the quality of service that your in-house team may not be capable of.

• Compliance and Reduced Risk

Reputable outsourcing companies not only understand your client’s unique compliance needs but are also equipped with the technology to keep your client’s data safe.

Your potential outsourcing partner should be GDPR and SOC II-certified. This will enable them to handle your client’s data in a way that complies with relevant privacy and data security laws.

• Scalability and Responsiveness

Growth can deplete your in-house resources and reduce your ability to meet client deliverables at scale, unless you hire more hands.

But hiring takes weeks, requires a huge financial commitment, and can end up a waste of resources if you hire the wrong person.

Outsourced companies are a steady source of qualified professionals available for monthly subscriptions.

This allows you to quickly add more staff (as you expand) to manage the increased workload and maintain the service quality.

• Access to Better Tools

Outsourced finance and accounting staff are trained with the latest accounting software solutions.

Using their resources allows you to tap into advanced technologies that can streamline and automate your repetitive work for maximum efficiency and profitability.

For example, the Finsmart accounting team is skilled in Financial Cents, Asana, Salesforce, NetSuite, Sage, Liscio, Dropbox, etc.

• Business Continuity

By outsourcing to countries like India, you can provide continuous client service in your firm. As a team in one location closes, the other resumes, ensuring round-the-clock operations.

How to Reduce Costs Without Compromising Quality

• Bundle Packages for Better Rates

Many outsourcing companies bundle their services into packages by combining related functions into a singular ball-park price. This makes it cheaper to get multiple accounting services than when you have to pay separately.

Using bundled services also reduces data transfer, which might lead to errors and costly corrections.

• Choose the Right Mix of Services

Choosing the right mix of services helps you receive the exact services you need and not more.

When choosing a bundled package, take your time to assess the importance of every service, so that you don’t pay for the components you don’t need.

• Offshore to Countries like India

Thanks to differences in labor costs, outsourcing to countries with lower labor costs (like India) reduces your outsourcing costs by as much as 60-70% (as you can see in the table above).

• Opt for Experienced Partners with Proven Processes

A reputable finance and accounting outsourcing company will bring years of proven accounting processes to the table.

Since you won’t have to micromanage them, you can focus on your strategic work, knowing they’ll turn in their assigned work on time.

• Automate Routine Tasks

Not only will automation reduce the time your outsourcing partner spends on projects, but it will also reduce human errors and costly corrections.

Artificial Intelligence, robotic process automation (RPA), and other innovations present an opportunity to save time and reduce operational costs for you and your outsourcing partner.

Final Thoughts: Get Custom Pricing for Your Business

Getting the best outsourcing price (and value for your money) requires a clear understanding of your workflow needs.

With this knowledge, you can confidently determine your budget for outsourcing a service, so you don’t pay a dime more than necessary.

If you need help understanding your outsourcing needs and finance and outsourcing costs, our support team will gladly assist you in figuring it out (and the best price based on market forces). You can book a free consultation today.

“Explore affordable, high-quality finance and accounting support with Finsmart Accounting.”

The post How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Finance and Accounting Outsourcing Company? appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

• 62% of the respondents believe that training programs alone will not be enough to run a successful practice by 2030.

• 57% of respondents said that technological literacy is now a leading additional skill accountants need.

• 40% of the new staff join a practice based on its market reputation

Why are accountants so important?

The talent shortage in the accounting industry is real. One of the key reasons is the lack of a new generation of accountants, unwilling to join the workforce. The long hours, the lack of work-life balance are cited as some of the factors resulting in this. The leaders and firm owners are taking a new approach – addressing the concerns – to make accounting a better, more diverse, and befitting profession.

Despite these challenges, accounting is one of the most sought-after professions. Every organization needs them, irrespective of size, type, or industry. After all, accountants are not mere number crunchers. They are at the heart of any business. From ensuring compliance with the constantly evolving laws to providing critical insights to the leaders and other stakeholders, their knowledge, expertise, and judgment guide a firm’s strategic decision-making. They help businesses track performance, manage risks, optimize cash flow, and plan for growth. When organizations lack skilled accountants, they struggle to maintain financial health, meet even the basic regulatory obligations, or make informed decisions.

As the industry continues to evolve, leaders need to change too. “If you can equip leaders to lead in a new way – they are creating an innovative culture, they are focusing on growth, they have a strategic approach to problem solving, they are not just reactive – if you can do that early on in someone’s career, you have a lot of people in the same direction in the profession as a whole,” says Angie Grissom, Owner of Rainmaker Companies in the Accounting Influencers podcast with Rob Brown.

So, how do you prepare the next generation of leaders? This is where a great job description comes into the picture. It is the first step towards hiring a great team member.

What should be included in any accounting job description?

A job description has to be well-structured. Period. Whether you are hiring for an entry-level accounting position or a Director position, the structure is important for highly skilled resources to align with the actual job.. This is how you can structure each of the sections.

• Job Title:  Use a clear, recognizable title that candidates will search for. This will improve your search and visibility. 

• Position Summary: This is where you pitch your role to the candidates. Keep it brief, but explain what the position does and how it contributes to the firm. This is a self-filler for the candidates.
  
  

• Key Responsibilities: Use bullet points for ease of visibility, mentioning core duties. Use action-oriented language like “update”, “assist”, and “prepare” so that the candidates are certain of what they are expected to do. 

• Required skills: Mention any tools and certifications you want the team members to have. Also, include the experience you are looking for to ensure only the right candidates apply. 

• Reporting line: Specify who the role reports to and if there are any direct reportees or collaborators. This helps the candidates assess if the position is a right fit for them, depending on who they want to work with. 

• Showcase Your Company Culture: Modern-day workforce wants to know what they are signing up for, which means understanding what the company culture looks like, what the goal and vision of the company are, to ensure alignment. 

• Compensation & benefits: Your candidates want to know what you will pay them. No matter what anyone says, this is one of the primary things prospective employees look for. Transparency in pay also attracts trust. It is even better if you can include other benefits, besides compensation.

• Application process: Candidates want to know what happens after they have applied for a position. Mention the next steps, set timelines, interview rounds, or who they will be hearing from. This gives them peace and strengthens trust through clear communication.

Tips to Write Accounting Job Descriptions that Attract Top Talent

Attracting top talent is no cakewalk. It requires understanding the mindset of the candidates that you are hiring. It is not just about mentioning the roles and responsibilities. It is about pitching your organization, showcasing what value you will add to the resume and career of the people who become a part of your team. Hence, curating a JD that attracts top talent should be taken extremely seriously. Here are a few tips that can help you get started. 

• Start with a clear, optimized title: 

Why is it important: Even before a candidate sees your JD, it is the title that they are looking for. This is what they use to search for where the vacancies are available.

What should you do?

• Use standard terms for roles like “Accounting Manager,” “Tax Accountant,” or “Accounts Payable Specialist.”
• Avoid using jargon or made-up terms like “Finance Rockstar” or “Number Ninja”. They may seem fun, but they will not be able to deliver results in terms of hiring candidates.
• Add any key qualifiers (like “Remote,” “Part-Time,” “CPA Preferred”) to improve search relevance.

• Treat your role summary like an elevator pitch: 

Why is it important: When actively looking, top candidates look through dozens of roles in several organizations in a day. A strong and attractive role summary helps stop the scroll.

What should you do?

• Briefly, but clearly explain what the role is about, why it exists, and how it will add value to the company.
  
  For example, you could add something like “We’re looking for a results-driven Tax Accountant to support our growing portfolio of SMB clients. You’ll be the go-to expert on federal and state filings and play a key role in streamlining our compliance processes.”

• Talk about the outcomes, not just about the tasks

Why is it important: Top talent wants to know that they will add value and make a difference. Especially when hiring for senior-level positions or niche roles, it is important to mention the impact their role will have. 

What should you do?

• Instead of mentioning vague statements like “prepare financial reports”, a better way could be “deliver monthly reports within 7 business days, with 100% accuracy”.
• Your JD should include accountability and help candidates understand how the role will bring success. 

• Let your JD stand out by defining your personality

Why is it important: Generic job descriptions will always have a hard time standing out. Adding a bit of personality helps your JD stand out, especially in a complex hiring landscape.

What should you do?

• Use a conversational and friendly tone. Try using “You will…” instead of “the candidate will”. 
• Incorporating what your culture is, and what it means for the people, can be a good way for candidates to build a sense of belonging even before they become a part of your company. 

• Showcase what’s in it for them:

Why is it important: It is not enough to just convey what you want from your employees. You also need to tell them what is in it for them.

What should you do?

• For example, if you have training programs or remote flexibility, don’t forget to mention that in your job descriptions. 
• Be as transparent about the compensation and benefits as possible. Ultimately, this is what they are looking at. 

Popular Accounting Roles and Responsibilities

Accounting is a diverse profession. As you learn more and grow in the profession, gather experience, you get to choose the niche you prefer. In accounting firms, the teams are a blend of foundational and specialized roles. No matter the size of your firm, having clarity on the purpose of each of the roles you are hiring for helps you and your team (if you have one). 

Here are some of the common accounting roles that you may need to hire for based on the requirements of your firm: 

Accounting Payable & Receivable Roles

A steady cash flow continues to be one of the pressing challenges for many firms. The reason is similar, almost always. Lack of account receivables and payables processes and specialists who understand how to tackle the unusual solutions or sudden changes in payment plans is among the top reasons.

Finding the right resource for such positions isn’t easy. You need to understand the challenges that your vendors face, be prepared for the unforeseen business challenges that might jeopardize the monthly payment cycles, and much more. 

Here are some roles that you can hire for in these positions. 

Specialized Accounting Roles with Important Hiring Tips

In accounting, several niche positions are in high demand. These roles are about knowing the industry in detail, ensuring compliance and accuracy, and having in-depth insights on specific areas like payroll, taxation, and much more. These roles demand experience and expertise that are directly proportional to the business performance. 

Some of the specialized roles that you may need to hire for include: 

• Payroll Accountant:

What Do They Do?

A Payroll Accountant is responsible for managing wage distribution, deductions, benefits, and tax withholdings, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time, while complying with employment laws and reporting standards – both local and global, if needed. 

Why Is It Specialized?

Payroll involves ever-changing labor laws, tax codes, and benefit structures. Mistakes here can lead to financial penalties and employee dissatisfaction.

Hiring Tip:

Look for candidates with experience using platforms like Gusto, ADP, or Paychex, with an in-depth understanding of multi-state or geographical payroll laws if your team is distributed. Make sure to lay out clear expectations right from the start and spread awareness about compliance and confidentiality.

• Tax Accountant: 

What Do They Do?

Tax season is a very important time for accountants. That is why you need a Tax Accountant – someone who understands the to-dos, the regulations, and everything in between that goes into the process. Tax Accountants are your strategic advisors when preparing taxes.

Why Is It Specialized?

Local, federal, and international tax laws are complex, constantly changing, and high-stakes. The right Tax Accountant doesn’t just file returns—they protect the business from liability and find legitimate savings opportunities.

Hiring Tip:

Prioritize CPAs or EA-certified professionals with experience in your industry. Ask for examples of past tax-saving strategies or audit handling.

• Property Accountant: 

What Do They Do?

Property Accountants focus on real estate-related financials—handling rent rolls, lease agreements, asset depreciation, and reconciliation for real estate portfolios.

Why Is It Specialized?

This role requires an understanding of property management software, lease accounting standards, and recurring revenue models.

Hiring Tip:

Look for candidates with industry-specific experience—especially in platforms like Yardi, AppFolio, or MRI. Ask how they’ve handled CAM reconciliations or capital expenditure tracking.

Still confused about what to include for specialized job description templates? Use our ready-to-use templates to get the right candidates onboard. 

DOWNLOAD SPECIALIZED JOB DESCRIPTION TEMPLATES

How can Job Descriptions help improve accountability and team performance?

We keep talking about how JDs are important when you are hiring for a specific role. But it doesn’t just end there. It is also important when you hire them and bring them on board. They know what it is they are signing up for, you know what to expect from them, and how to set the success parameters. A clear JD goes a long way in building a team that enables growth. 

• It helps align everyone on the expectations: 

When roles are clearly defined, everyone knows what’s expected — from day one. This alignment helps avoid miscommunication. Communication gaps in accounting can lead to several missed deadlines, duplicated work, conflicting priorities, and errors that can severely jeopardize the business. 

How it helps performance: Employees can focus their energy on what truly matters. Instead of guessing what the scope of work is, whether they have to communicate something to the client or other stakeholders, they can focus only on delivering outcomes.

How it drives accountability: There’s no room for “I didn’t know that was my job.” Everyone understands their ownership areas, making it easier to track progress and flag underperformance. This also allows leaders to step away from their desks and focus on strategic functions, instead of micromanaging the teams. 

• They provide a measurable basis for evaluation: 

Without a clear job description, performance reviews become subjective. With one, managers can measure outcomes against the responsibilities, KPIs, and tools listed in the JD.

How it helps performance: Employees are more likely to hit goals when they are aware of the goals that they are chasing and the results they are expected to deliver. 

How it drives accountability: Reviews become structured and fair. Underperformance becomes easier to identify, document, and address constructively.

• It reduces internal conflict: 

When job descriptions clearly define who owns what, it prevents overlapping responsibilities that can lead to inefficiencies or conflict between team members.

How it helps performance: Teams can collaborate better when roles are complementary, not competitive.

How it drives accountability: Ownership is clear — if something isn’t done, it’s easy to trace the gap and resolve it quickly.

• It speeds up the process of onboarding and transitions: 

When someone just joins the team, their job descriptions can act as a guidebook on how to get started. It guides them on the skills that they might be missing and need to learn. They gain an understanding of what success looks like and how they can contribute right from the beginning.

How it helps performance: When new hires know exactly what they are expected to do, in some cases, it can also reduce the time spent on training them or performing knowledge transfer. It speeds up productivity and shortens the learning curve. 

How it drives accountability: New hires know what they’re being measured against, so they step up early with direction.

• It strengthens trust and transparency: 

When everyone has access to everyone else’s job description, it fosters a culture of clarity and shared understanding. It also gives team members the confidence that they are not being burdened with work alone. 

How it helps performance: When teams understand cross-functional responsibilities, they try to support each other better. This makes room for better collaboration and fewer delays or confusion. 

How it drives accountability: People know who’s responsible for what, and why. No more passing the buck.

In-House Hiring vs. Outsourced Hiring – What is Better for You?

Now that you know what it is that you are looking for, it is time to decide whether you want to expand the team on the necessary roles in-house or choose offshoring. This analysis will help make a decision. 

What are the performance metrics for accountants?

Job descriptions don’t just define roles—they should be able to set the tone for performance and growth. After all, growth happens when your team members understand what the JD stands for, what they are expected to do, and how they can contribute to growth. This is often symbolized by the key performance indicators. Incorporating KPIs in the JD can help align expectations from day one, track effectiveness and outcomes, facilitate more objectives for performance reviews, and motivate team members by defining what success looks like. 

Here are role-specific examples of KPIs that you can include to drive performance and accountability:

Accounting Associate

• Number of transactions recorded accurately per week
• Timeliness of month-end closing tasks
• Accuracy rate in data entry and reconciliations
• Number of errors flagged internally before an audit
• Response time to internal team queries

Accounts Payable Specialist

• Average invoice processing time
• Payment accuracy rate
• Early payment discount utilization rate
• Number of vendor issues resolved
• Timeliness of payment runs

Accounts Receivable Manager

• • Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)
  • Collection effectiveness index
  • The percentage of overdue accounts reduced
  • Accuracy of customer invoicing

• Time to resolve payment disputes

Tax Accountant

• On-time tax return submissions
• Number of audit flags/issues
• Accuracy in tax calculations and filings
• Time taken to implement new tax regulations
• Estimated tax savings identified for clients/company

Management Accountant

• Budget variance analysis accuracy
• Timeliness of management reports
• Forecast accuracy (%)
• Cost savings initiatives implemented
• Decision-making support is provided to departments

Accounting Manager

• • On-time monthly/quarterly close
  • Team productivity and error rates
  • Internal audit compliance rate
  • Team onboarding and training efficiency

• Accuracy of financial reporting

Director of Accounting

• Department-wide closed-cycle efficiency
• Cost-to-performance ratio of the accounting function
• Compliance with GAAP/IFRS standards
• Strategic initiatives implemented successfully
• Talent retention and engagement metrics

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

• Client satisfaction scores
• Number of financial audits passed without major adjustments
• Accuracy in financial statement preparation
• Advisory services converted into retained work
• Continuing education credits are completed annually

Accounting job descriptions aren’t just HR formalities—they’re the foundation of how you attract, hire, and grow the right talent.

When written with clarity, a great job description does more than list duties. It sets expectations, defines success, and gives your team members direction from day one. Whether you’re hiring your first accountant or building a multi-role accounting department, having a library of strategic, ready-to-use job descriptions can save time and improve results.

DOWNLOAD ACCOUNTING JOB DESCRIPTION TEMPLATES HERE

Our professionally written templates are tailored to each role and optimized for performance, hiring, and growth, so you don’t have to start from scratch.

Why Partnering with Finsmart Elevates Your Hiring Game?

Watch how this solo practitioner solved her capacity challenges with our team(Embed the video here): https://youtu.be/-raIeGDZLvw?si=WcAkoDc3v-WYUgp_ 

Hiring accountants today is not just about filling a role—it’s about building a future-ready team that’s agile, efficient, and aligned with your firm’s growth goals. That’s where Finsmart steps in as more than just a talent provider. We become your strategic partner in transforming how you hire, manage, and scale your accounting function.

Whether you’re a CPA firm looking to expand your capacity or a business aiming to streamline financial operations, we bring clarity to your hiring process from the beginning, with guided onboarding and access to top-tier offshore talent that works as an extension of your team.

With 18+ years of experience in accounting offshoring, catering to 7+ countries, we have built an offshoring model that solves the clients’ problem. We call it the Accounting Seat Model. It is an embedded model, which means you get pre-trained, pre-vetted, English-speaking, skilled resources who embed seamlessly into your systems. Need a junior Bookkeeper? We have them. Need a shared CFO? We have you covered.

With Finsmart Accounting, no matter the seniority level or the skills, you will get them all here. Our team members are not just task takers – they are proactive, collaborative, familiar with US GAAP, tax processes, and major accounting platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, and more. They help you save time, reduce burnout, and maintain accuracy at every level of your accounting journey.

From the moment you partner with us, we work closely to:

• Understand your firm’s needs and workflows
• Customize the right job roles and responsibilities
• Set up secure systems and clear communication channels
• Integrate offshore team members who align with your culture and expectations

You don’t need to worry about hiring bottlenecks, unclear responsibilities, or training from scratch. With Finsmart, you get a head start—with the tools, templates, and talent you need to build a high-performing accounting team.

Partnering with Finsmart makes sure that your accounting processes are seamless from Day 1. To get started, we follow the following onboarding steps:

• Gather all details of the accounting firm – client name, address, partners, employees, point of contact, scope of work, and other basic details. 
• Together we set up the tech – Accounting Software, Internal Communications platform, time tracking, Document Management, task Management, Invoice Processing, Month Closing, Password Protection, and data security
• Deep dive into the accounting processes to understand what both parties expect
• Set the accounting offshoring workflow with our 14-step guide

“We are just happy to have a source where we can send our extra work to, so that we can take more work on. We don’t have to go hire more employees, we can just buy more time as needed, and a great resource,” says Julie Beth, Founder of JB Advisory, who has been using Finsmart Accounting for their recurring accounting activities. 

Ready to get started? Book a discovery call: 

Book a free discovery call to explore your options.

ACCESS THE JOB DESCRIPTION TEMPLATES NOW

The post The Complete Guide to Accountant Job Descriptions: Roles, Duties, and Templates appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

Sue further says that the first 5 years in an individual’s professional journey play a huge role in determining how they perceive the profession. This means the way they are being treated, the fairness in pay, the work hours, and how they feel, play an important role in determining their future of the talent in the accounting industry. 

As we constantly strive to address the challenges that have been causing a severe accounting talent shortage in the US, accounting leaders, firm owners, and recruiters have a role to play. Setting the expectations right and ensuring that your future employees are aligned with the wider goals of the organization and relatively smaller goals of the job title has a huge role to play in ensuring you attract and retain the top talent.  

Why a Clear Job Description Matters

Whether it is for your internal teams or your clients, accountants are needed everywhere. Their roles touch upon a major part of every business. Whether it is about balancing the books, maintaining cleanup, managing payroll functions, preparing for the tax season, maintaining compliance, or supporting the leaders in financial forecasting and decision making, accounting roles always carry high stakes. When responsibilities are vague or overlapping, they can lead to delays, errors, and even financial and reputational damage. 

A well-defined job description can help address several important aspects:

1. Clarity of role and scope:
   → Everyone knows exactly what they’re responsible for—no overlaps, no confusion. 
2. Improved team collaboration
   → When the roles are defined, especially within a team, it is easier to reduce the bottlenecks while ensuring a smooth cross-functional teamwork. 
3. Measurable accountability
   → When you have set parameters that define success, it is easier to track progress and hold team members accountable. 
4. Better performance management
   → Managers and leaders can provide focused feedback and growth plans based on the set expectations. 
5. Streamlined onboarding and training
   → New hires get up to speed faster with a roadmap of what they’ll be doing and how success is measured.

How Do Clear Job Descriptions Ensure Accountability?

In a field like Accounting, it is not uncommon to make errors. A Gartner report suggests that 18% of accountants make financial errors at least daily, and one-third of them make financial errors every week and about 59% of accountants make several errors per month. 

However, the most important part is that your team members should feel accountable. Whether it is a small or a larger team, when no one takes ownership and feels accountable, it is easy to lose focus on what is important. Overlapping jobs make the tasks even more difficult.

A clear job description can help inculcate a sense of accountability in many ways: 

• They Create Ownership from Day One

When a new member joins the team (in any position), a clear JD helps them understand their deliverables, the software and tools they are expected to use, and the outcomes they will deliver. This leaves no room for confusion on whether they own client reconciliations, monthly closings, or compliance reporting. This prevents tasks from falling through the cracks and encourages proactive performance. This also saves a lot of time on the leaders’ part, having to chase the gaps.

• They Align with Firm Goals and Department KPIs

An effective JD doesn’t just list tasks. It bridges the gap between individual and organizational goals. For example, if your firm is aiming for faster client turnaround or higher audit accuracy, those priorities should reflect in the roles you are hiring and their KPIs.

• They Minimize Conflict and Overlap

This is especially relevant for accounting firms with bigger teams. During tax season or audit season, there is a tendency to overlap tasks. While you might think this makes task completion faster, it does exactly the opposite. It leads to confusion and inefficiencies. A clear JD draws the line between people responsible for individual tasks. This prevents duplication and negligence. 

• They Provide a Baseline for Performance Reviews

Your best performers leave when they feel neglected and undervalued. Taking credit for another individual’s task is a common affair. A clear JD helps avoid that. Performance evaluation becomes difficult because there are no set benchmarks. A good JD is a contract between the employee and employer. It makes performance assessment easy and fair, ensuring proper raises, appreciations, and promotions. 

• They Improve Retention Through Role Clarity

You can’t expect employees to perform when they are unaware of what is expected of them. When they know what is expected and feel supported in their journeys, they tend to stay longer. Accounting is a high-pressure field, and vague or unrealistic job scopes will lead to high attrition rates.

• They Strengthen Offshore Team Integration

While offshoring has a lot of benefits, without set parameters, the success of this model goes for a toss. A right JD becomes the only source of reality for your offshore teams to align with expectations, workflows, and communication structures. It allows you to check for compatibility or workflow gaps early on. 

Top Elements Every JD Should Possess

To build clarity and accountability in your Job Descriptions, here are some key elements that you cannot miss out on: 

Job Title: Sets the tone for responsibility and ensures alignment with organizational hierarchy and expectations.

Role Summary: Provides a high-level understanding of what the role exists to achieve, guiding focus and ownership.

Key Responsibilities: Outlines specific tasks and deliverables the person will be held accountable for.

Required Skills & Tools: Clarifies the capabilities needed to perform effectively and be accountable from day one.

KPIs or Success Metrics:  Defines how success will be measured, leaving no room for ambiguity in performance reviews.

Reporting Line: Establishes who the role answers to, reinforcing accountability through clear supervision.

Company Overview: Aligns the individual’s responsibilities with broader company goals and values for mission-based accountability.

Compensation & Benefits: Ties rewards to responsibilities, reinforcing the link between performance and recognition.

DOWNLOAD THE COMPLETE JD TEMPLATE PACK HERE

Common JD Mistakes That Undermine Accountability

Avoid these pitfalls that defeat the purpose of using JDs to drive accountability:

• Too generic: “Responsible for financial reporting” doesn’t help anyone understand scope or timelines. 
• Overloaded roles: One JD covering 3 different job functions creates confusion and burnout. 
• Lack of KPIs: Without measurable outcomes, there’s no benchmark for good performance. 
• No process clarity: Missing process steps or tool guidelines can lead to major misalignment, especially when you deal with offshore teams.  
• One-time documentation: If JDs are never updated, they become irrelevant and unhelpful.

Need Help Filling an Accounting Role?

Writing the perfect job description is only half the battle. The next challenge? Finding someone who’s qualified and available.

That’s where Finsmart Accounting can help.

Hire full-time, remote Accounting professionals, across different levels, who are pre-vetted, trained, and ready to plug into your team—without the stress of local recruitment. With Finsmart, you get:

• Pre-screened talent 
• Fluent English and accounting software skills 
• Trained in international accounting standards 
• Fully remote and ready to work your time zone 
• Teams that are ready to be deployed from day 1

With our Embedded outsourcing model, you no longer have to wait to train the teams. They seamlessly settle into your teams. To get started, all we need is: 

• We begin by understanding your firm—its structure, team, clients, scope of work, and daily accounting needs. 
• Next, we align on the tech stack—whether it’s your accounting software, project management tools, data protection systems, and communication tools.
• We then map your existing accounting processes to identify the scope of improvements and clarify expectations. 
• We implement our proven 14-step offshoring workflow, designed to deliver speed, security, and scalability. 
• Finally, we assign a Team Leader and an Account Manager to handle all your accounting problems thereon. 

Ready to get started? Book a discovery call: 

Book a free discovery call to explore your options.

The post Using Job Descriptions to Set Expectations and Accountability in Accounting Roles appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

One key reason fewer accountants are willing to join the accounting profession is the poor job distribution. And a top factor resulting in this is the lack of specialized skills. Customers want more. Accountants can no longer just have the technical skills and expect to scale. Rob Brown, in one of his podcasts, mentioned that specialized skills like Forensic Accounting, ESG, cybersecurity, capitalizing on the experiences, and tapping into the emerging landscape will be more needed if you want to gain an edge over your competitors, provide the best services to your clients, and scale. 

This is relevant when you are creating a niche business. Now, what happens when you are a firm that provides multiple services? You need someone who understands your business, someone who has the skills to put the best foot forward. That is where a role like Director of Accounting comes into the picture.

Now, you might think this is something that only bigger firms need. But that’s not the case. Even if you are a small accounting firm owner, it can get overwhelming to do it all on your own. So, instead of getting someone in-house and increasing the overhead costs, you might consider an offshore Director of Accounting.

What does a Director of Accounting role mean for an accounting firm?

A Director of Accounting isn’t just a senior title in your organizational hierarchy. Having this role within your organization means you can bridge financial accuracy, strategic insight, and operational leadership. A Directorial role in Accounting is critical in overseeing financial operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and leading the accounting team to maintain integrity in the financial operations. 

The Director of Accounting Role has become more important than ever. Data suggests that:  

1. About 70% of organizations have a dedicated Director of Finance. This number points towards the increasing complexity of financial management. 
2. The demand for such professionals is expected to grow by 6% between 2023 and 2033, as complex reporting requirements become more important. 

The Director of Accounting Role is strategic, not just operational – WHY?

Unlike junior and mid-level accountants, a Director is not just responsible for ensuring that transactions are recorded correctly. Their job includes: 

• Structuring financial operations across departments.
• Build and lead accounting teams that can scale as the business grows
• Design and enforce internal controls that protect the company. 
• Partner with leadership on business planning, forecasting, and compliance. 

Without a strong Director of Accounting or someone in a similar position, companies may struggle with late closures, audit issues, cash flow surprises, and financial and reputational damage. 

Why do you need a thorough Job Description for such roles?

Hiring for a leadership role is often tricky. In case you end up with a wrong hire, the impact trickles down to the bottom. The teams can lose motivation, which can, in turn, lead to inefficiencies and unproductivity. An inaccurate or vague job description can have one or more of the following impacts: 

• Attract underqualified candidates who aren’t ready to take on the challenges of the role
• Set the wrong performance expectations internally and externally
• Delay progress when, in fact, your company needs reliable financial direction

On the other hand, a clear and detailed job description ensures that you bring in a leader who knows what to expect, what success looks like, and how their role connects to the broader organizational goals.

Core Elements to Include in the Job Description of a Director of Accounting

Job Title: By mentioning the accurate job title, which will appear everywhere when they join, the candidates become aware of the responsibility and what is expected of them. 

Role Summary: The role summary should be the answer when someone asks your “Director of Accounting” what they do. 

Key Responsibilities: This section will delve deeper into what they do, specific deliverables, and all the things they will be accountable for.

Required Skills & Tools: There are specialized skills and tools that a person hired in a leadership position requires. Giving them the entire picture will help them perform effectively from day 1. 

KPIs or Success Metrics:  Defines how success will be measured, leaving no room for confusion in performance reviews.

Company Overview: Aligns the individual’s responsibilities with broader company goals and values for mission-based accountability.

Compensation & Benefits: This is the parameter that candidates also look for first when they are joining. This section ensures goal alignment.

Application Process: Candidates trust firms better when they witness open and transparent communication. Letting them know the timelines will work in your favor. 

DOWNLOAD THE FREE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING JD TEMPLATES

Important KPI and Metrics that should be included in the JD

Being a strategic role, it can get difficult to track the performance of the Director of Accounting if you do not have proper parameters in place. This can confuse the candidate as well as the team when they come on board. 

Sample KPIs could include: 

• Days to close books after month-end: Target 5–7 days.

• Audit findings: Zero material weaknesses reported.

• Budget vs Actuals variance: Maintain accuracy within 2-5%.

• Team retention: Keep annual accounting team turnover below industry benchmarks.

• Implementation of automation initiatives: Complete projects on time and within budget.

How does a great JD, especially for niche roles, make hiring and onboarding smooth?

While this is relevant for any position you might be hiring for, it becomes especially important in senior and leadership positions. When candidates are clear on what is expected of them, they can get going. A clear JD helps: 

• Attract candidates with the right blend of leadership and technical skills.

• Align internal hiring teams on what “good” looks like.

• Make onboarding more focused and efficient.

• Set clear initial performance goals.

• Establish a sense of ownership and accountability early on.

It saves time, reduces confusion and misalignment, and ultimately helps build a more cohesive leadership team in your finance department.

Need help filling the role? 

Writing the perfect job description is only half the battle, but it can get tricky. These free Job Description templates can help.

But what about the next challenge of finding a skilled and qualified resource?

Finsmart Accounting’s team of pre-qualified, pre-vetted, English-speaking resources can help you deploy a Director of Accounting from day 1. But that is just the beginning.

A strong offshoring partnership means your extended teams blend seamlessly into your own. With our Embedded Outsourcing model, your new team members don’t just support your operations — they become an extension of your firm’s culture and goals from Day 1.

Here’s how we ensure a seamless start:

• The team gets a comprehensive understanding of your firm’s structure, workflows, and expectations.

• We collaborate to set up the right tech stack — accounting software, communication channels, document management, and time tracking — for smooth day-to-day operations.

• Our team dives deep into your accounting processes to align on priorities, timelines, and quality standards.

• Together, we customize the offshoring workflow using our proven 14-step implementation guide, ensuring clarity, accountability, and efficiency from the outset.

• We assign a Team Leader and an Account Manager who are responsible for your satisfaction and success.

When you partner with Finsmart, you don’t just fill a position — you unlock a scalable, high-performing accounting function built for long-term success.

Ready to experience the Finsmart difference? Let’s start the conversation today.

Book a free discovery call to explore your options.

BOOK THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING JD TEMPLATE PACK TODAY

The post Director of Accounting Job Description: Role Overview and Expectations [+ Free Template] appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

• In the academic year 2021-22, there was a 7.8% decline in the number of students who earned a Bachelors Degree than the previous year
• There was also a decline in the number of students completing Master’s degree by 6.4%

Hiring an accountant isn’t the way it used to be. As a leader or a firm owner, you can no longer just post a job and have resumes flow in. As a firm owner, you are compelled to compete in a market with a low talent base.

Blake Oliver, CPA, in one of his posts mentioned that even the top 10 accounting firms struggle to recruit accountants and auditors in the US. This is one of the reasons why BDO USA has committed to double the international workforce to 5000 in the next few years.

That is why it is important to write a clear, compelling, accounting job description. This is your first virtual meeting with your potential hire. Asking questions like, “why we should hire you” doesn’t cut it anymore. So how do you craft a job description that speaks to top talent and gets the right candidates?

Let us delve deeper. 

Why is your job description not working?

Let us address the elephant in the room first. You are looking for a new job description template in either of two cases – you are just introducing the role or your current job description doesn’t get you the candidates you are looking for.

The main reason is that most job descriptions tend to go overboard with buzzwords or they lack clarity. Candidates might not get answers to key questions, such as: 

1. What is my role actually?
2. Is this a junior or senior position?
3. What is the culture of the firm? 
4. What is the expectation from this role?
5. How will the firm support me? 

When the JD lacks answers to these basic questions, great candidates, and the right fit – they move on. 

Here’s what differentiates a good JD from a bad JD:

How to write a JD that appeals to your potential hires? 

Accounting roles are generally niche and specialized in nature. To hire the right professional, you need to provide answers that the candidates are looking for: 

• Start with a Clear Position Overview

To avoid wasting your time scanning through irrelevant profiles and of candidates who later figure that the role isn’t meant for them, have a clear overview that states the purpose of the role and why it matters to the firm. For example, 

• Define the Seniority & Experience Level

Are you looking for a fresher candidate or do you need someone who brings years of expertise to the table? Have clarity on the seniority and have it included in your JD. Be specific about who you are hiring and what you expect out of them. 

• Are you hiring someone with 2 years’ experience or 10?
• Will they work independently or under a manager?

Clarity ensures better alignment from day one.

• List Key Responsibilities (Not Just Buzzwords)

Experienced candidates, especially, do not prefer to apply for firms that have vague terms in their job descriptions. Instead of using terms like “financial support” or “accounting tasks”, use action verbs and daily duties. This helps candidates self-qualify—and gets you better-aligned applicants.

• Be Clear About Required Skills & Certifications

No matter what position you are hiring for, it is important to lay out clearly what are the skills you are looking for. Even if you don’t want to segregate them, make sure to include what are the mandatory requirements and what are good to have.

• Share Compensation (If You Can)

Your candidates want to know what you will pay them. No matter what anyone says, this is one of the primary things that people look for. Transparency in pay also attracts trust. If you’re not comfortable listing a salary range, at least share something about the compensation philosophy—like growth incentives, benefits, or learning budgets. This helps ensure that the candidates are well-aligned with the goals, vision and offerings of the firm. 

• Showcase Your Company Culture

When inviting a team member to join your firm, you are not just hiring for a role, you are inviting someone into your team. So in your JD, it is important to include what makes your firm unique, what should be their motivation to join you and so on. 

• Clarify the Application Process

One of the major things that candidates hate when applying for a role is not knowing what to expect next. Mention the next steps, set timelines, interview rounds, or whom they will be hearing from. This gives them peace of mind and doesn’t leave them hang with anxiety. 

Pro Tip: Use a Template to Save Time

Writing a job description from scratch every time? Not anymore.

We’ve created a downloadable Accounting Job Description Template Pack that includes ready-to-use descriptions for:

•  Bookkeeper
• Senior Accountant – for different levels
• Junior Bookkeeper

You can customize them based on your firm’s needs and post them instantly.

What Happens After You Find the Right Job Description?

Writing the perfect job description is only step one. Finding the right talent is step two—and that’s where most firms get stuck.

That’s where Finsmart comes in.

We help accounting firms hire full-time, remote, pre-vetted talent from India who are trained, English-speaking, and aligned with international standards.

If you’re still shortlisting candidates weeks after posting, it might be time to try a different approach.

Partnering with Finsmart makes sure that your accounting processes are seamless from Day 1. To get started, we follow the following onboarding steps:

• Gather all details of the accounting firm – client name, address, partners, employees, point of contact, scope of work and other basic details. 
• Together we set up the tech – Accounting Software, Internal Communications platform, time tracking, Document Management, task Management, Invoice Processing, Month Closing, Password Protection, and data security
• Deep dive into the accounting processes to understand what both parties expect
• Set the accounting offshoring workflow with our 14-step guide

Ready to get started? Book a discovery call: 

Book a free discovery call to explore your options.

A strong accounting job description does more than list tasks. It reflects your firm’s clarity, values, and vision. When done right, it saves time, attracts aligned candidates, and sets your team up for long-term success.

Be smart. Be Finsmart. 

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE JOB DESCRIPTION PACKAGE TODAY!

The post How to Write an Accounting Job Description That Attracts Top Talent [+ Free Template] appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

The 2024 Global Outsourcing Survey by Deloitte sheds light on the latest outsourcing trends, emphasizing the emergence of multidimensional sourcing. This approach integrates outsourcing with other models such as insourcing, Global In-house Centers (GICs), and AI-powered solutions, creating an orchestrated workforce ecosystem.

The Need for Multidimensional Talent Sourcing

According to Deloitte’s 2024 report, 96% of organizations leverage third-party outsourcing, underscoring its foundational role in global operations. Accounting and bookkeeping outsourcing play a crucial part in this dynamic. These services allow firms to access specialized expertise, scale operations flexibly, and reduce overhead costs without compromising accuracy.

Trends in Outsourcing: Key Highlights from the 2024 Survey

1. The Rise of AI-Powered Outsourcing

• Automation Integration: 67% of surveyed executives noted the inclusion of AI capabilities by vendors. AI is being used to enhance accounting processes such as error detection, financial reporting, and compliance checks, providing faster and more accurate results.
• Challenges: Despite high expectations, less than half of companies report noticeable productivity gains from AI integration in outsourced functions. Key barriers include immature contracting models and insufficient governance.

2. Surge in Insourcing

• 70% of organizations have selectively insourced functions previously outsourced, aiming to bolster in-house capabilities and reduce dependency on vendors for critical services.
• However, insourcing is not a replacement for outsourcing but complements it. For instance, routine bookkeeping is ideal for outsourcing, while high-level financial analysis may remain in-house.

3. Adoption of GICs

GICs serve as a hybrid model, allowing companies to own their operations while leveraging cost-effective locations. They account for about 30% of talent sourcing in surveyed firms and are increasingly employed alongside traditional outsourcing models.

4. Outcome-Based Relationships

Outcome-based outsourcing models are replacing staff augmentation. 67% of executives now prioritize value creation over cost savings, focusing on innovations like predictive financial analytics.

The Strategic Role of Accounting and Bookkeeping Outsourcing

Accounting outsourcing and bookkeeping outsourcing are no longer merely cost-saving measures. They have evolved into value-driven strategies. Companies can address challenges such as fluctuating demand and talent shortages while improving compliance and performance metrics.

Core Benefits

1. Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing eliminates the need for full-time staff, training, and infrastructure while ensuring access to global experts.
2. Scalability: Businesses can handle seasonal workload spikes without hiring additional resources.
3. Focus on Core Competencies: Outsourced partners handle time-consuming tasks like bookkeeping, allowing internal teams to focus on strategic priorities.
4. Access to Technology: Outsourcing vendors increasingly offer cutting-edge tools and platforms, enhancing accuracy and speed in accounting processes.

Use Cases for Outsourcing in Finance

1. Preparing consolidated financial statements for subsidiaries.
2. Automating invoice generation and expense management.
3. Navigating regulatory changes across global markets.

Enhancing the Ecosystem: Integrating Outsourcing with Emerging Models

1. The Role of GICs in Financial Operations

• GICs as Strategic Hubs: Unlike outsourced vendors, GICs allow firms to own and directly manage their talent pools, focusing on high-value activities.
• Complementing Outsourcing: For example, a firm can outsource its routine bookkeeping while delegating financial strategy formulation to its GIC.

2. AI’s Growing Impact

AI-powered bots can manage repetitive accounting tasks such as reconciliation or data classification. Integrating these bots with outsourced bookkeeping teams reduces error rates and shortens cycle times.

3. Outcome-Based Relationships

As firms shift toward result-oriented agreements, outsourced accounting teams are being measured on KPIs such as compliance accuracy or turnaround times, driving mutual accountability and performance.

Challenges in Outsourcing and Mitigation Strategies

Despite its advantages, outsourcing comes with challenges:

1. Governance Complexity

Managing multiple vendors can dilute accountability. Firms should implement centralized vendor management offices (VMOs) or evolve toward extended workforce management offices (EWMOs).

2. Resistance to Change

Internal resistance arises when transitioning from traditional in-house models. Educating stakeholders and incremental implementation are key.

3. Cybersecurity Concerns

Outsourced partners must adhere to strict data protection protocols. Contracts should include penalties for breaches and mandate robust security measures.

The Future of Outsourcing in Finance: Key Projections for 2025

1. Digital Transformation Will Drive Outsourcing Growth

Firms adopting technologies like blockchain and predictive analytics will increasingly look to outsourced accounting partners for implementation expertise.

2. Greater Adoption of Hybrid Models

The hybrid integration of GICs with third-party vendors will gain traction, allowing companies to balance cost efficiency and operational control.

3. Customization Will be Paramount

Tailored solutions, especially in complex areas like multi-jurisdictional compliance, will dominate the accounting outsourcing space.

Maximize Efficiency with Finsmart Accounting Solutions

For more insights and expert guidance, reach out to tailored solutions providers like Finsmart Accounting. 

With our on-demand financial outsourcing services, 

• You can scale your operations, 
• Reduce stress, and 
• Deliver exceptional client service. 

Our specialized Accounting Support for CPA and Accounting Firms can help you: access pre-qualified accountants, bookkeepers, and tax preparers, experienced in all aspects of US tax law, to support your tax preparation, bookkeeping, and financial statement preparation needs. 

Contact us today to learn more about how Finsmart Accounting can help you achieve accounting excellence during tax season

Book a Meeting: https://calendly.com/maanoj-shah/calendar

The post Redefining Efficiency: Accounting and Bookkeeping Outsourcing in a Multidimensional Workforce appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.

In this article, we’ll explore five common tax season mistakes and provide practical strategies for avoidance.

Mistake #1: Inadequate Workload Preparation

The Problem:

• Overwhelmed staff: Employees are more prone to burnout, leading to reduced productivity and increased mistakes.
• Decreased quality of work: Rushed work often results in more errors, missed deductions, and potentially more IRS audits for clients.
• Client dissatisfaction: Missing deadlines or providing inaccurate filings can severely damage your firm’s reputation.

The Solution:

• Conduct early workload assessments: Preparing for tax season at least 6-12 months in advance helps professionals get an overview. Review the previous year’s data to anticipate client demands and identify bottlenecks in your processes.
• Develop detailed staffing plans and budgets: Know how many staff members will be needed to handle the workload and ensure the budget is in place to accommodate any necessary temporary hires or outsourcing arrangements.
• Identify process improvements: Analyze last year’s performance to pinpoint inefficiencies. Whether it’s better automation tools or a more streamlined workflow, making improvements early ensures smooth operations during peak season.

Mistake #2: Last-Minute Staffing

• Higher recruitment costs: Staffing becomes expensive, especially once the season begins. Staffing agencies and freelancers may charge premium rates for urgent placements.
• Lower quality candidates: Everyone wants to get hold of the best talent. Hence, near the end, there are very few qualified professionals left.
• Inefficient onboarding: Bringing new staff up to speed is time-consuming. Doing so under pressure can reduce productivity and increase the risk of mistakes.

The Solution:

• Start recruiting early: Begin addressing staffing needs by October or December of the previous year. This allows you to secure high-quality professionals at reasonable rates.
• Partner with outsourcing providers: Outsourcing firms specializing in accounting can provide trained professionals ready to step in and handle tax-related work. 
• Utilize interns and temporary workers: Consider partnering with local universities for internship programs or using temporary staffing agencies. Cross-train your existing staff who can fill in at the peak hours. 

Mistake #3: Insufficient Technology and Training

The Problem:

• Inefficiencies: Manual processes are redundant. They take longer and are prone to slow operations, and have a high risk of mistakes.
• Increased errors: If you are using outdated software, you may not be capable of handling the complexities of modern tax filing, leading to missed deductions or compliance issues.
• Decreased client satisfaction: Slow service and frequent errors can make a dent in client trust and satisfaction.

The Solution:

• Invest in modern tax-specific software: Cloud-based tax preparation tools are scalable and allow real-time collaboration. If you want to focus on high-value tasks, consider automating repetitive functions.
• Provide regular staff training: Keep your team aware and updated with the latest tools and technologies. Continuous training should be part of your firm’s long-term strategy to ensure efficiency and accuracy.
• Outsource IT support if necessary: It may be difficult to hire and maintain in-house resources to manage software updates or training. Partner with IT specialists to have fully-trained staff. 

Mistake #4: Poor Client Communication

The Problem:

• Missed deadlines: It could be the client’s fault that they missed providing necessary documents on time. It could also be the result of an inefficient team.
• Unmet client needs: When you are so stuck completing the daily jobs, you may overlook key information that could affect your client’s filings.
• Decreased satisfaction: Clients expect timely and clear communication. Failing to deliver can lead to dissatisfaction and damage your firm’s reputation.

The Solution:

• Establish clear communication protocols: Set deadlines, use client portals, and automate reminders to gather necessary documentation early. Make sure to explain the consequences of this. 
• Set realistic expectations from the start: Be transparent about timelines, services, and potential delays to avoid misunderstandings. If a client’s expectations are unrealistic, communicate this early and offer alternative solutions.
• Maintain regular updates: Keep clients informed through email updates, client portals, or phone calls. Regular communication fosters trust and reduces last-minute issues.

Mistake #5: Failure to Upsell High-Value Services

The Problem:

• Missed revenue opportunities: It should never be about just focusing on tax filing services. Firms that do not upsell complementary services may struggle to expand their client base.
• Decreased client loyalty: Clients are more likely to remain loyal if they view your firm as a comprehensive partner, providing them with proactive strategies to enhance their financial health.
• Reduced firm growth: By sticking to compliance work alone, firms may find themselves struggling to compete with more diversified competitors.

The Solution:

• Identify opportunities for upselling: Offer services such as tax planning, financial advisory, and Client Advisory Services (CAS) to enhance your firm’s value proposition. By doing so, you not only increase revenue but also provide a more comprehensive service to your clients.
• Develop targeted marketing campaigns: Educate clients on the benefits of your additional services. Use email campaigns, webinars, or in-person meetings to showcase the value you can bring beyond just tax compliance.
• Outsource lower-value tasks to focus on high-value services: By outsourcing regular tasks like bookkeeping and tax preparation, your team can focus on delivering advisory services such as strategic tax planning, financial analysis, and business consulting.

Outsmart Tax Season Challenges

Partner with Finsmart Accounting to:

1. Access pre-qualified, English-speaking staff
2. Leverage technology-agnostic professionals
3. Benefit from flexible payment models
4. Enjoy rapid onboarding within 48 hours
5. Specialized expertise in tax and accounting

Write to us at connect@finsmartaccounting.com between October and December to secure your tax season staffing needs.

The post 5 Common Tax Season Mistakes and How to Avoid Them appeared first on Finsmart Accounting - USA.