Tag: Practice Management

Categories
Uncategorized

Get your Practice Ready for 2026 with a Strategic Outsourcing Solution

Accountants across the UK are working through the most challenging and transformative period of recent years. Between regulatory reform, client expectations, and ongoing recruitment challenges, accountants are reassessing how they operate. For many accountants, strategic outsourcing has become a critical tool for protecting margins, improving service delivery, and future-proofing their Practice.

2026: A Challenging Landscape for Accountants

A number of challenges are shaping the operational plans of accountants across the UK for 2026 and beyond.

Rising compliance burden

The implementation of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax from April 2026 means many accountants need to introduce new ways of working for affected clients. The shift to digital record keeping requires additional resources to deliver systematic bookkeeping, accounting and tax services for clients who previously had no need for regular contact.
The UK audit landscape is also changing, with an increased focus on audit quality, underpinned by revisions to International Auditing Standards. Audit Firms must be even more vigilant about the assignments they take on and the expertise of auditors to deliver compliant work.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) arrangements will also undergo significant changes in 2026, with updates to existing AML regulations and the UK Corporate Transparency Act requiring additional checks and record keeping.
With an increasing regulatory burden, accountants need suitably qualified resources, more efficient systems, and robust quality processes to navigate these changes.

Continuing talent shortages

For many UK accountants, the current recruitment market is both costly and time-consuming. Many firms cannot scale their teams fast enough to meet client demand, especially during peak periods such as year-end accounts preparation or personal tax season. With increased competition for skilled professionals, more accountants are turning to outsourcing as a strategic solution. By working with offshore partners, UK accountants can access experienced professionals without the overheads of a full-time appointment.

Increased price sensitivity among clients

Small and medium-sized businesses expect fixed fees, digital-first service, and faster turnaround times. Accountants unable to deliver efficiently risk losing clients or reduced profitability. Using an offshore accountant means prices can be fixed for the duration of a contract, allowing accountants to offer monthly subscription models and guaranteed service levels to clients. The onshore team can spend more time with the most complex clients, understanding client needs, building long-term relationships, and offering additional services.

Technology acceleration

AI-driven automation, cloud accounting, and workflow platforms are reshaping the way services are delivered. Accountants need time, capacity, and specialist support to adopt new technology effectively.
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.

Why Strategic Outsourcing Is Essential

Outsourcing has evolved significantly over the last decade. Accountants no longer confine outsourced work to recurring, transactional work and require a more collaborative, dynamic model. When implemented effectively, outsourcing delivers positive outcomes.

Reliable and scalable capacity

Scaling a practice up or down takes time when services are delivered by full-time staff. Investment in technologies such as AI, 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.

Improved profitability

With the additional capacity outsourcing brings, accountants can focus on core business objectives, whether that involves increasing client numbers or offering a wider range of services to existing clients. Accountants find that outsourcing recurring tasks such as bookkeeping, payroll or accounts preparation frees up time to help clients and understand their business needs, offering scope to deliver high margin advisory services when clients need them most.

Quality and compliance

UK tax and accounting compliance can be complex and is constantly changing. Outsourced professionals understand UK Company Tax and Personal Tax rules and the requirements of HMRC and Companies House. Helping clients stay on top of their responsibilities to file information in line with statutory deadlines ensures fines and penalties are avoided.

Greater operational flexibility

Offshore suppliers can help fill roles across all types of accounting work. Accountants 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 accountants shift priorities towards advisory work, clients expect deeper insights, not just compliance. Outsourcing recurring tasks gives accountants more time to focus on client relationships, strategic advice, and business development.

Preparing for 2026: Essential Steps for Accountants Looking to Outsource

For accountants ready to strengthen their operational strategy for 2026, here are some basic steps to take.

Define clear objectives and research the outsourcing market

Many accountants begin outsourcing work with the single objective of reducing costs. However, outsourcing work also helps build strategic capacity, enables access to specialised skills and professionals, improves service delivery, and strengthens resilience to regulatory changes. Aligning potential offshore partners to onshore priorities, will help accountants make the most of a new outsourcing partnership.
Before entering into any outsourcing agreement, accountants need to research the market, check industry reputations, and track records, obtain client testimonials, and understand the scope of services offered offshore.

Start small and measure progress

Accountants can test the outsourcing process with a small amount of work, such as digital bookkeeping, VAT return preparation, or year-end accounts preparation. Outcomes can be evaluated for quality, technical accuracy, and turnaround against performance consistent with in-house targets. Many offshore suppliers, including Unison Globus, offer a free-trial period, where accountants can test the service before entering into a contract. 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 when an unexpected backlog of work occurs.

Review data security arrangements

There are many ways to share data securely with an offshore accountant – whether through a secure file transfer protocol server, by granting remote access to your server, or sharing files via cloud systems. Regardless of arrangements, the onshore accountant needs to be confident in the offshore IT and physical safeguards, such as anti-virus software, secure VPN connections and 24/7 surveillance.

Assess capacity gaps

During busy seasons, the volume of client work can change quickly. From processing periodic payrolls and tax returns to management reporting and statutory filings, deadlines can quickly converge at key points in the accounting year.

Outsourcing offers a scalable, flexible solution that allows accountants to quickly increase capacity without the overheads and administrative burden of temporary appointments. Outsourcing work enables accountants to stay agile, efficient, and competitive throughout the year.

Map tasks suitable for outsourcing

Most end-to-end accounting tasks – such as digital bookkeeping, VAT returns, year-end accounts, company tax, and personal tax – can be outsourced to trusted providers. Thanks to cloud accounting and digital systems, outsourced teams can seamlessly integrate into daily workflows with minimal disruption.

Strengthen technology

Technology such as Artificial Intelligence, automation, and cloud accounting is helping firms to streamline some processes. But clients still expect personal service, timely advice, and proactive financial insight.
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.

Choose a partner to integrate seamlessly with the onshore team

Choosing between outsourcing and building an in-house 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 Practice that struggles to keep up and one that runs efficiently and profitably.
For many accountants, the optimal model involves using in-house resources to focus on business growth while outsourcing recurring and deadline driven work. Outsourcing reduces costs, increases flexibility, and allows accountants to focus on growth and remaining resilient to competition.

Conclusion

As the accounting profession prepares for 2026, firms can no longer rely on traditional staffing models alone. The pressures of regulation, changing technology, and client expectations demand a more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective operational strategy.

Outsourcing work means accountants have the capacity to deliver high-quality work, strengthen profitability, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.

With the right outsourcing partner in place, accountants can deliver their 2026 objectives with confidence.

How do I find out more?

At Unison Globus, we have been providing offshore services to accountants since 2006. Our customers include sole proprietors, as well as small and medium sized UK Accountancy Practices. Our outsourced tax, accounting and payroll services are suitable for all client engagements – from sole traders and micro businesses to SMEs and large companies.

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 thrive, you can book a video call with one of our expert advisors or email us at [email protected]
Categories
Uncategorized

Outsourcing vs In-house: The financial edge for UK accountants

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].
Categories
Uncategorized

Use The Unison Globus UK Calculator to estimate the Savings available from Outsourcing

Accountants are under pressure to deliver services at a lower cost to attract new customers and avoid losing existing customers to competitors. Outsourcing work enables any accountant to secure immediate savings through lower direct and indirect employment costs. When considering outsourcing, a good place to start is estimating the savings available based on location and the type of resource needed.
The team at Unison Globus UK have prepared a calculator to help accountants estimate the savings available by outsourcing work offshore. The calculator is available on our website, and a link is provided below.

Estimate savings now

The calculator is easy to use and requires basic information to be entered about the UK regional location of the onshore accountant and type of resource required offshore. The calculator draws on salary information published annually by UK recruitment companies and the full-time equivalent cost of a resource provided by Unison Globus UK.
Unison Globus UK customers have the 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 are other benefits from outsourcing work, including:
  • access to a stable team of professionals
  • increased quality and consistency of work
  • better turnaround times
  • improved client experience.
Unison Globus UK customers have found outsourcing has helped them innovate and deliver change. Investment in new technologies such as cloud accounting and automation of tasks allows seamless introduction of outsourced accountants to the day-to-day operations of a Practice with the minimum of disruption. This allows accountants to scale up without taking on the additional risk and costs of direct employment.

Conclusion

Most UK accountants looking to grow and thrive see outsourcing as an effective solution. Accountants can ensure they implement outsourcing effectively by following some simple rules to deliver the outcomes they need.

Unison Globus UK’s outsourced tax, accounting and payroll services are suitable for all client engagements – from sole traders and micro businesses to large companies. 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]
Categories
Uncategorized

Tackle Seasonal Peaks of Work through Outsourcing

For UK accountants, seasonal workload peaks are an unavoidable part of the annual cycle of work for clients. Whether it’s helping clients meet deadlines for filing personal tax returns, ensuring directors meet their responsibilities to file statutory accounts and tax information or delivering timely advisory services, these peaks stretch in-house teams to the limit.
Meeting deadlines while ensuring the quality of work and client satisfaction becomes a constant balancing act. However, by working with a trusted outsourcing provider like Unison Globus UK, accountants can manage unexpected increases in workload efficiently, allowing onshore teams to focus on the core objectives of the business.

Understanding the Challenge of Increasing Workloads

During busy seasons, the volume of client work can change quickly – and usually not in a positive way. From processing periodic payrolls and tax returns to management reporting and statutory filings, deadlines can quickly converge at key points in the accounting year.

Hiring temporary staff may seem like an obvious solution, but it comes with challenges: recruitment costs, training time, variable quality, and compliance concerns.
In contrast, outsourcing with Unison Globus UK offers a scalable, flexible solution that allows accountants to quickly increase capacity without the overheads and administrative burden of temporary appointments. Outsourcing work enables accountants to stay agile, efficient, and competitive throughout the year.

The Strategic Advantage of Outsourcing

Partnering with a specialist outsourcing provider provides access to experienced professionals who work seamlessly as an extension of the onshore team. Some of the ongoing benefits of outsourcing include:
  • Scalability: Increase resources during peak times and scale back when workloads ease, maintaining full control and cost efficiency.
  • Time Savings: Outsourced teams handle routine, time-consuming tasks, allowing onshore accountants to focus on supporting clients and business growth.
  • Consistency and Quality: Professional outsourcing firms have effective quality control arrangements and are expert in UK accounting standards and tax rules, ensuring compliance at all times.
  • Cost Efficiency: Minimise recruitment, training, and overtime costs, paying only for the resources needed.
  • Work-Life Balance: Avoid staff burnout by managing workloads effectively, boosting morale and retention.

When to Consider Outsourcing

Many accountants begin exploring outsourcing when faced with familiar ‘red flags’:
  • Recurring overtime and staff stress at peak periods for deadlines
  • Delays in completing work or deteriorating turnaround times due to insufficient resources
  • Increasing overheads during peak months
  • A desire to focus more on client advisory and growth rather than routine compliance work.

Undertaking a critical review of financial and operational performance compared to planned outcomes will quickly identify red flags which need to be managed.

How Outsourcing Works in Practice

Accountants can test the outsourcing process with a small amount of work, such as digital bookkeeping, VAT return preparation, or year-end accounts preparation. Outcomes can be evaluated for quality, technical accuracy, and turnaround against performance consistent with in-house targets. Many offshore suppliers, including Unison Globus UK, offer a free-trial period, where accountants can test the service before entering into a contract.

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 when an unexpected backlog of work occurs, ensuring deadlines are met without compromising on quality.

Additional Benefits of Outsourcing

While outsourcing is invaluable during cyclical peaks, many accountants find the benefits extend year-round. By delegating routine work, accountants create capacity to focus on client relationships, advisory services, and business development. Over time, outsourcing becomes not just a reactive solution to seasonal peaks in work, but a proactive strategy for sustainable growth.
Hiring an offshore resource from Unison Globus UK typically costs 50% less than hiring a UK resource. In addition to cost savings, outsourcing offers other benefits:
  • 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 accounting solutions.
  • Business continuity: Maintain delivery during peak periods or sudden changes.

Unison Globus UK: Your Offshore Accounting Partner

At Unison Globus UK, we specialise in helping businesses streamline operations and scale through professional, affordable offshore accounting solutions. Our experts deliver high-quality:

Want to Learn More?

We provide a free trial of up to 10 hours of accountant time, with turnaround or work in 72 hours. If you’re looking to outsource 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]
Categories
Uncategorized

Why Considering outsourcing should be a New Year resolution for all accountants

The month of January is the busiest time of year for accountants striving to help clients file self-assessment tax returns and pay any tax due. At the same time, many Practice owners are setting objectives for growth and profitability for the next 12 months. With employment costs and overheads expected to rise throughout 2026, developing a strategy to outsource work should be high on the list of things to do when accountants return to work in January.
Accountants considering outsourcing can start the process by asking some basic questions, including:
  • Which services do we provide which can easily be outsourced?
  • Which services are we looking to grow over the next 12 months?
  • Where are my resourcing pain points?
  • What are the main objectives of an outsourcing strategy?
  • Which delivery model works best for my Practice?
  • Are there offshore Providers who can help us execute an effective outsourcing strategy?
  • Will outsourcing compromise data security?
With a growing number of options available through cloud accounting and automation, 2026 may be the perfect year for accountants to outsource recurring tasks and focus on the work adding most value to their Practice and customers.

Outsourcing is an essential solution for many accountants

Many accountants look to the experiences of competitors who already outsource work successfully. Larger Practices modernised processes and invested in technology to enable the provision of services by an offshore provider. This means they are well placed to scale and grow their businesses while manging costs effectively. With contracted turnaround times often measured in hours, end-clients also see the benefit of more timely information and statutory deadlines are met with time to spare.
Smaller Practices also secure benefits from outsourcing work. They are able to offer a wider range of services delivered by qualified professionals who are always available to tackle peaks of work or clear a backlog of tasks. Accountants no longer need to recruit their way towards growth and can avoid expensive mistakes if the wrong appointment is made.
Unison Globus UK customers consider the main benefits of outsourcing work to be:
  • Reduced costs and overheads
  • Access to a stable team of professionals
  • Increased quality and consistency of work
  • Better turnaround times
  • improved client experience.

Services which can easily be outsourced

Accountants are under pressure to deliver more services at a lower cost to attract new customers and avoid losing customers to competitors. By outsourcing recurring tasks such as monthly bookkeeping, payroll, quarterly VAT returns and year-end accounts preparation, accountants will find more time to spend with customers understanding their needs and adapting services accordingly.

With the introduction of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT) for certain taxpayers from April 2026, the submission of data each quarter to HMRC offers a good opportunity to start outsourcing recurring work which carries a significant risk of a deadline being missed. Outsourcing work also creates capacity for accountants to look carefully at their customers and identify those most a risk of non-compliance with HMRC requirements when MTD IT is introduced.

Outsourcing can handle many of the administrative tasks involved in taking on clients, such as registering information with HMRC and Companies House and submitting required documentation. Outsourcing such work creates the capacity for in-house accountants to understand the needs of new clients and risks associated with the engagement.
The ongoing management of clients can be resource intensive, and mistakes can be made where expectations about the services to be delivered for the agreed fee differ significantly. The outsourced accountant can manage the flow of communication with a client for the work they are responsible for, enabling the UK accountant to understand any change in the risk profile in clients individually or collectively.

How offshore Providers can help execute an effective outsourcing strategy

Outsourcing work allows accountants to look carefully at the resources needed to deliver their objectives. This may involve increases in client numbers, delivering more specialist services or securing better profitability. Outsourcing work secures immediate savings through lower employment costs, which are typically 50% less than a UK resource. Unison Globus UK customers have the flexibility to commission resources when they need them on an ad-hoc (pay as you go), half time equivalent or full-time equivalent basis.
Accountants who implement outsourcing successfully are comfortable with innovation and delivering change. Integrating the outsourced accountants into training, team meetings and other staff updates which helps build relationships and contributes to the overall culture of a Practice.
The offshore accountant can help review internal systems and processes to integrate their work into the onshore accountant’s operations. Workflows can be updated to track the progress of work outsourced and that delivery is in accordance with the terms agreed.
Investment in new technologies such as cloud accounting and automation of tasks means smaller Practices can introduce outsourced partners into their day-to-day operations with the minimum of disruption. This allows Practices to scale and grow without taking on the additional risk and costs of direct employment. Investing time with the individuals provided by the outsourced partner will introduce Practices to new ways of working, a different mindset for delivery and a more cohesive business.

Preserving data security

Protecting client data and Intellectual Property presents a significant risk to any accountant regardless of Practice size. When engaging an outsource supplier, the onshore accountant can mitigate these risks by reviewing internal systems and processes to ensure data can be transferred securely. This usually involves the outsource supplier accessing client servers using secure login arrangements. If this isn’t possible, most outsource suppliers use secure file hosting services or password protected documents, though risks of data breaches may increase where high volumes of client information are exchanged.

When outsourcing work, the UK accountant should always seek confirmation about any GDPR, or data security credentials stated by an offshore accountant. They will also need to understand the operational procedures established by the offshore accountant to ensure data security and complete a risk assessment accordingly.
Internal policies and procedures will need to be updated to cover the tasks undertaken by the offshore accountant and the nature of data processed. Some accountants decide the offshore accountant should see only limited amounts or anonymised client data; others decide the offshore accountant needs full access to client information to work effectively. Including the offshore accountant in any training or staff can helps ensure awareness of the continuing risks around data security and the action required in the event a data breach occurs.

Want to learn more?

Using an offshore supplier is increasingly becoming the normal way of doing business for UK accountants. Outsourcing work helps support delivery of core business objectives, improves profitability, and helps Practices scale and grow.
Unison Globus UK’s outsourced tax, accounting and payroll services are suitable for all client engagements – from sole traders and micro businesses to large companies.
We provide a free trial of up to 10 hours of accountant time, with turnaround or work in 72 hours. If you’re looking to outsource 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]
Categories
Uncategorized

How Outsourcing Helps UK Accountants Avoid Recruitment and Employment Risks

Recruiting and retaining staff has become one of the biggest challenges for UK accountants. With increasing salary expectations among potential recruits, a shortage of talent and expertise, and the constant pressure to deliver more for clients, many accountants are struggling to keep up. Beyond the cost of recruitment, there are training requirements, career expectations to manage, and the possibility of employees leaving just when they’re most needed.
That’s why more accountants are turning to offshore solutions. By outsourcing to trusted providers like Unison Globus UK, accountants can avoid recruitment headaches, reduce employment risks, and access trained professionals to deliver high quality work.
In this blog, we’ll explore why offshore teams are becoming a smarter choice for UK accountants and how they can help your firm grow without the risks of traditional recruitment.

The Challenges UK Accountants Face with Recruitment

For many UK accountants, the current recruitment market is proving costly and time-consuming. Risks are emerging across a number of fronts, including:
 
  • Skills shortages: Qualified accountants are in high demand, and many accountants find it difficult to attract the right candidates
  • Rising recruitment costs: Advertising roles, preparing a candidate shortlist, undertaking interviews, and using agencies all incur costs quickly
  • Training and development: When appointed, new staff require onboarding and continuing professional development
  • Employment risks: From compliance with UK employment law to managing contracts, employee benefits, and HR issues, firms carry the full responsibility
  • Staff turnover: If a team member leaves, the entire cycle starts again, incurring more costs and reducing productivity.
For smaller practices, these risks can slow growth and limit the ability to take on new clients.

Why Offshore Solutions Are a Smarter Choice

Outsourcing gives UK firms access to a broad range of qualified professionals. Most end-to-end accounting tasks – such as digital bookkeeping, VAT returns, year-end accounts, company tax, and personal tax – can be outsourced easily to trusted provider
By working with a specialist outsourcing partner, accountants can:
  • Access talent immediately: Offshore accountants are already professionally qualified, have wide experience and are ready to start immediately
  • Avoid recruitment costs and HR management: The outsource provider handles contracts, salaries, and employee benefits
  • Leverage UK accounting expertise: Offshore professionals are trained in UK accounting, tax, and compliance requirements
  • Scale flexibly: Add capacity as demand grows without the risk of recruitment delays.
Thanks to cloud accounting and digital systems, outsourced teams can seamlessly integrate into daily workflows with minimal disruption.

“We’ve seen a real shift in mindset when it comes to delivery. Our offshore teams work hand-in-hand with UK accountants, improving service and boosting productivity” says the team at Unison Globus UK.

Key Benefits of Offshore Teams for UK Accountants

Avoid Recruitment Delays

Instead of spending weeks or months advertising jobs, screening candidates, and conducting interviews, firms can engage an offshore accountant instantly. This reduces downtime and ensures client work is delivered on time. Unison Globus UK accountants can start working for a UK practice in a matter of days.

Reduce Training Burdens

While some onboarding is necessary, outsourcing significantly reduces ongoing training and continuing professional development costs. Our HR team ensures every Unison Globus UK professional:

 
  • Has up-to-date qualifications
  • Understands UK Tax Rules and Accounting Standards
  • Receives regular professional development.

Minimise Employment Risks

When you recruit directly, the firm carries all employment risks, including sick pay, redundancy payments, and any HR disputes. With offshore teams, those risks are the responsibility of the provider, giving firms peace of mind.

Cut Operational Costs

Beyond salaries, direct employment means additional on-costs including holiday leave, pension contributions, and employers national insurance. Outsourcing offers many flexible engagement models using pricing that can scale up or down as needed. Unison Globus UK offers different team models tailored to your firm’s needs – whether you need ad-hoc support or full-time offshore staff.

How Unison Globus UK helps our customers

Accountants across the UK are already seeing better results from outsourcing with Unison Globus UK.

Customer A

Our Practice provides back-office services to SMEs across the UK. Our focus is providing high quality bookkeeping and payroll services to support our clients with cashflow management, budgeting, and forecasting. Many of our clients have complex bookkeeping needs with high volumes of transactions to process each month. Outsourcing work was the natural choice to ensure our in-house team has the capacity to support our clients with the timely insight and analysis they need. We use the full-time equivalent bookkeeping service, and their people work well as part of our extended team.

Customer B

Our business model requires us to work flexibly across a diverse range of clients and, to achieve this, we decided at an early stage to commission services using a full-time accountant option. We are delighted with the quality and timeliness of work produced by the offshore team, and the continuity of service we have secured over the last six years. Unison Globus UK has supported our Practice through a rapid period of growth and remains central to our future delivery plans. The team at Unison Globus UK seek to add value in everything they do, and we are delighted to recommend them as your outsourcing partner.

These examples show that offshore work with Unison Globus UK isn’t just about reducing costs, it’s a strategic way to boost capacity and growth.

How to Choose the Right Offshore Partner

Not all outsourcing providers are the same. To make offshore staffing work for your firm, look for:
 
  • UK accounting expertise: Ensure the offshore team is trained in UK accounting, tax, and accounting standards. Understanding of HMRC and Companies House requirements is essential
  • Data security: There are many ways to share data securely with an offshore accountant – whether through a secure file transfer protocol server, by granting remote access to your server, or sharing files via cloud systems. Regardless of arrangements, the onshore accountant needs to be confident in the offshore IT and physical safeguards, such as anti-virus software, secure VPN connections, and 24/7 surveillance in place). Unison Globus UK is GDPR complaint and ISO27001 accredited
  • Scalability: Choose a partner that can grow with your firm, adding capacity as needed. Accountants can 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 when an unexpected backlog of work occurs
  • Proven track record: Look for testimonials or case studies from other UK accountants.

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]
Categories
Uncategorized

Use Outsourcing to Transform your Accountancy Practice

Change management, or ‘transformation’, is high on the list of priorities for most UK accountants. Investment in modern technologies such as cloud accounting software and the automation of recurring tasks is increasing. Developments in Artificial Intelligence are helping accountants look critically at the way they work with clients while ensuring they remain available to provide personal, expert advice when needed. Modern technologies can now support different models of service delivery, and this includes outsourcing work to an offshore provider such as Unison Globus UK.
This guide aims to help accountants review the way accounting services are delivered and highlight the benefits of outsourcing work to deliver transformation plans.

Transforming the way services are provided

While accountants have invested heavily in modern technologies, many fail to review the way services are provided to secure the best possible outcomes for profitability and growth. The automation of tasks and embedding of cloud-based software provide wide scope for transforming the way services are delivered. The ‘digitisation’ of accounting records means there is no need for accountants to attend a traditional office space – information can be accessed from anywhere in the World using an internet connection.
In terms of the services an accountant may outsource, the work does not need to be confined to transactional areas such as bookkeeping or payroll. The outsourced accountant can support the onboarding of clients and provide continuous feedback on the services a client might need, such as tax or specialist advice. The outsourced accountant can help Practices look forward and assist with the real-time reporting needs of clients.
The outsourcing of compliance work helps accountants manage short term pressures such as peaks or backlogs of work. This can be at the individual accountant level, when capacity is most stretched at key points in the accounting cycle, or to help drive sustainable growth in new client numbers and services. Outsourcing work helps accountants provide professional support and expert advice their clients need without increasing the permanent establishment of the Practice.
Practices are increasingly including the outsourcing of work in their plans for client growth, recognising the market for qualified accountants, and other finance professionals, is challenging. Smaller Practices can struggle to find the resources they need and are most at risk of losing accountants to larger competitors. Using an outsource supplier helps level the playing field for smaller Practices, helps stabilise capacity and improves service delivery.

Meeting customer needs

Many accountants aim to scale their business quickly through growth in new client numbers. The onboarding of new clients can be resource intensive with the additional pressure to make the best possible first impression and contact. Outsourcing can handle many of the administrative tasks involved in taking on new clients, such as registering information with HMRC and Companies House and submitting required documentation. Outsourcing such work creates the capacity for in-house accountants to understand the needs of new clients. Expensive mistakes can be avoided where a client is unsuitable or where expectations about the services to be delivered for the agreed fee differ significantly.
When onboarding is complete, automating communications with customers as work is delivered improves turnaround times. The outsourced accountant can manage the flow of communication with a client for the work they are responsible for, enabling the UK accountant to focus on adding value to the client relationship.
Many potential clients now contact accountants via websites or using App technology. Some accountants employ customer service professionals to deal with non-accountancy related tasks. Every interaction with a client can be measured and evaluated and new ways of providing information to clients can be explored. Some accountants are successfully using ChatGPT to respond to questions from clients. Others are using automated messaging to progress work.
The best outsourced suppliers will adapt to the changing demands of UK accountants and their clients. To evidence improvement, real time data can be used about every task the outsourced supplier completes and compared to the equivalent in-house performance.
Advances in cloud-based accounting software, and the increase in entrants to the UK accounting market offering Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, mean many businesses are comfortable maintaining their own accounting records, requiring the support of an accountant only at key points in the accounting period. This can lead to significant peaks and backlogs of work where a high number of clients have the same year end or need personal tax services in the lead up to HMRC deadlines. While accountants seek to increase the number of such clients through competitive pricing, they often 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. The right outsource provider can enhance these contacts through the provision of services with improved turnaround times and higher quality.

Using outsourcing to add value

The reputation of accountants is based on a track record of delivering quality work on time which meets professional standards. By encouraging clients to accept different, more efficient ways of delivering services, accountants will secure the maximum benefit from any transformation work. Most clients are comfortable with an outsourced supplier preparing their accounts or tax returns where the arrangements are complemented by improved communications and better outcomes in terms of quality and delivery.
Using an outsourced supplier to manage recurring communications with clients ensures consistent quality and timeliness of contact to improve the overall customer experience. Measuring such outcomes is essential to understanding the impact of transformation on each customer.

Outsourcing work can enhance organisational culture

Outsourcing work succeeds where Practice management is clear on how the arrangements will support staff and nurture the desired culture. Accountants most likely to implement outsourcing successfully are comfortable with innovation and delivery of change. Being open about the aims and benefits of outsourcing work will address any concerns individual accountants have about their role being diminished or removed completely. Outsourced partners offer a wide range of flexible options, from short-term hourly resources to full-time equivalent accountants who work as part of an on-shore team and who report directly to Practice managers. Integrating the outsourced accountants into training, team meetings and other staff updates helps build relationships and contributes to the overall culture of a Practice.
While larger Practices have used outsourcing successfully for many years, smaller Practices (and especially Sole Practitioners) often perceive multiple barriers to engaging an outsourced partner. However, the investment in modern technologies such as cloud accounting and automation of tasks means smaller Practices can introduce outsourced partners into their day-to-day operations with the minimum of disruption. This allows Practices to increase capacity and range of services to clients without taking on the additional risk and costs of direct employment. Investing time with the individuals provided by the outsourced partner will introduce Practices to new ways of working, a different mindset for delivery and more diverse teams.

Actions accountants can take to help deliver transformation plans

Our customers have shared their experience of Unison Globus UK services and highlighted some key actions any accountant considering outsourcing should take to help deliver their transformation plans. Our customers highlighted the need to:
  • Identify the long-term benefits from outsourcing work and avoid focusing too much on short term objectives such as eliminating a backlog or addressing a peak in workload
  • Set clear quality and performance measures to complement internal targets
  • Engage with staff at the earliest possible stage, highlighting the positive impact of outsourcing work for their future development and career aspirations
  • Recognise it will take time and initial investment to integrate the outsourcing partner to a Practice and achieve a successful transition
  • Ensure all internal stakeholders are engaged in the commissioning process, including non-accountants who may be involved in the working relationship
  • Encourage open discussion of any perceived barriers or misconceptions about outsourcing work
  • Assign clear ownership to maintain the relationship with the outsource partner and to manage any issues arising
  • Take the opportunity to critically review systems and processes, maximising efficiencies

How Unison Globus UK can help you deliver the transformation your practice needs

Unison Globus UK has been providing offshore services to accountants since 2006. Our customers include sole proprietors, as well as small and medium sized Practices. Our outsourced tax, accounting and payroll services are suitable for all client engagements – from sole traders and micro businesses to SMEs and large companies. We offer services paid for by the hour, half-time equivalent, or a full-time equivalent employee basis.
Typically, the cost of outsourcing work to Unison Globus UK is 50% less than a UK resource, securing immediate reductions in your cost base. With the additional capacity outsourcing brings, accountants can focus on core business objectives, whether that involves increasing the client base or offering a wider range of services to clients. Accountants find that outsourcing recurring tasks such as bookkeeping, payroll or accounts preparation frees up time to help clients, understand their needs and offer high margin advisory services when needed most.

Unison Globus UK services include:

  • Digital Bookkeeping
  • Year-End Accounts
  • Company Tax
  • Payroll
  • Personal Tax
  • VAT
  • Secretarial Services

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]
Categories
Uncategorized

Improve Pricing & Preserve Margins with Smart Outsourcing

Many accountants find the most challenging part of their profession is pricing services to secure the best possible profit margin while keeping clients satisfied. The ongoing discussions with clients around fees and their expectations about service can be stressful and time consuming. Some accountants prefer to maintain engagements with clients where they make no margin at all rather than have the difficult conversation about increasing fees or disengagement.
At Unison Globus UK we have helped hundreds of accountants and businesses reduce costs with our modern outsourcing solutions. Our services can be commissioned on a fixed price or pay-as-you-go basis, helping accountants price their services competitively and with confidence.
In this blog we discuss the various pricing models our customers have used successfully to increase profit margins and scale their business through outsourcing.

What makes pricing accountancy services so challenging?

Accountants provide a range of services which require different skills and resources to deliver. Developments in accounting software, such as the automation of bank reconciliations, bankfeeds and the impact of regulatory changes such as Making Tax Digital means many of the recurring, compliance based tasks typically completed by an accountant have changed significantly. External factors such as rising employment and software costs, difficulties in recruiting new talent and increased competition mean that pricing strategies can quickly become out of date.
Further challenges arise where accountants have a diverse client base. Accountants find some clients are comfortable maintaining their own accounting records and seek specialist advice only at key points in the accounting period or tax year. Other clients are simply not interested in the details of accounting and prefer the accountant to complete all bookkeeping, accounts preparation and tax filing when needed. Regardless of the services involved, accountants need to ensure they have appropriately qualified and skilled people available to deliver.
With such wide client needs, expectations, service requirements, and the impact of a fast changing external environment, it is little wonder accountants struggle to price services effectively.
In this blog we will look at how accountants are changing their approach to pricing and increasingly using outsourcing to improve profit margins, add value to their business and improve client experiences.

What pricing models are available?

Many accountants remain committed to a timesheet based approach to pricing. They provide an estimate of the cost of a service to the client and bill the amount based on hours recorded by individuals at the end of the assignment. The fee per hour is based on the skills and qualifications of accountants and other professionals using a fixed schedule of rates.
While this may be a comfortable approach for accountants, it does present some risks. Not least where a client challenges the number of hours to complete an assignment and the obvious time lag between incurring the cost of delivering the service and billing upon completion.
The modern accountant now looks at different pricing models and takes a proportion of the fee when an assignment commences. This has the advantage of preserving cash flow and ensuring clients are fully engaged in the progress of an assignment. For recurring tasks such as bookkeeping, payroll or accounts preparation, many accountants now prefer a subscription model based on a fixed payment each month to cover the fees for all services provided.
While using different pricing models may appear complex, automating the billing and collection of fees will ensure the amount a client pays accurately reflects the services provided. Some examples of pricing models used by Unison Globus UK customers are provided below.

Model 1 – Fixed pricing

Fixed pricing involves using a flat rate per hour based on the type of service provided. To calculate the fixed rate, accountants need to understand the cost of the resource and the margin needed to achieve the desired profit. These calculations are based on the type of professional involved in the assignment, from bookkeepers to qualified accountants and other experts such as payroll operatives. Indirect costs of employment tax, holidays and employee benefits will need to be included in the fixed price calculation.
No accountant bills 100% of their time, with ‘non-chargeable time’ needed for training and continuing professional development, business growth, and Practice management. Another factor is the qualification and experience of the accountant, with trainees and newly qualified accountants typically billing more hours than more senior accountants who may have wider responsibilities across a Practice. Typically, an accountant will look to bill anything between 800 hours and 1,200 hours each year (depending on the scope of their responsibilities).
To calculate the fixed fee, the accountant will need to understand the direct and indirect costs of employment and the profit margin required. A simple example to calculate the hourly rate for a newly qualified accountant earning £40,000 per annum with 1,200 chargeable hours is shown below.
Cost Component Amount
Direct employment costs £40,000
Indirect employment costs (25%) £10,000
Total employment costs £50,000
Planned profit Margin (40%) £20,000
Total costs £70,000
Chargeable hours 1,200 hours
Fee per hour (£70,000/1,200) £58.33
Using a fixed fee approach makes quoting for work straightforward and the fee is easily understood by clients. There is scope to improve profit margins through investment in technology and improved processes, reducing the amount of time taken to complete an assignment. Outsourcing work can provide significant reductions. With the cost of an offshore resource typically being 50% less than the UK equivalent, and all employment costs are avoided.av
Less positively, using a fixed fee approach means the risk of completing an assignment within the estimated number of hours lies with the accountant. If there are significant cost overruns there may need to be a renegotiation of the fixed fee. Tracking the progress of each assignment is needed to raise awareness of any delays, additional work, or cost overruns at the earliest possible stage.
Preparing clear terms of reference and engagement letters and effective communication with clients is essential to the success of the fixed price model.

Model 2 – Value pricing

Value based pricing means fees are calculated based on the value of the assignment to an individual client. Preparing a fee for the work can be time-consuming as the accountant will need to consider the specific characteristics and needs of each assignment before suggesting a fee. There will be some initial investment in understanding the client and the outcomes expected and there may be some negotiation to finalise the fee. The value pricing model is suitable for assignments where unique skills are required, such as advisory services or specialist tax advice.
Once agreed the fee will usually be fixed, which means the risk of any cost overruns or ‘assignment creep’ lies with the accountant. Positively, the value pricing model does mean fees can be prepared based on a premium because of the rich skill mix needed to deliver. The fee should be paid based on agreed milestones with a significant amount paid before the assignment commences.
Accountants believe the value based model fairly reflects the value of the services they provide to clients. It also offers scope for accountants to develop new skills, increase their network of clients and building their Practice presence in new markets. Clients prefer the model to be applied to complex projects because the fee is fixed unless the scope of the assignment is changed, helping with their own cash flow forecasts and financial monitoring.
There are of course risks with the value pricing model. Understanding the scope of an assignment and the outcomes expected by a client can be challenging and require investment from senior professionals to ensure these are clearly defined. Clients expect measurable results improving their financial and operational performance where a value based approach is taken. Delivering an assignment may involve intense periods of working long and unsocial hours and committing significant resources from a Practice.

Model 3 – subscription based model

With the advances in cloud based accounting, and the option for businesses to ‘self-serve’ their bookkeeping and accounting tasks, many accountants are now implementing a subscription based model to collect monthly fees from clients. The subscription model is suitable where clients are seeking a fixed service each month, such as one or two hours of bookkeeping or a monthly payroll run. It also ensures accountants have a fixed amount of monthly income based on a clearly defined level of service.
Clients will usually set up a monthly standing order to pay their accountant and for the use of their chosen accounting software. They may choose to complete their own bookkeeping and monthly bank reconciliation. The fixed fee therefore covers the cost of software and preparing annual accounts and tax returns. If additional services are required, these costs are added to the monthly subscription amount based on a fixed schedule of rates and paid over a 12 month period.
Small business owners prefer the subscription model and the certainty it provides about their accountancy fees and the services they can expect.
Accountants also have the scope to sell additional services, particularly when their clients grow and require specialist tax or advisory services. These services require careful scoping and pricing, similar to the fixed fee model.

Model 4 – hourly or ad-hoc rates

Some accountants prefer to bill clients each month based on the number of hours they have spent working on an assignment. The services are commissioned by clients on an ‘ad-hoc’ basis and paid for based on a schedule of fixed rates. Clients are billed at the end of each month based on the number of hours taken to complete the work and the cost of the resource involved.
Hourly billing is one of the simplest pricing models to use though accountants will need to accurately record the time taken to complete work for each client using a timesheet system.
Unlike fixed pricing and value based pricing, the total fee for work billed hourly is calculated after the work is complete, so there is some risk if a client disputes a bill or refuses to pay. Some clients may not perceive any value from the services provided as they simply pay as they go. The hourly or ad-hoc rate approach is most suited to recurring tasks, such as monthly bookkeeping or the preparation of quarterly VAT returns and annual accounts.

Model 5 – Contingent fees

Billing clients on a contingent fee basis means the fee is calculated based on an agreed outcome resulting from an accountant’s work. There are strict ethical rules for accountants working on a contingent fee basis, particularly where there are self-interest or advocacy threats to an audit assignment. Contingent fees may be suitable where specific conditions exist for a client, for instance where they are looking to spread the risk and cost of an assignment with an uncertain outcome, such as a claim for grant income from the government or seeking new investment which may not be successful.
The contingent fee is only paid when the agreed outcomes have been achieved, which means there can be a time lag between completing an assignment and the outcome being secured. Accountants may have to commit significant resources to completing an assignment with the timing of the fee payment remaining uncertain.
Positively, accountants can use contingent fees to secure significant returns from their work. The assignment will usually involve highly skilled accountants providing specialist services. The fee does not reflect the number of hours taken to complete the assignment but does reflect the value of the assignment to a client. Accountants can secure a high fee based on their knowledge and expertise in an area rather than the costs involved in completing the assignment.
The main risk of the contingent fee model is where an agreed outcome isn’t achieved, and the client does not have to pay anything. Though as highlighted above, the rewards can be high for an accountant.

Which pricing model is best for my Practice?

When setting fees, accountants will need to:
  • determine a pricing strategy based on the type of clients they serve and the assignments which need to be delivered
  • understand the costs of delivering services and the margin of profit they are seeking
  • invest in an effective Customer Relationship Management system, to track the progress of work and the number of hours billed by individual accountants
  • identify other costs such as accounting software.
Some pricing models will need to be tested against the market and close competitors. Accountants commonly use the subscription pricing model where they have high numbers of similar clients. These clients tend to be small businesses who are comfortable shopping round for the best deal or introductory offer and do not mind changing accountants regularly.
Understanding your client needs is essential when determining a pricing model. Getting to know clients’ financial performance and growth plans will ensure services can be tailored based on a suitable pricing model. High growth clients with an appetite for risk will require a different pricing model to an owner managed small business.

How outsourcing supports effective pricing

Regardless of the pricing model selected by accountants, most costs are incurred in finding people with the necessary skills and expertise needed to deliver the engagement. This is increasingly difficult given the competitive UK market for finance professionals.
The cost of outsourcing work to Unison Globus UK is much less than a UK resource, securing immediate reductions in the costs of employment. With the additional capacity outsourcing provides, accountants can focus on core business objectives, such as increasing the number of clients or offering a wider range of higher margin services to existing clients. Outsourcing recurring tasks such as bookkeeping, payroll or accounts preparation frees up time to help clients, understand their needs and offer high margin advisory services when needed most.
At Unison Globus UK, we have been providing offshore services to accountants since 2006. Our customers include sole proprietors, as well as small and medium sized UK Accountancy Practices. Our outsourced tax, accounting and payroll services are suitable for all client engagements – from sole traders and micro businesses to SMEs and large companies. We offer services paid for by the hour, a half-time equivalent, or a full-time equivalent employee basis.

Our services include:

  • Digital Bookkeeping
  • Year-End Accounts
  • Company Tax
  • Payroll
  • Personal Tax
  • VAT
  • Secretarial Services
  • MTD for Income Tax.

Want to Learn More?

Unison Globus UK provides 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 thrive, you can book a video call with one of our expert advisors or email us at [email protected].
Categories
Uncategorized

What to do when a client is looking for a reduction in fees

Accountants work long hours and regularly go the extra mile to help a client in need. They also wonder how they can sustain high levels of service within a fee envelope acceptable to clients.
Accountants in the early stages of Practice ownership rightly prioritise building their business and are competitive in setting fees, usually offering incentives to attract new work. When a client relationship is firmly established, along with a positive record of delivery, accountants then look to negotiate an uplift in fees to secure desired margins.
But what happens when a client pushes back?
Thankfully, there are strategies accountants can use when a client is looking for a reduction or refuses to accept an increase in fees.

Clients need to feel they are getting good value

Negotiating a fee with a client is not a ‘zero-sum’ game. A successful negotiation will leave both sides feeling they have gained something from the process. Most clients are not interested in the detailed work accountants undertake on their behalf and place more value on the personal relationship they have with their accountant. A simple measure an accountant can take to create the capacity needed to support clients is to outsource routine tasks such as bookkeeping or accounts preparation. The client will not see any difference in the technical accuracy or timeliness of delivery of work but will see an improved, personal relationship with their accountant.
In this scenario, both the accountant and client obtain value from the negotiation. The client will see an improved level of service and the accountant can justify the fee level by providing more personal support and timely advice.

Ensure fees reflect the value of work to your team

When negotiating a fee, accountants need to emphasise the value individual tasks contribute to the overall client experience. While it may be tempting to offer certain services such as bookkeeping or payroll at a lower cost to a client, the individual delivering those services may feel undervalued and that their work is somehow less important than tasks delivered by other colleagues. By nature, individuals need to feel their work is important and valued appropriately. Accountants should therefore be cautious when offering reduced fees.
From the client side, if they are able to negotiate reductions in fees, they will feel they could have secured even more from the request and wonder what more they could achieve by way of reduced fees or free services. When negotiations occur in the future, they will use this leverage as a matter of course.
Accountants who consistently undervalue services risk staff burnout, dissatisfaction, and lower profit margins over time. Whatever the fee negotiated, it needs to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business in terms of people and finances.

Promote the value added by accountants work

When clients are looking to negotiate a reduction in fees, accountants can highlight the positive attributes they bring to help clients succeed, including:
  • Professional expertise and experience
  • Quality and timeliness of work
  • Positive customer experience
  • Competitively priced services.

Compromise means keeping your most valued clients

A client may have a limited budget due to short term circumstances such as reduced demand for services or market forces. Accountants are often reluctant to lose a client regardless of the length of time the relationship has been in place. A compromise can usually be reached to agree changes in payment terms to monthly or quarterly or even a reduced level of service, such as reduced support or longer turnaround times for work.
By listening to a client and taking appropriate action, accountants will help build goodwill and loyalty for many years.

Consider new ways of delivering services for a reduced fee

While accountants look to set fees to deliver reasonable margins, many fail to review the way services are delivered to achieve the same objective. The automation of tasks and embedding of cloud-based software provide scope for changing the way services are delivered. Outsourcing services to an offshore provider can improve service delivery using the latest technologies.
In terms of the services an accountant may outsource, the work does not need to be confined to transactional areas such as bookkeeping or payroll. The outsourced accountant can support the onboarding of clients and provide continuous feedback on the services a client might need, such as tax or specialist advice. Outsourcing can help accountants look forward and support the real-time reporting needs of clients, adding value to the work of the onshore team. Outsourcing work helps accountants provide professional support and expert advice without increasing the permanent establishment of a Practice.
Accountants could also look at incentivising clients to undertake some tasks themselves and remove them completely from the scope of work. Advances in cloud-based accounting software, mean many clients are comfortable maintaining their own accounting records, requiring the support of an accountant only at key points in the accounting period.
Relying on clients to prepare basic accounting records can lead to peaks and backlogs of work at key points in the year when VAT returns need to be filed, or year-end accounts prepared. However, outsourcing such tasks can create the additional capacity for more direct contact which adds value to the client relationship.

Conclusion

Using an offshore supplier is increasingly becoming the normal way of doing business for UK accountants. When looking to negotiate increases in fees or considering requests from clients to reduce fees, outsourcing work help implement strategies to delivery objectives for profitability and positive client relationships.
Unison Globus UK’s outsourced tax, accounting and payroll services are suitable for all client engagements – from sole traders and micro businesses to large companies. 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]