You may not know this, but US companies save up to 60% on bookkeeping expenses by hiring offshore bookkeepers rather than locals. With companies, CPA firms, and business owners moving more and more towards cost-effectiveness and gaining operational leverage, offshore bookkeeping services are one of the most perfect solutions. Knowing how much an offshore bookkeeper will cost and why there is a cost involved is important in making the right decision.
Offshore accounting literally refers to outsourcing your book and accounting work to experienced professionals in a distant land - usually India, the Philippines, or Eastern Europe. Typical work being outsourced in such an outsourcing is payroll established, transactions posted, bank reconciliations, accounts payable/receivable, and financial reporting, etc.
With global capability at much lower labor rates, companies have up-to-date, compliant books with reduced overhead and greater flexibility.
Let us now understand clearly how much does an offshore bookkeeper cost in USA:
The price to employ an offshore bookkeeper will vary by experience, geographic location, work scope, and engagement type. Listed below is a typical 2025 hourly rate segment:
US-based bookkeepers: $30 to $60 per hour
Offshore bookkeepers (India, Philippines, Eastern Europe): $8 to $25 hourly
This is a reduction of 40% to 70% of the cost, the prime reason why the majority of US companies opt for offshore bookkeeping.
USA in-house bookkeeper: $50,000 to $80,000 yearly, inclusive of allowances and salary
Offshore full-time bookkeeper: $10,000 to $30,000 yearly based on seniority level and region
Offshore hourly or part-time bookkeeping: Hourly rates on an as-is basis of actual hours worked
Others have a fixed monthly charge with a set number of service hours or amount of work.
Level of Expertise: Junior bookkeepers are less costly than senior accountants with specialist qualifications (CPA, CIMA) or experts in industries.
Scope of Work: Standard bookkeeping with posting transactions is less costly than extensive services that include payroll, tax return preparation guidance, and reporting.
Engagement Model: Hourly, project, or full-time, part-time fees. Billing on an hourly basis is convenient but expensive when volume is high.
Geographic Location: Relative to the country, India and the Philippines are cheaper than Latin America or Eastern Europe.
Technology and Security Needs: Those with new accounting programs that utilize data security can charge a premium.
Let us understand the major reasons behind hiring offshore bookkeepers:
Offshoring accounting services translates into massive cost savings in wages, benefits, leasing fees, and training costs. For example, a small boutique CP firm in Texas saved over $90,000 annually by replacing two local bookkeepers with offshore employees.
Offshore bookkeepers are highly knowledgeable in US accounting standards, software (QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite), and money management. The time difference will allow the bookkeeping process to be done overnight with quicker turnaround.
Bookkeeping outsourcing provides immediate scalability with high points during seasons such as tax season or audits, without the hassle of hiring and firing.
Double review techniques, packages of software, and continuing education are employed by expert offshore bookkeepers in order to deliver correct books and audit-ready reports.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to find an offshore bookkeeper for your business:
Identify what bookkeeping work to outsource, preferred accounting packages of software, preferred frequency of reports, and degree of competency required.
Look for providers who have success records, excellent customer feedback, strong data protection measures, and transparent pricing structures.
Hire full-time offshore bookkeepers, part-time staff, or project-based outsourced bookkeeping services based on your size and budget.
Test candidates' abilities, conduct technical and communication tests, and select bookkeepers with the best fit for your business.
Use secure software communications and access controls. Train your offshore bookkeeper in company-specific processes and reporting processes.
Regularly audit bookkeeping output, give feedback, and recycle assets as your business expands.
Below are some points to keep in mind while hiring an offshore bookkeeper:
Transparency: Set expectations regarding deliverables, communication, and reporting deadlines in advance.
Use Cloud Software: Cloud accounting software such as QuickBooks Online and Xero facilitates transparency and real-time collaboration.
Periodic Communication: Regular updates and software like Slack or Zoom allow the workflow to be carried out continuously and in unison.
Security Protocols: Ensure the provider uses data sharing through encryption-based, robust access controls, and regulation compliance like GDPR.
Performance Review: Monitor quality under continuous supervision through KPIs and audit trails, and grow proportionally.
It's important for organizations willing to cut costs, increase accuracy, and stretch bookkeeping without effort to find out how much an offshore bookkeeper costs. For $8 to $25 an hour offshore, compared to $30 to $60 at home, it simply makes business sense to hire offshore bookkeepers, without sacrificing quality.
Offshore bookkeeping services provide access to experienced professionals, advanced technology, and around-the-clock efficiency and are thus the ultimate business partners for CPA firms, startups, and corporations.
Contact The Fino Partners today to know how much an offshore bookkeeper costs.
This Blog Original Resource: How Much Does an Offshore Bookkeeper Cost in the USA?