Why 60% of Outsourcing Deals Fail (and how to get it right)

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Hi everyone, 

Outsourcing is booming in accounting. But here’s the problem—most firms are doing it completely wrong. 

They see the lower costs, the potential to scale, the access to talent, and they jump in. No clear plan, no hiring strategy, no real onboarding.  

Then, when things fall apart—missed deadlines, quality issues, communication breakdowns—they blame outsourcing itself. 

But let’s be clear: outsourcing isn’t the issue. How firms approach it is. 

The Common Mistakes That Kill Outsourcing Success 

1. The Wrong Hiring Model – Many firms go straight to third-party outsourcing providers, treating them like vendors rather than an extension of their own team. That’s a mistake. When you don’t control your team, you don’t control the quality. 

2. No Onboarding Plan – Firms assume offshore staff will just ‘figure it out.’ But without proper training, clear expectations, and integration into existing workflows, they won’t. A remote team isn’t plug-and-play—it requires structure. 

3. Unclear KPIs – Many firms don’t track performance effectively. They assume if costs are lower, everything’s working. But without clear metrics—turnaround time, accuracy, communication standards—you’re setting yourself up for inefficiencies. 

What Successful Firms Do Differently 

The best firms don’t just outsource. They build offshore teams that work as an extension of their firm. They: 

• Hire directly instead of relying on third-party providers. 

• Create structured onboarding and training plans. 

• Set clear KPIs and review performance regularly. 

• Foster communication and integration, so offshore teams feel like part of the firm. 

That’s exactly what we did at Samera. We moved from outsourcing to building our own offshore team in India. Full control, full accountability, no middlemen. And that changed everything. 

The Blueprint for Getting It Right 

But that’s just one part of it. 

If you’re thinking about outsourcing—or if you’ve tried and struggled—here’s what you need to do: 

1. Decide on the right hiring model – Third-party outsourcing? Dedicated offshore team? In-house offshore setup? Each has pros and cons—choose wisely. 

2. Invest in onboarding and training – Your offshore team should know your processes as well as your in-house team. 

3. Set performance benchmarks – What does success look like? Measure it. Track it. Improve it. 

4. Think long-term – Outsourcing isn’t just about cost-cutting. It’s about capacity-building. 

Let’s Make Outsourcing Work For You 

At Samera, we help firms set up and run their own offshore teams—without the usual headaches. From hiring the right talent to integrating them into your firm, we’ve done it ourselves, and we can help you do the same. 

If you’re ready to build a high-performing offshore team that actually works, let’s talk. 

Cheers, 
Arun 

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