In today’s fast-paced, cost-conscious environment, UK accountants are under growing pressure to deliver exceptional service while controlling overheads. With rising employment costs, increased client expectations, and rapid shifts in technology, the choice between outsourcing and in-house accounting has become a strategic decision with significant financial implications.

While outsourcing is often initially pursued for its cost-saving benefits, many accountants discover broader value – from scalability and access to talent, to improved service delivery.

Start-Up Costs: Outsourcing vs In-House

Outsourcing	In-House
Low to zero upfront costs	High initial investment in recruitment, infrastructure, equipment, and training
Pay-as-you-go or fixed price models	Recurring costs of salaries, employee benefits, insurance, infrastructure, and workspace
No long-term commitments for infrastructure or employee costs	—

How UK Accountants Manage High Start-Up Costs

Many accountants launching new practices are turning to outsourcing to avoid the high initial investment needed for in-house teams. Offshoring services offers ready-made solutions for:

Bookkeeping
Year-end accounts
Company tax returns
VAT
Payroll
Personal tax
Secretarial services.

These services come with established systems, efficient turnaround times, and consistent quality – ideal for accountants looking to scale quickly without breaking the bank.

✅ Start-up Costs Financial Edge: Outsourcing

Ongoing Operational Costs

Outsourcing	In-House
Offshore provider responsible for one-off costs such as software and recruitment as well as recurring costs such as office expenses	Continuous costs of HR management, software licensing, utilities, office rent, and hardware maintenance
More predictable monthly or project-based billing	Additional costs of employee turnover, vacant roles, and downtime
Rates typically 50% less than onshore resource	Impact of UK government policies and employment taxes can be high

✅ Ongoing Operational Costs Financial Edge: Outsourcing

Access to Talent and Specialised Skills

Outsourcing	In-House
Access to a global talent pool at fixed rates	High cost of attracting and retaining top talent, especially in specialised roles
No need to invest in long-term talent development	Regional variations in availability of talent
Short term vacancies easily filled	Ongoing costs of training and development

How UK Accountants Are Solving the Talent Gap

The post-COVID talent crunch continues to affect accounting practices across the UK, especially with a wave of experienced professionals leaving the industry. Meanwhile, new digital-first accountants are entering the market offering lower-cost, online services – further intensifying competition.

Outsourcing offers a fast, effective solution by:

Reducing overheads
Tapping into a pool of pre-vetted professionals
Allowing in-house staff to focus on advisory roles and client relationships.

✅ Talent Gap Financial Edge: Outsourcing

Additional Benefits of Outsourcing

As shown above there is a clear financial edge for accountants using outsourcing compared to in-house resources. Hiring an offshore resource from Unison Globus UK typically costs 50% less than hiring a UK resource. In addition to cost savings, outsourcing offers several other key advantages:

Consistency and quality: Standardised processes improve accuracy and reduce errors
Scalability: Easily meet seasonal demand or tackle backlogs
Specialist expertise: Access professionals for tax, audit, and compliance tasks
Reduced risk: Smooth transitions when onshore staff leave at short notice
Change enablement: Support digital transformation, automation, and cloud software adoption
Business continuity: Maintain delivery during peak periods or sudden changes.

Calculate salary savings now

The team at Unison Globus UK have prepared a calculator to help accountants estimate the salary savings available by outsourcing work offshore. The calculator is available on our website by following this link.

Unison Globus UK: Your Offshore Accounting Partner

At Unison Globus UK, we specialise in helping UK accountants streamline operations and scale their practices through professional, affordable offshore accounting solutions. From sole traders to large, limited companies, our experts deliver high-quality:

Whether you’re just exploring outsourcing or looking to expand your offshore strategy, we’re here to help.

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 meet MTD IT responsibilities, you can book a video call with one of our expert advisors or email us at [email protected].