Global
PhilippinesBusiness owners face a multitude of challenges as they strive to scale their businesses. One of the most significant roadblocks is the need to manage accounting and bookkeeping functions, which can be time-consuming and complex. Fortunately, there are several solutions available that can help streamline these tasks and allow business owners to focus on growing their businesses.
One option that many businesses are turning to is offshore accounting. With the help of cloud accountants and outsourcing, companies can tap into the expertise of accounting professionals who are based in other countries. This approach can offer significant cost savings, as labor costs in offshore locations are often lower than in the home country.
Additionally, outsourcing accounting tasks can help reduce the workload on in-house staff, freeing them up to focus on more strategic tasks. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of offshore accounting and provide tips on how businesses can successfully outsource accounting functions.
What accounting tasks can you outsource?
When it comes to managing accounting functions, there are several tasks that businesses can outsource to free up time and resources. These tasks include online bookkeeping, financial closing and reporting, catch-up accounting, and set-up and system integrations.
By outsourcing these tasks, business owners can ensure that their financial reporting is accurate and timely while freeing up staff to focus on other essential tasks.
Online Bookkeeping
With online bookkeeping, businesses can access their financial data from anywhere at any time. Online bookkeeping services provide clients with a cloud-based accounting platform such as Xero and QBO, that allows them to track their finances in real time. This service includes bank and credit card reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable management, and general ledger maintenance.
Financial Closing and Reporting
Financial closing and reporting can be a time-consuming process that requires expertise in accounting principles and financial reporting standards. Financial closing and reporting services offer businesses a team of experienced accountants who can help with month-end and year-end closing processes, financial statement preparation, and audit support.
Catch-Up Accounting
If a business has fallen behind on their accounting tasks, it can be challenging to catch up. Catch-up accounting services can help businesses get back on track by providing support for overdue tasks such as bank reconciliations, account clean-up, and backlog entries.
Set-Up and System Integrations
Setting up accounting systems and integrating them with other business systems can be a complex process that requires specialized knowledge. Set-up and system integration services provide businesses with a team of experts who can help with transitioning to a cloud-based system or a cloud accounting software, integrating AP systems in their accounting processes, and configuration of existing tools and systems to streamline the accounting process.
What are the benefits of outsourcing accounting?
Outsourcing accounting tasks offers several benefits, including cost savings and access to specialized expertise. Offshore accounting services, in particular, can be significantly less expensive than in-house staff and equipment. Cloud accountants can provide businesses with the skills of experienced accounting professionals. Ultimately, outsourcing accounting tasks can help businesses to improve efficiency and productivity, enabling them to focus on growing their business.
Cloud Accountants vs In-house accountants
When it comes to managing accounting tasks, businesses have two options: hiring in-house accountants or utilizing cloud accountants. In-house accountants are employees who work directly for the business and are responsible for managing the company’s financial records. They are typically well-versed in the business’s operations and can provide valuable insights into the financial health of the company. However, hiring in-house accountants can be costly, as it requires paying salaries, benefits, and other overhead costs. In addition, businesses must invest in accounting software and other equipment to support their in-house staff.
On the other hand, offshore cloud accountants are external professionals who provide accounting services to businesses remotely. They use cloud-based accounting software to manage financial records, which allows businesses to access their financial information from anywhere with an internet connection.
Offshore accounting services, in particular, can offer significant cost savings, as labor costs in offshore locations are often lower than in the home country. In addition, offshore cloud accountants often have specialized expertise in specific areas of accounting, such as tax preparation or financial analysis, which can be valuable for businesses looking to improve their financial performance.
Tips to successfully outsource accounting functions
Outsourcing accounting functions can be an excellent way for businesses to save time and money while ensuring accurate financial reporting. Here are five tips to help ensure a successful outsourcing experience.
Choose the right outsourcing partner
Choosing the right outsourcing partner is critical to the success of outsourcing your accounting functions. Look for a partner with experience in your industry and a proven track record of success. Evaluate their qualifications and certifications and ensure that they have a robust security infrastructure in place to protect your sensitive financial data.
Set clear expectations
It’s essential to set clear expectations upfront to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the scope of work, timelines, deliverables, and communication channels. Ensure that your outsourced finance provider understands your business goals and requirements and is committed to delivering quality work that meets your expectations.
Invest in communication and collaboration
Communication and collaboration are essential for a successful outsourcing relationship. Establish clear lines of communication and ensure that you have regular check-ins to discuss progress, address concerns, and make any necessary adjustments. Use collaboration tools and software to facilitate communication and ensure that everyone is working together effectively.
Leverage technology
Leveraging technology is crucial for effective accounting outsourcing. Ensure that your outsourcing partner is using up-to-date accounting software and tools for accurate and efficient financial reporting. Look for partners that are investing in new technologies such as AI and automation to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
Monitor performance and provide feedback
Regular monitoring and feedback are essential for ensuring that your outsourced accountant is delivering quality work and meeting your expectations. Set up a system to monitor performance and provide regular feedback to help your outsourcing partner improve their work. Use performance metrics such as accuracy, timeliness, and efficiency to evaluate their performance and make any necessary adjustments.
Why should you outsource accounting with CloudCfo?
When it comes to outsourcing accounting, CloudCfo stands out as an ideal partner for businesses looking to streamline their financial operations. CloudCfo offers cost savings compared to other cloud accounting service providers. By leveraging offshore accounting services, CloudCfo is able to provide businesses with access to highly skilled accounting professionals at a lower cost than hiring in-house or using onshore accounting firms. This translates into significant savings for businesses, which can then be reinvested into other areas of the company.
In addition to cost savings, CloudCfo’s accountants are tech-empowered and customer-centered. This means that they are highly proficient in using cloud-based accounting software and other digital tools, which allows them to work efficiently and accurately.
To further enhance their services, CloudCfo has developed a user-friendly web application that allows clients to easily monitor the progress and tasks of their dedicated cloud accountants. This feature promotes transparency and accountability, as clients can track the status of their accounting tasks and collaborate with their accountants in real time.
Furthermore, CloudCfo’s accountants prioritize client satisfaction and are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. CloudCfo’s services are also process-driven and output-focused, which means that businesses can expect consistent, high-quality results. Whether it’s online bookkeeping, financial closing and reporting, catch-up accounting, or set-up and system integrations, CloudCfo’s team of experts can handle all of the accounting tasks necessary to keep a business running smoothly.
CloudCfo is an accounting and finance services provider located in Manila, Philippines. We build a team of accounting professionals that handle our client’s business accounting and finance functions so business owners can focus more on scaling and growing their businesses. We tailor our services according to each of our client’s business needs and offer flexibility, full transparency, and accountability in all the systems, workflows, and processes that we implement.
