Remote Accounting ROI Calculator: How Much Can You Save?

Why ROI Matters in Remote Accounting

The U.S. accounting profession is undergoing rapid change. According to the Journal of Accountancy, more than 300,000 accountants left the profession between 2019 and 2021, creating a shortage that continues to affect firms across the country (source). Combined with rising labor costs and increased compliance demands, many firms are rethinking how they structure their accounting teams.

For this reason, remote accounting services are becoming a strategic option. But the most important question is not whether outsourcing works; it is how much you can realistically save.

This guide provides a step-by-step ROI calculator that shows how to measure cost savings and factor in hidden benefits, while also addressing common outsourcing risks.

Step 1: Map the True Cost of In-House Accounting

Start with a clear picture of what your internal accounting team actually costs. Beyond salaries, you need to include:

• Salaries and benefits (U.S. CPAs average $77,000 to $90,000 annually)
  
• Office space, IT infrastructure, and accounting software
  
• Overtime costs during tax season
  
• Recruitment, onboarding, and training
  

For many firms, these costs easily exceed six figures annually. Comparing them with outsourced bookkeeping makes the potential savings more tangible.

Step 2: Compare with Outsourced Costs

Remote accounting providers, particularly those with teams in India, typically reduce costs by 30 to 60 percent. Savings usually come from:

• Lower offshore salaries
  
• No additional overhead for office and benefits
  
• Flexible contracts that scale with seasonal demand

Accounting firms facing seasonal workloads often turn to back-office outsourcing to maintain quality without over-hiring.

Step 3: Factor in Hidden Value Drivers

ROI goes beyond salaries. Outsourcing brings additional advantages that amplify savings:

• Time zone advantage with work delivered overnight
  
• On-demand scalability during peak periods
  
• Cloud-first workflows that reduce software expenses
  
• Compliance assurance with U.S.-aligned experts

Turnover costs should also be considered. Replacing an employee can cost up to 50% of their annual salary, according to SHRM. Outsourcing helps stabilize teams and avoid this expense. SafeBooks has also detailed its data protection practices to mitigate one of the biggest client concerns: security.

Step 4: Apply the Remote Accounting ROI Formula

With both cost sets in hand, the ROI calculation is straightforward:

ROI = (In-House Cost – Outsourced Cost) ÷ Outsourced Cost × 100

Example:

1. In-house cost: $60,000/year
2. Outsourced cost: $20,000/year
3. ROI = (60,000 – 20,000) ÷ 20,000 × 100 = 200 percent ROI

A deeper look at outcomes from dedicated models is outlined in SafeBooks’ article on why outsourcing makes business sense.

Step 5: Account for Long-Term Strategic Benefits

Long-term ROI compounds through:

• Lower employee turnover and reduced burnout
  
• Faster reporting cycles, some firms report closing books 50% faster, freeing up dozens of staff hours each month
  
• Improved cash flow visibility with real-time AR/AP management
  
• The ability to expand into Client Advisory Services (CAS), moving beyond transactional bookkeeping into higher-value advisory

Outsourcing is increasingly seen not only as a cost-saving tool but as a path to grow accounting and compliance services.

Mitigating Common Outsourcing Risks

Addressing challenges directly strengthens the business case for outsourcing.

• Quality Control: Leading providers assign U.S.-aligned review managers and maintain strict workflows.
  
• Communication Barriers: Structured handoffs and overlapping hours help ensure clarity across time zones.
  
• Security Concerns: SOC 2 and ISO-certified processes, encryption, and limited data access safeguard financial records.

SafeBooks has published specific insights on security and compliance in offshore staffing for firms evaluating risk.

Key Takeaways

Here are the most important insights firms should keep in mind when evaluating remote accounting ROI:

• Outsourcing reduces accounting costs by 20 to 60 percent.
  
• ROI is strengthened by productivity gains, compliance alignment, and technology integration.
  
• Many firms see 100 percent or greater ROI in their first year.
  
• Long-term benefits include faster reporting, improved retention, and expanded advisory services.

Turning ROI Into a Growth Strategy

Calculating ROI is not just about cutting costs. It helps firms decide how to scale smarter, deliver more value to clients, and build resilience in a talent-constrained market.

Remote accounting has shifted from being a temporary solution to a core strategy for competitive firms. Those who adopt it early gain the combined advantage of reduced costs, improved processes, and expanded capacity.

If your team is stretched thin or profitability is under pressure, now is the time to calculate your numbers. Use this ROI framework as a guide and compare it with what SafeBooks Global offers.

When you are ready, Connect with SafeBooks for a tailored ROI projection that shows exactly how outsourcing can reshape your cost structure and support long-term growth.