Accounting firms are short of people. Accounting graduates fell to 55,152 in the 2023–24 academic year, down 6.6%, and new CPA exam candidates dropped from 42,626 in 2023 to 28,082 in 2024, after a 2023 surge ahead of the exam changes (AICPA, 2025 Trends report). Meanwhile the median US accountant earned $83,680 a year in May 2025 (BLS). That is why more CPA practices and bookkeeping firms add offshore staff instead of competing for every local hire.
This guide is for accounting firm owners and practice managers who want to add dedicated staff, not for businesses looking to outsource their own books. It compares the accounting outsourcing companies firms actually choose between, from dedicated VA recruitment to offshore staffing and direct-hire recruiters. Prices come from each provider’s own website where they publish them (checked October 2026), and we say “not published” where they don’t.
Quick Answer
The best accounting outsourcing company for a CPA or bookkeeping firm depends on how much of the hiring and management you want to keep. For a dedicated bookkeeper, AP/AR, payroll or tax prep support VA, VA MASTERS recruits Filipino accounting VAs at $7.50–$14/hr (about $1,200 a month full-time at the entry rate), with first candidates in about 2 business days and nothing to pay to start. If you want a provider that only serves accounting firms, TOA Global runs offshore accounting teams from hubs in the Philippines (price not published), TeamUp charges a one-time fee of $4,000–$8,000 per direct hire while you pay the salary, and Connext, MYCPE ONE and QX Accounting Services publish indicative rates from $11/hr (MYCPE ONE) to about $2,200–$4,000 a month per person (Connext, QX).
Accounting Outsourcing Companies Compared (2026)
Prices are from each provider’s own website, checked in October 2026. “Not published” means the provider quotes per firm. Full-time per month assumes 160 hours. This guide is published by VA MASTERS, which is ranked first; the ranking criteria are below the table.
| Company | Model | Accounting roles (per its website) | Where staff are based | Published price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA MASTERS | Recruitment of a dedicated Filipino VA for your firm, HR support after placement | Bookkeeper, AP/AR, payroll, reconciliations and month-end, financial reporting, tax prep support, client admin | Philippines | $7.50–$14/hr for finance and accounting roles ($1,200–$2,240 a month full-time); admin roles from $6.50/hr | Small and mid-size firms adding 1 to a few dedicated staff |
| TOA Global | Offshore staffing for accounting firms | Accountants (US tax returns, financial statements), bookkeepers, auditors, executive assistants | Philippines (Manila, Clark, Tarlac, Cebu) | Not published | Firms that want an accounting-only offshore provider |
| TeamUp | Direct-hire recruitment, focused on accounting firms | Bookkeepers, accountants, tax accountants, auditors, controllers, team leads | Philippines | One-time fee per hire: $4,000 standard, $6,000 specialist, $8,000 leadership; you pay the salary (sample bookkeeper salary $1,300 a month) | Firms ready to employ and manage staff themselves |
| Connext | Offshore staffing, salary plus a flat management fee | Accountants, bookkeeping, payroll, AP/AR specialists, controllers | Philippines, Colombia, Mexico, India | Representative rates: accountant about $3,200 a month, AP/AR specialist about $2,200 a month | Firms that want staff in Latin America or the Philippines |
| MYCPE ONE | Offshore staffing for CPA firms | Bookkeepers, staff and senior accountants, client accounting and advisory (CAAS) roles, tax and audit staff | India, Mexico, Philippines | From $11/hr full-time | CPA firms building a CAAS or tax team |
| QX Accounting Services | Outsourced accounting for CPA firms, full-time or flexible resources | Staff and senior accountants, bookkeepers, tax preparers, payroll, AR/AP, audit support | India, Mexico | $2,500 a month per staff accountant, $4,000 a month per senior accountant | Firms that want an India-based accounting delivery team |
| Cloudstaff | Offshore staffing | AP specialists, bookkeepers, payroll processors, tax accountants, staff accountants | Philippines, Colombia, India, Kenya | Not published (one monthly rate per staff member, no setup fees) | Firms that want an all-in monthly rate per seat |
| Emapta | Offshore staffing for accounting firms and finance teams | Staff accountants, tax accountants, controllers, AP, bookkeepers, paraplanners | Philippines and other countries | Not published | Larger firms that want offices in several countries |
| MicroSourcing | Offshore staffing and managed teams | Bookkeepers, accountants, AP/AR officers, auditors, payroll and tax specialists | Philippines, Colombia | Not published | Firms building a managed offshore accounting team |
| Outsourced | Offshore staffing, remote or office-based | Finance roles such as tax associates and financial accountants | Philippines (head office) and other countries | Not published (pricing calculator on its site) | Firms that want office-based or hybrid staff |
Compare the full monthly cost, not the headline. Some offshore quotes are salary plus a management fee, office seats cost more than work-from-home staff, some providers charge setup or per-hire fees, and some have minimum terms. Ask every provider what its monthly figure includes and who owns the hiring decision.
The Best Outsourcing Companies for Accounting Firms in 2026
We ranked these providers on four things an accounting firm can check: an accounting-firm or finance offering stated on the provider’s own website, a dedicated (not shared) team member, how transparent the price is, and fit for small and mid-size firms. Freelance marketplaces are left out: you can hire there, but you do the recruiting, testing and management yourself, and turnover is on you. Small-business bookkeeping subscriptions are left out too: they keep a business’s books, they don’t add staff to your firm (see our guide to the best virtual bookkeeping services for that comparison).
1. VA MASTERS: Best for Dedicated Accounting Staff Recruitment
Best for: CPA practices, bookkeeping firms and accounting consultancies that want a dedicated Filipino accounting VA working in their own systems, not a shared service.
VA MASTERS is a virtual assistant recruitment agency. Every search is custom-built for the role through a 6-stage process, with a skills test built on your accounting tasks and software where the role needs it: transaction coding in QuickBooks Online or Xero, a bank reconciliation, an AP batch or a tax organizer to prepare. You interview the top 2–3 candidates and choose who joins your firm. See our accounting virtual assistant, QuickBooks and Xero bookkeeping VA and payroll virtual assistant pages.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Accounting roles | Bookkeeper, AP/AR specialist, payroll processor, reconciliation and month-end support, financial reporting VA, tax preparation support, client admin coordinator |
| Price | $7.50–$14/hr for finance and accounting roles ($1,200–$2,240 a month full-time); client admin and coordination roles $6.50–$10/hr |
| Time to first candidates | About 2 business days |
| Cost to start | Nothing: no upfront fees, no setup fees |
| Replacement | Free replacement guarantee if you’re not satisfied with your VA |
| Working hours | We recruit for your hours, including US business hours |
| After placement | HR support, payroll and regular check-ins |
2. TOA Global: Best for an Accounting-Only Offshore Provider
Best for: established firms that want an offshore partner dedicated to the accounting industry.
TOA Global describes itself as dedicated to serving the US accounting and bookkeeping industry. Its site lists accountants who prepare US income tax returns and financial statements, bookkeepers (AP/AR, bank and general ledger reconciliations), auditors and executive assistants, working from hubs in Manila, Clark, Tarlac and Cebu. Pricing is not published; you book a strategy call.
3. TeamUp: Best for Direct Hires You Employ Yourself
Best for: firm owners who want to hire Filipino accounting staff directly and manage them in-house.
TeamUp says it helps accounting firms build teams in the Philippines as a direct-hire recruiter rather than an outsourcing company. It charges a one-time fee per hire ($4,000 for standard roles such as bookkeepers and accountants, $6,000 for specialists such as tax accountants and controllers, $8,000 for leadership roles), with no monthly markup and a free replacement within 6 months. The firm then pays the salary itself; TeamUp’s sample salaries include a bookkeeper at $1,300 a month and a tax accountant at $2,600 a month. You employ the person.
4. Connext: Best for Accounting Staff in Latin America or the Philippines
Best for: firms that want overlap with US hours from Latin America, or a mix of countries.
Connext staffs accountants, bookkeeping, payroll and AP/AR roles from the Philippines, Colombia, Mexico and India on a cost-plus model: the professional’s salary and benefits plus a flat management fee. Its pricing page shows representative rates of about $3,200 a month for an accountant and about $2,200 a month for an AP/AR specialist, and says actual pricing varies by skill, seniority, shift and headcount.
5. MYCPE ONE: Best for CPA Firms Building CAAS and Tax Teams
Best for: CPA firms that want offshore staff for client accounting and advisory services, tax and audit.
MYCPE ONE offers bookkeepers, staff and senior accountants, client accounting and advisory roles, tax and audit staff to CPA firms from India, Mexico and the Philippines. Its offshore accounting page says full-time staff start at $11/hr, with senior profiles costing more.
6. QX Accounting Services: Best for an India-Based Accounting Team
Best for: CPA firms comfortable with an India-based delivery team and flexible resourcing.
QX Accounting Services works for CPA firms from delivery centres in India, with nearshore support from Mexico. Its pricing page lists $2,500 a month per staff accountant and $4,000 a month per senior accountant, with tax preparer, bookkeeper, payroll and AR/AP roles at $2,500 a month.
7. Cloudstaff: Best for an All-In Monthly Rate per Seat
Best for: firms that want one monthly rate per staff member.
Cloudstaff’s accountants page offers AP specialists, bookkeepers, payroll processors, tax accountants and staff accountants, with talent in the Philippines, Colombia, India and Kenya. It quotes one monthly rate per staff member with no setup fees; the amount is not published.
8. Emapta: Best for Larger Firms That Want Several Countries
Best for: larger firms and finance teams that want offices in several countries.
Emapta says it supports both accounting firms and corporate finance teams, with roles such as staff accountants, tax accountants, controllers, AP, bookkeepers and paraplanners, from centres in the Philippines and other countries. Pricing is not published.
9. MicroSourcing: Best for a Managed Offshore Accounting Team
Best for: mid-size and larger firms that want a provider to run facilities, HR and IT for a team.
MicroSourcing’s accounting team page lists bookkeepers, accountants, AP and AR officers, auditors, payroll specialists and tax specialists, with delivery centres in the Philippines and Colombia. Pricing is not published.
10. Outsourced: Best for Office-Based or Hybrid Staff
Best for: firms that want staff working from a provider’s office.
Outsourced builds teams from its head office in the Philippines and in other countries, remote or office-based, including finance roles such as tax associates and financial accountants. Pricing is not published; its site has a pricing calculator.
Pro Tip
Some firms combine models: a dedicated year-round bookkeeper or staff accountant, plus a per-return or per-engagement provider for overflow during filing season. Decide which work needs someone who knows your clients, and which is volume.
Staffing, Recruitment, Direct Hire or Outsourced Accounting?
“Accounting outsourcing company” covers four different models. They differ in who chooses the person, who manages them and how you pay:
| Model | What you get | Who manages the person | How it’s priced | Examples in this guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA recruitment agency | A dedicated VA recruited for your role, working in your systems | You direct the work; the agency handles HR support and replacement | Hourly rate per VA | VA MASTERS |
| Offshore staffing (fully managed) | Dedicated staff in the provider’s office or working from home, with facilities, HR and IT | You direct the work; the provider runs the employment and the office | Monthly per seat, often salary plus a management fee | TOA Global, Connext, MYCPE ONE, Cloudstaff, Emapta, MicroSourcing, Outsourced |
| Direct-hire recruiter | A hire who works for your firm directly | You do: payroll, HR, management | One-time fee per hire, then the salary | TeamUp |
| Outsourced accounting service | Work delivered by the provider’s team (per resource, per return or per engagement) | The provider | Per resource, per return or per engagement | QX Accounting Services |
For most small and mid-size firms, the question is whether you want to pick and know the person who touches your clients’ books. If yes, a dedicated VA or a staffing seat fits better than a shared service. If you want the least management and the most offshore infrastructure, a fully managed staffing provider fits. Choosing a country? Our guide to the best countries to outsource accounting compares the Philippines, India and Latin America.
Why Accounting Firms Are Building Offshore Teams in 2026
The shortage starts with the pipeline. The AICPA’s 2025 Trends report counted 55,152 accounting graduates (bachelor’s and master’s) in 2023–24, a 6.6% drop on the year before. New CPA exam candidates fell from 42,626 in 2023, the highest since 2016 and ahead of the 2024 exam changes, to 28,082 in 2024. Public accounting firms that responded to the AICPA survey reported hiring 11,985 new graduates in 2024.
Demand isn’t going away. BLS projects about 115,300 openings a year for accountants and auditors over 2025–2035. For a firm, that shows up as long searches for staff accountants, higher pay for junior roles and a capacity crunch every filing season.
What the Philippines Offers Accounting Firms
The Philippines has a large accounting workforce with experience serving US, Australian and UK clients through accounting firms and outsourcing companies, which is why most of the providers above have offices there. What matters for your firm is the individual, so test it: VA MASTERS looks for candidates with an accounting degree or equivalent experience, the software you use and experience with international clients, and checks it in a skills test before you meet them. It is selective: about 1 in 508 applicants is placed (166,350 applications, January 2025 to July 2026; VA MASTERS statistics report).
The language proficiency and execution caliber of the Filipino workforce are underappreciated in global commerce.— Alon Pearl, Founder & CEO, VA MASTERS
Which Accounting Tasks to Delegate First
Not all accounting work suits remote delivery equally. A practical order for most firms:
| Task | Examples | Delegate? |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping and transaction coding | Bank and card feeds, categorisation, clean-ups in QuickBooks Online or Xero | Yes, first |
| Accounts payable and receivable | Invoice processing, payment tracking, aging reports, collections follow-up | Yes, first |
| Payroll processing support | Running payroll in Gusto, ADP or Paychex, payroll journals, liability reconciliations | Yes, with your review |
| Month-end close and reconciliations | Balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, discrepancy lists for CPA review | Yes, with your review |
| Client financial reporting | P&L, balance sheet and cash flow packs in your templates | Yes: the VA assembles, your CPA reviews |
| Tax preparation support | Organizers, source documents, data entry into tax software, workpapers | Yes, under CPA supervision (see the tax section below) |
| Client admin and coordination | Scheduling, document requests, practice management and CRM updates, inbox | Yes |
| Judgment, sign-off and advisory | Tax strategy, audit opinions, entity structuring, client advisory conversations, anything needing a licence | No: keeps your licensed team on higher-value work |
First: High-Volume, Process-Driven Tasks
Bookkeeping, AP/AR and reconciliations are structured and repeatable, so they are the easiest to document and review. Start with your simplest clients, review the work daily at first, then weekly once the output is consistent.
Second: Client-Facing Support
Financial reporting packs, tax organizer follow-up and document requests come next. The VA does the preparation and the chasing; your CPA reviews and talks to the client.
Keep In-House
CPA-level judgment, tax strategy, audit work, client advisory conversations, complex entity structuring and anything requiring licensed sign-off stay with your licensed team. If a role needs a credential, we can recruit for it among our applicants, but the sign-off stays with your firm.
Most VA roles mix several kinds of work: only 26% of VA roles opened February–August 2026 covered a single type of work (VA MASTERS analysis of 323 roles at 253 companies, What Businesses Actually Outsource to Virtual Assistants in 2026).
How to Outsource Accounting Tasks to a VA: 6 Steps
- List the work and the volume. Which clients, which tasks, how many transactions or returns a month, and the deadlines.
- Write down your top processes. Chart of accounts conventions, coding rules, the month-end checklist and your review steps. A short screen recording per process is enough.
- Decide hours and access. Full-time or part-time, the hours you need covered, and which systems the VA logs into under your firm’s accounts and security settings.
- Test on your own tasks. Give candidates a real coding, reconciliation or AP exercise in your software instead of trusting a CV.
- Start small and review. Begin with a few clients, review daily in the first weeks, then move to weekly review once the work is consistent.
- Add clients and tasks. Move on to month-end, reporting and tax season support as the VA learns your clients.
Not ready for full-time? 72% of VA roles opened February–August 2026 were part-time, and 46% started at exactly 80 hours a month (VA MASTERS analysis of 323 roles, same report). For bookkeeping-only help, see our bookkeeping virtual assistant page and our guide to delegating financial tasks to a VA.
See a Finance VA at Work
Marian, a Filipino finance VA with 8+ years of experience with US and Australian small businesses, explains how she sends and tracks invoices, processes payments, reconciles accounts, manages payroll, bills and reimbursements, and keeps QuickBooks or Xero organized.
A walk-through of how VA MASTERS recruits a virtual assistant: defining the role, candidate matching, meeting the top candidates, interviews, onboarding and ongoing support after placement.
Pricing: What Filipino Accounting VAs Cost in 2026
Through VA MASTERS, finance and accounting roles cost $7.50–$14/hr, depending on the role and seniority, and client admin roles $6.50–$10/hr. Full-time below means 160 hours a month. The US figures are BLS median wages from May 2025, before benefits, payroll taxes and office costs.
| Accounting VA role | VA MASTERS rate | Full-time per month | Comparable US role (median wage, May 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeper VA | $7.50–$14/hr | $1,200–$2,240 | Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks: $50,670 a year (about $4,220 a month) |
| AP/AR specialist VA | $7.50–$14/hr | $1,200–$2,240 | Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks: $50,670 a year (about $4,220 a month) |
| Payroll processing VA | $7.50–$14/hr | $1,200–$2,240 | Payroll and timekeeping clerks: $58,260 a year (about $4,860 a month) |
| Reconciliation and month-end VA (staff accountant level) | $7.50–$14/hr | $1,200–$2,240 | Accountants and auditors: $83,680 a year (about $6,970 a month) |
| Financial reporting VA | $7.50–$14/hr | $1,200–$2,240 | Accountants and auditors: $83,680 a year (about $6,970 a month) |
| Tax preparation support VA | $7.50–$14/hr | $1,200–$2,240 | Accountants and auditors: $83,680 a year (about $6,970 a month) |
| Client admin and coordination VA | $6.50–$10/hr | $1,040–$1,600 | Secretaries and administrative assistants: $48,310 a year (about $4,030 a month) |
All finance and accounting roles sit in our Finance & Accounting category ($7.50–$14/hr); bookkeepers usually start toward the lower end, and staff-accountant-level or tax-experienced candidates sit toward the top. Client admin and coordination roles are in our Administrative category ($6.50–$10/hr).
Remote Accounting Staffing Costs Compared
Published prices from the providers in this guide, per full-time person, checked October 2026:
| Provider | Published cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| VA MASTERS | $7.50–$14/hr, $1,200–$2,240 a month | Finance and accounting VA, recruited for your firm; nothing to pay to start |
| MYCPE ONE | From $11/hr | Full-time offshore accounting staff |
| Connext | About $2,200 a month (AP/AR) to about $3,200 a month (accountant) | Representative rates: salary, benefits and a flat management fee |
| QX Accounting Services | $2,500 a month (staff accountant) to $4,000 a month (senior) | Per resource |
| TeamUp | $4,000–$8,000 one-time per hire, plus the salary you pay (sample bookkeeper $1,300 a month) | Direct-hire recruitment; you employ and manage the person |
| TOA Global, Cloudstaff, Emapta, MicroSourcing, Outsourced | Not published | Quoted per firm |
| US in-house bookkeeper / accountant | Median $50,670 / $83,680 a year (BLS, May 2025) | Wages only, before benefits, payroll taxes and office costs |
The Practice Economics of One Accounting VA Hire
Here is an example. A bookkeeping VA at $9/hr full-time costs $1,440 a month, or $17,280 a year. If that VA keeps the books for 10 small-business clients that each pay your firm $400 a month, that block brings in $48,000 a year, leaving about $30,720 before your review time and overhead. The median US bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerk earned $50,670 in May 2025, more than the revenue of that whole block before benefits and payroll taxes. That gap is why savings compared with local hiring can reach up to 80%.
Use our VA cost savings calculator to model your own numbers.
Hiring Lawrence as a QuickBooks Expert and Lery as a Real Estate Administrative VA has completely transformed how I run my real estate business. Lawrence efficiently manages all our financial records, ensuring everything is organized and accurate, while Lery handles property documents, tenant coordination, and administrative tasks. … The cost savings compared to local hires are substantial, and the efficiency they bring is unmatched.
Hiring Offshore Tax Preparers: What to Check
Offshore tax preparation support works best as preparation under your CPA’s supervision: organizers, source documents, data entry into your tax software and workpapers, with review and signing staying in your firm. Before you hire, check five things:
- Your tax software. Drake, ProSeries, Lacerte, UltraTax or CCH Axcess: test candidates on the package you use, on a sample return.
- The return types. 1040s are the usual starting point; business returns (1065, 1120, 1120-S) need more experience, so test for them separately.
- Taxpayer consent. US rules generally require the taxpayer’s written consent before a preparer discloses tax return information to someone outside the US (IRS Section 7216 regulations). Check the requirements with your own adviser.
- Data access. Keep client files in your own systems, with individual logins, multi-factor authentication and access limited to the clients the person works on.
- Season timing. Hire before the season, not in March, so the person learns your clients while the volume is still manageable.
On that last point, Alon Pearl put it this way to CPA Practice Advisor:
A small business does not necessarily need five new people. The owner needs to find the point where work is already starting to pile up.— Alon Pearl, Founder & CEO, VA MASTERS
At VA MASTERS, every VA is required to sign written confidentiality undertakings, and if you have your own NDA, we require your VA to sign it. See our security page for how we handle client data.
Software Compatibility: QuickBooks, Xero, and More
The first question most firm owners ask: will the VA know our software? Experience varies by candidate, so the honest answer is to test it rather than assume it. During VA MASTERS’ skills testing, we build the test around the platforms your firm uses where the role needs it.
| Software | Used for | What to test |
|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop | Bookkeeping, AP/AR, reconciliations | Code a month of bank transactions and reconcile it; confirm the Desktop version if you use it |
| Xero | Bookkeeping, bank rules, reporting | Set up bank rules and produce a P&L |
| Sage, Zoho Books, NetSuite, FreshBooks | Bookkeeping and reporting for specific clients | A short exercise in the package your clients use |
| Gusto, ADP, Paychex | US payroll | Process a sample pay run and the payroll journal |
| Drake, ProSeries, Lacerte, UltraTax, CCH Axcess | US tax preparation | Enter a sample 1040 from source documents |
| Dext, Hubdoc, Bill.com, Karbon, Canopy | Receipts, AP workflow, practice management | Process a batch of bills or update a client job |
QuickBooks dominates: 68% of finance VA roles opened February–August 2026 named it (VA MASTERS analysis of 322 roles, What Software Virtual Assistants Are Expected to Know 2026). If your firm relies on a less common platform, we build a test scenario around it.
VA MASTERS’ 6-Stage Recruitment for Finance & Accounting Roles
The skills test is where most candidates are separated: failing the practical skills test was the most common recorded reason for rejection, at 35.9% of 16,308 rejection decisions from January 2025 to September 2026 (Why Candidates Don’t Get Hired).
Detailed Job Posting
We map your firm: the software you use, the clients you serve, the tasks the VA will own and your review workflow. Then we write a job description for that exact role.
Candidate Collection
Every search is custom-built for the role, powered by our database of 400,000+ pre-assessed Filipino applicants, AI-assisted screening and human recruiters. We look for accounting education or equivalent experience and the platforms you use.
Initial Screening
English, internet reliability, accounting background, platform experience and work readiness are checked.
Custom Skills Test
Where the role needs it, candidates complete real accounting tasks: transaction coding in QuickBooks or Xero, a reconciliation, an AR/AP scenario or a report from your template.
In-Depth Interview
Our recruiters assess accounting concepts, platform knowledge, communication and experience with international clients.
Client Interview and Selection
You meet the top 2–3 candidates, usually within about 2 business days. Ask how they handle a reconciliation that won’t tie out, then choose who joins your firm.
Struggling to Find Qualified Accounting Staff Locally?
Tell us your firm’s setup and where the work piles up. We’ll show you which accounting VA role to fill first and what it costs.
Get in Touch →Comparing Your Options: VA Agency vs. BPO vs. DIY
Here is how the main ways to add accounting staff compare for a bookkeeper role, on the facts a firm can check.
How the Main Options Stack Up for Accounting Firms
| What to check | VA MASTERS | Offshore staffing / BPO | Direct hire (recruiter or marketplace) | US local hire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (bookkeeper, full-time) | $7.50–$14/hr, $1,200–$2,240 a month | Monthly per seat; published rates in this guide run from $11/hr (MYCPE ONE) to about $2,200–$4,000 a month per person (Connext, QX) | The salary you agree, plus any recruiting fee | Median $50,670 a year plus benefits (BLS, May 2025) |
| Dedicated to your firm | ✓ Full-time or part-time | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skills test on your tasks | ✓ Custom, where the role needs it | Ask the provider | Ask the recruiter, or test them yourself | You test them yourself |
| Time to first candidates | About 2 business days | Ask the provider | Depends on the recruiter or your own screening | Weeks to months |
| HR and payroll after the hire | ✓ HR support and payroll | ✓ | ✗ Yours | Yours |
| Replacement if it doesn’t work out | ✓ Free replacement guarantee | Ask the provider | Some recruiters offer a time-limited replacement | ✗ |
| Cost to start | Nothing: no upfront or setup fees | Ask about setup fees and minimum terms | Recruiting fee or platform fees | Recruiting costs |
Accounting Firm Without Offshore Staff
- Long searches for every staff accountant and bookkeeper
- Median $50,670 a year in wages for a bookkeeping clerk (BLS, May 2025)
- A capacity crunch every filing season
- Senior CPAs doing bookkeeping to fill gaps
- Thin margins on bookkeeping services
Accounting Firm With VA MASTERS
- First candidates in about 2 business days
- A dedicated accounting VA from $1,200 a month full-time
- Add capacity as the client roster grows, full-time or part-time
- CPAs focused on review and advisory work
- Better margins on bookkeeping services
What Our Clients Say About Finance and Operations VAs
Real Messages from Real Clients
Hear From Our VAs — Happy VAs Deliver Better Results for Your Firm
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best accounting outsourcing companies for accounting firms?
For a dedicated accounting VA recruited for your firm, VA MASTERS recruits Filipino bookkeepers, AP/AR, payroll and tax prep support VAs at $7.50–$14/hr, with first candidates in about 2 business days. For offshore staffing dedicated to the accounting industry, TOA Global is a specialist option. TeamUp suits firms that want to employ direct hires themselves, and Connext, MYCPE ONE, QX Accounting Services, Cloudstaff, Emapta, MicroSourcing and Outsourced offer offshore accounting staff on monthly rates.
What’s the best Philippines outstaffing company for hiring an accountant?
It depends on how much you want managed. VA MASTERS recruits a dedicated Filipino accounting VA for your firm and supports the placement afterwards; TOA Global, Cloudstaff, Emapta, MicroSourcing and Outsourced run offshore staffing with offices in the Philippines; TeamUp recruits a direct hire whom you employ yourself for a one-time fee of $4,000–$8,000. Test any candidate on your own software before you decide.
How much does remote accounting staffing cost?
Published rates in October 2026: VA MASTERS $7.50–$14/hr ($1,200–$2,240 a month full-time) for finance and accounting VAs, MYCPE ONE from $11/hr, Connext about $2,200 a month for an AP/AR specialist and about $3,200 for an accountant, and QX Accounting Services $2,500–$4,000 a month per accountant. TeamUp charges $4,000–$8,000 per hire plus the salary you pay. By comparison, the median US accountant earned $83,680 a year in May 2025 (BLS), before benefits.
How do I outsource accounting tasks to a virtual assistant?
List the tasks and volume, document your top processes, decide the hours and system access, test candidates on a real coding or reconciliation exercise in your software, start with a few simple clients and review daily, then add month-end, reporting and tax season work as the VA learns your clients.
What are the best platforms for hiring offshore tax preparers for accounting firms?
Accounting-focused offshore providers such as TOA Global, MYCPE ONE, QX Accounting Services, Cloudstaff and Emapta list tax accountants or tax preparers, and TeamUp recruits tax accountants as direct hires. VA MASTERS recruits tax preparation support VAs who work under your CPA’s review. Whoever you use, test candidates on your tax software and return types, and check the taxpayer-consent rules for disclosing returns outside the US with your adviser.
Which offshore staffing companies specialize in accounting outsourcing in the Philippines?
TOA Global is dedicated to serving the US accounting and bookkeeping industry from hubs in Manila, Clark, Tarlac and Cebu, and TeamUp focuses on accounting firms. Cloudstaff, Emapta, MicroSourcing, Outsourced and MYCPE ONE have accounting staff in the Philippines alongside other roles. VA MASTERS recruits Filipino finance and accounting VAs and has an average 5/5 review rating on Trustpilot.
How do TOA Global and Connext compare for building an offshore accounting team?
TOA Global works only with accounting firms, from four hubs in the Philippines, and does not publish prices. Connext staffs accounting roles from the Philippines, Colombia, Mexico and India on a cost-plus model (salary and benefits plus a flat management fee) and publishes representative rates of about $3,200 a month for an accountant. Ask both what their monthly figure includes, the minimum term and how replacements work.
What are the best alternatives to TOA Global for accounting staffing?
For a dedicated VA recruited for your firm with nothing to pay to start, VA MASTERS ($7.50–$14/hr). For direct hires you employ yourself, TeamUp. For other offshore staffing providers, Connext, MYCPE ONE, Cloudstaff, Emapta and MicroSourcing. For an India-based delivery team, QX Accounting Services.
I need budget-friendly offshore staff for bookkeeping and admin, but not a marketplace with constant turnover. What are the best options?
Use a provider that recruits or employs a dedicated person and replaces them if it doesn’t work out. Through VA MASTERS, a bookkeeping VA costs $7.50–$14/hr and an admin VA $6.50–$10/hr, part-time or full-time, with a free replacement guarantee if you’re not satisfied with your VA. Offshore staffing providers also give you a dedicated person, usually on a monthly rate.
Can a Filipino VA handle US bookkeeping and accounting work?
Yes. Bookkeeping, AP/AR, reconciliations, payroll processing and financial reporting for US clients are common Filipino VA roles, and 68% of finance VA roles opened February–August 2026 named QuickBooks. Test each candidate on your own software and tasks; for US tax preparation, look for candidates with US tax experience and keep review and signing with your CPA.
Can an accounting VA work under my firm’s brand with clients?
Yes. Your VA can use your firm’s email address and work inside your systems and templates, so clients deal with your firm’s team. Agree with your VA which client communications they handle and which stay with your CPAs.
How should I structure the work between my CPA and the accounting VA?
Use a clear execution and review split: the VA handles data entry, transaction coding, reconciliations and report preparation; your CPA reviews, signs off and handles advisory conversations, complex judgments and anything needing a licence. Start with daily review and move to weekly once the work is consistent.
What happens during peak tax season — can VAs handle the surge?
A dedicated VA works the hours you agree all year, and we recruit for your hours. If you need more capacity for the filing season, hire a second VA, full-time or part-time, before the season starts so they learn your clients while volume is manageable. 72% of VA roles opened February–August 2026 were part-time.
Is client data safe with an offshore accounting VA?
Keep client files in your own systems, with individual logins, multi-factor authentication and access limited to the clients the VA works on. Every VA MASTERS VA is required to sign written confidentiality undertakings, and if you have your own NDA, we require your VA to sign it. For tax returns, check the taxpayer-consent rules for disclosure outside the US with your adviser.
What does it cost to start with VA MASTERS?
It costs nothing to start: no upfront fees and no setup fees. You meet the top 2–3 candidates, choose your VA, and if you’re not satisfied with your VA you get a free replacement.
Ready to Add Qualified Accounting Staff Without the Local Hiring Battle?
Book a free discovery call. We’ll understand your firm’s setup, map the right accounting role and show you what a dedicated Filipino accounting VA costs.
- Skills tests built on your software (QuickBooks, Xero, your tax package…) where the role needs it
- First candidates in about 2 business days
- $7.50–$14/hr for finance and accounting roles, up to 80% less than local hiring
- It costs nothing to start: no upfront fees, no setup fees
- HR support and a free replacement guarantee
Anne is the Operations Manager at VA MASTERS, a recruitment agency specializing in Filipino virtual assistants for global businesses. She leads the end-to-end recruitment process — from custom job briefs and skills testing to candidate delivery and ongoing VA management — and has personally overseen the placement of 1,000+ virtual assistants across industries including e-commerce, real estate, healthcare, fintech, digital marketing, and legal services.
With deep expertise in Philippine work culture, remote team integration, and business process optimization, Anne helps clients achieve up to 80% cost savings compared to local hiring while maintaining top-tier quality and performance.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +13127660301
