Your bookkeeper was perfect when your business was simpler. But things have changed. Growth means more transactions, tougher compliance, and financial decisions that demand experience beyond basic record-keeping.
If your current finance setup feels stretched, now might be the right moment to consider switching to an outsourced finance department.
Outsourced Finance Is Gaining Momentum in 2025
Across the UK, outsourcing core finance functions is no longer a niche solution for a handful of businesses. It's fast becoming the strategic choice.
A survey from late 2024 revealed that 57% of UK businesses intended to increase outsourcing of finance functions throughout 2025. Why the sudden shift? Companies cited two main reasons: accessing specialised expertise (32%) and reducing overhead costs (23%).
With rising compliance and complex reporting, these specialist skills are more valuable than ever.
Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Bookkeeper
Bookkeepers play an important role, but their remit is limited. They focus on recording transactions, reconciling accounts, and keeping things tidy behind the scenes. As your business grows, though, you’ll likely need more than that.
41% of UK businesses over £5 million turnover plan to outsource payroll and tax in 2025, showing that finance functions beyond bookkeeping are increasingly being farmed out.
You might be seeking cash flow forecasts to guide key decisions. You might need support preparing for investment or debt financing. Or perhaps you're grappling with complex multi-entity reporting, VAT compliance, or tighter month-end deadlines. Most bookkeepers aren’t trained to handle these.
An outsourced finance team fills that gap. You get access to a broader skill set: management accountants, payroll specialists, financial controllers, even CFO-level insight, without the cost of building a full in-house department.
The Benefits of Making the Switch
First, there’s depth and flexibility. Instead of relying on one person to do everything, you get a team with complementary skills. Need monthly management reports? Covered. Payroll issues? Handled. VAT returns, budgeting, financial modelling? All under one roof.
Second, it’s cost-effective. Hiring senior finance staff in-house is expensive, and finding the right people is harder than ever. With outsourcing, you only pay for the level of support you need. No salaries, national insurance, pensions, or recruitment headaches.
Third, you’ll benefit from streamlined systems and better tech. Outsourced providers bring their own tools and processes, built around automation, cloud accounting, and real-time reporting.
Lastly, there's continuity and peace of mind. No more worrying about holiday cover or sick leave; an outsourced team brings structure, consistency, and accountability.
Is It the Right Time to Outsource?
Not every business needs to outsource its finance function, but if you’re starting to feel growing pains, it may be time to reassess whether your current setup still fits. As financial demands grow more complex, many companies find basic bookkeeping no longer cuts it.
That’s why more businesses are turning to external finance specialists who can hit the ground running. Sanay supports growth-focused companies with outsourced finance solutions that blend the consistency of a bookkeeper with the insight of a seasoned finance controller.
Get in touch to see how we can tailor a solution around your business.
- Log in to post comments