Q:Will my data be secure?

A: In simple terms, you manage the security of your data in the same way you would in your Australian office. If we work directly on your network, your clients’ sensitive financial and tax information can remain permanently on your server so it doesn’t leave your office. Your BOSS dedicated accountant accesses that information on your server directly with designated, high security access protocols set up by your firm. You can select what files or folders your BOSS accountant has access to on your server.

If we work offline you transfer data to a server in Australia by the secure FTP (File Transfer Protocol) method which is a dedicated direct route to our Australian based server and about as safe as doing internet banking.

In addition:

• BOSS has a Confidentiality Agreement signed by every employee
• Your BOSS accountant is ethically bound by the professional code of conduct of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (this has as much meaning to Indian accountants as it does to their Australian counterparts)
• Your Bangalore staff are recruited, vetted and affiliated within the same stringent controls you would use taking on staff for your Australian office
• You are dealing with staff in India but they are employed by BOSS Australia
• In terms of confidentiality, your clients’ details are even more secure in India, simply because the Indian accountants don’t know who these people are, so the details of a high profile client are in very safe hands
• The possibility of a breach of security is as unlikely in India as it is here
• We have PI insurance for extra peace of mind

Q:How will we manage time zone differences?

A: Bangalore is 4.5 hours behind EST, or 2.5 hours behind Perth time. If your Sydney practice liaises with clients in Perth, you already know how it works. It’s easy, and in fact brings advantages. You can, for example leave your Bangalore calls to the end of the day, knowing that they will still be there, hard at work, when your Sydney people have gone home. Conversely your Bangalore team will end their day by sending you an email outlining their questions and problems that need solving in the first 4.5 hours of your day before they return to work.

Q:Are our internal systems rigorous enough to cope with remote access?

A: Any normal accountancy practice or business with IT capability (just about everyone) has all the tools they need to develop an offshore office capability. We assist with providing guidance to get the best result.

Q:How will our clients feel about us ‘letting go’ of their work?

A: It’s all about perceptions. We know, and you know, that it’s no different to them handing over their data to you and having it processed in your office. Typically your client talks to a Manager but a more junior staff member, who they do not know, does the bulk of the work. The Manager just reviews and signs-off the work and liaises with the client.

Ask yourself, did you get a letter from your bank asking you if it was OK for them to process your credit card in Bangalore? But it’s the norm and has been for many years.

If you really have a deep concern about how your clients will perceive you using BOSS accountants then why not send a letter like this:

“Like you, we are operating a business and experience the same pressures and frustrations as many of you.  We have difficulty finding professional staff, and trying to keep our costs under control is a constant battle.  We are now employing a number of strategies which we hope will keep our costs down, thereby allowing us to remain competitive with the fees we charge.

One of those strategies is to outsource some of the data entry and compliance work.  We currently have a relationship with a company operating from Sydney which provides qualified accounting professionals, working from offices in India.  These accountants have limited access to our database and data remains on our server within our office. The accountants are able to cost effectively undertake accounting and tax functions.  This frees up the time of our highly qualified team and allows us to add value to you and your business, rather than attending to compliance obligations.”

Q: Can BOSS really guarantee the quality of work?

A: We all make mistakes, just like you. Though what BOSS will do is guarantee that if a mistake is made, we fix it at our expense.  All BOSS accountants work is checked by a Manager before sending back to you for final review. We extensively train and test our people so we know mistakes are minimal and can therefore guarantee that we fix any mistakes at our expense. Write offs are a fact of life in any firm and we are no different. But the level of write offs is no greater using IN-Resourced accountants than it is using local accountants.

Q: Do you have PI Insurance?

 A: Yes we do.

For a full no obligation assessment of your needs or a FREE trial contact

Lee Court on (02) 8005 1662 or email lee@boz.com.au