5For a long time, the accounting function was seen as an administrative burden. Today, it has become a strategic lever. Outsourcing is no longer limited to chartered accountants or full finance departments it now extends to accounting assistants as well. These profiles, essential for managing daily financial flows, can be outsourced to bring flexibility, cost reduction, and professionalized practices.
This article explores in detail the tasks an outsourced accounting assistant can handle, the importance of SLAs (Service Level Agreements) in provider relationships, and the pricing models involved.
What Is an Outsourced Accounting Assistant?
An outsourced accounting assistant is a professional (freelancer, employee of an outsourcing company, or member of a specialized BPO) who handles operational accounting tasks on behalf of a business.
Unlike a chartered accountant, who certifies accounts, the accounting assistant mainly manages:
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Data entry and bookkeeping,
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Processing supplier and customer invoices,
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Preparing tax and social security declarations,
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Monitoring bank transactions.
Outsourcing this role allows businesses especially SMEs, start-ups, and small firms to access reliable, qualified support without hiring a full-time employee.
Why Outsource an Accounting Assistant?
The reasons why business leaders outsource this function include:
🔹 Cost Reduction
Hiring a full-time assistant involves a fixed salary, payroll taxes, and extra costs (office space, software, training). With outsourcing, companies only pay for the services delivered.
🔹 Flexibility
An outsourced assistant can work part-time, on ad hoc projects, or continuously, depending on workload.
🔹 Access to Skilled Talent
Outsourcing firms often employ multidisciplinary teams, ensuring compliance with the latest accounting and tax regulations.
🔹 Focus on Core Business
Delegating repetitive tasks frees up managers and teams to focus on higher-value activities.
Main Tasks of an Outsourced Accounting Assistant
An outsourced assistant can cover a wide range of activities. Common tasks include:
🔸 Invoice Management
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Receiving and recording supplier invoices,
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Issuing and tracking customer invoices,
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Checking document compliance.
🔸 Bookkeeping and Entries
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Recording routine transactions (purchases, sales, banking),
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Filing and archiving accounting documents,
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Performing bank reconciliations.
🔸 Tax and Social Declarations (Preparation)
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Preparing data for VAT, corporate tax, or business tax,
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Collecting and verifying payroll and social security data.
🔸 Cash Flow Management
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Tracking payments in and out,
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Preparing cash flow forecasts.
🔸 Financial Reporting Support
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Preparing financial dashboards,
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Extracting data for managers and accountants.
👉 The scope of work depends on the client’s needs and agreement with the provider.
SLAs (Service Level Agreements): A Pillar of Outsourcing
A key success factor in outsourcing an accounting assistant is establishing SLAs.
🔹 Definition
An SLA is a contract or agreement that defines service commitments between the company and the provider. In accounting outsourcing, it covers:
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Specific assigned tasks,
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Deadlines (e.g., invoices processed within 48 hours),
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Quality levels (e.g., maximum error rate, compliance with tax rules),
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Performance indicators (KPIs).
🔹 Examples
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Processing time: 95% of invoices entered within 24 hours of receipt,
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Accuracy: error rate below 2%,
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Availability: email or chat support during agreed hours,
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Reporting: weekly or monthly dashboards provided.
🔹 Importance
SLAs ensure:
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Secure relationships,
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Guaranteed quality and timeliness,
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Transparent performance tracking.
Pricing Models for Outsourced Accounting Assistants
Costs vary depending on several factors:
🔸 Common Pricing Models
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Hourly rate: €15–€40 per hour, depending on expertise and task complexity. Ideal for one-off needs.
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Monthly package: Starting at €500/month for small firms, up to €1,000–€1,500/month for SMEs needing full management. Popular for budget predictability.
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Per-task pricing: e.g., €1 per invoice entry, €0.50 per bank reconciliation. Rare, but useful for very small businesses.
🔸 Cost Drivers
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Volume of documents,
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Frequency (weekly, monthly, quarterly),
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Level of expertise required,
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Provider’s location (Africa and Asia generally offer more competitive rates).
Outsourcing to Africa: A Competitive Option
More European companies are outsourcing accounting assistants to Africa due to:
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Up to 50% cost savings compared to Europe,
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Skilled professionals trained in international standards,
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Multilingual talent (French, English, Arabic),
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Time zone compatibility with Europe (better than Asia).
Countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Senegal are becoming major hubs for accounting outsourcing.
Risks and Best Practices
🔸 Risks
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Overdependence on the provider,
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Confidentiality and data security concerns,
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Delays if SLAs are unclear.
🔸 Best Practices
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Check provider reputation and references,
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Sign strict confidentiality agreements,
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Define clear and measurable SLAs,
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Use collaborative tools (Slack, Teams, Trello) for monitoring.
A Lever for Performance and Flexibility
Outsourcing an accounting assistant is no longer just a cost-saving solution it’s a strategic lever. With clearly defined tasks, structured SLAs, and flexible pricing, businesses can transform accounting into an agile, performance-driven function.
By combining technology, expertise, and smart outsourcing, accounting evolves from a mere administrative support to a real growth and competitiveness driver.
