In the current highly competitive business landscape, companies always look for ways to optimise efficiency and streamline operations. Accounting is one such department where companies want to streamline processes. The global share of the accounting software market is valued at $16.8 billion in 2023 and is estimated to increase by $28.1 billion in the next five years at a CAGR of 9.2%. Financial record-keeping, bookkeeping, and tax compliance can require a significant investment of time and energy. Outsourcing bookkeeping becomes relevant in this situation. Businesses can get considerable benefits by hiring a third-party service provider to manage their accounting needs. This blog will discuss the definition, benefits, and necessity of outsourced bookkeeping.

What are Outsourced Bookkeeping Services?

Third-party service providers that handle account balance reconciliation and transaction classification are known as outsourced bookkeepers. To arrange financial data, bookkeepers carry out back-office duties. The following are examples of daily tasks: 

• Classify and organise transactions, including receipts and business expenses
• Monitor invoices and document revenue once it is paid
• Regularly and promptly reconcile accounts
• Compile financial statements for investors or lenders
• Assist in the filing of returns by gathering tax documentation

In addition to helping firms identify areas of high spending or weak cash flow, outsourced bookkeeping services analyse financial data for patterns.

What Indicates a Company Needs to Outsource its Bookkeeping?

Although it takes a lot of effort and time to manage a bookkeeping department, any firm that wants to succeed must do so. It frequently takes preference over other activities, or certain things never finish. In the end, the entire company is the one that bears the weight of the consequences. Because of this, using outsourced bookkeeping services might be a helpful tactic for reducing the workload associated with accounting duties. However, 91% of accountants say that accounting technology has increased their productivity. Additionally, companies could have to outsource bookkeeping if they are:

• Frequently missing payments or bill collection deadlines
• Not sure how to handle quarterly and annual taxes
• Spending more time on bookkeeping tasks than other critical operations
• Delays in accounting and payroll
• Keeping track of everything on paper
• Problems over fraud or data security
• Face an excessive backlog of work

 Not only can an expert bookkeeper help resolve these problems, but they can also restore the company’s financial trust.

What Bookkeeping Tasks Can Be Outsourced?

The bookkeeping department is responsible for a wide range of tasks. The advantages of outsourcing bookkeeping may be invisible for some businesses to see. A competent bookkeeper handles the essential yet tedious duties involved in running a company. Their role is to design more efficient systems that provide businesses with a more realistic financial picture.

The five areas listed below are those that employing external bookkeeping services can automate:

• Reconciles recipient
• Accounts Payable recoveries
• Invoicing
• Accounting Reporting

Manually entered products are one of the places where firms are most likely to make mistakes. Giving these responsibilities to a bookkeeper will guarantee accurate reporting and the absence of errors:

• Reconciliations of credit cards
• Unique client contracts and terms of payment

The payroll department is an integral part of bookkeeping that can also take the most time. Bookkeepers can ensure timely payments to all parties. Understanding a company’s hiring process and financial flow is crucial. Businesses can better comprehend their staff creation with better bookkeeping. Outsourced bookkeeping can also handle payroll:

• Withholding taxes
• Salaries deducted
• Time tracking for income taxes
• Child Support Deductions

Many bookkeeping tasks may overwhelm small and medium-sized businesses. Payroll, invoicing, and accounts payable may be the only accounting functions businesses can outsource. However, outsourcing all bookkeeping has benefits. It covers the entire company. This makes bookkeepers valuable team members and corporate resources.

What are the Perks of Outsourced Bookkeeping?

Outsourcing facilitates expansion and encourages cost savings.  For SME owners who cannot afford internal bookkeeping, it functions effectively. Let us examine the advantages that outsourced bookkeeping provides:  

• Cost Savings 

By using outsourced bookkeeping services, firms can save money on internal accounting costs such as staff salaries, software licensing fees, and training. Small businesses may not have the financial flexibility to handle such expenses. In addition to saving money, another perk of outsourcing is that companies only get charged for the services they actually employ. So much money is saved that it can be put toward expanding the company.

• Save Time and Reduces Paperwork

Time spent on bookkeeping and reconciliation can add up quickly. Loads of physical documents are relatively time-consuming. Thus, businesses can save time and money by using bookkeeping outsourcing services.

Businesses that outsource their bookkeeping duties free up internal resources for more pressing concerns. They will be able to manage procedures, enhance overall operations, and provide better customer service with more time.

• Reduce Errors

There are various reasons why bookkeeping or accounting providers can make mistakes. A bookkeeper with little expertise is more likely to make mistakes. Even when businesses employ experienced internal bookkeepers, they acknowledge that mistakes will be made during the training phase. Bookkeepers require a certain amount of time until the figures are error-free.

Hiring outsourced bookkeeping services gives businesses access to a team with much-needed knowledge. The group will monitor the company’s finances using automated bookkeeping tools and apply their expertise to address any problems.

• Get Detailed Financial Reporting

The comprehensive financial insights that come with using an outsourced bookkeeping service are one of the main advantages. Businesses have access to their cash flow, balance sheets, profits, and losses. With only a click, they may evaluate their clients’ financial data to make more intelligent choices. 

Bookkeepers keep careful records of information. As a result, information extraction from the documentation is simple. Financial advisors, staff members, and stakeholders can all access this information. Such insights could be crucial at any point in the company’s development.

• Helps in Tax Seasons

Some firms can find it challenging to arrange all of their paperwork in time for tax preparation. Tax regulations are frequently broken by accounting systems, even for those who have them.

Tax professionals employed by outsourced bookkeeping firms ensure that the financial procedures are compatible with tax laws. These businesses promise to do the bookkeeping work in time for tax season. External bookkeeping professionals will assist other companies in accurately and conveniently submitting their tax reports.

What is the Role of Technology in Outsourced Bookkeeping?

All industries have benefited from technology, which also gives them the ability to increase output and profits. However, technology has turned out to be a huge benefit for companies that provide outsourced bookkeeping services that are outsourced. Technology can be a true lifesaver, even for small firms who choose to employ this service. 

The following categories best describe the main functions of technology in the outsourced bookkeeping market: 

• Remote Work 

With the availability of cloud-based accounting software solutions, multinational organisations may now work remotely with great ease. Moreover, cloud accounting services have increased the business’s revenue by 15%. Small enterprises are able to monitor their accounting validity, financial records, etc.

• Security 

Technology enables businesses that provide outsourced bookkeeping offerings to offer secure services. Transactions and data will be encrypted. Furthermore, these businesses can even engage with software and the consumer area to lower security concerns.

• Expense Tracking 

The mishandling of allocated hours or accounting resources is a significant factor in small firms’ refusal to employ outsourced bookkeeping services. Due to technology, small business owners may monitor every hour spent by the remote accountant providing outsourced bookkeeping services. Businesses may use expense tracking with greater assurance and get the best returns by using these services.

Let RecordMe Help You!

Since managing the back office takes time separate from other important business activities, you might be worried about it. Using an experienced outsourcing company such as RecordMe, an automated accounting platform that offers cost-effective, customised outsourced bookkeeping, is the best course of action.

Are you not sure if you require expert bookkeeping assistance? Get in contact with us. Our knowledgeable bookkeepers will offer you advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How Does Outsourced Bookkeeping Work?

Ans. Outsourced bookkeeping handles the firm’s accounting department part-time, so they don’t have to do it or pay someone. Additionally, organisations without the resources or intention to engage employees might outsource their accounting tasks.

Q2. What are the Perks of Outsourced Bookkeeping?

Ans. The following are the advantages of outsourced bookkeeping services:

• Cost saving
• Access to the latest technology
• Improved financial reporting
• Saves Time
• Scalability in accounting operations