How To Hire Offshore Bookkeeping Talent: A Step-by-Step Guide for Employers

Efficient bookkeeping is crucial to maintaining the financial health of your business and making informed decisions. However, local talent can be costly and hard to find. 

Offshore bookkeeping is a great solution to accessing skilled talent while also saving on overheads compared to working with US-based bookkeepers. 

This article walks you through how to hire offshore bookkeeping talent, from where to find qualified candidates to ensuring compliance and maintaining quality. 

When to Outsource Bookkeeping

Outsourcing accounting and bookkeeping services can be a strategic decision for many businesses. 

Offshore bookkeepers can handle various financial tasks remotely, ensuring you maintain financial accuracy without increasing overhead costs.

Below are some key benefits of outsourcing your bookkeeping tasks. If one or more of them sound good to you, then considering outsourcing would likely be a good approach. 

Cost savings

Outsourcing is usually more affordable than hiring a full-time in-house bookkeeper. You save on salaries, benefits, office space, and training costs.

Plus, the savings are enhanced by outsourcing to offshore providers in regions with lower labor costs than the US—such as Argentina, Mexico, or the Philippines. This means you can get a high-quality service at a lower price than it would cost to maintain an in-house bookkeeping team or work with outsourced bookkeepers in the US.

Access to expertise

Offshore service providers have teams of experienced and specialized bookkeepers who keep up with the latest trends, tools, and regulations in accounting and finance.

These experienced professionals are well-versed in industry best practices and can ensure your financial processes remain compliant and efficient.

Focus on core business activities

If you have a smaller business or are in the start-up stage and still doing your own bookkeeping, outsourcing can free up valuable time and resources. You can then use the time you get back to concentrate on your core competencies and strategic initiatives.

Scalability

Outsourcing allows you to easily scale your bookkeeping needs up or down based on seasonal requirements or business growth without the hassle of hiring or letting go of staff.

Many offshore bookkeepers also offer specialized services such as tax preparation, making them a valuable asset during tax season.

Advanced technology and tools

Outsourcing partners often use advanced accounting software and technologies, which might be too costly for small to mid-sized businesses to invest independently. This ensures more efficient and accurate bookkeeping.

Improved cash flow management

Outsourcing can provide better cash flow management through timely invoicing, follow-ups on receivables, and efficient expense tracking, leading to better financial health.

Reduction of fraud risk

Having an external team handle your bookkeeping can reduce the risk of internal fraud. External bookkeepers bring an objective perspective and rigorous processes that add an extra layer of security.

Flexibility and adaptability

Outsourcing bookkeeping services can offer greater flexibility to adapt to business changes, such as market expansions, mergers, or acquisitions, without the disruption that comes with re-structuring internal teams.

Steps to Hire Skilled Offshore Bookkeeping Professionals

Hiring skilled offshore bookkeeping professionals can significantly enhance your financial operations and the overall efficiency of your business. However, the process requires careful planning and execution to ensure you find the best fit for your needs.

1. Define your requirements

Before you begin your search, clearly outline what you need from your offshore bookkeeping talent. Determine the scope of work, key responsibilities, the level of expertise required, and whether you need part-time, full-time, or freelance support. 

A detailed understanding of your needs will guide the entire hiring process.

2. Choose the right offshore location

Many countries offer advantages in terms of average labor costs, size of talent pool, and language skills. Starting from the perspective of considering what region you want to hire from can help narrow your search for offshore talent. 

Latin America, for instance, is known for its cost-effective yet highly skilled workforce. 

Additionally, the minimal time zone difference between Latin America and the US allows for real-time collaboration.

Research and choose a location that aligns with your business needs.

3. Select a reliable outsourcing partner or platform

Partnering with a reputable outsourcing firm, like Near, or using reliable job platforms can help streamline your search for the ideal offshore bookkeeper. These partners often have a pre-vetted pool of candidates, making it easier to find qualified talent quickly. 

They also often have stringent screening processes in place to ensure you hire only top talent.

Look for firms that specialize in accounting and bookkeeping to ensure you get access to top-notch professionals. Also check there are no hidden costs within their fee structure.

4. Create a detailed job description

Craft a comprehensive job description that clearly outlines the duties, qualifications, and expectations for the role. Include details such as:

• Scope of tasks (e.g., accounts payable/receivable, payroll management, financial reporting, reconciling bank statements)
• Required qualifications and certifications
• Preferred experience in specific industries or software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero)
• Working hours and expected availability
• Any additional skills (e.g., language proficiencies, communication skills)

5. Conduct a thorough screening process

Once you receive applications, conduct a rigorous screening process. This can include reviewing resumes, evaluating cover letters, and performing initial telephone or video interviews. 

If you are working with a recruitment agency, then they will take care of a lot of these details themselves to make sure you find the perfect candidate—including assessing their technical skills, experience, and cultural fit with your company.

6. Check references and credentials

It’s essential to validate the qualifications and past performance of potential candidates. Conduct reference checks to verify their work history and reliability. 

Check their credentials and any certifications they list to ensure they meet your specified requirements.

7. Negotiate and finalize the contract

After selecting the candidate, negotiate the terms of employment, including salary, working hours, and any other benefits. 

Make sure to include specifics about the nature of their work, confidentiality agreements, and compliance with your local regulations. Draft a detailed contract that both parties can agree upon and sign.

8. Onboard and train your new bookkeeper

Proper onboarding and training are crucial for integrating your new offshore bookkeeper into your team. Provide them with a thorough orientation about your company, its values, procedures, and the specific software or tools they will be using. 

This ensures they understand their role and can hit the ground running.

9. Establish communication and reporting protocols

Effective communication is key to a successful outsourcing relationship. Set up clear communication channels and reporting protocols. 

Decide on the frequency and format of updates, the tools you will use for communication (e.g., Slack, email), and how to handle any issues or questions that may arise. Ensure there is a mutual understanding of expectations from both sides.

10. Monitor performance and provide continuous support

Once your offshore remote bookkeeper is onboard, continuous monitoring and support are essential. Most businesses find that offshore bookkeepers are just as reliable as in-house staff when it comes to maintaining financial records. But you still need to review their work to ensure it meets your standards and provide feedback when needed. 

Offer ongoing support and training to help them stay updated on any changes in procedures or software. Keeping the lines of communication open will help maintain a high level of quality and efficiency in their work.

Top 3 Companies for Hiring Offshore Bookkeeping Talent

When it comes to hiring offshore bookkeeping talent, choosing the right recruitment partner can make all the difference. 

Whether you’re seeking a company that specializes specifically in bookkeeping professionals or a recruitment firm with experience sourcing bookkeeping talent as part of their broader offerings, this list will guide you to the best options. 

(Note that these companies are listed in no specific order.)

1. Near

Near specializes in recruiting skilled professionals from Latin America, offering comprehensive support throughout the hiring process. 

With a strong focus on finance and accounting roles, we have a proven track record of sourcing top-notch bookkeeping talent for businesses of all sizes. 

We helped a beauty supplement e-commerce company hire a bookkeeper five times faster than usual and save $26,000 annually. We’d love to do the same for you!

2. Vintti

Remote talent recruiter Vintti also has a focus on finding LatAm talent. It boasts 60% lower prices compared to the same roles in the US for industries like legal, healthcare, hospitality, and more.

Its bookkeepers perform tasks like recordkeeping, bank reconciliation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense tracking, payroll processing, financial reporting, and data entry.

3. Entigrity

Entigrity is an offshore staffing firm specializing in finding talent from India and the Philippines for accounting firms, including bookkeepers. It has offices in five countries, including the US, and is compliant with SOC, ISO, and GDPR standards.

Final Thoughts

Hiring offshore bookkeeping talent can help you save money, access skilled professionals, and increase scalability. 

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to find and hire top-notch offshore bookkeepers.

At Near, we specialize in connecting businesses with qualified professionals from Latin America, ensuring you receive comprehensive support through every stage of the hiring process.

Ready to take the next step? Fill out our form to receive a list of pre-vetted offshore bookkeeping candidates.