The accounting and finance function has long been seen as a cost center necessary but often perceived as heavy, administrative, and sometimes not strategic. However, in the era of digitalization and outsourcing, this perception is changing. Today, thanks to outsourced accounting, companies are transforming their finance departments into true performance centers, capable of generating value, supporting growth, and informing strategic decisions.
This comprehensive guide explores why and how outsourcing your accounting can revolutionize financial management while reducing costs and improving efficiency.
What is an Outsourced Accountant?
An outsourced accountant is a professional or a team to whom a company delegates all or part of its accounting function. Unlike an in-house accountant, the outsourced accountant is hired through a service provider (firm, freelancer, specialized company) who handles the tasks defined in the contract.
This approach goes beyond saving time: it provides access to specialized expertise, modern tools, and flexibility tailored to the company’s real needs.
Why Outsource Your Accounting Function?
1. Cost Reduction
Hiring an in-house accountant or CFO is expensive (salaries, social charges, training, software). Outsourcing allows companies to pay only for the services actually used, with predictable budgets often 20–40% lower than an in-house position.
2. Flexibility and Adaptability
Accounting needs vary depending on company size, seasonality, or growth. With an outsourced accountant, workload can be quickly adjusted (monthly, quarterly, annually).
3. Expertise and Compliance
Tax and social regulations frequently change. A specialized provider ensures ongoing regulatory monitoring, preventing errors, fines, or audits.
4. Focus on Core Business
By delegating accounting and finance tasks, executives and teams free up time to focus on business development and strategic initiatives.
Tasks of an Outsourced Accountant
An outsourced accountant can operate at multiple levels, from operational to strategic.
1. Accounting Operations
- Recording and posting accounting entries
- Bank reconciliations
- Managing invoices and expense reports
2. Tax and Social Obligations
- VAT declarations
- Payroll and social declarations
- Corporate tax filings and financial statements
3. Financial Reporting
- Monthly or quarterly dashboards
- Cash flow forecasts
- Margin and profitability analysis
4. Strategic Advisory
Beyond bookkeeping, some outsourced accountants support executives in:
- Tax and financial optimization
- Funding strategies
- Budget planning
- Decision-making support
Outsourced Accountant vs. In-House Accountant: Key Differences
| Criteria | In-House Accountant | Outsourced Accountant |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Salary + social charges | Package adapted to needs |
| Flexibility | Low, fixed position | Adjustable to workload |
| Expertise | Limited to one person | Access to multidisciplinary team |
| Tools | Often limited by budget | Modern cloud software included |
| Availability | Daily presence | Remote but responsive |
Result: Outsourced accountants often provide more value and modernity at a lower cost.
Strategic Benefits: Turning Accounting into a Performance Center
1. Real-Time Management
Thanks to digital tools (cloud software, automation), the outsourced accountant provides real-time financial data, enabling executives to make fast and informed decisions.
2. Cost Optimization
Outsourced accountants identify savings opportunities (taxes, expense management, payment timing), making accounting a tool for economic performance.
3. Growth Support
During growth phases, outsourcing allows companies to scale easily without recruiting and training in-house staff. Companies gain access to evolving expertise.
4. Risk Reduction
Outsourced management ensures legal compliance, reduces human error, and improves data security through professional processes.
Which Companies Can Benefit from an Outsourced Accountant?
- SMEs: Without the resources or workload to hire a full-time accountant
- Startups: Seeking flexibility and agile financial management
- Large companies: Looking to outsource some support functions to focus on core business
- Freelancers and professionals: Wanting to delegate accounting while maintaining financial visibility
How to Choose an Outsourced Accountant
1. Define Your Needs
Do you want to outsource only bookkeeping, or also payroll, tax, and strategic advice?
2. Verify Competencies
Check diplomas, certifications, and industry experience.
3. Compare Offers
Look beyond the price: which services are included? Which tools are provided? Is there a confidentiality commitment?
4. Test Communication
A good outsourced accountant should be responsive, clear, and available. Trust is essential.
How Much Does an Outsourced Accountant Cost?
Rates depend on the service level, company size, and provider country:
- Simple bookkeeping: €200–€500/month
- Full SME management: €500–€1,500/month
- Reporting + strategic advice: from €1,000/month
- Occasional projects (audit, year-end closing): €50–€120/hour
Tip: Outsourcing to competitive countries like Morocco, Madagascar, or Mauritius can reduce costs by 30–40%.
Digital Tools at the Heart of Accounting Outsourcing
Modern outsourcing relies on digitalization. Essential tools include:
- QuickBooks / Sage Business Cloud: accounting and payroll
- Xero / Odoo: global solutions with ERP integration
- Pennylane / Axonaut: French solutions for SMEs
- Dropbox, Google Drive, Slack: secure collaboration and file sharing
These tools enable smooth remote collaboration with real-time access to data.
Outsourcing Accounting Internationally: Focus on Africa
Many companies now outsource accounting to Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Madagascar, Mauritius).
Advantages:
- Qualified, multilingual workforce
- Lower costs than in Europe
- Time zones close to Europe
- Growing expertise in BPO and outsourcing
Result: European companies gain competitiveness while accessing high-quality services.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing based on price alone without checking skills
- Outsourcing without a clear contract (deliverables, deadlines, confidentiality)
- Neglecting regular monitoring (keep an eye on your numbers)
- Confusing outsourced accountants with certified public accountants
- Forgetting internal training to understand financial tools
The Future of Outsourced Accounting
With AI and automation, the role of outsourced accountants will evolve:
- Less manual data entry thanks to digital tools
- More strategic advice for executives
- Growth in remote work and nearshoring to Africa
- Finance function becomes a true business partner
Outsourced accountants are no longer just administrative support they are a strategic performance lever. By reducing costs, improving financial management, and providing flexible expertise, outsourcing transforms accounting into a performance center.
To succeed, companies must define their needs, choose the right partner, and implement suitable digital tools. This turns the finance function from a constraint into a growth and agility driver.
FAQ – Outsourced Accountant and Finance Function
An outsourced accountant is a professional or team to whom a company delegates all or part of its accounting and financial management, often remotely or via a specialized provider.
Outsourcing reduces costs, saves time, provides specialized expertise, and transforms accounting into a strategic management and performance tool.
• Bookkeeping (entries, bank reconciliations)
• Payroll and social declarations
• Tax filings (VAT, corporate tax)
• Financial reporting and dashboards
• Strategic advice and financial optimization
• Flexibility according to needs
• Access to modern digital tools
• Reduced risk of errors and non-compliance
• Cost optimization and real-time management
Outsourced accountants offer more flexibility, predictable costs, and often access to a multidisciplinary team. In-house accountants are fixed and more expensive over time.
Depending on tasks and experience:
• Bookkeeping: €200–€500/month
• Full SME management: €500–€1,500/month
• Strategic advice and reporting: from €1,000/month
Yes, especially to Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Madagascar, Mauritius), where costs are competitive, talents are skilled, and time zones are close to Europe.
Cloud software like QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, Odoo, Pennylane, and secure document-sharing platforms.
• Choosing solely on price
• Ignoring contracts or confidentiality
• Confusing outsourced accountants with certified public accountants
• Not monitoring financial KPIs regularlys.
Yes. Delegating operational tasks to an outsourced accountant allows executives to focus on strategic management, KPI tracking, and cost optimization, turning accounting into a true performance driver.
👉 Contact us to discuss your project and avoid the pitfalls of international outsourcing, or explore our tech platform at: www.breedj.com
