How to Hire Dedicated Offshore Staff for Your Australian Accounting Firm
- BOS Resources
- Jun 29
- 5 min read
Brief your provider, and they will handle the rest. Within two to four weeks, they will recruit and onboard a full-time Indonesian accountant with Australian experience who works exclusively for your firm, at 60–70% less than a local hire.
Key Takeaways:
Australia faces a structural accounting talent shortage: CA ANZ data shows vacancy fill rates below 67% for general accountants, tax accountants, and external auditors
Offshore staff in Indonesia typically cost 60–70% less than equivalent Australian hires, without sacrificing qualification standards
Dedicated offshore staff who work exclusively for your firm integrate into your systems, processes, and client workflows over time
Offshore teams work best on compliance-heavy, process-driven tasks: bookkeeping, BAS prep, tax returns, SMSF, payroll, and reconciliations
ATO compliance and data security are manageable with the right provider. Offshore teams operate within encrypted, access-controlled environments
Starting before you're stretched is the key. Most firms come to offshore hiring too late, after a crisis, not before one
BOS Resources places dedicated offshore accounting staff in Jakarta for Australian firms, with no upfront deposit and no lock-in
Why Australian Accounting Firms Are Hiring Offshore Staff?
The local accounting talent market is getting harder, not easier. CA ANZ's most recent survey found vacancy fill rates below 67% for taxation accountants, external auditors, and general accountants, a level that indicates a high likelihood of sustained shortage.
At the same time, enrolments in Australia's Accounting Professional Year programme fell from 7,122 in 2018 to just 340 in 2024, according to CPA Australia. And with around 22,000 experienced Australian accountants expected to retire by 2026, the pipeline problem isn't going away.
Offshore hiring doesn't sidestep this reality. Rather than competing against every other firm in your city for a handful of candidates, you access a separate talent market: Indonesia's growing pool of degree-qualified accounting professionals who have hands-on experience working for Australian companies, are trained in Australian accounting standards, and are available at a fraction of local rates.
What does "dedicated offshore staff" actually mean?
Dedicated offshore staff work exclusively for your firm, full-time. They're not shared across multiple clients or rotated between projects.
Over time, they learn your processes, your software, your clients, and your preferences, which is fundamentally different from a task-based outsourcing arrangement where you get a different person each time.
That continuity matters. A bookkeeper who has processed your clients' accounts for six months will be faster, more accurate, and far less management-intensive than a new face every quarter.
The dedicated model is also why firms that offshore well tend to stop thinking of offshore staff as "outsourcing" at all. The team member becomes a genuine extension of the practice.
What roles can I hire offshore?
The roles that work best offshore are process-driven and compliance-focused, which is the kind of work that your senior onshore staff currently handle but shouldn't need to. Common functions include:
Bookkeeping: bank reconciliations, accounts payable and receivable, transaction processing, and trial balance preparation
Tax return preparation: individual, company, trust, and partnership returns
BAS and IAS preparation: ready for your onshore review and lodgement
SMSF accounting: annual statements, member reporting, and actuarial coordination
Payroll processing: STP compliance, super calculations, and employee records
Financial reporting: management accounts, board packs, P&L, and balance sheet
Admin and client support: CRM data entry, document management, and scheduling
Is hiring offshore staff ATO compliant?
Yes, because your offshore partner handles the local legalities according to Australian rules.
The arrangement itself creates no compliance issues. Your offshore staff member is employed by the provider in Indonesia, and your firm remains the client. All tax work they prepare is ultimately reviewed and lodged by your onshore team under your firm's licence and ATO registration.
What about data security?
BOS Resources' Indonesian team works entirely from a managed office environment, not from home. Here is how client data is protected:
Digital door locks controlling office access
CCTV throughout the entire office floor
Dedicated workstations assigned to each staff member
No printing or downloading of client data outside the controlled system
No IT gaps between your firm and your offshore team
Each client's data kept separate and contained within a controllable environment
Before signing with any offshore provider, ask specifically about their physical setup, whether their systems are compatible with your existing cloud software (Xero, MYOB), and how client data is stored and transferred. A credible provider will answer these questions in detail without hesitation.
How long does it take to hire offshore staff?
It typically takes between three to six weeks to source, vet, and onboard a dedicated staff member. This timeline varies based on the specific technical skills and experience levels your business requires. We handle the initial advertising, screening, and testing, then you conduct final video interviews to choose your team member.
What if the staff member doesn't work out?
We provide clear performance tracking and regular check-ins to ensure your team member meets expectations. Because we operate on a flexible model without long-term contract traps, adjustments can be made easily. Our on-the-ground management and HR team in Jakarta work to resolve any performance issues early.
Who manages the offshore staff day to day?
You manage their daily tasks, workflows, priorities, and output directly using your preferred platforms, such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or email. They act as your full-time employees. BOS Resources handles the physical infrastructure, office amenities, local payroll, attendance tracking, and local HR support.
Is offshore staff leasing legally compliant for Australian businesses?
Yes, it is fully compliant because BOS Resources acts as the employer of record in Indonesia, adhering strictly to local employment laws and regulations. Your business avoids complex international legal or tax structures. We also ensure that operations align with standard corporate privacy requirements.
Is there a minimum commitment or team size required?
No, you can start by hiring a single full-time dedicated offshore staff member. We do not force businesses into large volume commitments. Alternatively, we offer project-based outsourced services if you only require flexible support for specific tasks rather than a full-time employee.
How the Process Works with BOS Resources
BOS Resources is based in Hobart, Tasmania and builds dedicated offshore accounting teams in Jakarta, Indonesia. The process is straightforward:
Brief: you tell BOS what role you need, what software you use, and what your firm handles
Recruit: BOS sources, screens, and shortlists candidates against your requirements
Onboard: your chosen candidate is set up with equipment, IT access, and introductory training
Manage day-to-day: your offshore team member works directly with you, in your systems, on your clients' work
Ready to hire your first offshore team member?
Build a dedicated, full-time offshore team in Jakarta to scale your business operations without the overheads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between offshore staff leasing and general outsourcing?
Offshore staff leasing means you have a named individual working exclusively for your firm, dedicated to your clients, your processes, and your software. General outsourcing typically means sending discrete tasks to a shared team, with no continuity between engagements. For accounting firms, dedicated staff leasing produces better outcomes because your offshore team member builds firm-specific knowledge over time.
Can offshore accountants use Australian accounting software?
Yes. The BOS Resources team in Indonesia has direct experience working with Australian accounting firms, so they are already familiar with the software. This includes Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks.
How do I get started?
The simplest approach is to identify one role in your firm that is currently unfilled or where your team is overloaded, and use that as your pilot. Book a discovery call with BOS Resources to talk through your requirements. There is no commitment involved, and you will get a clear picture of what is realistic, how long it takes, and what it costs.
Comments