When it comes to accounting outsourcing, what is your preferred model? The one where you have a point of contact who you pass on the information and then remain unaware on what goes behind the scenes? A model where you outsource specific services and it’s just that’s what taken care of? Or the one where the outsourcing partner’s team seamlessly integrates into your system?
Our experience suggests it’s the third one that accounting firms, irrespective of their sizes prefer. And there is a good reason for it. Known as the Embedded Outsourcing or Accounting Seat model, here you do not need to train your outsourced teams. All you need to do is assign them a seat on your software and create an ID on your email domain and you are ready to get the ball rolling. The key reason why this model works is that as firms look for new ways to increase agility, improve the quality of the services, and reduce costs, the Embedded Outsourcing Model is gradually becoming the solution to many apprehensions.
From traditional Outsourcing to Embedded Models – Why do we need the change?
Here’s the thing about traditional outsourcing models – their relevance in the current landscape is gradually disappearing. It mainly follows two structures:
- Transactional outsourcing – this means that it focuses on handling specific tasks or projects, often at a lower cost. However, there is a serious lack of integration capabilities.
- Team-based outsourcing – this means that an external team is assigned to manage the broader range of functions but still operates separately from the client’s internal processes.
Key challenges of traditional outsourcing:
- There are serious misalignments because of time zone differences
- There is a gap in cultural alignment, with limited integration possibilities
- The external teams lack the control needed for crucial tasks. This may result in compromised service quality and delayed outputs
- There is less control over outsourced operations
As the accounting and financial landscape continues to become complex, the need for integration of the outsourced providers also grows. The Embedded Outsourcing model helps address these issues with a cohesive and responsive approach.
Why is the Embedded Outsourcing Model the future of accounting firms?
- Seamless collaboration and cultural alignment:
This new-age outsourcing model prioritizes cultural and operational integration with the accounting firms. Traditional models lack this. Professionals, under this model, are not just here to deliver a service. They act as if it’s their own business. They work directly with the in-house teams, firm leaders, and business owners to adopt the same goals and align with the firm’s values and cultures. This may lead to better teamwork, smoother communication, and a collaborative atmosphere that helps improve productivity.
- Improved responsiveness and agility:
The accounting business environment has undergone massive change in the past few decades. The firms need to become agile, quickly adapt to changes, client demands, and market conditions. This new outsourcing model allows firms to scale their operations, up and down, quickly. This model reduces the unnecessary delays caused by complex business processes, and hierarchies in the traditional methods. In the Embedded Outsourcing model, outsourcing partners are directly involved in the decision-making processes, leading to faster responses and problem resolutions.
- Improved quality assurance:
One of the key challenges of traditional outsourcing models is that they showcase a loss of control for the external teams. In embedded outsourcing models, the outsourced professionals work from within the client’s current systems and processes. It makes quality assurance easier. Firms get real-time visibility into their accounting operations that can help ensure that the standards are consistently met. This model also allows embedded teams to collaborate closely with the in-house members, ensure constant oversight, and reduce the risks of errors, delays, or miscommunication.
- Cost efficiency with high service quality:
The main goal of the traditional outsourcing model is that it helps in cost-cutting. But sometimes that impacts the service quality. The embedded outsourcing model allows accounting firms to enjoy the cost benefits of outsourcing without impacting the high quality. Firms get to access top talents from global markets at competitive prices, while the close integration ensures maintenance of the same level of performance as is desired.
Comparison of the Outsourcing Models
| Feature | Traditional Service Model | Team Model | Embedded Model |
| Integration | Low | Medium | High |
| Responsiveness | Limited | Moderate | Fast |
| Control | Low | Medium | High |
| Quality assurance | Moderate | Moderate | Fast |
| Cultural alignment | Minimal | Moderate | Deep |
| Scalability | Medium | High | High |
| Cost efficiency | High | High | High |
While both the service and team model offer flexibility and cost efficiency, the lack of integration and collaboration can impact the changing state of businesses.
At Finsmart Accounting, we understand the unique needs of our clients. That is why, we have developed an Embedded Outsourcing Model that helps keep up with the changing needs of the industry. To know how our model can help scale your business, write to us at connect@finsmartaccounting.com.
Director Growth Strategy & Alliance
Maanoj Shah is a finance and outsourcing expert with strong Business Strategy and Scaling-up experience. Over the last 20 years, he has incubated multiple businesses and helped build global enterprises in verticals as diversified as hospitality, technology, and healthcare.
