Outsourced Staffing is becoming more and more common for accounting firms by the day. Remote work technology, international payments tools, and contractors' platforms allow accounting firms to access candidates from all around the world to fill positions.
If you are looking to hire additional accounting professionals to help grow your business, but are still undecided about whether you should aim for an in-house team or use an outsourced staffing service, here are some ideas to consider that might help you decide.
Hiring In-House
Pros of Hiring On Your Own
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Better control: With an internal team, you have better control over the work they are doing as they work directly under your supervision. But there is also a fair risk of over-controlling and micromanaging that can cause your employees to stress and burn out.
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Better communication: As the team is present in the same physical location, communication is easier and more efficient, but also more informal. The use of communication tools is still a must.
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Familiarity with the company: A face-to-face team is likely to be more familiar with the company's culture, processes, and financial systems.
Cons
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Higher costs: Solving the search of your next accounting talent internally can be more expensive and less effective than outsourcing, as you have to deal with salary negotiation, benefits, and other associated costs yourself. Outsourcing companies usually apply a fixed fee and they deal with the negotiation themselves.
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Limited expertise: in-house accountants may not have the same level of expertise as outsourced employees, who have experience working with a wide range of clients and industries.
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Limited flexibility: An internal team can be limited in terms of flexibility, as they may not have the same time availability as an outsourced team.
Outsourced Staffing for Accounting Firms
What you are looking for:
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Access to a larger pool of candidates: Staffing services have access to a wider range of candidates than individual businesses as they cover both in-house employees who are looking for a change and freelance remote professionals.
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Going offshore: Outsourced Staffing Services usually have a large network of international potential hires. A wide range of candidates around the world ensures you find the most competitive price without compromising experience and expertise.
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Expertise in recruitment: Staffing services have a proven well-oiled recruitment system and are more likely to use the latest techniques to find top talent.
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Reduced workload: Using a staffing service can reduce the workload associated with recruitment, as the service takes care of the initial screening process and only presents the best candidates for consideration.
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Part-time staffing: If you are looking to fill part-time positions, most of these companies offer part-time talent you can use when needed.
Challenges of going with the outsourced staffing option:
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The feeling of losing control: Yes, you’ll probably have to trust the process before you get the right candidate. But if you set your expectation clearly and are open to communication, the outsourcing company is going to adjust to your need just fine.
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Adjusting your onboarding process: Staffing services may not be as familiar with your company culture and will require guidance to match the candidate to the position. Be sure to subscribe to all types of content regarding role descriptions, onboarding materials, and companies' band and values sheet.
Jump ahead in the accounting industry
Ultimately, whether you choose to hire employees yourself or use an outsourced staffing service will depend on your specific accounting firm's needs and budget. But technology has definitely changed the way we work and what professionals are expecting from a job.
Hiring employees yourself can give you more control over the process, but it also requires more time and resources. Also, not giving enough flexibility to your employees can cause more turnover among your team. Using an outsourced staffing service can, not only, save you time and money, but also get ahead as a company where independent professionals want to work.
