With finance teams under pressure to do more with less, controllers are focused on finding different ways to get accounting work done. In a recent Controllers Council webinar, a panel of finance leaders from Medline, The Sights Group, 2Go Advisory, and Scrubbed shared practical ways controllers can use outsourced accounting as a strategic option to fill skill gaps, boost efficiency, and allow your team more time to spend on high-value work.
Controllers Can’t-and Shouldn’t-Do It All
The scope and complexity of finance and accounting operations have grown, and talent shortages aren’t ending anytime soon. Outsourcing allows controllers to take a more responsive approach and ensure that finance and accountancy functions are in a stronger position to support growth and deliver value.
Who Benefits?
Tina Tan, partner at The Sights Group, noted that startups and small businesses often lack the resources for full-time staff. “Outsourcing lowers costs [and] provides access to specialized expertise and offers flexibility to scale,” she said.
It’s not just smaller companies that benefit, MJ explained. “Mid-size and multinational companies benefit as well, especially when they operate in multiple geographies and need round-the-clock support or want to consolidate back office operations for efficiency.”
It also depends on the industry. MJ noted that industries with high transaction volumes, complex reporting needs, or seasonal spikes in workload also benefit from outsourcing. “But,” he added, “Any company that values flexibility, access to talent, and cost efficiency can find outsourcing to be a smart solution.
When and Why to Use Outsourcing
While outsourcing is sometimes used to cover short-term gaps, all the panelists emphasized that the most successful organizations treat outsourcing as a long-term, strategic partnership.
“While in-house teams are great for strategic and core functions, outsourcing can really help with efficiency and cost management, especially for non-core tasks like bookkeeping or financial reporting,” advised MJ.
Tina shared a real-world example: “When I was part of a finance team, we outsourced our AP and AR because we were expanding into multiple states. We also faced complexities and challenges with the different state tax regulations, so we outsourced that to a service provider. We also struggled with the long financial close cycles, causing delays for reporting and decision-making,” she explained. “By outsourcing these three functions, we were able to streamline invoice processing, improve our flow visibility, and enhance vendor relationships. We were able to ensure accuracy in reporting state by state and avoid penalties. We were able to free internal teams and focus just on scaling our operations. And with the financial close and reporting, we were able to finally close some of the years that were behind and reduce our close time from weeks to days.”
Brenna agreed. “We should really be thinking about outsourcing and offshoring as part of the core strategy of the company and how we want to organize our finance operations,” she said.
Matching Expertise to Function-Not Job Title
Finding the right talent is at the top of the mind of controllers everywhere, but it’s rare to find one person who excels at everything from accounts payable to financial modeling to tax compliance. Brenna questioned the value of even trying to do that. “There are some areas of accounting, for example, derivatives and hedge accounting, that are very technical aspects of accounting. Is it worth it to recruit and retain people who are experts in this area? That probably doesn’t make a lot of sense unless you are in the business of doing this as a company, and it’s a core part of what you do.”
MJ added, “Outsourcing allows companies to quickly scale their operations without the need for long-term commitment to new hires. So, it’s particularly useful when you need specialized skills or when there’s a fluctuation in workload, like during peak periods or special projects. Outsourcing can really help with efficiency and cost management, especially for non-core tasks like bookkeeping or financial reporting.”
Outsourcing is a practical way to make sure the right specialist handles every accounting need. Not only do you get the peace of mind of knowing the work is being managed effectively, you improve efficiency, reduce costs, and allow your internal team to focus on what matters most for your business.
The Real ROI of Outsourcing
While cost savings are often a primary motivation for outsourcing, the panelists encouraged controllers to look at the broader benefits that outsourcing brings to your business-such as time, flexibility, and access to specialized expertise.
As MJ emphasized, “It’s not just about cost savings; it’s about building a high-performing extension of your in-house finance and accounting team that helps you scale and stay focused on your core business.”
Rodelyn Lumbao, Controller at 2Go Advisory, shared the practical benefits of outsourcing repetitive or transactional tasks beyond simply having the work completed. “What I liked about outsourcing is that once an outsourced team learns the task, if there’s a change in the person doing the job, they can train each other. So, it saves me time and money compared with training somebody new if we hire somebody internally.”
While some controllers may hesitate at the thought of less direct oversight, potential communication gaps, and security issues, these risks can be overcome with rigorous oversight and clear communication. Outsourcing then becomes a strategic approach that aligns with your financial goals and allows your business to adapt quickly, manage complexity, and drive real value.
Looking Ahead: Trends and Takeaways
The panelists all agreed that several key trends are shaping how businesses like yours will leverage outsourcing and offshoring in the years ahead:
- Greater Use of Automation and AI: “We’re seeing a big push towards automation and AI, especially in accounting where tasks like data entry or forecasting are becoming more streamlined,” said MJ.
- Hybrid Models: Companies are increasingly adopting hybrid approaches that include offshore, nearshore, and outsourced teams, which allow you to tailor the structure to different time zones, niche requirements for tax compliance or financial analysis, and your business’s unique needs.
- Long-term Strategic Partnerships: The panel emphasized a shift from short-term fixes to building strong, ongoing relationships with outsourcing providers. “Companies should be thinking about who they want to be with respect to the changing dynamics in finance and accounting,” said Brenna. “How we use outsourced providers and offshore captive teams, or some combination thereof can play a critical role in the company’s strategy, helping you get operating leverage and efficiencies and helping you deliver to your internal and external customers in a better, more scalable way.”
Bottom Line: Outsourced Accounting Isn't All or Nothing
Outsourcing doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision. You can outsource specialized or transactional work to access expertise and scale efficiently while maintaining internal control and strategic oversight. This approach helps ensure you bring the right mix of resources to the right business problem. With a thoughtful approach, outsourced accounting is a powerful lever to help your business stay nimble, manage talent shortages, and deliver more value.
If you missed the webinar, you can take a listen here.
Ready to move forward with outsourcing? Contact Scrubbed to learn how outsourced finance and accounting services can help you plan, manage, and scale with confidence.
