What to Expect When You Hire an Offshore CPA: A Founder’s Guide

But in 2025, that’s exactly what’s happening. U.S. CPA salaries are climbing, the talent pool is shrinking, and founders are under pressure to scale smarter. That’s why more companies, from bootstrapped startups to post-Series A players are hiring offshore CPAs.

This guide unpacks what that really looks like: the pros, the process, the red flags, and how to do it right.

Why Founders Are Hiring Offshore CPAs in 2025

The demand for certified public accountants (CPAs) has never been higher and the supply,  never tighter. In the United States, the CPA pipeline is drying up. First-time exam takers dropped from 48,004 in 2016 to just 32,188 in 2021, a 33% decrease, according to the AICPA’s 2021 Trends Report and the AICPA/CIMA 2022 Annual Report.

For founders navigating tighter cash runways and complex global operations, this shortage creates a dangerous bottleneck. Hiring a U.S.-based CPA today can take months and cost upward of $95,000 annually.

That’s why more startups and SMEs are turning to offshore CPA hires especially in accounting hubs like the Philippines. Offshore hiring isn’t just a stopgap solution. Done right, it offers:

• Faster hiring timelines through pre-vetted talent pools
• Significant savings (more on that below)
• 24/7 productivity for finance functions through time zone leverage

Looking to scale sustainably? Hiring an offshore CPA may be one of your smartest financial moves in 2025.

What Offshore CPAs Actually Do (And What They Don’t)

Offshore CPAs are not BPO operators or transactional freelancers. When properly hired and integrated, they are dedicated finance professionals who bring strategic value to your core operations.

What Offshore CPAs Can Do:

• Bookkeeping and general ledger management
• Financial reporting and analysis
• Accounts payable/receivable oversight
• Bank reconciliations and month-end close
• Tax preparation (U.S., AU, SG, and other jurisdictions)
• Audit support and compliance documentation

Many also handle client communication, software migration projects, and financial modeling. Read more in our post on remote CPA accounting roles.

What They Don’t Do:

• Cut-corner batch work
• “One-size-fits-all” processes
• Work without proper oversight or guidance

To ensure success, you need the right staffing partner, not just a freelance platform. Your offshore CPA hire should feel like a full-fledged member of your finance team, not a distant third-party processor.

What the Hiring Process Looks Like (Step-by-Step)

So what can you expect when hiring an offshore CPA? Here’s a clear step-by-step breakdown:

Step 1: Choose Your Hiring Model

• Direct hire: You manage everything (recruitment, payroll, compliance)
• EOR (Employer of Record): A legal middleman handles employment formalities
• Offshore staffing provider: Offers end-to-end support, integration, and ongoing HR

Read more on how to hire top remote accountants in under a month.

Step 2: Work With a Trusted Partner

Look for providers who specialize in finance roles and offer:

• Shortlists within 2–3 weeks
• Full compliance support
• Onboarding guidance
• Scalable hiring options

Step 3: Smooth Onboarding and Tooling

• Align on core finance tools (Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite)
• Use async tools like Slack, Loom, and Notion for SOPs and training
• Set timezone overlap blocks for real-time collaboration

Step 4: Ongoing Integration

• Assign a team buddy or mentor
• Establish weekly finance huddles
• Track KPIs with transparent dashboards

How Much It Costs to Hire an Offshore CPA

Here’s the part every founder asks: how much will I save?

Philippine Annual Salary:	USD 22,100
United States Annual Salary:	USD 87,000
Savings:	USD 64,900 (75%)

Source: Penbrothers Philippine Salary Guide

But it doesn’t stop there.

Offshore hires also eliminate or significantly reduce:

• Employer taxes
• Healthcare benefits
• Office space costs
• HR overhead

Hiring offshore CPAs through providers like Penbrothers allows you to reinvest the difference into growth whether it’s new hires, marketing spend, or product development.

For more benchmarks, check our US vs PH salary comparison for finance roles.

Red Flags to Watch Out for (And How to Avoid Them)

Not all offshore CPA providers are created equal. Before you sign any agreement, be aware of these warning signs:

Red Flag	What It Really Means
No vetting transparency	You’re not hiring vetted professionals, you’re getting a stack of resumes with no insight into skills, certifications, or fit.
Communication gaps	Poor English, limited business writing skills, or inconsistent timezone overlap lead to avoidable errors and misalignment.
Overpromised timelines	If someone claims they can source and onboard a CPA in 2 days, run. Good finance hires take planning and proper matching.

We’ve seen founders burned by vague sourcing processes or unresponsive teams. Elizabeth from Foray Group almost lost a major client due to errors from a poorly matched offshore bookkeeper.

How to Spot a High-Quality Partner

Choose an offshore CPA staffing provider that offers:

• A track record in finance outsourcing, not just generic roles
• Structured vetting, including skills tests, behavioral interviews, and client references
• Transparent pricing with no hidden markups or switching clauses
• Local support for HR, IT, and compliance to keep your operations stable

Want to know what good looks like? Explore our guide on outsourcing accounting in the Philippines and learn how to build a reliable offshore finance team from day one.

Data Security, Compliance & Client Trust: What You Need to Know

Hiring an offshore CPA shouldn’t mean compromising on privacy or compliance. In fact, top offshore partners follow global security standards that meet or exceed, what you’d expect in-house.

What to Look For:

1. SOC 2 Type II Certification

This gold-standard audit confirms that your provider has secure systems in place for data handling, availability, processing integrity, and confidentiality. Unlike SOC 1, Type II also proves those controls are effective over time, not just on paper.

Why it matters: SOC 2 protects your books, payroll data, and tax records from unauthorized access or loss.

2. ISO/IEC 27001 Certification

This international standard demonstrates that the organization follows a structured information security management system (ISMS), including risk assessments, breach response protocols, and regular audits.

Why it matters: Shows maturity in managing sensitive financial and client information, not just ticking a compliance box.

3. NDAs + Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Each offshore hire should sign a non-disclosure agreement, and their access should be limited to only the tools and data they need for their role. No shared logins. No “all access” permissions.

Why it matters: Even if one team member is compromised, your entire system isn’t at risk.

4. Secure File Transfer Tools

Look for encrypted, enterprise-grade platforms such as:

• Citrix ShareFile
• Google Workspace with 2FA and link expiration
• Box or Dropbox Business with audit logs

Why it matters: Emailing spreadsheets isn’t secure. You need traceable, encrypted transfers especially for tax docs, bank statements, or client records.

5. IRS and BIR Compliance

If you’re based in the U.S., your offshore CPA must handle:

• IRS-authorized e-filing platforms
• 1099/1040/1065 tax prep workflows
• International tax compliance protocols

For Philippine-based offshore operations, BIR requirements like proper document archiving, VAT handling, and digital receipts also apply.

Why it matters: Non-compliance here can lead to audit risks, penalties, or rejected filings, regardless of where your CPA is based.

Want peace of mind? Ask for a security overview during the proposal stage. You can also integrate offshore CPAs into your internal controls and auditing processes with minimal friction.

How to Set Up Offshore CPAs for Long-Term Success

Hiring offshore isn’t the end, it’s the start of scalable finance operations. Here’s how to build longevity into your offshore CPA team.

1. Set Expectations Early

Clear expectations lead to faster ramp-ups and fewer mistakes. Don’t wait for issues to surface, front-load clarity from day one.

• Use Loom walkthroughs for SOPs
  Record short, role-specific videos walking through daily tasks, month-end processes, or reporting templates. Visual context > written instructions.
• Align KPIs from day one
  Examples: days to close books, reconciliation accuracy, reporting timeliness, audit readiness. These metrics define what “good” looks like.
• Use task tracking tools
  Platforms like Asana, Notion, or ClickUp help document recurring workflows, assign deadlines, and track deliverables across time zones.

Why this matters: Offshore CPAs can’t read your mind. Structured onboarding prevents misalignment and builds early momentum.

2. Create a Culture of Belonging

Remote accountants aren’t plug-and-play, they need to feel like part of the team to stick around and thrive.

• Assign a local team buddy
  Pair them with someone in your HQ or regional office to answer questions and ease the cultural gap.
• Celebrate wins publicly
  Give shoutouts in Slack channels, Friday standups, or monthly emails. Recognition builds morale and ownership.
• Host regular team lunches (virtual or in-person)
  Whether it’s a pizza delivery during a Zoom lunch or a team meetup in Manila, these moments strengthen trust.

Why this matters: Culture is the #1 retention driver. Offshore CPAs stay longer when they feel seen, supported, and connected.

3. Embrace Async Collaboration

Your offshore CPA might be 8–12 hours ahead but with the right async systems, that’s an advantage, not a blocker.

• Set up daily check-ins via Slack or Notion
  Simple updates like: “Yesterday I… Today I’m working on… Blockers…” keep everyone in the loop.
• Define clear handoff rituals
  Use end-of-day updates to flag what needs review, approval, or follow-up. This avoids bottlenecks across time zones.
• Schedule regular timezone overlaps for alignment
  One or two blocks per week for real-time check-ins or sprint reviews is often enough.

Why this matters: Async isn’t about less communication, it’s about more intentional communication.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a founder who’s:

• Scaling quickly but strapped for finance talent
• Paying $90K+ for routine financial tasks
• Losing sleep over delayed reporting or unfiled taxes

Then it may be time to seriously consider hiring an offshore CPA.

With the right partner, you can gain faster execution, lower overhead, and stronger reporting control without sacrificing security or culture.

Penbrothers helps founders build high-performing offshore teams with full onboarding, compliance, and retention support. Book a free consultation or explore how we helped clients scale their finance operations in under 30 days.