Deciding between in-house and outsourcing accounting?
Making the decision whether to manage your own accounting operations or outsource to an external accountant or firm can have a significant impact on the success of your business. It’s common to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what factors to consider when making this decision. We understand this can be a difficult decision, which is why we have provided a straightforward comparison table of the benefits and costs of in-house accounting versus outsourcing accounting. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision that is right for your business needs and resources. You can trust our comparison table to provide a comprehensive overview of the key factors to consider when choosing between in-house accounting and outsourcing accounting.
Aspects | In-house Accounting | Outsourcing Accounting |
Cost | In-house accounting can be more cost-effective for small-medium enterprises with few transactions. However, as the number of transactions grows, the cost of hiring and training additional accounting staff may become a burden. | Outsourcing accounting can be more cost-effective for small-medium enterprises with large transaction volumes. The cost of hiring an external accountant or firm is often less than the cost of in-house accounting staffing, software, and training. |
Expertise | In-house accounting requires the enterprise to be knowledgeable about accounting principles, tax laws, and regulations. It also requires the enterprise to invest time and resources into keeping up-to-date with regulatory changes. | Outsourcing accounting provides access to expertise in accounting, tax laws, and regulations without the need for the enterprise to invest in training or staying up-to-date with regulatory changes. |
Time | In-house accounting requires the enterprise to dedicate time and resources to managing accounting processes. The enterprise is responsible for ensuring that its accounting is accurate, timely, and compliant. | Outsourcing accounting allows the enterprise to focus on core business operations instead of managing accounting processes. It also ensures that the enterprise’s accounting is accurate, timely, and compliant, leaving more time for the enterprise to focus on growth. |
Control | In-house accounting gives the enterprise complete control over its financial data, allowing for customization and flexibility to meet its unique needs. However, it also means that the enterprise is solely responsible for managing its accounting processes and ensuring compliance. | Outsourcing accounting means that the enterprise is giving up some control over its financial data to an external party. While the enterprise can still customise and tailor its accounting needs, it must ensure that the external party is trustworthy and operates with integrity. |
Technology | In-house accounting requires the enterprise to invest in and maintain its own software and hardware. Depending on the complexity of the accounting processes, this can be a significant investment. | Outsourcing accounting often means that the external party provides its own software and hardware, which is included in the cost of outsourcing. The enterprise can benefit from the latest technology without having to make a significant investment. |
Outsourcing is for SMEs with large transactions or those without accounting expertise
Based on the comparison table, small-medium enterprises with large transaction volumes and limited accounting knowledge or expertise would benefit from engaging an external accountant. Outsourcing accounting can be a cost-effective solution for such businesses as it provides access to expertise in accounting, tax laws, and regulations without the need for the enterprise to invest in training or staying up-to-date with regulatory changes. Additionally, outsourcing accounting allows the enterprise to focus on core business operations instead of managing accounting processes.
On the other hand, small-medium enterprises with few transactions, sufficient accounting knowledge or expertise, and a desire for complete control over financial data may find in-house accounting more cost-effective and flexible. In-house accounting allows the enterprise to tailor its accounting needs, ensuring customization and flexibility to meet its unique needs. However, this approach requires the enterprise to invest time and resources into keeping up-to-date with regulatory changes and managing accounting processes.
A question of what to invest into – in-house training vs outsourced management
So whether you are a:
- Growing e-commerce store that processes hundreds of orders per day and
- Restaurant chain with multiple locations that
- Manufacturing company with complex accounting requirements, such as inventory management and cost accounting
As long as your business requires assistance in managing financial records, taxes, compliance, financial report consolidation, or cost analysis to improve profitability, engaging an external accountant can be highly beneficial. Accounting firms like ours offer various packages tailored to the needs of businesses of different scales. Therefore, regardless of the timing, you can find an external accountant that suits your business needs.
Otherwise, if you’re operating a business that generates a few invoices per month with limited inventory or prefer complete control over their financial data, you may find in-house accounting more cost-effective and flexible.
Skip the hassle & we’ll handle your accounts
We encourage small-medium enterprises to ask themselves if they have outgrown their existing method of accounting. Have transaction volumes grown to the point where it’s challenging to manage accounting processes in-house? Do you require expertise in accounting, tax laws, and regulations that you don’t possess in-house? Are regulatory changes becoming increasingly complex and time-consuming to manage? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it may be time to consider outsourcing accounting.
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