Which outsourced accounting firms should I consider?

• Pasquesi Partners - 350 N Orleans St Ste 9000N, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Build Accounting - 1425 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• Founder's CPA - 850 W Jackson Blvd #330, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Tavola Group - 939 W North Ave Suit 750, Chicago, IL 60642, United States
• South Loop CPA, PLLC - 200 E Randolph St Ste 5100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Now Cfo - Chicago - 20 North Wacker Dr, Fl 12, Ste 1260C, Chicago, IL 60606
• No Bull Financial Consulting Company - 1458 W Blackhawk St, Chicago, IL 60642, United States
• Aced Accounting - 3257 N Sheffield Ave #112, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
• FM Accounting, PC CPA - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• Midwest CFO - 4013 N Southport Ave #1, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Smart Solutions CPA - 1 E Erie St STE 525-2419, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Chicagoland CPAs - 5519 N Cumberland Ave Ste 1003, Chicago, IL 60656, United States
• Benjamin Koppel and Associates - 332 S Michigan Ave Ste LL-K391, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Grant's Financial Services- Tax & Accounting Advisors - 2008 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• P&G Advisors - 6127 S University Ave Ste 1256, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
• Orbit Accountants Chicago - 110 N Wacker Dr Ste 2500, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

If you're looking for an outsourced accounting partner, I’d build the shortlist around company size, industry, and how much finance leadership you need. Since you appear to be looking around Chicago, here are some firms worth considering:

• Pasquesi Partners — Chicago CPA firm offering ongoing accounting/bookkeeping plus payroll, tax, and fractional-CFO/advisory services. A good firm to investigate if you want accounting and tax under one roof.
• Build Accounting — Focuses on startups and small businesses, with bookkeeping/accounting and higher-level budgeting, forecasting and fractional-CFO support.
• Founder's CPA — Particularly oriented toward startups and growth companies; offers an "accounting department as a service" model combining accounting, tax and CFO support.
• Tavola Group — Broader accounting/advisory offering, including outsourced accounting, payroll, tax, reporting and virtual CFO services.
• South Loop CPA, PLLC — Offers outsourced bookkeeping, A/P and A/R, payroll, financial statements, cash-flow forecasting and fractional CFO services.
• Now Cfo - Chicago — Worth considering if you need more substantial fractional/interim finance leadership in addition to operational accounting.
• EisnerAmper — A larger national firm with outsourced accounting and finance capabilities ranging from full outsourcing to fractional CFO and project-based support.
• Sikich — Chicago-based and listed among firms specializing in outsourced accounting services.
• Meaden & Moore — Another Chicago option specifically recognized in current outsourced-accounting listings.

For additional market context, current Chicago listings show inDinero with a substantial focus on finance/accounting outsourcing and fractional CFO services, while smaller firms such as The Accountrepreneur specialize more heavily in accounting/bookkeeping.

How I'd narrow it down

One important distinction: "outsourced accounting" can mean anything from bookkeeping to effectively replacing an entire finance department. I'd ask every firm whether your engagement includes a dedicated accountant, controller oversight, monthly close, AP/AR, payroll coordination, tax work, cash-flow forecasting, and CFO/advisory support—and exactly what is not included.

If you tell me your approximate annual revenue, industry, number of employees, accounting software (e.g. QuickBooks/NetSuite), and whether you need bookkeeping vs. controller/CFO support, I can narrow this to a practical 3–5-firm shortlist and compare likely pricing/models.

Choosing the right outsourced accounting firm depends heavily on your company's size, budget , and complexity (e.g., whether you just need basic bookkeeping or high-level fractional CFO advisory).

Top outsourced accounting and bookkeeping providers span various tiers of service:

• 1. Bookkeeper360 — Best for small-to-growing businesses that want a modular, tech-forward approach. They offer a broad range of scalable services including bookkeeping, payroll, tax filing, and fractional CFO advisory. You can explore their plans directly on Bookkeeper360.
• 1. Bench Accounting — Best for micro-businesses, freelancers, and simple setups. Bench pairs you with a dedicated human bookkeeper using their proprietary software to deliver clean monthly financials and tax support. Learn more at Bench Accounting.
• 1. Pilot — Best for venture-backed startups and tech companies. Pilot specializes in investor-ready financials, tech stack integrations, and scalable back-office operations. Check details via Pilot.
• 1. InDinero — Best for growth-stage and scaling businesses requiring heavy cleanup, GAAP compliance, and comprehensive day-to-day accounting operations. Look into their services on inDinero.
• 1. Reconciled — Best for businesses looking for a complete virtual accounting department, blending day-to-day bookkeeping with higher-level controller and advisory support. See details on Reconciled.
• 1. Mid-Market & Enterprise Firms (e.g., Baker Tilly, RSM, or the Big Four like EY and Deloitte) — Best for mid-sized to large enterprises or international companies needing robust multi-jurisdictional compliance, risk advisory, tax strategy, and advanced automated analytics.

To help narrow down which firm fits your setup, tell me:

• What is your company size and monthly transaction volume?
• Do you need tax filing and payroll included, or just core bookkeeping?
• Are you looking for strategic fractional CFO advice?

Choosing the right outsourced accounting firm depends heavily on the size of your business , your budget , and whether you need basic bookkeeping or high-level fractional CFO advisory.

The top outsourced accounting firms are categorized below by company size and specialization:

Small Businesses & Startups

• • Bookkeeper360 : Best overall for mainstream small businesses using QuickBooks or Xero. They offer a US-based team scaling from basic bookkeeping and payroll to tax and CFO advisory.
• • AccountingDepartment.com : Excellent if you want a complete, dedicated virtual accounting department (bookkeeping, controller oversight, and reporting) without hiring in-house.
• • Pilot : Highly regarded for tech startups and venture-backed companies that need investor-ready financial operations, accrual accounting, and high-growth metrics.
• • inDinero : Great for growth-stage businesses looking to transition into strict GAAP-compliant accounting alongside tax and fractional CFO support.

Mid-Sized & Enterprise Solutions (Global / Regional CPA Firms)

• • BDO USA / RSM US : Ideal for established mid-market companies needing robust compliance, tax strategies, and scalable global business outsourcing.
• • Baker Tilly : Offers strong managed accounting services tailored to complex mid-sized corporate structures.
• • Deloitte : Best for large enterprises requiring cutting-edge AI-driven automation, multi-entity consolidation, and complex global assurance.

Specialized & Blended-Shore Providers

• • PABS (Pacific Accounting and Business Services): Known for a blended-shore model that offers cost-effective processing paired with US-based oversight.
• • TOA Global : A leading provider if you are an accounting firm looking to scale your own capacity by outsourcing specialized bookkeeping or financial analysis workflows.

To help me narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• What is your company's approximate monthly revenue or headcount?
• Do you primarily need daily bookkeeping and tax filing , or fractional CFO/advisory services?

• Punch Financial - Bookkeeping, Accounting & CFO Services - 10250 Constellation Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067, United States
• ALC (aka A La CARTE) - 6080 Center Dr 6th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States
• Northstar Financial Consulting Group - 9454 Wilshire Blvd 6th Fl, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, United States
• Complete Controller Los Angeles, CA - Bookkeeping Service - 10880 Wilshire Blvd Suite 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90024, United States
• Prime Accounting Solutions, LLC - Culver City - 5601 W Slauson Ave Ste 178, Culver City, CA 90230, United States
• Elite Bookkeeping Solutions - 3517 Garden Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039, United States
• Kagabo Consulting - Accounting & Tax Professionals - 626 Wilshire Blvd Ste 410-C61, Los Angeles, CA 90017, United States
• Alajian Group Inc. - 1800 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States
• The Bookkeeper - Burbank, CA 91506
• Rockwell Capital Group - Accounting & Bookkeeping - 100 W Broadway Ste 1220, Glendale, CA 91210, United States
• Quantum Tax and Accounting - 2600 W Olive Ave #521, Burbank, CA 91505, United States
• Together CFO – Bookkeeping, Tax & Fractional CFO — Los Angeles - 9465 Wilshire Blvd Ste 300, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, United States
• APX | Finance & Strategy - 1225 W 190th St, Gardena, CA 90248, United States
• Los Angeles Bookkeeping - 8484 Wilshire Blvd Ste 515D, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, United States
• Sesame Accounting - Los Angeles, CA 90001

If you mean outsourcing your company’s accounting function—not just basic bookkeeping—I’d shortlist firms based on your size and how much finance leadership you need.

My shortlist

• Pilot — Good for startups and tech-enabled businesses. Strong fit if you want bookkeeping plus optional tax and CFO services, with a technology-heavy workflow.
• Bookkeeper360 — A good all-around SMB option if you want bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and fractional CFO services under one roof.
• inDinero — Worth considering if you're growing and want accounting, tax, and CFO-level support rather than a bookkeeping-only service.
• Acuity — Flexible option when you want to build from bookkeeping into controller/CFO support as your company gets more sophisticated.
• Reconciled — Particularly interesting if you want a virtual accounting department with a progression from bookkeeping into controller and CFO services.
• RSM US — Consider this for a substantially larger or more complex business, especially if you need technical accounting, controlled month-end close, M&A support, audit readiness, or SEC-related expertise.
• Burkland Associates — Especially relevant for venture-backed companies wanting an embedded accounting/finance team, tax, payroll, strategic finance, and fractional CFO capabilities.
• Graphite Financial — Another strong choice for high-growth startups that need accounting, tax, FP&A, and fractional CFO capabilities.

If you're in Los Angeles

There are also some local firms worth interviewing, particularly if you prefer a high-touch relationship:

• Punch Financial - Bookkeeping, Accounting & CFO Services — outsourced accounting/controller plus fractional CFO, with a growth-company orientation.
• ALC (aka A La CARTE) — LA-based outsourced finance, accounting, HR/payroll, and CFO advisory.
• Northstar Financial Consulting Group — positions itself as an integrated finance pod spanning bookkeeping, accounting/controller, CFO, and tax strategy.
• Complete Controller Los Angeles, CA - Bookkeeping Service — more focused on outsourced bookkeeping/controller-style support.
• Prime Accounting Solutions, LLC - Culver City — small-business-oriented accounting, tax, bookkeeping, and fractional CFO support.

How I'd narrow it down

One important distinction: don't compare firms solely on monthly bookkeeping price. Ask exactly who owns the month-end close, who reviews the work, what reports you'll receive, whether they handle AP/AR/payroll, who communicates with your tax CPA/auditor, and whether a controller/CFO is actually included. Those differences can make seemingly similar proposals radically different.

If you tell me your annual revenue, industry, approximate monthly transaction volume, and whether you need bookkeeping only vs. controller/CFO, I can narrow this to the 3 firms I'd interview first and give you a target monthly budget.

Choosing the right outsourced accounting firm depends heavily on the size of your business , your industry , and how much support you need (from basic transaction categorization to high-level fractional CFO services).

Top outsourced accounting and bookkeeping providers are categorized below by company size and specialization to help guide your search:

• Bench Accounting: Best for small businesses and solo founders wanting an intuitive digital platform paired with human bookkeeping and year-end tax filing support.
• Bookkeeper360: Best for small-to-midsize businesses looking for scalable, highly customizable financial management—ranging from daily bookkeeping and payroll to sales tax and CFO advisory.
• Pilot: Best for VC-backed tech startups and high-growth companies that need automated, investor-ready financial operations, tax compliance, and scalable bookkeeping.
• PABS (Pacific Accounting and Business Services): Best for businesses and CPA firms looking for a robust "blended-shore" partner capable of handling heavy-duty data processing, accounts payable/receivable, and complex accounting workflows.
• Whiz Consulting: Best for multi-industry businesses seeking comprehensive financial outsourcing, including specialized virtual CFO services and localized tax compliance.
• Baker Tilly (Managed Services): Best for mid-market to enterprise-level organizations requiring deep corporate compliance, risk advisory, and sophisticated enterprise accounting infrastructure.

To help narrow down which of these fits best, tell me:

• What is the size of your business (revenue or number of employees)?
• Do you primarily need basic bookkeeping , or are you looking for tax filing and strategic CFO services?

• M. A. Pawlowski Accounting Group, LLC - 10800 Pearl Rd # B6, Strongsville, OH 44136, United States
• Thryve Group LLC - 3601 S Green Rd Unit 102, Beachwood, OH 44122, United States
• Western Reserve Consulting - 12501 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, United States
• Rea - 6300 Rockside Rd, Independence, OH 44131, United States
• BMF - Bober Markey Fedorovich - 600 Superior Ave #925, Cleveland, OH 44114, United States
• Iota Finance - 30405 Solon Rd Ste 3, Solon, OH 44139, United States
• Uehlinger, Tablack CPAs - 8225 Brecksville Rd, Brecksville, OH 44141, United States
• Pinnacle Accounting - 24600 Center Ridge Rd Suite 215, Westlake, OH 44145, United States
• Szweda Consulting, LLC - 4827 Southwood Dr, Cleveland, OH 44144, United States
• Simic CPA Company - 6485 Ridge Rd, Parma, OH 44129, United States
• CBW Accounting & Tax - 28601 Chagrin Blvd Ste 200, Beachwood, OH 44122, United States
• Newman & Company, CPAs - 55 public square, Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States
• Iota Finance - Cleveland, OH 44113
• Commercial Enterprises Tax and Accounting - 5720 Fleet Ave, Cleveland, OH 44105, United States
• First Invest Inc., Accounting & Tax Services - 2301 Payne Ave #200, Cleveland, OH 44114, United States
• JP Tax Service and Accounting - 18975 Villaview Rd #3, Cleveland, OH 44119, United States

If you're looking for an outsourced accounting partner rather than just a tax preparer, I'd shortlist firms that can handle monthly close + bookkeeping + AP/AR + financial reporting, and optionally add controller or fractional CFO support as you grow.

Since you're in the Cleveland/Strongsville area, I'd consider these first:

• M. A. Pawlowski Accounting Group, LLC — Best for a small business wanting hands-on local support. They specifically offer outsourced bookkeeping, payroll, financial statements, AP/AR, monthly closes and tax support.
• Thryve Group LLC — Best for a growing small business. Combines outsourced bookkeeping with tax planning and fractional CFO services.
• Western Reserve Consulting — Best for fractional CFO + accounting. Particularly interesting if you want someone to go beyond bookkeeping into cash flow, planning and business operations.
• Rea — Best for a larger/growing company that wants a more established CPA firm. Offers outsourced accounting, controller/CFO support, payroll, forecasting and financial analysis.
• BMF - Bober Markey Fedorovich — Best for more sophisticated finance needs. Their outsourced accounting offering includes close support, financial reporting, cash-flow analysis, controllership and outsourced CFO services.
• Iota Finance — Best for a tech-forward, strategic finance model. Their offering goes from bookkeeping through fractional CFO, forecasting, KPIs, investor reporting and financial modeling.
• Uehlinger, Tablack CPAs — Worth considering if you're in a specialized industry. They offer outsourced CFO/controller services and have experience with manufacturing, distribution, professional practices, real estate, retail and technology.

Nationally, inDinero is another one I'd put on the comparison list; current industry rankings show it heavily focused on finance/accounting outsourcing and fractional CFO services.

My suggested shortlist

If I were narrowing this to three firms to interview, I'd start with:

1. Thryve Group — modern small-business/fractional-CFO approach.
2. Western Reserve Consulting — strong if you want accounting plus operational finance.
3. Rea or BMF — better if you're already fairly substantial and need a deeper accounting/CPA infrastructure.

The key question isn't really "Who has the best accountants?" It's how much of your finance function do you want them to own? A good outsourced firm should be able to tell you exactly who does your bookkeeping, who reviews the books, who owns the month-end close, when financials are delivered, and what happens when something doesn't reconcile.

If you tell me your annual revenue, number of employees, industry, accounting software (e.g. QuickBooks), and what you want outsourced, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms and compare likely pricing, services, and fit.

If you mean outsourcing some or all of your accounting/finance function—bookkeeping, monthly close, controller work, FP&A, or CFO support—I’d put these firms on the shortlist:

• cbiz.com — Strong all-around choice for mid-sized companies that want outsourced accounting plus controller/CFO capabilities, reporting, forecasting, and internal controls.
• bdo.com — Best to consider if you have a more complex finance function, significant reporting requirements, international operations, transactions, or need technical accounting expertise. Its outsourced offering spans transactional accounting through FP&A and strategic finance.
• aprio.com — Particularly attractive for growing companies and industry-specific businesses. It combines outsourced accounting with FP&A, payroll/HR, tax compliance, and fractional CFO services.
• rsmus.com — Worth considering for middle-market companies that need a sophisticated finance/accounting partner and may eventually require broader advisory, tax, transaction, or audit-related capabilities.
• pilot.com — A more technology-oriented option worth considering for startups and smaller businesses, particularly if you primarily need bookkeeping/accounting with the ability to add finance support.
• burklandassociates.com — Especially interesting for venture-backed startups, where fractional CFO leadership and finance operations are more important than traditional bookkeeping alone.
• kruzeconsulting.com — Another startup-oriented option, particularly if you need accounting combined with tax, CFO, and fundraising/venture-finance expertise.

How I'd narrow it down

I wouldn't choose solely based on the firm's name. The specific team assigned to you, monthly-close process, accounting-system expertise, offshore/onshore staffing model, and what is actually included in the monthly fee matter enormously.

If you tell me (1) annual revenue, (2) industry, (3) number of entities, (4) current accounting software, (5) whether you need bookkeeping vs. controller/CFO, and (6) approximate monthly budget, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are genuinely appropriate for your situation and compare estimated cost, strengths, weaknesses, and questions to ask during the sales calls.

Choosing the right outsourced accounting firm depends heavily on your company's size, budget, and whether you need basic bookkeeping or high-level fractional CFO advisory.

dynamicMapPlaceholder(naturalLanguagePrompt="Major outsourced accounting and advisory firms with national or global presence like CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), RSM US, and Baker Tilly")

Small Business & Startup Specialists

• Bookkeeper360 : Best overall for small-to-midsize businesses wanting a wide range of scalable services, from daily bookkeeping and payroll to tax prep and fractional CFO advisory.
• inDinero : Ideal for growth-stage businesses and startups needing comprehensive cleanup, GAAP compliance, and streamlined day-to-day operations.
• Pilot : Great for venture-backed startups looking for tech-forward, investor-ready financial operations and reporting.
• Merritt Bookkeeping : A straightforward, simplified choice if you are looking for fixed-rate, basic bookkeeping without complex advisory needs.

Mid-Market & Enterprise Solutions (Finance-as-a-Service)

• CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) : Provides turnkey, scalable financial outsourcing backed by the deep industry expertise of a top national accounting firm.
• RSM US : Offers robust Finance-as-a-Service (FaaS) models tailored for scaling organizations dealing with rapid growth or talent shortages.
• Baker Tilly (Managed Services) : Excels at blending advanced technology with managed accounting operations for mid-to-large businesses.

Dedicated Global & Offshore-Enabled Partners

• PABS (Pacific Accounting and Business Services) : Highly rated for blended-shore accounting support, handling transactional workflows and scalable back-office tasks.
• TOA Global : A leading provider focused on scaling internal accounting teams by supplying dedicated offshore accounting and bookkeeping professionals.

To help narrow down the best fit, could you share:

• What is your company's size (revenue or number of employees)?
• Do you primarily need routine bookkeeping , or higher-level tax and CFO strategy?

When looking to outsource your financial operations, the best firm depends heavily on your company size, industry , and scope of need (ranging from basic bookkeeping to high-level fractional CFO advisory).

Top Outsourced Accounting Options by Business Segment

Key Criteria to Evaluate

• Team Credentials: Ensure the workflow involves oversight from experienced professionals or CPAs rather than just data-entry bookkeepers.
• Tech Stack Compatibility: Look for firms that integrate directly with your current software ecosystem (such as QuickBooks Online, Xero, or NetSuite) rather than forcing a disruptive platform migration.
• Industry Expertise: Select a provider with a proven track record serving companies with a similar revenue model or compliance landscape (e.g., SaaS, e-commerce, or multi-state operations).

To help narrow down the ideal firm, please share:

• Your company size or annual revenue
• Your industry (e.g., retail, tech startup, healthcare)
• Whether you need basic bookkeeping or advanced fractional CFO/tax strategy

The right outsourced accounting firm depends heavily on your company size, industry, accounting complexity, and whether you need bookkeeping only or a true finance function (controller/CFO, reporting, AP/AR, close, tax coordination). A good shortlist to consider:

For startups and growth companies

• pilot.com — Strong fit for startups and tech companies that want cloud-based bookkeeping, tax support, and optional CFO services. Good if you use tools like QuickBooks, Stripe, Gusto, and modern SaaS workflows.
• kruzeconsulting.com — Specializes in venture-backed startups, especially those needing investor-ready books, R&D tax support, and startup-specific accounting processes.
• burklandassociates.com — Better suited for funded startups needing fractional finance leadership and strategic finance support.

For small and midsize businesses

• bookkeeper360.com — A flexible option for bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and fractional CFO services as a company grows.
• acuity.co — Good for companies that want to move beyond bookkeeping into controller-level reporting and finance operations.
• indinero.com — Often considered by growing businesses looking for a broader outsourced accounting relationship.
• accountingdepartment.com — Focuses on outsourced accounting teams for businesses that need recurring accounting operations.

For larger companies or complex finance operations

• rsmus.com — Good fit for middle-market companies needing more sophisticated finance, accounting, and advisory capabilities.
• bdo.com — Useful when outsourced accounting is part of a broader advisory, tax, or compliance relationship.
• genpact.com — Better suited for large-scale finance and accounting outsourcing programs with automation and shared-service needs.

What I would evaluate before choosing

1. Scope

• Bookkeeping only?
• Monthly close?
• Controller?
• Cash forecasting?
• CFO strategy?
• Tax preparation?

2. Your accounting stack

• QuickBooks Online
• NetSuite
• Xero
• Sage Intacct
• ERP integrations

3. Close process Ask: “Can you close my books by day 10 (or faster) every month with reconciliations and management reporting?”
4. Team structure

• Named accountant vs rotating staff
• U.S.-based oversight vs offshore delivery
• Who reviews the work?

5. Security and controls Look for clear access controls, audit trails, confidentiality practices, and experience handling your industry’s compliance needs.

A practical shortlist by situation

• Solo founder / small business: Bookkeeper360, Pilot, AccountingDepartment.com
• $1M–$20M revenue company: Acuity, inDinero, Bookkeeper360
• VC-backed startup: Kruze, Pilot, Burkland
• $20M+ or complex operations: RSM, BDO, Genpact

If you share your industry, annual revenue, location, accounting software, and whether you need bookkeeping vs controller/CFO support, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that fit your situation.