Frequently Asked Questions

How do I decide which services to outsource?

Barsa offers a wide range of outsourcing solutions and services for accounting departments. The services you opt to outsource will depend upon several factors, which may include company size, expected growth rate and strategic objectives. We conduct a full-scale needs analysis with every new client to determine which outsource services will offer the best solutions to meet current business needs.

Is Barsa outsourcing a cost-effective alternative?

This will depend on the unique needs of your business and the particular mix of services required. We will determine together in the discovery process if our outsource model is in your best interest. In almost every case, the cost of outsourcing to Barsa is more cost-effective than hiring and managing a full-time accounting department.

How does Barsa’s outsourcing differ from part-time bookkeepers and CPAs?

Bookkeepers and CPA firms tend to offer a very narrow range of capabilities. Should companies evolve beyond the limited scope of their services, they can no longer function effectively in the business. However, when companies outsource to Barsa, they get a strategic partner, someone who anticipates and responds to the changing needs of their business. As accounting requirements change in size and sophistication, so do Barsa’s outsource services.

Does sensitive information remain secure?

All sensitive data is stored and maintained on our secure systems, which are protected by highly sophisticated firewalls. In addition, all information is password protected. The only people at Barsa that have access to an individual company’s data are those working directly on that account. The only people outside Barsa who have access to this information are those with which you establish a password.

Do I have full access and control of all financial information?

Information remains available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Although we maintain company information on our secure server, your employees, who are provided passwords, have access to this information at all times.

When do companies benefit from Barsa outsourcing?

If a company’s core business functions do not include accounting or information technology, then Barsa outsourcing is a viable alternative. Barsa clients tend to share one or more of the following criteria:

• Emerging companies with little or no infrastructure
  
  
• Fast-growth companies that have a need to rapidly add new people and infrastructure
  
  
• Companies that do not currently need a sophisticated in-house accounting department, but may need one at a later date
  
  
• Companies that want to reduce or avoid overhead by eliminating all but the most essential back-office accounting functions
  
  
• Companies that only require assistance on a project or short-term basis

How do I work with a Barsa outsource team and what is the team’s availability?

Each client is assigned a team to handle the details of their account. The team make-up depends on the type and extent of the outsource services, but typically include a junior accountant, a senior accountant and a manager to review financials. These teams cannot be available around the clock, but Barsa does offer 24-hour access to critical financial data.

What if I decide to bring Barsa outsource services in-house?

There are times when this becomes most beneficial for a company. Barsa considers this the ultimate proof of a job well done. Should we decide together that this is the most economical and strategic direction for the accounting department, then Barsa works closely with executive management to define in-house positions and responsibilities, source qualified candidates, assist with the hiring process and help structure the new in-house departments for success moving forward.

Over the years, Barsa has helped many clients develop from a start-up firm that outsourced every back-office accounting and IT function to a well-established and prospering business with internal accounting and information technology departments. These transitions typically include implementation of one or more Barsa software and/or hardware solutions designed to enable clients to effectively manage business systems on their own. More information about our integrated solutions is available on our products page.