Tor Paredes, Finance Manager at hammerjack, on Why Accounting Firms Are Turning to Offshore Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping is essential—but it doesn’t have to be in-house. 

As someone who’s worked in finance for years, I’ve seen how much time, money, and energy goes into keeping books accurate and up to date. It’s important work, but not every firm has the resources—or the need—to handle all of it internally. 

That’s why more and more accounting firms are outsourcing their bookkeeping to offshore teams. And it’s not just a trend—it works. 

Why Firms Choose to Outsource 

Outsourcing isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about focusing on what matters most: serving clients and growing the business. 

Here’s why firms make the shift: 

• Cost savings – Hiring offshore bookkeepers can reduce overhead without sacrificing quality. You get experienced professionals at a fraction of the local cost.
• More focus for your core team – Letting go of routine bookkeeping frees up your onshore staff to work on higher-value tasks like advisory and client management.
• Scalability – Need to handle more clients during peak season? Offshore teams give you the flexibility to scale up or down as needed.
• Consistent, high-quality work – With the right partner, you get bookkeepers who know the tools, understand compliance, and meet deadlines without reminders. 

Where They Outsource To (And Why It’s the Philippines) 

Most accounting firms outsource to the Philippines—and for good reason. 

Bookkeepers here are: 

• Well-trained – Many have backgrounds in accounting or finance and are familiar with international standards.
• Fluent in English – Communication is smooth, which matters a lot when working with offshore teams.
• Tech-savvy – They’re already comfortable using cloud accounting platforms like Xero, QuickBooks, and MYOB.
• Professional and reliable – With the right support and structure, offshore bookkeepers become a seamless part of the team. 

Why It Works 

We’ve helped firms outsource their bookkeeping for years, and the results speak for themselves. The key isn’t just sending the work overseas—it’s building the right setup: 

• Clear processes 
• Strong onboarding 
• Ongoing communication 
• Governance and compliance built in 

It’s not just about cost. It’s about getting the right people, using the right tools, and putting the right systems in place. That’s what makes it work. 

Bookkeeping needs to be done. But that doesn’t mean you need to do all of it yourself. Outsourcing gives accounting firms a smarter way to grow—without burning out their teams or breaking their budgets. 

If your firm is ready to offload the books and focus on bigger goals, offshore staffing might be the move that makes it all possible.