Outsourced Accounting Services for Growing Businesses
Get the accounting support your business needs without building an entire in-house finance department.
Whittlesey provides outsourced bookkeeping, controller, and CFO services tailored to your business. From day-to-day accounting and financial reporting to budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial guidance.
Whether you need to fill a gap in your accounting department, strengthen financial reporting, or gain higher-level financial insight, our professionals can work alongside your existing team or provide broader outsourced support as your needs evolve.
Talk With an Outsourced Accounting Advisor
What are outsourced accounting services?
Outsourced accounting allows businesses to delegate some or all of their accounting and finance functions to an external team. Services can range from bookkeeping and financial reporting to budgeting, forecasting, KPI analysis, controller oversight, and CFO-level guidance.
Whittlesey’s professionals can supplement your existing accounting team or provide comprehensive support tailored to your organization’s needs.
What level of outsourced accounting support does your business need?
You don't have to outsource your entire accounting function. The right approach depends on the capabilities you already have in-house, the complexity of your accounting needs, and the level of financial guidance your leadership team requires.
Bookkeeping Services
Best for businesses that need reliable support with day-to-day accounting activities.
When you don't have the time, resources, or internal capacity to manage daily accounting tasks, Whittlesey's accounting professionals can serve as an extension of your team.
Bookkeeping support may include:
- Day-to-day accounting support
- Account reconciliations
- Transaction recording
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Support during periods of increased workload
The goal: Keep your accounting records accurate, organized, and current while reducing the burden on your internal team.
Controller Services
Best for businesses that need stronger financial oversight, reporting, and accounting processes.
Whittlesey's outsourced controller services provide a higher level of accounting oversight without requiring you to add a full-time controller to your staff.
Controller support may include:
- Month-end and year-end close support
- Financial statement preparation
- Customized management reporting
- Accounting process improvements
- Audit support
- Financial oversight
The goal: Create more reliable financial reporting and accounting processes so management has better information for decision-making.
CFO Services
Best for businesses that need strategic financial guidance and analysis.
Whittlesey provides CFO-level support on an as-needed basis to help management address financial challenges and make informed decisions.
CFO support may include:
- Strategic financial planning
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Industry benchmarking
- Key performance indicator development and analysis
- Financial guidance for management
The goal: Turn financial information into insight that helps leadership plan, evaluate performance, and make informed business decisions.
Not sure which level you need?
When should a business consider outsourced accounting?
Outsourced accounting may make sense when your business needs more accounting capacity, expertise, or financial insight than your current team can provide, but you aren't ready to build a larger in-house finance department.
You may benefit from outsourced accounting if:
Your accounting team is stretched too thin
Daily accounting responsibilities, reporting deadlines, or periods of increased workload are creating capacity issues for your existing staff.
Leadership is spending too much time on accounting
Owners and executives are being pulled into accounting responsibilities instead of focusing on operations, customers, employees, and growth.
You've outgrown basic bookkeeping
Your business needs stronger financial reporting, accounting processes, oversight, analysis, or management insight.
You need controller or CFO expertise
Your organization needs higher-level accounting or financial guidance, but may not require another senior finance professional on a full-time basis.
Growth is increasing financial complexity
Changes in your organization are creating accounting, reporting, forecasting, or financial management requirements that your existing team may lack the capacity to meet.
You have a temporary staffing or expertise gap
Turnover, hiring challenges, deadlines, or changing business requirements have created a need for additional accounting resources.
If you are navigating through any of these three common challenges, it may be time for a conversation.
Time-Strapped Businesses
If your business is grappling with time constraints, Whittlesey acts as your extended arm in accounting and finance. We take on the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.
Budget-Conscious Companies
Gain access to a full-time, expert team for a fraction of the cost of hiring a single senior finance leader. Whittlesey's model offers budget-conscious businesses a financially viable solution without compromising on expertise and quality.
Those Seeking Experience
Choose Whittlesey for an experienced team focused solely on achieving your accounting and financial objectives. Our seasoned professionals are dedicated to delivering results that matter to your business.
How does outsourced accounting with Whittlesey work?
Connect & Review
Assess & Analyze
Our team conducts a non-intrusive risk and compliance evaluation.
Report & Act
Outsourced accounting vs. hiring internally: What’s the difference?
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Outsourced Accounting |
Additional In-House Hires |
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Range of expertise |
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| Access bookkeeping, controller, and CFO-level support based on your needs. | Multiple skill levels may require multiple hires. |
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Hiring |
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| Add accounting resources without recruiting for each additional role. | Recruiting, hiring, and onboarding are required. |
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Management |
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| Whittlesey manages the delivery of the agreed services. | Your business manages the additional employees. |
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Capacity |
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| Scope support around your current accounting needs. | Capacity is tied to your internal staffing. |
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Flexibility |
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| Adjust the scope of support as your needs change. | Internal headcount is generally less flexible. |
Frequently asked questions about outsourced accounting
How much do outsourced accounting services cost?
The cost of outsourced accounting services depends on the level of support your business needs, the complexity of your accounting, transaction volume, reporting requirements, and the amount of financial oversight or strategic guidance required.
A business that needs bookkeeping support will typically have a different scope than one requiring controller oversight, budgeting, forecasting, or CFO-level guidance. Whittlesey tailors outsourced accounting services to your needs, so you receive the appropriate level of support without adding unnecessary resources.
What is included in outsourced accounting services?
Outsourced accounting services can include everything from day-to-day bookkeeping and account reconciliations to financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, KPI analysis, controller oversight, and CFO-level guidance.
The exact scope depends on your existing accounting resources and business needs. Whittlesey can supplement your current team in specific areas or provide broader accounting and financial support as your needs evolve.
What is the difference between outsourced accounting and bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping focuses primarily on maintaining accurate financial records through activities such as recording transactions, reconciling accounts, and supporting accounts payable and receivable.
Outsourced accounting can go further by adding controller-level oversight, financial reporting, process improvements, budgeting, forecasting, performance analysis, and strategic financial guidance. The right level of support depends on the complexity of your business and the financial information your leadership team needs.
Is outsourced accounting cheaper than hiring an in-house accountant?
Outsourced accounting can be a cost-effective alternative when your business needs additional accounting expertise or capacity but does not require another full-time employee.
Instead of recruiting and maintaining separate positions for bookkeeping, controller, or CFO responsibilities, outsourcing allows you to access the level of expertise you need based on your current requirements. It can also reduce costs associated with recruiting, onboarding, benefits, training, and additional accounting headcount.
The best comparison is not simply the cost of outsourcing versus one employee's salary, but the total cost and capabilities of each approach.
Is outsourced accounting secure?
A reputable outsourced accounting provider should use appropriate safeguards, processes, and access controls to protect sensitive financial information.
When evaluating a provider, ask how your financial data will be accessed, shared, stored, and protected; who will have access to your systems; and what internal controls are in place. Your provider should be able to clearly explain its approach to confidentiality and data security before an engagement begins.
Can I outsource only part of my accounting function?
Yes. Outsourced accounting does not have to mean outsourcing your entire accounting department.
Many businesses use outsourced professionals to supplement an existing team, fill a temporary staffing or expertise gap, handle specific accounting responsibilities, or provide controller or CFO-level expertise that is not available internally. The scope can also change as your team and business needs evolve.
What is the difference between an outsourced controller and an outsourced CFO?
An outsourced controller generally focuses on the accuracy, reliability, and oversight of your accounting function. This may include managing the close process, financial statement preparation, management reporting, accounting processes, and financial controls.
An outsourced CFO focuses more on forward-looking financial strategy and decision-making, including budgeting, forecasting, KPI analysis, financial planning, and guidance for management.
Some businesses need one or the other, while growing or more complex organizations may benefit from both levels of support.
How do I choose the right outsourced accounting firm?
Look for an outsourced accounting firm that can provide the right combination of accounting expertise, responsiveness, scalability, and understanding of your business.
Ask about the firm's experience, the professionals who will support your account, the services included in the engagement, communication and reporting processes, technology and security practices, and how support can change as your needs evolve.
Most importantly, the provider should take the time to understand your existing accounting resources, challenges, and goals before recommending a solution.
Get the accounting support your business needs
Every great partnership begins with a conversation. Tell us about your accounting needs, and a member of the Whittlesey team will reach out to schedule an introductory call.
