Why are more U.S. CPA firms outsourcing their accounting services, especially now?
There are several driving forces. First, the talent shortage in the U.S. accounting field has become a serious concern. Firms are struggling to hire and retain experienced accountants, especially during tax season. Secondly, CPA firms are under pressure to deliver faster results and spend more time on high-value advisory work rather than repetitive bookkeeping or reconciliations.
Outsourcing helps them to access trained professionals, often working across different time zones, which improves turnaround time and productivity. But more importantly, today’s outsourcing is not just about labor cost; it’s about digital capability.
 |
Vano Nguyen, CEO of Bestarion. Photo courtesy of Vano |
In recent years, accounting outsourcing has evolved beyond bookkeeping and payroll. What’s driving this transformation?
The accounting function is undergoing a radical shift. For decades, outsourcing was mainly about reducing labor costs, especially for routine tasks like invoicing, reconciliation, or financial reporting. But now, with the rise of cloud-based accounting systems, robotic process automation (RPA), and AI, we’re seeing a new wave: “smart outsourcing.”
This is driven by the need for real-time financial visibility, compliance automation, and scalability—especially in fast-growing companies or those operating across multiple countries. Businesses want not just support but strategic insight from their outsourcing partners.
How is digital transformation reshaping outsourced accounting services?
Dramatically. Five years ago, outsourcing meant moving manual tasks offshore. Today, it’s about integrating cloud platforms, AI, and workflow automation.
Tasks like invoice matching, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting can now be automated using tools such as RPA, AI-based data extraction software, and cloud-based accounting platforms like Xero and QuickBooks. Human accountants then validate and advise based on insights, not just numbers.
At Bestarion, for instance, our clients have reported up to a 40% reduction in manual tasks within the first three months thanks to our AI-enabled accounting tool.
Please share more about how AI is applied in accounting tasks today.
Today, many BPO providers apply machine learning models to automate tasks like expense categorization, fraud detection, or forecasting cash flow. Some even use natural language processing (NLP) to extract and classify data from invoices or contracts.
At Bestarion, for instance, we’ve developed workflows that use AI-powered bots to detect anomalies in transaction logs and generate predictive financial dashboards for clients based on historical patterns. This not only reduces manual effort but also improves accuracy and decision-making speed. More importantly, it frees up finance teams to focus on value-added work, like tax planning or investment analysis.
What are the most common concerns companies have when outsourcing their accounting operations?
Three main concerns that come up often are:
– Data Security & Compliance: Clients want to ensure their financial data is handled securely and complies with international standards like GDPR or SOC 2.
– Quality & Accuracy: With accounting, even small errors can have big consequences. Accuracy is non-negotiable.
– Integration with existing systems: Many businesses already use tools like QuickBooks, Xero, SAP, or Oracle. Seamless integration is key to efficiency.
That’s why mature BPO providers invest heavily in certifications (e.g., ISO/IEC 27001), continuous staff training, and system compatibility to meet these demands.
How do you see the future of accounting outsourcing evolving in the next 3–5 years?
We believe it’s heading toward a hybrid model: tech-enabled outsourcing with advisory-level support. Clients won’t just want someone to do the numbers; they’ll want insights and recommendations on how to optimize margins, control costs, or manage cash flow better.
Also, with cross-border expansion, there will be increasing demand for multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction accounting support. AI tools will become more sophisticated, handling complex scenarios like tax optimization or risk modeling. And as AI continues to mature, human accountants will shift toward strategic finance roles—while outsourcing partners become digital co-pilots.
Please tell us more about Bestarion’s solution for accounting firms.
At Bestarion, we offer comprehensive outsourced accounting services for CPA firms in the U.S., including hiring offshore accountants and assembling dedicated teams tailored to each firm’s needs.
What makes us unique is that, as a company rooted in software development, we’ve also built a tailored AI-powered accounting tool specifically for CPA firms and outsourced teams. When clients work with us, they gain access to this intelligent platform at no additional cost.
Our tool adds an automation layer to routine accounting tasks. For example, it can automatically extract data from bank statements and organize it into Excel spreadsheets. It can also process large volumes of check images—both printed and handwritten—and pull the necessary data for accounting tasks.
We’ve also developed internal systems to manage accounting workflows more efficiently. Some key features include smart task assignment based on workload and deadlines, automated reconciliation suggestions, centralized document management, role-based access controls, and comprehensive audit trails.
But what truly sets us apart is that we don’t just offer software; we deliver a complete solution combining expert personnel and technology, all fully adapted to each client’s unique processes.
 |
Bestarion’s team on a company trip in 2023. Photo courtesy of Bestarion |
For CPA firms considering outsourcing, what advice would you offer?
Start small. Begin with bookkeeping or AP/AR processes. Make sure your partner has a strong understanding of U.S. GAAP, compliance requirements, and data security protocols like SOC 2 or GDPR.
Also, don’t just look for a service provider—look for a technology partner. The future of accounting lies in intelligent automation and global collaboration. If your outsourcing partner doesn’t support both, you may fall behind.
