For UK business owners and busy executives, accounting software is both essential and time-consuming. Tools like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, and similar platforms are designed to simplify finances, yet they still require daily attention, accuracy, and consistency. As businesses grow, many decision makers reach a familiar crossroads. Do you hire locally, outsource bookkeeping entirely, or bring in a virtual assistant who can manage accounting software support at a lower cost?
In recent years, hiring offshore virtual assistants has become a mainstream strategy for UK companies that want efficiency without the overheads of in-house staff. However, pricing varies widely, and much of the information online lacks context, especially when it comes to accounting software support rather than general admin work.
This guide explores the average cost of hiring a virtual assistant for accounting software support, with a clear focus on UK-based businesses hiring offshore talent, particularly from the Philippines. We also compare offshore VAs with UK-based virtual assistants and in-house hires, so you can make an informed decision grounded in real numbers and practical insight.
What does “accounting software support” actually include?
Before discussing cost, it is important to clarify what accounting software support usually means in practice. Many competitors fail to define this clearly, which often leads to mismatched expectations.
In most UK SMEs, accounting software support typically includes:
- Managing invoices and bills within platforms like Xero or QuickBooks
- Reconciling bank feeds and resolving transaction mismatches
- Categorising expenses accurately
- Maintaining accounts payable and accounts receivable records
- Preparing reports for month-end or year-end review
- Supporting VAT preparation workflows under Making Tax Digital
- Coordinating with accountants rather than replacing them
This role is not about offering regulated accounting advice. Instead, it focuses on operational accuracy, consistency, and system management. That distinction matters, because it directly affects cost.
Why UK businesses are outsourcing accounting software support
The shift toward offshore virtual assistants is not driven by cost alone. It is driven by practicality.
UK businesses, especially in property, tech, professional services, medical support, and engineering, increasingly rely on real-time financial data. Yet hiring locally comes with high fixed costs and limited flexibility.
Many business owners tell us they do not need a full-time UK bookkeeper, but they do need someone in their systems daily. Others want to reduce pressure on directors or finance managers who are still doing reconciliations late at night.
This is where offshore accounting support fits naturally.
Common reasons UK companies choose this route include:
- Reducing staffing costs without sacrificing accuracy
- Gaining daily accounting support rather than monthly bookkeeping
- Avoiding employment liabilities and office overheads
- Scaling support hours up or down as the business grows
Average cost of virtual assistants for accounting software support
UK-based virtual assistants
Let us start with local benchmarks, because they shape buyer expectations.
In the United Kingdom, virtual assistants with accounting or bookkeeping experience typically charge:
- £25 to £45 per hour for freelance accounting VAs
- £30 to £60 per hour for specialist or senior support
At these rates, even part-time support of 20 hours per week can exceed £2,400 per month. For many SMEs, this cost is difficult to justify when the work is largely operational.
In-house accounting staff in the UK
Hiring internally remains the most expensive option.
A junior to mid-level bookkeeping or accounting support role in the UK often costs:
- £25,000 to £35,000 annual salary
- Plus employer National Insurance, pension contributions, and benefits
- Plus workspace, equipment, and management time
Once overheads are included, total annual cost can easily exceed £35,000 to £45,000. This makes in-house hiring unsuitable for many growing businesses that only need structured software support rather than a full finance department.
Offshore virtual assistants (Philippines focus)
This is where the cost difference becomes significant.
The Philippines has become a leading destination for virtual accounting support due to strong English proficiency, cultural compatibility with UK businesses, and a mature outsourcing ecosystem.
Industry-wide data shows that offshore accounting virtual assistants typically cost:
- £4 to £8 per hour when hired directly or through agencies
- £700 to £1,500 per month for full-time support depending on provider
This is why searches related to offshore accounting Philippines continue to grow among UK business owners looking for sustainable cost savings without sacrificing reliability.
However, hourly comparisons alone do not tell the full story. Structure and quality control matter just as much as price.
Our pricing model at Teambuild Consultancy
At our company, Teambuild Consultancy, we take a different approach from many competitors who focus purely on hourly rates.
Our pricing is structured around availability and continuity, not fragmented task billing. This aligns better with how accounting software support actually works in day-to-day operations.
We currently offer two simple and transparent options:
- Part-time support at £500 per month
- 4 hours per day
- 5 days per week
- Full-time support at £900 per month
- 8 hours per day
- 5 days per week
Our pricing is slightly different, but it is ideal for people who need consistent daily support rather than sporadic freelance availability. For many UK businesses, this structure removes the anxiety of watching the clock or tracking billable minutes.
When broken down, this works out to an effective hourly rate of roughly £5 to £6, which sits well within offshore market norms while offering far more stability.
What most competitors fail to explain about cost
After reviewing competitor content in this space, several important buyer intents are often missed.
1. How many hours do you actually need?
Most blogs quote hourly rates without helping readers estimate usage.
In reality:
- Small service businesses often need 10 to 20 hours per week
- Property and e-commerce businesses may need daily support
- VAT-registered companies benefit from ongoing reconciliation rather than quarterly cleanup
Without guidance on workload, pricing comparisons become meaningless.
2. The difference between bookkeeping services and VA support
Many competitors blur the line between outsourced bookkeeping packages and virtual assistants.
Bookkeeping services often cost £150 to £500 per month, but they usually operate on a monthly or quarterly cadence. That works for compliance, but not for real-time financial visibility.
A virtual assistant embedded in your accounting software provides:
- Daily updates
- Faster issue resolution
- Better cash flow awareness
This distinction is rarely explained, yet it heavily influences value.
3. The hidden cost of management and rework
Cheap hourly rates often hide operational risk.
Poor data entry, inconsistent categorisation, or missed reconciliations can cost far more in accountant correction fees later. That is why vetting, training, and oversight matter just as much as headline pricing.
Industry-specific use cases
Different industries experience accounting software support differently. This is another area where generic competitor content falls short.
Property businesses
Property companies often deal with:
- Recurring rent transactions
- Maintenance expenses
- Multiple properties or entities
Daily support keeps records clean and prevents backlogs that complicate reporting.
Tech and engineering firms
These businesses typically need:
- Accurate cost tracking
- Subscription or project-based invoicing
- Clean data for investors or management reports
Consistent software management supports decision-making, not just compliance.
Medical and professional services
Here, accuracy and confidentiality are critical. Accounting software support reduces administrative burden while allowing practitioners to focus on clients or patients.
Why offshore does not mean lower quality
One common concern among UK decision makers is quality control.
In our experience, quality depends far more on process and screening than geography. Many professionals in the Philippines are university educated, experienced with UK accounting platforms, and accustomed to working UK hours.
At our company, Teambuild Consultancy, we invest heavily in matching the right talent to the right industry context. While we do not focus on our six-step hiring process here, it exists precisely to address the quality risks that competitors often ignore.
Security, compliance, and UK regulations
Another missing intent in competitor content relates to security and compliance.
Accounting software support can be outsourced safely when:
- Role-based access is used within platforms like Xero or QuickBooks
- Sensitive credentials are managed securely
- Clear boundaries exist between operational support and regulated accounting work
Virtual assistants do not replace accountants. They support them. This distinction ensures UK compliance while improving efficiency.
How to decide if this model is right for you
Hiring an offshore virtual assistant for accounting software support is not about replacing your accountant or cutting corners. It is about reallocating time and cost more intelligently.
This model works best if you:
- Want daily visibility rather than monthly bookkeeping
- Are paying too much for local admin-heavy accounting support
- Prefer predictable monthly costs
- Need someone experienced with digital accounting tools rather than manual processes
If your goal is to hire a virtual assistant experienced with digital accounting tools, structured offshore support often delivers the best balance of cost, quality, and scalability.
Final thoughts for UK business owners
The average cost of hiring a virtual assistant for accounting software support varies widely, but the trend is clear. UK businesses are moving away from expensive local models and toward offshore solutions that offer consistency, transparency, and value.
UK-based VAs typically cost £25 to £45 per hour. In-house hires cost even more once overheads are included. Offshore virtual assistants, particularly from the Philippines, offer high-quality support at a fraction of that cost when structured properly.
At our company, Teambuild Consultancy, we focus on providing predictable, long-term support rather than fragmented freelance arrangements. Our pricing reflects that philosophy and is designed for business owners and executives who want accounting systems that simply work, every day.
When done correctly, offshore accounting software support is not just cheaper. It is often better aligned with how modern UK businesses operate.
