How Much Does an Offshore Staff Accountant Cost?
As of September 2026, published prices for offshore accounting help run from about $12 to $20 an hour, and from about $1,400 to $3,500 a month for a full-time person, depending on seniority. For comparison, the median US wage for accountants and auditors was $83,680 a year in May 2025, before benefits. At SF Business Solutions, CPA-firm work is $12–$15 an hour and a full-time accountant starts at $1,500 a month.
By SF Business Solutions · Our team includes one licensed CPA · 4 sources · Updated September 10, 2026Published prices, as of September 2026
These are the prices providers publish on their own websites. Many others quote only after a call.
- Madras Accountancy: $12 to $20 an hour depending on volume and complexity; dedicated full-time staff from $1,400 a month; per-client bookkeeping $150 to $500 a month.
- The Fino Partners, per full-time role (160 hours): junior bookkeeper $1,800 a month, senior accountant $2,300, senior tax associate $2,500, tax reviewer $2,750, financial controller $3,500.
- SF Business Solutions: $12–$15 an hour for CPA firms and other B2B partnerships; a full-time accountant from $1,500 a month.
- MYCPE ONE describes hourly billing for small engagements and a fixed fee plus salaries for managed teams, without published rates. TOA Global and QX Accounting Services quote on request.
What moves the price
Seniority matters most: a reviewer or controller costs roughly double a junior bookkeeper at the same provider. After that come the hours you need, whether the person is dedicated to you or shared, and how complex the work is. Tax review, multi-entity books and industry-specific work cost more than routine categorizing and reconciliations.
Hourly or full-time: a worked example
Example numbers, for illustration only. A firm needs 40 hours a month of bookkeeping help. At $12 to $15 an hour, that is $480 to $600 a month. If the need grows to a full working month of about 160 hours, hourly billing at the same rate would be $1,920 to $2,400, and a full-time arrangement starting at $1,500 a month becomes the cheaper option.
The crossover is the point to watch: below it, pay by the hour; above it, a dedicated person usually costs less and gives you more continuity.
How to calculate the return
Compare the monthly cost with what the freed-up hours are worth to your firm.
- Count the hours of work you would hand over each month.
- Multiply by the provider's rate to get the monthly cost.
- Add the time your team will spend reviewing, at your internal cost per hour.
- Compare the total with either the fees you can bill for that work, or the cost of hiring locally for it.
- Example numbers: 120 hours a month at $12 to $15 is $1,440 to $2,400. Add 15 hours of review at $60 an hour ($900). If those clients bring in $8,000 a month, the work stays profitable with room to spare.
Costs that are easy to miss
Budget for the first two or three months of heavier review, software seats for the new person, and the time it takes to write down your processes. Also check whether a provider charges setup fees or requires a minimum term; ask before you sign.
How much does a full-time offshore staff accountant cost per month?
Published prices start at about $1,400 to $1,500 a month and reach about $3,500 for senior roles such as a financial controller. At SF Business Solutions, a full-time accountant starts at $1,500 a month.
What is the typical hourly rate for offshore accounting help for US firms?
Published rates run from about $12 to $20 an hour as of September 2026. SF Business Solutions charges CPA firms $12–$15 an hour.
How much can a CPA firm save with offshore staff?
Compare like for like: the median US accountant wage was $83,680 a year in May 2025, before benefits, while published offshore full-time prices run about $1,400 to $3,500 a month. Your saving depends on seniority and how much review you keep in-house.
How do I calculate the ROI of outsourcing work at my accounting firm?
Multiply the hours you hand over by the provider's rate, add your team's review time, and compare the total with the fees for that work or the cost of hiring locally.
Is hourly or full-time pricing better?
Hourly is better below roughly 100 hours a month of steady work. Above that, a full-time person usually costs less per hour and gives you continuity.
Are there hidden costs with offshore staff?
The common ones are extra review time in the first months, software licences and documenting your processes. Ask each provider about setup fees and minimum terms.
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