Editor’s note- This blog is recently updated in July 2025 and it explains about the major tasks and accountant can outsource in order to boost their productivity.
Understanding which tasks accountants can outsource has become crucial for UK businesses. The commonly outsourced service is accounting services which many small businesses outsource.
As financial regulations are getting complex day by day companies are now opting for external expertise.
Smart business owners know how outsourcing can reduce the costs while improving accuracy.
The question isn’t whether to outsource anymore, but rather which accounting tasks should stay in-house and which can be effectively delegated.
What is Outsourced accounting?
Outsourced accounting is the practice of hiring third party specialists and transferring financial tasks to trained experts rather than handling them internally.
Modern providers offer complete solutions from basic bookkeeping to advanced financial analysis, giving access to expert knowledge without overhead costs.
Understanding your finance team structure
Before deciding what to outsource, it’s essential to understand how different finance roles contribute to your business operations. The modern finance function operates across multiple levels, each serving distinct purposes:
Strategic level
Executive leadership including Finance Directors and CFOs focus on long-term planning, investment decisions and board reporting.
These roles typically remain internal as they require deep business knowledge and strategic oversight.
Operational level
Financial Controllers and Senior Accountants manage day-to-day operations, ensuring processes run smoothly and reports are accurate.
These positions can be partially outsourced depending on business complexity.
Transactional level
Bookkeepers, Accounts Payable/Receivable clerks, and data entry specialists handle routine transactions and documentation.
These roles offer the highest outsourcing potential due to their standardised nature.
This hierarchical approach helps businesses identify which functions require internal oversight versus those suitable for external delegation.
Which tasks accountants can outsource?
A number of functions can be outsourced by accountants that do not require direct management oversight. Strategic outsourcing focuses on repetitive, time-intensive, or specialized tasks.
The key is identifying which tasks accountants can outsource without compromising quality or security.
Recent analysis shows the UK Business Process Outsourcing market is projected to reach US$38.61bn by 2029, growing at 5.67% annually as firms are opting cost effective capacity and specialized skills.
Administrative tasks
These tasks are typically the more mundane and repetitive tasks that are manpower intensive. This includes data entry and other accounting related administrative tasks.
They are basically repetitive in nature and do not require a very high level of expertise. It only requires compliance to certain procedures, and the need to maintain the security of the data that is entered.
Bookkeeping services
These tasks require a higher level of expertise and knowledge than the first set of tasks. A certification on the part of the outsourcing vendors would certainly help.
This is because of the regulatory aspect and the fact that the data that is handled will form the basis for other accounts related tasks such as filing of returns and auditing.
Also read: The hidden costs of In-house Bookkeeping (and How Outsourcing solves them)
Compliance services
Many UK business owners face challenges with VAT management. Accountants can outsource VAT management to specialists who understand different rates, exemptions and submission requirements.
As these experts stay current with changing regulations and ensure timely quarterly submissions while maximising legitimate reclaims and minimising penalty risks.
Also read: Top Payroll Software for UK Accountants 2025
Financial reporting and analysis
Accountants outsource statement preparation to experts as they offer comparative analysis and trend identification to support strategic decision-making.
They integrate data from multiple sources to provide comprehensive business insights.
How to decide what to outsource?
A systematic evaluation of your business needs, internal capabilities and cost considerations is required while deciding which accounting functions to outsource.
By systematically analysing these factors, businesses can pinpoint which functions will deliver maximum value when outsourced while maintaining quality and control over critical operations.
Evaluate resource constraints
Identify workflow bottlenecks due to lack of manpower, shared resources, or insufficient expertise. Accountants can outsource functions handled through temporary arrangements or requiring part-time attention but full-time expertise.
Assess current qualifications
Examine staff qualification levels handling accounting tasks. If unqualified personnel cause errors requiring senior accountant corrections, outsourcing to certified professionals eliminates costly rework cycles.
Cost-benefit analysis
Identify which accounting tasks are best suited for outsourcing. Tasks with high internal costs but low outsourcing costs typically offer the greatest benefits, especially when specialised expertise is required.
| Task Category | Internal Cost | Outsourced Cost | Expertise Required | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data entry | High | Low | Low | Outsource |
| Tax compliance | Very high | Medium | Very high | Outsource |
| Bookkeeping | High | Low | Medium | Outsource |
| Financial analysis | Medium | Medium | High | Consider |
Tasks showing high internal costs combined with low outsourcing costs are prime candidates for delegation. Focus on outsourcing functions that require specialized expertise your team may lack.
Technology and automation opportunities
Identify tasks that benefit from automation and advanced technology solutions. Accounts can outsource experts for fostering modern tools to improve efficiency.
Automated invoice processing, AI-powered data entry and cloud-based reporting systems that would be costly to implement independently.
Consider the scalability requirements of different functions.
External providers can adjust resources based on demand without the fixed costs associated with permanent staffing levels.
Who should handle your Outsourced Accounting?
Choosing the right partner is the most important criteria for the success of your outsourcing strategy.
Understanding the different types of services available helps you to make a decision which is in line with your business needs and budget.
Finding the right accounting partner is not a difficult task but it does require asking the right questions. Here’s what you need to know.
Your three main options
- Local accounting firms:
- Your regular high street accountants offering face to face services.
- Have a better knowledge of UK rules but can be costly.
- Can get busy during the tax time.
- Professional outsourcing companies
- Focus exclusively on accounting tasks with their teams.
- Have good and updated systems along with trained staff
- Are able to manage more work as you scale
- Overseas providers
- Based in other countries but work for UK businesses.
- Affordable but might not understand UK rules as well.
- Can be hard to communicate with due to time differences.
Factors to consider when choosing
| Factor | What to Look For | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifications | ACCA, CIMA or AAT certified staff | They actually know UK accounting rules |
| Experience | 3+ years in your industry | Different businesses have different needs |
| Insurance | Professional cover | They pay if they mess up |
| References | Names of other clients you can call | Real reviews, not just sales talk |
Five questions that matter
- Who will actually do the work?
Make sure it is someone qualified, not a trainee. - What’s your average response time?
Some reply within hours, others take days. - How do you handle mistakes?
Everyone makes them, but how quickly do they fix issues? - Can I access my data anytime?
Avoid providers who hold your information hostage. - What happens if I want to leave?
Should be easy to switch if needed.
Also read: How to Choose the Right Outsourcing Partner: A Complete Guide for UK Businesses
Is Outsourcing Accounting a good option for my business?
Businesses should consider outsourcing if they face resource shortages, require specialised expertise or want to reduce operational costs.
Small businesses have limited budgets often find outsourcing more cost-effective than hiring full-time staff with benefits and training requirements.
Businesses must evaluate current workload and identify intensive requirement of time tasks not requiring direct management oversight. If your team spends excessive time on routine tasks, these are prime outsourcing candidates.
Why choose Outbooks?
Outbooks combines modern technology with personalised service for UK businesses. Our certified professionals understand local regulations and industry requirements.
We provide seamless integration with existing systems while delivering real-time reporting and insights.
FAQ
What is the work that an outsourced accountant does?
When the company hires external trained professionals to manage the financial tasks, it refers to outsourcing accounting. They handle your business’s financial tasks from basic bookkeeping to advance management tasks. It involves of payroll processing, preparation of invoices and creating financial reports.
List the tasks that I can outsource?
There are multiple tasks that can be outsourced such as:
Bookkeeping and recording transactions
Payroll management
Invoicing and bill payments
Bank and credit card reconciliations
Preparing financial statements (like profit and loss reports)
Budgeting and financial forecasting
Tax preparation and filing support
Managing accounts payable and receivableWhat is the main role of an accountant?
The main role of an accountant is to maintain your records accurately and keep them in order. They prepare the reports which shows the business performance. Their job also includes the verification of financial documents, auditing finances, reconciling bank accounts and ensure you meet tax laws and reporting rules.
What are the activities that are better outsourcing?
It’s best to outsource day to day time-consuming tasks or those require specialist skills, such as:
Bookkeeping and transaction recording
Payroll processing
Tax preparation and filing
Bank reconciliations
Financial reporting and complianceWhich IT services should be outsourced?
Companies can hire experts to manage their devices and assets. These experts keep track of equipment, install updates, control devices remotely, provide compliance reports and handle assets from buying to disposal. This makes managing assets simple and efficient.
Conclusion
Understanding what accountants can outsource is essential for business success in 2025-26. Strategic outsourcing reduces costs, improves accuracy and provides access to specialised expertise.
Accountants can outsource effectively by choosing qualified partners who understand industry requirements and regulatory compliance.
Working with the right outsource partner lessens the burden and stabilises your mental peace. While your numbers are being taken care of, you are free to put your valuable energy where it is mostly needed, to grow your business.
Parul is a dedicated writer and expert in the accounting industry, known for her insightful and well researched content. Her writing covers a wide range of topics, including tax regulations, financial reporting standards, and best practices for compliance. She is committed to producing content that not only informs but also empowers readers to make informed decisions.