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Running an accountancy practice in the UK has never been more demanding.
Between recruitment challenges, pressure from regulators, and rising client
expectations, many firms are stretched to the limit.
That’s why more accountants are turning to outsourced accountancy services. By
outsourcing recurring tasks such as bookkeeping, year-end accounts preparation,VAT and company tax calculations and payroll processing, accountants can free up
time, reduce costs, and shift their focus towards higher-value advisory services.
Here’s why outsourcing could be the right step for your firm.
Reduce the Cost of In-House Recruitment
While larger firms have access to professional HR resources and advice, smaller
practices and sole practitioners often struggle to keep on top of their legal responsibilities when recruiting finance professionals. The recruitment process is
often undertaken by accountants who may have no experience at all of implementing
an effective recruitment strategy.
When an accountant joins a practice, they expect a clear pathway and support
towards their career goals. This will often involve incurring the costs of professional
accounting qualifications and subscriptions, continuing professional development
and other ad-hoc training.
Using an outsourced solution removes the burden of:
- Interviewing and vetting candidates
- Conducting performance reviews
- Professional study requirements
- Managing payroll, leave, and employee disputes.
There are further benefits through accessing a ready-made pool of talent and
expertise without the responsibility of managing a full-time professional. Outsourcing
work secures immediate savings through lower employment costs, which are
typically 50% less than a UK resource.
Stay Compliant with Rules and Regulations
From HMRC’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) to payroll and VAT obligations, UK
compliance can be complex and constantly changing. Outsourced professionals
understand UK Company Tax and Personal Tax rules and the requirements of
Companies House. Helping clients stay on top of their responsibilities to file
information in line with statutory deadlines ensures fines and penalties are avoided.
Access Expert Support on Demand
Accountants looking to manage costs find outsourcing work offers a ready-made
solution. Firms can access a global pool of talented professionals, increase
productivity and efficiency, and improve customer service.
Offshore suppliers can help fill roles across all types of accounting work. Firms have
flexibility to commission resources when they need them on an ad-hoc (pay as you
go), half time equivalent or full-time equivalent basis. There is no need to enter into a long-term contract, and the risks of overstaffing are avoided.
As the onshore accountants shift priorities towards advisory work, clients expect
deeper insights, not just compliance. Outsourcing recurring tasks such as
bookkeeping or payroll gives accountants more time to focus on client relationships,
strategic advice, and business development.
Benefit from the Latest Technology
Systems and processes to complete work offshore are highly efficient with rapid
turnaround times. The best outsource partner can prepare records and transfer data
in real-time using cloud accounting software, increasing confidence in the accuracy of financial reporting. By outsourcing, accountants can access the latest technology
for bookkeeping, financial reporting, and payroll without paying for licences, updates,
or IT support.
Scale Up or Down Easily
Scaling a practice up or down takes time when services are delivered by full-time
staff. Investment in technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, cloud accounting and
automation of tasks means accountants can scale and grow without taking on the
additional risk and costs of direct employment. Where a practice is looking to
downsize, contracts with an outsourced supplier can be terminated in a matter of
weeks and in a structured way. There is no need to implement redundancy
processes or statutory consultation with employees.
Accountants can also choose to access offshore capacity as and when they need it
by using a pay as you go service. This maximises the flexibility to use an offshore
option at peak periods or where a backlog of work needs to be cleared. This
flexibility enables practices to grow without the long-term cost and risk of extra
headcount.
Free Up Time to Focus on Growth
One of the biggest benefits from outsourcing work is time. By outsourcing routine
tasks, accountants can focus on strategy, client relationships, and growing the
business. Undertaking a critical review of internal resources and comparing to the
capacity needed to deliver growth will quickly identify shortfalls which need to be
managed.
Improve Client Experience
Accountants often seek to increase the number of clients through competitive
pricing, though overlook opportunities to provide professional insight and data. By outsourcing tasks such as the preparation of VAT returns or year-end accounts, accountants can create additional capacity for more direct contact which adds value to the client relationship. Outsourcing work enhances these contacts by delivering services with improved turnaround times and higher quality.
Data security
When looking to engage an outsource supplier to process customer information, the
onshore team should review internal systems and processes to ensure data can be
transmitted and received securely. This usually involves the outsource supplier
accessing systems using secure login arrangements. If this isn’t possible secure
software file hosting services or password protected documents can be used, though
these may not be sustainable where high volumes of customer data are exchanged.
SMEs should always seek confirmation about any GDPR, or data security
credentials offered by an offshore supplier.
Outsourcing vs In-House: Which Is Best for Accountants?
Choosing between outsourcing and building an in-house financial team is a key
strategic decision for accountants. With rising costs, and the need for real-time
information, the right choice can make the difference between a business that
struggles to keep up and one that runs efficiently and profitably.
For many practices, the optimal model involves using in-house resources to focus on
business growth while outsourcing recurring and deadline driven accounting work. Outsourcing reduces costs, increases flexibility, and allows accountants to focus on
growth and remaining resilient to competition.
Unison Globus UK: Your Offshore Accounting Partner
While outsourcing usually secures immediate cost-saving benefits, many
accountants discover broader value – from scalability and access to talent, to
improved service delivery.
At Unison Globus UK, we specialise in helping businesses streamline operations and
scale through professional, affordable offshore accounting solutions. Our experts
deliver high-quality:
How do I find out more?
We provide a free trial of up to 10 hours of accountant time, with turnaround in 72
hours. If you’re looking to outsource services for the first time, increase margins, and
help your clients, you can book a video call with one of our expert advisors or email us at [email protected]
