Structuring your company’s accounting operations is always a challenge, no matter your size or success level. One of the questions companies often find themselves asking is about the differences between financial controllers and accountants.

When it comes to controller vs accountant, the truth is that there isn’t a world of difference between the two. Financial controllers and accountants are closely related. The main difference between the two roles is the level of oversight controllers provide to their respective organizations. This article discusses the differences between an accountant and a controller. Though the two roles have differences, they are both integral parts of any accounting team.

Continue reading to learn about the differences between an accountant and a controller.

At Fully Accountable, we understand your business has unique accounting needs. Our full-service digital accounting firm — equipped with digital accountants, controllers, and chief financial officers — can formulate a comprehensive accounting plan that suits your industry needs.

Accountant Vs. Controller

When considering controller vs accountant, it’s important to understand that while both handle financial data, controllers take on a more strategic role overseeing accounting operations. Whether you hire a full-time accountant or controller or you use outsourced accounting services, accountants and controllers mostly offer the same services. However, a controller is a more senior controller position responsible for managing the firm’s accountant-related activities.

Junior accountants rarely hold controller positions. The majority of controllers also have at least several years of experience and various professional certifications. Additionally, most controllers start as certified public accountants. They then work their way up in corporate settings before earning the trust necessary to fulfill controller duties.

To cut it short, the difference between accountant and controller lies in the scope of their responsibilities. Accountants focus on financial reporting and compliance, while controllers manage the entire accounting framework.

What Is an Accountant? 

On the whole, non-controller accountants perform simpler accounting tasks than controllers. Some of these responsibilities include tax auditing, cost accounting, and internal reports. 

Every certified public accountant also understands how to complete bookkeeping tasks and oversees other bookkeepers’ optimal performance. They work to prevent fraud and maintain the company’s financial statements’ accuracy for co-workers, investors, creditors, and regulators.

What Is a Controller?

A controller in accounting acts as the chief accounting officer, overseeing financial management, internal controls, and reporting processes for a business. The role of a controller’s role involves handling the entire accounting operations for organizations. They are essentially the chief accounting officers for organizations, and they play critical roles in organizing and executing accounting actions. For smaller companies, controllers set up an effective accounting infrastructure. For larger companies, controllers act as an overseer. Regardless of the company’s size, you need a controller for your business when the accounting becomes too much to handle for you or your accountants.

A controller does this at a company, but to do their job, they must also have some financial data analysis skills. Controllers do not need to fulfill as many forecasting responsibilities as CFOs. However, they still have to fulfill some requirements, particularly in tax management. Chief financial officers can also call on them to offer their perspectives on investments, creditor relationships, or corporate governance.

Companies might have a controller hierarchy, wherein a head controller has two or three controllers underneath them. Assistant controllers are less experienced and spend more time on day-to-day bookkeeping responsibilities. These responsibilities include data collection and regulatory or statutory reporting.

Key Differences in Education and Skills 

Anybody with a background in finance, statistics, mathematics, or economics and a broad understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) can complete bookkeeping duties. 

However, for more senior-level accountant jobs, candidates must have their certified public accountant license. In many cases, they must also be a certified management accountant (CMA), a chartered financial analyst (CFA), or hold different accounting certifications. For senior-level positions, an average of three to six years of experience is preferred. Tax accountants or junior auditors might only require one to three years of experience.

Financial Expertise

Experience is the best teacher, and controllers typically have more of it than accountants. While both positions have a foundational knowledge of accounting principles, controllers have seen the practical implications of that knowledge and use it to make profitable decisions for organizations. Accountants should have the same knowledge as controllers, but they simply haven’t put it to use yet. 

Generalist or Expert  

Accountants have the opportunity to hone their skills and specialize in certain aspects of accounting. Controllers have to be experts in a wide range of accounting principles. As a controller, you have to analyze the accounting functions of the whole organization. Whereas accountants can focus on one process, controllers ensure the entire accounting team’s success.

Data Vs. Information 

With controllers’ backgrounds in accounting and business, they can provide input into forecasting and financial strategy. Accountants haven’t developed the experience to analyze financial data yet. They still focus on the accuracy, compliance, and reporting of that financial data. 

Controllers interpret the data and build it into something more useful that provides guidance and facilitates tangible benefits. The controller may use the data to develop and maintain a financial forecast. They will also incorporate cash flow projections and sustainable financial growth models. 

If the data points to inefficiencies, controllers can establish internal controls to improve the financial model or change the existing model. 

Bookkeeping Vs. Accounting Vs. Advisory 

An easier way to think about the accounting hierarchy is to separate the roles into three categories: bookkeeping, accounting, and advisory roles. 

Bookkeeping: 

Bookkeepers enter data into the company’s books and keep track of financial statements up to date. They track all income and expenses, pay bills, respond to outstanding invoices, and track payroll, as well as ensure tax compliance. 

Accountant:

In smaller-to-medium-sized businesses, the accountant might perform some of the bookkeeping responsibilities. However, in larger companies, accountants perform more in-depth accounting procedures and have a higher experience level. Accountants typically oversee bookkeepers, perform billing, conduct larger ledger entries, review accounts payable activity, and operate payroll smoothly. 

Controller:

So, what does an accounting controller do? Controllers ensure accurate financial reporting, manage tax compliance, and implement financial strategies for sustainable growth. Controllers oversee the accounting operations of the entire organization. They manage the accounting functions, facilitate month-end close processes, and perform financial statements reporting functions essential to the business. 

The controller is the first level of advisory within a company’s accounting structure. However, above them, the chief financial officers provide an even larger advisory role. 

CFO:

What do CFOs do? The chief financial officers (CFO) project the long-term financial picture for an organization. They help the company thrive based on their analysis and oversee the controller fulfilling their responsibilities. 

CFOs also oversee the business’s investment and capital procurement process. They analyze the company’s debt and equity ratio and take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the company. CFOs have to understand the company’s financial positioning within the broader context of their industry. 

Do You Need an Accountant or a Controller?

A small business may only need an accountant, as financial controller salaries can be expensive. For example, while the average salary for an accountant is around $73,000, the median annual salary for a controller is $130,000.

Larger businesses, such as enterprise-level companies, don’t need one or the other; they need both. More specifically, they need an accounting department full of accounting professionals who can parse through loads of financial information to develop financial documents, such as cash flow statements, which inform financial leadership and improve the financial health of the company. They need a team of people focused on bringing sustainable financial results and implementing a solid accounting infrastructure.

Hiring an accounting team brings credibility to your numbers. Controllers take the credibility and help you work with investors or run meetings with the board of directors. A full-service accounting team does more than simple bookkeeping. It implements and executes a financial strategy that brings continued success to your business.

Fully Accountable — Outsourced Accountant, Controller, and CFO Services

Understanding the difference between controller and accounting manager is essential. Accounting managers focus on daily financial tasks, while controllers oversee financial planning and policy implementation. The difference between an accountant and a controller is the level of oversight controllers provide organizations compared to accountants. Controllers ensure that an organization’s accounting procedures run smoothly. Accountants focus more specifically on one aspect of the business’s financial operations, ensuring proper reporting and compliance.

At Fully Accountable, our full-service outsourced accounting firm is here to fill all your financial needs. Need a fractional CFO? A Strategic CFO? Or just a controller or bookkeeper? Regardless, our accountants provide real-time results. Implement the accounting infrastructure you need.

Sustain financial performance and predict future outcomes. Our accountants not only ensure compliance by overseeing your accounting infrastructure. We also provide future forecasting and financial strategy based on your company’s organizational needs.

Contact us today to learn more about controller and CFO services.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Firms facing cash flow issues are forced to lay off workers amid the COVID-19 crisis. Besides that, the number of jobs is declining, while the employee pool is expanding rapidly. Not only are new graduates looking for work-from-home options, but a large number of laid-off workers are also left searching for alternate positions. While most of this news is disheartening, it does mean that this is an excellent time to outsource. More expertise is available, at more efficient cost-levels, with experienced professionals now willing to work on a contract basis.

In the rest of this article, you will learn the real impact of COVID-19 on the labor market. However, before we begin, it’s important to understand that there is another reason that contributes to a mismatch between the number of job seekers and the number of available jobs. Let’s discuss this reason in detail.

General Factor Widening the Job-Worker Gap

One significant factor that leads to a higher gap between available jobs and the number of job seekers is the poor pairing between employers and employees. Each worker and job has unique characteristics so some job-worker pairings prove more productive than others.

It is extremely difficult for workers and employers to predict the right pairing. Not every company or job seeker is willing to invest time and resources to search for the best match. This mismatch can be between the skills and location required for a particular job versus the skills and geographical preferences of the job seeker.

This idea was first introduced in the 1970s by a group of European economists who tried to understand the alarmingly high unemployment levels in some countries. Since then, economists in the US have been investing in this mismatch and discovering whether it is a reason for high unemployment in the country.

We are not talking about one skill set. Each industry, occupation, and education level has its own set of required skills. Even the geographical characteristics can be measurable at different levels, for example, they can be measured in terms of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), states, and even broader regions.

In the contemporary labor market, most jobs are created in technologically advanced companies, whereas the majority of job losses occur in other industries. Since the newly created jobs, such as those in high-tech companies require different sets of skills from what unemployed workers possess, companies and workers struggle to find the best matches.

For instance, there’s not much they can do if a majority of jobs are lost in the construction and manufacturing sectors, whereas a number of jobs are created across education, healthcare, and the technology sectors.

Yet, studies suggest that the overall state of economic activity, including the launch of new businesses and their growth levels, is the main driver of the labor market. Since economic activity has been severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the labor market suffers.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Labor Market

With lockdowns imposed by the government, offices and factories were closed and people were confined to their homes. Small and medium-sized businesses, which are the biggest employers in the country, have had to lay off workers.

As a consequence, job seekers are increasing and the number of available jobs is declining.

Let’s take a look at some recent events in different industries that highlight the impact of COVID-19 on the labor market:

Logistics and Manufacturing

• General Electric made 2,500 workers redundant, i.e., 10% of its workforce for jet engine division.
• 100 workers were laid off by Arconic, a lightweight metals manufacturer, from its factory in Lafayette, Indiana.
• A metal plating finisher in Michigan, Marsh Plating Corporation, laid off 97 workers temporarily.
• When shipments from China stopped, the Port of Los Angeles laid off 145 drivers.
• Wayzata Home, a cabinetmaker in Minnesota, was forced to lay off all 141 workers.
• A woodworker located in Michigan laid off 25 workers for the time being.
• When operations for the Michigan-based Tilden Mining Co. came to a halt on April 26, the company temporarily laid off around 680 employees.
• 360 workers were temporarily laid off by Mitchel Plastics in Charlestown, Indiana.

Restaurants

• Reportedly, Ritz-Carlton hotel’s facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, let go of all restaurant staff.
• Burgerville in Oregon made 162 workers redundant.
• A Starbucks competitor in Washington D.C, named Compass Coffee, let go of 150 of its staff. That’s 80% of the coffee shop staff.
• 95 workers were laid off by Dyn365, a restaurant in Austin, Texas.
• Eatwell DC, a restaurant group in the District of Columbia, laid off 160 employees.
• 40,000 workers were temporarily laid off by the parent company of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Del Frisco’s, Laundry’s Inc.
• The provider of food services in Levi’s Stadium of Santa Clara, CA, Levy’s Premium Foodservice, laid off 613 works.

Technology Sector

• As Airbnb decided to stop projects associated with transportation, luxury stays, and hotels, it laid off 1900 employees that constituted 25% of its labor force.
• Bird, a vehicle-sharing platform, laid off 406 employees from its staff of 1,300, that is, 30% of the workforce.
• Four Silicon Valley startups, namely Eight Sleep, Triplebyte, Cabin, and The Guild, laid off a total of 75 workers.
• After being hit by the COVID-19 crisis, a car rental startup, called GetAround, laid off over 100 employees.
• Compass, a real estate startup in New York City, let go of 15% of its staff.
• ConsenSys, a cryptocurrency incubator, laid off 14% of its workforce, reportedly 91 employees.
• DataRobot, an AI company headquartered in Boston, laid off an undisclosed number of employees.
• As its events around the globe were canceled, Eventbrite, an event management firm, laid off 50% of its workforce.
• Everlane, a fashion startup, furloughed and laid off over 200 employees from its retail and other divisions.
• KeepTruckin, a trucking unicorn, laid off 1/5th of its staff.

Aviation Sector

• As its planned flights were cut by 80% for April alone, Air Canada plans to let go of 5,100 members from its cabin crew.
• After announcing that it would lay off 10% of its workforce in April, Boeing reportedly let go of 6,770 employees; the figure also includes voluntary layoffs and natural turnover.
• Australia’s biggest travel agent, Flight Center, plans to let go of one-third of its 20,000 workforces.
• Hertz, a popular car rental company, intends to lay off 10,000 employees from its Northern American division.
• Concession vendors of the Miami International Airport, Airport Concessions and Global Miami Joint Venture, laid off a total of 758 workers.
• Prospect, an aviation support service company, laid off around 100 workers at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
• Workers in Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport have also been laid off.

The above-listed examples give you an idea about the seriousness of the situation. You just can’t keep track of the number of lost jobs in Tourism, Aviation, Arts and entertainment, Education, Hospitality, Finance, Logistics, Real Estate, Retail, Technology, Sports, film industry, etc.

Following the situation, imagine how rapidly the job seekers’ pool is growing during these days. With little hope for small businesses, you can’t expect the creation of more jobs, too. Hence, the gap between employee pool and available jobs continues to reach new heights with every passing day.

So how do you address the horrific labor market situation? Let’s find out:

How to Rebuild Jobs Amid the COVID-19 Crisis

According to McKinsey and Company, governments, their partners, and leaders in the private, public, and social sectors need speed, innovation, and focus to manage the fast-evolving job crisis. While the fight against the pandemic is still not over, many countries have shown evidence of a reduction in the number of infections.

Countries that seem to be recovering, plan to transition into a phase in which the lockdowns can be eased while the testing of patients still remains strictly in place. As they transition into this new phase, recreating and safeguarding jobs should become a critical priority for countries, states, counties, and cities. They should first identify the industries most affected by the pandemic and then boldly intervene to drive business activity and recreate jobs for them.

The interventions should also focus on stimulating consumer demand by rebuilding confidence. For instance, countries that faced terror attacks in the past saw their tourism industry collapse. They recovered the lost demand by rebuilding local confidence in the industry and then moved to the global markets. One way to this is to offer discounts and vouchers to targeted customers.

The COVID-19 crisis urges re-skilling in three different areas:

1. The need for social distancing requires you to work from home. This calls for innovations in managing employees and work. It also places emphasis on creativity while training employees.
2. The re-skilling model values minimal intervention and a new system to spot those skills. For instance, microcredits are expected to replace traditional degrees in some industries.
3. The mindset of establishing a competitive advantage for personal profits must shift toward focusing on the overall well-being of society. Competing firms may need to collaborate to create re-skilling opportunities that deliver benefits across the industry.

The following are some steps to achieve a fast labor market recovery:

Build Digital Talent Exchanges

To facilitate redeployment and improve transparency about job openings, industry leaders, groups of companies, and labor agencies can create digital talent exchanges.

This should allow for quicker matches between job seekers and job openings. Companies can easily post job openings while unemployed workers can quickly find vacancies of their choice.

However, small firms often don’t have access to technical infrastructure and market information to help them deploy labor and create jobs. Therefore, establishing talent exchanges dedicated to SMEs should be a great idea. The focus here should be to protect the most susceptible segment of SMEs.

Reskill at Speed and Scale

The decline of certain industries provides an opportunity to train people on the skills that will be demanded in the future. This can be achieved in two ways– quick upskilling to address short-term demand changes and long-term reskilling that allows learners to switch to careers requiring future-skills.

The latter method focuses on digital literacy to allow workers to stay relevant in a digitized and more dynamic labor market.

Create Incentives for Reskilling and Redeployment

In their efforts to support businesses and displaced workers, governments can provide incentives to them to ensure that they are more equitable and productive upon recovering from the crisis. Governments can offer tax rebates and subsidies to firms that invest in reskilling and training of their workforces.

By offering financial support, governments may be able to achieve other objectives, such as an increase in female participation in the labor force and a higher number of registrations of informal businesses.

Final Word

As countries report fewer infections, measures should be taken to save and rebuild jobs. To address the severe impact of COVID-19 on the labor market, interventions and solutions must be planned, deployed and implemented as soon as possible. Here at Fully Accountable we have embraced our remote office skills, and haven’t stopped serving our clients throughout these tumultuous times. Having staff equipped to work from home, and our proprietary software that integrates our clients and employees, has been a true saving grace. While we know that not all companies were as well prepared, we’ve shared this blog with hopes that you can see a brighter future! The aforementioned tactics may appear obvious, but they can help you address the issue at hand.

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In this article, we will discuss the most important things you need to know about fractional CFO services. By understanding how these (mostly) digital firms have been disrupting the accounting industry, you’ll be able to determine if their services make sense for your business.

Accounting Firm CFO Services Help Businesses Scale Their Accounting

One of the issues with working with a non-scalable accounting firm is that your business will often end up paying for services it simply doesn’t need. However, when you hire a fractional CFO, you get a high-level view of your accounting, allowing you to see where you need additional help.

From there, you might want help managing additional books, setting up your first eCommerce store, budgeting for long-term projects, and completing various other tasks. Your fractional CFO can lead these new efforts, which will help your business manage its cash flow better, safely expand into new markets, and prepare for down quarters.

Entering the World of Digital Accounting

CFOs are at the forefront of integrating advanced digital accounting platforms that streamline financial operations and enhance accessibility and flexibility. They are instrumental in selecting platforms that suit their company’s unique needs and adapt to the evolving digital landscape.

CFOs work closely with e-commerce accounting specialists to implement systems that allow real-time access to financial data from anywhere in the world. This modern approach to managing books and financial reports on the go dramatically simplifies traditional processes, reducing the need for physical interactions and cutting overhead costs significantly. By championing the adoption of user-friendly digital accounting tools, CFOs ensure that both the internal accounting team and business leaders can operate efficiently and effectively, regardless of their physical location.

Cutting Costs Without Sacrificing Quality

CFOs are invaluable in guiding businesses through cost-cutting measures without compromising quality. By running a fine-tooth comb through financial statements, CFOs can spot inefficiencies and wasteful expenses that can be trimmed, enhancing the organization’s profitability.

CFOs use their understanding of finance to develop effective tax strategies, ensuring businesses maximize available tax credits and deductions. In addition to reducing the tax burden, CFOs can strategically position the company to maintain compliance and avoid audits.

More importantly, CFOs play a critical role in relocating assets and helping businesses invest capital in ventures that promise substantial returns. This strategic financial oversight ensures that every dollar spent or saved is aligned with the company’s broader financial goals, proving that with the right financial leadership, businesses can achieve significant cost savings without sacrificing the quality of their operations or services.

Creating Customized Accounting Solutions

A fractional CFO for startups is ideal for companies looking for versatile, customizable solutions. After an initial consultation, often via a phone call, you and your digital CFO will discuss your business’s current financial landscape, pressing concerns, and long-term goals. This in-depth understanding allows the CFO to precisely align the accounting services with your business’s unique requirements.

The flexibility to select specific accounting services a la carte ensures you only pay for what you need, with the option to tack on additional services when needed. That’s advantageous in today’s market, where many businesses have custom and complex accounting solutions.

Finding the Fractional CFO that’s Right for Your Business

A “fractional CFO” is someone who can perform all the traditional services of a CFO yet only works for your specific business a fraction of the time. These individuals allow newer or smaller businesses to have access to the expert CFO advice they need without having to pay a $300,000 annual salary. The main issue, it seems, is finding the fractional CFO who’s truly right for your business.

Fortunately, finding the perfect fit is easier than you might assume. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find various accounting partners that can help your business. Look for businesses that have worked with businesses comparable to your own, at least structurally speaking.

Once you have a list of a few fractional CFOs you are considering hiring, you’ll want to take some time to ask each of them questions. Asking about pricing, the accounting experience, and ways they can add value to your business will make you much happier with your final decision.

Fractional CFO Solutions for Digital Companies

The emergence of fractional CFO services is redefining the accounting landscape, challenging the traditional dominance of the “big four” accounting firms. These adaptable, cost-effective services offer businesses, particularly agencies and digital companies, the strategic financial oversight and customizability they need to thrive in a dynamic economic environment. By leveraging digital tools, fractional CFOs streamline accounting processes and enhance financial accuracy and accessibility, allowing businesses to scale efficiently and respond agilely to market changes.

With the ability to tailor services and costs to each business’s specific needs, fractional CFOs represent a powerful alternative that aligns with modern business requirements. As businesses continue to navigate financial complexities, the role of the fractional CFO will undoubtedly become more integral, proving that quality financial leadership is accessible to businesses of all sizes and stages.

To learn more about fractional CFOs and how they can help your business, call us today!

The post How Fractional CFO Services are Beating the “Big Four” Accounting Firms appeared first on Fully Accountable.

An e-commerce outsourcing specialist might be better trained to handle e-commerce-related tasks, allowing business owners to focus on other areas of the business. Whether it’s outsourcing a few tasks or fully committing to outsourced e-commerce services, there’s never been a better time to outsource certain tasks to contractors or freelancers.

Below are 7 of the most important e-commerce tasks you should consider outsourcing:

1. E-Commerce Business Product Sourcing

When you’re in the business of selling products, everything that goes into finding these products becomes a continuous cycle. Realistically, you can’t forever rely on one of your best-sellers to keep bringing in the money. You need to always be on the hunt for new ones regardless of whether your current products are selling or not. Don’t become complacent with your current product line. Stay on the lookout for new opportunities, as product sourcing requires a more in-depth approach than simply browsing online.

2. Product Listing Optimization

A well-optimized product listing is essential if you want to grab potential buyers’ attention. From the product title down to the images used, each of these elements has a unique way of converting potential leads into actual buyers. The trick is to have all these elements complement each other to form one convincing “pitch,” which is not the easiest thing to do without the necessary experience and skill set.

Thankfully, you can find plenty of skilled freelancers to improve your product listings. In the online marketplace, presentation is key. You yourself would most likely buy an item that has all the information you need over one that comes with low-quality images and poorly written descriptions, right?

3. Customer Service

Every business needs competent customer service because you won’t be available 24/7 to address urgent concerns. By having an extension of your voice answer inquiries on your behalf, customers are given the attention they expect.

One of the advantages of hiring freelance talent today is that many have experience in customer service roles. This can be beneficial for streamlining your business and improving profitability.

4. Order Fulfillment/Processing

For some people, processing orders is not a complicated task. What’s so difficult about getting customer information, checking the inventory for stocks, updating a database, and arranging product shipment? While the task can be considered clerical, it’s not going to be that easy when you have 30 orders to process for an entire day. 

If your product is “hot,” you may have to process even more. Doesn’t sound as easy anymore, does it? Yes, the task may not require a lot of thinking, and it’s repetitive at best, but you’ll need all the help you can get when volume spikes. It’s going to be impossible for you to take care of this when you have your hands full managing the business’s daily operations, which makes outsourcing this task more sensible.

5. E-Commerce Inventory Management

Imagine how embarrassing it would be to advertise a product in your store only to find out that you’re out of stock when a potential customer decides to place an order. Such a scenario can put your reputation in question and can hurt your business. Not only will you be accused of false advertising, but it will also make you look disorganized and unprofessional.

One way of keeping this from happening is by using a competent e-commerce platform able to track inventory as it comes in and goes out. It’s also beneficial to have a dedicated person overseeing your inventory to ensure you have a clear understanding of your warehouse stock levels. Having an inventory manager also helps you save money because they can help you order new supplies and determine how much you actually need so you don’t end up having too much excess inventory. Keeping a balanced number of items in stock requires focus, which is why outsourcing inventory management makes perfect sense.

6. Web Design/Development

Like a brick-and-mortar store, your e-commerce store needs a strong visual presence to capture the attention of potential customers. Having a visually inviting and easy-to-navigate web presence is crucial. You have to remember that while people today may be highly visual, a lot of them also have a shortage of patience. Beyond aesthetics, your website should prioritize user experience. The text should be readable, the images shouldn’t be intrusive, and navigation should be easy. If it takes more than a minute for a customer to locate your shopping cart, you can’t expect people to have the patience to look for it, which can lead to fewer sales.

Web design and development require a specific skill that not everyone has been blessed with. By hiring a freelancer who has the skills and experience for both, you’ll be giving your business a big advantage because they have the ability to make your web presence stand out.

7. Social Media

People today are on social media almost all the time, and it would be a total waste if you didn’t take advantage of the millions of potential customers you can put your products in front of. To help increase your odds, outsourcing social media management to a freelance expert is an excellent decision. Having an experienced social media manager handle your social media tasks is a worthy investment with benefits that you will continue to reap in the long run. A skilled social media manager can be a valuable asset to your business, providing benefits that continue to pay off over time.

Where Do You Begin?

Once you have decided that outsourcing is something you want to do, the first step is to take note of the seven tasks mentioned above and list out all the duties and responsibilities each task will entail. It’s important to be very specific at this point, as this will be your basis for finding the right person for each task.

• Which social media channels will the social media manager handle?
• Will you allow the inventory manager to order new supplies without your consent?
• How involved do you want to be with customer service?
• Will the web designer/developer be in charge of presenting you with a design, or do you already have one you would like them to replicate? 

It’s important to give yourself time to do a proper task assessment so you and the person you hire know what to expect.

How Much Are You Willing to Spend?

While hiring a freelancer is more affordable than hiring for a full-time position, it can still cost more than you expect, especially if you have hired multiple freelancers. Most freelancers generally work on a per-hour basis, but some work per project or on fixed pricing. Identify the option that aligns best with your needs and financial constraints, as this will guide your selection of a freelance marketplace and freelancer.

Where Do You Find Them?

With the gig economy at its peak, finding a freelancer to outsource tasks to has never been this easy. Dozens of websites offering massive talent pools are scattered all over the internet, each one offering a unique way of helping you hire and manage freelancers. Popular sites like Upwork, FreeUp, and Fiverr are just some of the websites you can visit so you can begin looking for the best people to help you.

Hiring individual freelancers is one option, but it can be time-consuming. Between reading resumes, messaging back and forth, and interviewing candidates, you’ll end up with fewer hours in the day to operate the business. Another concern is that you can’t be certain if a freelancer will work out, putting you back in the same spot a few weeks or months down the road. If you want to get the best help with the least amount of hassle, you could hire an e-commerce outsourcing service. They effectively take care of the outsourcing process, finding and managing the right people to work on your projects.

Formally Onboard Them and Set Expectations

Once you have hired the freelancer of your choice, the next step is to formally onboard them. Begin by setting expectations as to the work hours, outputs, and reports you require.

• Are they supposed to work in the same timezone as yours?
• Which reports will they need to provide on a weekly/monthly basis?
• Do they have to work on weekends?
• Is there a certain number of hours they need to work each week?

This is also the best time to provide them with access to all the tools you use both for work and for tracking purposes, as well as discuss how you will communicate with one another.

Final Thoughts

Running an e-commerce business is no walk in the park. However, it’s much easier with help from freelancers. By outsourcing certain tasks, you can lighten your workload and devote more time to high-impact activities.

With eCommerce accounting services from Fully Accountable, you can leave accounting to the professionals. Contact us at (877) 330-9401 or schedule a strategy call to learn more about our eCommerce solutions and outsourced accounting services.

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