Choosing the right outsourcing partner for your accounting firm is a big decision. To help you find the best fit, here are some key questions to ask any provider—ensuring their services align with your firm’s needs.
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Questions to Ask an Outsourcing Provider
Can you connect directly with your outsourced team?
With BOSS, you’ll have direct access to your accountants and bookkeepers through Microsoft Teams (or your preferred platform) and email, making collaboration seamless and straightforward.
Are costs clear and predictable?
BOSS provides fixed fees for full-time, part-time, and casual staff arrangements. We agree on all job costs upfront, so you’re never caught off guard by budget overruns or unexpected write-offs.
Do they have Registered Tax Agent status who can handle complex compliance work?
BOSS is a Registered Tax Agent, and our team is equipped to handle any job an Australian accountant, bookkeeper, or SMSF specialist can tackle—from routine bookkeeping to intricate compliance work.
“ Take time to find an outsourcing partner that truly supports your firm’s unique needs before signing contracts ”
Can you work with the same accountant consistently, or do you get different accountants each time?
BOSS ensures consistency with our same-staff guarantee for full-time and part-time accountants and bookkeepers. They’ll get to know your firm’s processes and feel like an extension of your in-house team—just based in a different office.
Can you easily engage another accountant during busy times without extra contracts or fees?
BOSS makes it simple to add accountants during peak periods without additional contracts or fees. When things quiet down, you can scale back just as easily, keeping your operations flexible and cost-effective.
Do you have to cover leave costs for your outsourced staff? (Part-time or full-time)
With BOSS’ Freedom Solution™ and the Casual Quick-Fix Solution™, you won’t pay for any leave costs—whether it’s sick leave, annual leave, or public holidays. We handle all those expenses for you.
Are the accountants and bookkeepers experienced, and is their training ongoing without extra costs?
BOSS provides fully trained accountants, bookkeepers, and SMSF staff with comprehensive initial training and twice-monthly sessions on Australian software, tax law, and compliance. You’ll never need to train them, and there are no extra training costs.
“ BOSS staff can handle the same Australian taxation, super fund & regulatory issues you do ”
Can the provider adapt to your firm’s procedures and work papers if you prefer?
BOSS staff are ready to follow your firm’s procedures and work papers, or you can opt to use ours—whichever suits your workflow best.
Does the provider have Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) to protect your work?
BOSS carries comprehensive Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) to cover all our work. If you look into your own PII, you’ll most likely find offshore outsourced work is not covered.
Is the provider based in Australia, with local contacts and contracts?
BOSS is an Australian accounting outsourcing specialist with a Sydney head office—your contract is with an Australian entity, and we’re always just a call or email away.
How does the provider ensure the security and confidentiality of your work?
BOSS prioritises your peace of mind with robust security measures:
- Comprehensive Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII)
- Registered Tax Agent status
- Confidentiality Agreements signed by all staff (with the option for direct agreements with your firm)
- Membership with Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ)
- Contracts with an Australian entity
- A dedicated full-time IT specialist to support any technical needs
“ Don’t pay huge start-up fees with firms before knowing what you’re getting ”
Can you try the service before committing?
BOSS keeps things transparent—no recruitment fees, set-up costs, lock-in fees, or hidden charges of any kind.
Can you try the service before committing?
BOSS keeps things transparent—no recruitment fees, set-up costs, lock-in fees, or hidden charges of any kind.
Can you try the service before committing?
BOSS offers a free 10-hour trial, letting you test us with a bookkeeping, financials, tax, or SMSF job to ensure we’re the right fit.
How long has the provider been supporting Australian accounting firms?
With over 20 years of experience, BOSS has been a trusted partner for Australian firms since 2004—your work is in safe hands, we are here to stay.
Is all work reviewed for quality before delivery?
BOSS reviews all work under our Freedom Solution™ and the Casual Quick-Fix Solution™ before it reaches you.
Our Dedicated Solution™ includes free reviews for the first six months for accountants and three months for bookkeepers to ensure smooth onboarding.
With BOSS’ Dedicated Solution™ you have full control—your accountants can pause current jobs and focus on rush jobs whenever you need.
Outsourcing Benefits Checklist Table
Drawing on over 20 years of partnering with Australian accounting firms, we’ve created a table of key questions to ask when comparing outsourcing providers to help you find the perfect match for your firm.