Accountants: can outsourcing and offshoring help your firm grow?

If you’re looking to grow but don’t want to stretch your team too far, the answer might be outsourcing or offshoring.

Done right, your firm can remain ambitious and efficient while responding to the ever-growing needs of your clients.

However, there are some things you need to know before you start. So, let’s break down how these approaches support growth and provide practical ways to pick the right solution.

How outsourcing and offshoring make a difference

Your eye must stay on the prize as your firm grows. Big-ticket tasks like advisory will keep staff engaged while bringing in more money.

But those same clients who would benefit from this lucrative work might need other services, too. This could include high-volume, repetitive work like payroll, year-end accounts, tax returns and bookkeeping. All of these take up a lot of time, have to be done, but don’t have much growth potential for you.

You need to pick up these tasks to ensure clients don’t go elsewhere. But if you do, how can you keep your best staff focused on tasks that add value for your firm?

Both outsourcing and offshoring help you delegate time-consuming or specialist tasks to external experts.

Outsourcing and offshoring explained

Outsourcing typically involves delegating specific tasks or functions to a third-party provider, often based overseas. They manage their own teams; you don’t have to worry about it.

In contrast, offshoring refers to hiring lower-cost talent abroad who, while not on the UK payroll, often operate as a direct extension of your team, more akin to remote employees. Accordingly, offshoring is role-based and strategic; you have full control.

The big win? With the right solution, you can scale capacity, access round-the-clock support, and often improve cost-efficiency, all without sacrificing service quality.

How outsourcing and offshoring support growth

Here’s where outsourcing and offshoring really shine for accountancy firms:

• Scalability: Handle more clients and complex work without immediately adding permanent local staff.
• Consistency: Standardised processes and constant training mean service quality stays high.
• Coverage: Different time zones mean you can get better availability and faster completion for time-sensitive work. 
• Specialist skills: Access professionals with niche expertise – whether in payroll, compliance, auditing, or admin – at a competitive rate. 
• Efficiency: Free up internal resources so your employees can focus on strategic work and client relationships, not repetitive tasks.

Outsourcing and offshoring are about strengthening your client experience, supporting your team, and making your firm more agile for new growth opportunities. It’s not about cutting corners.

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7 ways you know you have the right offshoring or outsourcing solution

To get the most from outsourcing or offshoring, here are some important benchmarks your provider must meet:

1. Track record

Look for providers with a strong history of working with accountancy firms.

2. Secure communication channels

Make sure you’re always able to reach your team, no matter where they’re based.

3. Focus on training and consistency

Ask how providers keep both onshore and offshore teams up to date on your systems, processes, and service standards.

4. Prioritise data security

Check that your provider follows data protection protocols and complies with industry regulations.

5. Define clear responsibilities

Be upfront with your provider about which tasks will be handled offshore versus locally, and what standards must be met.

6. Start with defined tasks

Test offshoring with defined roles – like payroll processing or compliance checks – before expanding to broader functions.

7. Measure and review service quality

Regularly check in on performance, client feedback, and KPIs such as turnaround time to keep quality high.

The key is open communication, clear responsibilities, robust training, and a partnership approach. When you have those things, you can confidently integrate outsourcing or offshoring into your firm’s strategy, knowing the solution supports both your team’s effectiveness and your clients’ success.

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Develop a FULL system around growth with our free guide

Outsourcing and offshoring are just part of the growth story for accountancy firms.

Tap into your firm’s full potential with our guide,Building a system around productivity, growth and success. Packed with practical insights and strategies, this resource is ideal for mid-sized accountancy firms ready to streamline their operations, scale, and thrive.

Download the free guide and take the next step towards smarter growth.