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Accounting Firms

Why Hiring Part-Time Offshore Staff Instead of Onshore Interns Is a Smart Move for Accounting Firms

CA Nemin Vora
Updated : Jan 02, 2025
152

If you’re running an accounting firm, you’re probably used to hiring interns, investing in their training, and hoping to offer full-time positions to a few. This approach works, but is it the most efficient way to expand your team? What if there was a better strategy that not only saves time and resources but also brings experienced, flexible talent to your firm?

Hiring part-time offshore staff instead of interns could be that strategy. Let me explain why this approach can be a game-changer for your firm.

The Limitations of Internships

Internships have their benefits, especially for bringing in young talent eager to learn. But they also come with challenges:

Inexperience: Most interns are fresh out of school or still studying, which means they need extensive training. This takes time and resources.

Time-Intensive Training: Training interns is an investment. You’re not just teaching them how your firm operates; you’re often introducing them to industry basics.

Uncertain Retention: After all that training, there’s no guarantee that your interns will stay on full-time. Some might move on, and others might not meet your expectations for a permanent role.

Why Offshore Part-Time Staff Might Be Better

Now, imagine instead of interns, you bring on part-time offshore staff who are experienced professionals, ready to contribute from day one. Let’s break down the benefits:

1. They’re Already Experienced

Unlike interns who are learning the basics, offshore staff typically have years of relevant experience. They’re familiar with accounting, tax preparation, and bookkeeping, often having worked with international clients before. This means they can hit the ground running.

2. Faster, Smoother Onboarding

While interns might require weeks or months of training, offshore staff already know the ropes. Sure, you’ll need to introduce them to your firm’s specific systems and processes, but you won’t be starting from scratch. The onboarding process is much smoother and faster with experienced professionals.

3. Cost-Effective Labor

Let’s talk numbers. Hiring offshore staff, especially from regions where labor costs are lower, allows you to access skilled professionals at a fraction of the cost of hiring local interns or full-time staff. This doesn’t mean compromising on quality, but it does mean you’ll save money.

4. Flexibility and Scalability

One of the biggest challenges with interns is the uncertainty of whether they’ll transition into full-time roles. Offshore staff, on the other hand, offer flexibility:

Part-Time Options: Need someone for 10, 20, or 30 hours a week? No problem. Offshore staff can adapt to your needs.

Scale Up or Down: During tax season, you can increase their hours. Afterward, scale back without the pressure of full-time employment commitments.

5. Potential for Long-Term Growth

Offshore staff can start part-time, but that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. You can easily assess their performance over time and, if they’re a good fit, transition them into full-time roles. The best part? Unlike interns, they’re already seasoned professionals, so you’re not taking a gamble on their long-term potential.

Hire On-Demand Reviewers/Managers

As your offshore team grows, you might find yourself needing experienced managers to oversee operations, review work, and lead your team. But hiring full-time managers isn't always the best fit. You might not need them 40 hours a week, your workload could be seasonal, or maybe your budget is tight.

That's where MYCPE ONE's flexible hiring comes in where you can bring on experienced offshore managers on-demand, without the commitment of a full-time hire.

How It Works

This new approach lets you hire seasoned professionals for as little as 5 hours a week, up to a full 40-hour schedule. You only pay for the hours you need, and there's no long-term commitment. It's like having a pro in your back pocket, ready when you need them.

Why It Makes Sense

This flexible approach has several benefits:

It fits your changing needs. Busy season? Bring in more help. Slower times? Scale back.
You get quality control from experienced pros who know what to look for.
These managers can train your other offshore staff, helping everyone improve.
There's less risk of mistakes because you've got experienced eyes on the work.
You can start small and grow as you get more comfortable with offshoring.

Fitting It All Together

Think of it this way: your regular offshore staff handle the day-to-day tasks, while these on-demand managers oversee quality and offer guidance. It's a great way for newer offshore team members to learn from seasoned pros.

The Hidden Costs of Interns

Interns might seem affordable at first glance, but don’t overlook the hidden costs:

Training: Time spent by senior staff training interns is costly. This could be time spent on billable client work.

Mistakes: Inexperienced interns are more likely to make mistakes, which can lead to rework and further lost productivity.

Turnover: After the internship period, many interns move on, meaning your investment in training walks out the door.

Offshore Professionals Bring More Certainty

By hiring offshore staff, you sidestep many of these issues:

No Need for Extensive Training: Offshore staff are already proficient in the work they’re hired for, so you won’t lose time getting them up to speed.

Fewer Mistakes: With experience comes fewer errors. Offshore professionals already know how to avoid the common pitfalls that inexperienced interns might fall into.

Lower Turnover Risk: Offshore staff are typically contracted for longer-term engagements, so they’re less likely to move on after a short period, unlike many interns.

Why Not Both?

Of course, you don’t have to choose between offshore staff and interns—it’s possible to benefit from both. By hiring offshore professionals to handle the more complex, high-stakes tasks, you can free up time to focus on developing your interns for lower-priority work. This balanced approach lets you get the best of both worlds:

Offshore Staff for Skilled, Consistent Work: Handle core accounting, tax preparation, or client communication tasks.

Interns for Learning Opportunities: Let interns gain experience with smaller, more manageable tasks while being mentored by your offshore team.

Addressing Concerns About Offshore Staffing

You might have some concerns about working with an offshore team. Let me address a few common ones:

Time Zone Differences: Offshore staff can often work within your business hours, especially if you hire from countries with overlapping time zones.

Communication Issues: Many offshore professionals are fluent in English and have experience working with international firms. Effective communication is rarely a barrier.

Data Security: Offshore teams are familiar with confidentiality standards and secure data handling, just as you’d expect from any local employee.

Ready to Give It a Try?

Hiring part-time offshore staff offers accounting firms a flexible, cost-effective way to grow without the uncertainties that come with hiring interns. You get experienced professionals who can contribute immediately, you save on costs, and you maintain the flexibility to scale as your firm grows.

Next time you’re thinking about expanding your team, consider this alternative. Offshore staff could provide the support you need to operate more efficiently and profitably, while also giving your interns the space to grow without overwhelming your resources.

Let’s talk about how offshore staffing could fit into your firm’s unique needs—because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there is a smart one.

CA Nemin Vora

Nemin Vora is a Chartered Accountant (equivalent to US CPA) and Tax Attorney, serving as the Director of Client Relations at MYCPE ONE. With over 7 years of experience working with Big 4s and public accounting firms across North America, he's the person you want to talk to when you're thinking about taking your accounting firm global. Nemin is a seasoned leader and a dynamic content creator, weaving stories and insights on tax, leadership, and life that resonate with a wide audience. This creative outlet showcases not only his depth of knowledge but also his ability to connect and inspire. He consults and speaks on various topics, including Building Remote Teams, Remote Working, Offshore Staffing, Strategic Planning, Scalability of Accounting Practice, Cloud Accounting, Practice Management, and AI in Accounting. Outside of work, Nemin is a learner at heart, an actor on the stage, and a tech enthusiast.

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