What are the main benefits of outsourcing accounting and finance functions?

Outsourcing can help your business reduce costs, access specialized expertise, and scale operations quickly without long-term commitments to new hires. It’s especially useful when you need specialized skills or when workloads fluctuate during peak periods or special projects. The right outsourced professionals become a high-performing extension of your in-house team, allowing your people to spend more time focusing on strategic and core functions.

What are the main benefits of outsourcing compared to internal staffing?

While outsourcing offers flexibility and cost efficiency, it can also mean less direct oversight. Communication can sometimes be more difficult, especially if your outsourced team is in a different time zone or has different working hours, which may affect how quickly issues are resolved or information is shared. There may also be a risk of becoming dependent on an external provider, which can be problematic if their service falls short or disruptions occur. In contrast, internal teams provide deeper business knowledge and more seamless communication, but it is more costly, harder to scale, and requires ongoing recruitment and training. Because of these trade-offs, many companies find that a hybrid model works best by keeping strategic finance roles in-house while outsourcing transactional tasks like payroll and compliance.

What are the differences between outsourcing and offshoring?

Outsourcing involves contracting out specific tasks or functions to external service providers to reduce costs, access specialized expertise, and improve efficiency. Offshoring refers to relocating certain business processes or functions to (usually) company employees in another country. This is typically done for cost savings and to ensure 24/7 support for the business. Outsourcing and offshoring have pros and cons, and some companies use a combination of both, outsourcing certain specialized tasks while maintaining offshore teams for core processes. The choice depends on your company’s needs, size, and strategy.

Are there certain types or sizes of companies that make outsourcing or offshoring more relevant?

Outsourcing and offshoring are especially relevant for fast-growing startups that need to scale their finance and accounting functions quickly and don’t have the time or resources to build an in-house team from scratch. Midsize and multinational companies also benefit, particularly when operating in multiple geographies, needing round-the-clock support, or wanting to consolidate back-office operations for efficiency. Industries with high transaction volumes, complex reporting needs, or seasonal spikes in workload also find outsourcing valuable but any company that values flexibility, access to specialized talent, and cost efficiency can benefit.

Which accounting functions are most commonly outsourced?

Companies frequently outsource functions such as bookkeeping, accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), payroll processing, financial reporting, audit support, and tax compliance. Some companies have found success outsourcing specialized tasks such as XBRL tagging for SEC reporting, technical accounting projects (like derivatives and hedge accounting), audit support, and even internal controls testing. Common reasons for choosing outsourcing or offshoring include talent shortages or turnover, the need for cost efficiency, scalability, access to specialized expertise, operational efficiency, and the desire to let internal teams focus on core business activities and strategic initiatives. It’s also increasingly common to outsource CFO-level advisory services when hiring a full-time executive isn’t practical.

How Controllers Can Leverage Outsourced Accounting

Michael John David

Lead Director, Direct Client Services

How Controllers Can Leverage Outsourced Accounting

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

Controllers Can’t-and Shouldn’t-Do It All Today, controllers are expected to be strategic partners as well as technical experts. But you don’t have to handle everything in-house, and trying to do so may actually hold your business back. As Brenna Elbert, VP Corporate Controller at Medline, explained, “I think companies aren’t doing themselves any favors if they’re not taking a really strong look at their outsourcing and offshoring strategy in this environment.” She emphasized the importance of adapting to the current talent challenges. “Anyone in the industry is doing themselves a disservice if they’re not thinking about the talent shortage and looking at different levers to pull to compensate for the risk of that shortage.”

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. This also aligns with broader corporate finance advisory strategies that focus on optimizing resources while navigating complexity.

Who Benefits?

Outsourcing can be beneficial to all sorts of companies. “Outsourcing or offshoring tends to be most relevant for companies that are either scaling rapidly, looking to optimize costs, or trying to access specialized talent that they may not find locally,” explained MJ David, Director of Client Services at Scrubbed.

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.” The same consideration applies to specialized areas like risk and SOX compliance, where partnering with experts can often be more efficient than developing in-house expertise.

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.”

For organizations with unique needs, such as nonprofit financial reporting, outsourcing is a practical way to ensure the right specialist handles every accounting requirement. 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.

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This full-time employee acts as the primary point of contact between the company and the fractional team. They do not need deep accounting expertise. Their value lies in providing internal context and answering day-to-day questions while the company operates.  When communication paths and responsibilities are clearly defined, fractional professionals can operate as an extension of the internal finance function rather than as a disconnected outside vendor. Best Practices for Integrating a Fractional Finance Team A fractional finance function only succeeds when it is treated as an integrated part of the business. The Standard of Accuracy : Accuracy is a non-negotiable requirement. As Aira noted during the panel discussion, "We work with numbers, and accuracy matters. If we end up, as a CFO, presenting a wrong number to our board... that is grounds for termination." 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However, location alone does not determine whether the model will work. Quality depends on how the team is managed, how communication is structured, how the work is reviewed, and whether the provider understands the company’s accounting requirements and operating environment. Technology can further expand the team’s capacity. During the panel, Aira described analytics teams using AI-assisted tools to write Python code and process data more efficiently than manual Excel workflows would allow.  The value is not simply that the technology moves faster. It reduces repetitive work, so finance professionals can spend more time reviewing outputs, investigating exceptions, and applying judgment. Technology can accelerate the work. Accountability remains human. Building the Right Finance Structure Fractional support works best when it solves a defined structural need.  The company must still establish internal ownership. Responsibilities must be clear. Workflows must be documented. Review standards must be understood by both teams.  When those elements are in place, a fractional finance team can help the business: Add capacity without immediately adding permanent headcount. Access specialized expertise. Support periods of rapid growth or transition. Make the close and reporting process more predictable. Reduce pressure on internal finance leaders. Create a stronger foundation for future hiring. The objective is not to outsource responsibility. It is to build a finance function with the right capacity, expertise, and structure for the company’s current stage of growth. About the Panelists Arian David | Accounting Director, Scrubbed  Arian serves as the Accounting Director for Retail and Distribution at Scrubbed. She brings over 12 years of specialized execution experience managing complex accounting operations across the distribution, e-commerce, and retail sectors.  Aira Pineda | CFO, Scrubbed  Aira directs financial strategy and operations as the Chief Financial Officer at Scrubbed. She brings over a decade of hands-on experience operating as a fractional CFO for small to medium-sized enterprises. Ottavio Siani | Fractional CFO & Founder, Triangle Coffee  Ottavio is the founder of Triangle Coffee, a multi-location café business operating in Boston and Washington, D.C. As an active fractional CFO, he advises a portfolio of clients, including Hon, CN Naturals, and Port of Mocha, on building and restructuring finance teams. 