It's nice to outsource your taxes, but outsourcing all aspects of your accounting (like bookkeeping, monthly financial statements, year-round tax strategy, and advice) can seem overwhelming.
That's why many small business owners put it off. However, there comes a time when it makes the most sense to move forward with an outsourced monthly accountant.
For over 50 years, CSI Accounting & Payroll has provided outsourced exactly that. We've found that before most small businesses outsource monthly accounting, they have an employee doing bookkeeping on the side, then they outsource taxes to an external annual accountant.
Transitions are tricky, but we hope that we can relieve your nerves by discussing:
- Choosing the right small business accounting firm for you
- Planning ahead for the transition
- Setting the standards for your new accounting firm
3 Steps to Transition From In-House to Outsourced Accounting
1.) Choose the Right Financial Partner
Nobody's going to burn a bridge if they don't know where they're going next! To separate the quality accounting firms from the ones that under-deliver, read this list of characteristics to look for.
A good accountant is also going to be in tune with your needs from the start, which means they’ll be able to help you with the transition process. If they aren’t helpful during this stage, it’s a sign that they aren’t the right partners for your business.
Your new accounting firm should proactively make your life easier by making the transition as simple, streamlined, and stress-free as possible. Many of CSI's clients find a sense of relief after the change has been made and express that they should have made the commitment sooner.
2.) Plan Ahead and Budget Enough Time
When you start monthly accounting, you want to get advice and financial statements ASAP. The switch can't be immediate, but it will take longer if your documents are unorganized or missing. A good rule of thumb is that it can take up to about 4-6 hours of extra work over [up to] four weeks.
Once everything is in your new accountant's hands, they'll give you an estimate of how long it will take to begin monthly accounting. If you're behind on bookkeeping or taxes, they need to catch you up before they can accurately move forward. Generally, one year’s worth of back work will take 60-90 days to complete.
Be wary of accountants who say they can start immediately; this is often a lie. And if they actually do start immediately? Uh oh. You should be skeptical of the quality of their work.
3.) Set Goals and Know Your Obstacles
Know what your pain points are. Know why you want to outsource. Know what you're nervous about - and tell your new accountant how they can help you resolve it.
As you enter this new business relationship, set clear expectations from the start. You should list everything that frustrates you about your accounting at the moment, then make a separate list of your financial goals. By letting your accountant know your issues and desired outcomes at the very beginning, you’ll see greater results sooner.
In established accounting firms, there will be meetings in place to set you up for success. An accountant should understand your business inside and out, help you establish best practices, and outline a plan to work toward your goals.
Outsource All of Your Accounting Under One Roof
Whether you have an in-house accountant or use an in-house bookkeeper with an external annual accountant, you know that there are some things that only a monthly accountant can help you with.
Outsourcing for the first time can be a big step! To some, big steps are exciting. To others, big steps are overwhelming. Now that you know more about what to look for when choosing the right monthly accounting firm for you, how much time it might take to make the transition, and how to voice concerns and set standards, we hope you're leaning more toward being excited.
If you're interested in having a discussion to see if CSI Accounting & Payroll can be a good fit for you, click the button below for a free consultation:
Not ready to have a conversation yet? That's okay! First, read more about the value of outsourcing accounting here.
