CPA firms in the USA are under increasing pressure, due to higher regulatory complexity, talent shortages, rising wage costs, and demand for faster, more accurate tax preparation. According to the AICPA’s 2023 MAP survey, about 30 % of firms already outsource domestically, and 25 % use offshore services to meet capacity needs.
At the same time, taxes themselves are growing more complex, with state, federal, and local compliance, changing credits and deductions, multi‑entity returns, etc. Keeping up is time‑consuming and expensive. Many firms find hiring full‑time in‑house staff is no longer enough or cost‑effective.
Tax outsourcing is now one of the best solutions. It allows firms to scale for seasonal workloads, reduce overhead, maintain high quality, and stay compliant without having to train new staff or constantly invest in infrastructure.
Read on to learn why top CPA firms are outsourcing tax prep, how to choose the right partner, and a list of 11 tax outsourcing companies (with QX Accounting Services first) that punch above their weight, not just the Big Four, but firms with proven capability, cost‑efficiency, security, and service.
Why Top CPA Firms and Growth‑Focused Firms Outsource Tax Prep
Here are the key criteria CPA firms should evaluate when selecting a tax outsourcing company:
Criteria | Why It Matters |
U.S. GAAP, IRS & State Tax Law Expertise | Ensures returns are correct and compliant; familiarity with multi‐jurisdictional, partnership, corporate, estate, trust returns etc. |
Multiple levels of review = fewer errors. Also, ongoing staff training. | Security & Certifications (e.g., SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, data encryption) |
Turnaround Time & Scalability | Need fast work during peak season; ability to add more capacity without sacrificing quality. |
Transparent Pricing Models | Per‑return, hourly, per‑FTE, or blended; clear SLAs and no hidden costs. |
Quality Control & Review Processes | Ability to integrate with your tax software (Lacerte, Drake, ProSeries, UltraTax, etc.), use secure portals, and seamless document flow. |
Technology Compatibility | Especially if outsourcing offshore/co‑sourcing, time zones, language, ethics, and responsiveness matter. |
Cultural Fit / Communication | Especially if outsourcing offshore/co‑sourcing; time zones, language, ethics, responsiveness matter. |
1. QX Accounting Services
Key Services: Tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, audit support, CAS delivery, reconciliations, and monthly close.
Location: Offshore delivery (India) with U.S. liaison presence.
Best For: CPA firms needing secure, scalable, GAAP-compliant tax prep and CAS support, with overnight delivery models and white-labeled delivery.
QX is purpose-built for U.S. accounting firms and offers both FTE and per-return models backed by SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications. Ideal for firms looking to grow tax and advisory revenues without adding in-house headcount.
2. CapActix Business Solutions
Key Services: Tax preparation, virtual CFO services, outsourced accounting, AP/AR, and remote tax staffing.
Location: India
Best For: Firms looking for flexible engagement per-return tax prep or dedicated remote tax staff to increase capacity and reduce operational burden.
CapActix supports all major tax software and lets you scale your team during busy seasons or maintain year-round offshore support.
3. AcoBloom International
Key Services: 1040, 1120, and 1065 prep, audit support, sales tax, payroll, financial reporting, and CAS.
Location: India (with U.S. access points)
Best For: Firms handling high-volume returns who want quality control, co-sourced delivery.
With 16+ years serving U.S. accounting firms, AcoBloom is well-versed in multi-entity and jurisdictional tax prep and reporting.
4. Entigrity Solutions
Key Services: Dedicated offshore staffing for tax prep, accounting, and bookkeeping.
Location: India (U.S. HQ in Texas)
Best For: Firms seeking full-time or part-time offshore tax professionals to build long-term team capacity.
Entigrity helps CPA firms hire trained offshore resources quickly, with full back-office infrastructure and oversight.
5. Taxfyle
Key Services: On-demand tax return preparation by U.S.-licensed CPAs and EAs via a secure platform.
Location: U.S.-based
Best For: CPA firms needing tech-enabled, scalable tax prep support for seasonal or recurring returns.
Taxfyle connects your firm to vetted U.S. tax professionals, delivering flexibility and compliance without needing to hire.
6. InDinero
Key Services: Tax prep, bookkeeping, controller support, and CFO services.
Location: U.S. (with offshore delivery components)
Best For: Firms offering bundled services or looking to outsource both compliance and financial management functions.
InDinero is a strong fit for firms working with startups or small businesses needing end-to-end finance and tax support.
7. Bench
Key Services: Monthly bookkeeping with tax preparation and year-end filing.
Location: Canada (serves U.S. clients)
Best For: Solo CPAs or smaller firms managing basic bookkeeping and tax returns for straightforward client engagements.
Bench simplifies compliance by bundling books + tax in a clean, software-driven client experience.
8. Unison Globus
Key Services: Tax prep, finance and accounting outsourcing, payroll, controllership.
Location: India
Best For: Firms that want a full-function outsourcing partner to handle recurring compliance tasks and scale during tax season.
Unison offers a deep bench of tax professionals and end-to-end service flexibility for CPA firms of all sizes.
9. TOA Global
Key Services: Offshore staffing for tax prep, accounting, and bookkeeping.
Location: Philippines
Best For: Firms building remote teams to manage high-volume tax or accounting work across the calendar year.
TOA Global is known for its dedicated offshore staffing model and U.S. CPA-focused training programs.
10. CBIZ Outsourced Accounting
Key Services: Tax preparation, CAS, payroll, budgeting, and controller advisory.
Location: U.S.-based
Best For: CPA firms seeking full-service, domestic outsourcing that can scale into strategic finance.
CBIZ provides consistent, secure, and deeply integrated services ideal for firms looking to strengthen their client experience.
11. Cherry Bekaert Client Accounting Services (CAS)
Key Services: Tax compliance, client advisory, ERP advisory, outsourced CFO, and financial strategy.
Location: U.S.-based
Best For: Growth-focused firms seeking high-level CAS integration with cloud ERP, tax strategy, and advisory delivery.
Cherry Bekaert’s CAS model is suited for firms elevating beyond tax prep into long-term value creation for clients.
How much does tax outsourcing cost for a CPA firm?
It depends on complexity, volume, level of expertise, whether onshore vs offshore, etc. Some estimates show savings of 30‑50 % over in‑house costs for equivalent volume/personnel. Smaller firms might pay anywhere from $15–$45 per hour or per‑return pricing; larger or more complex returns cost more. (Based on aggregated data from firm comparisons).
Is outsourcing tax prep safe and compliant?
Yes, if you choose partners with strong security practices: SOC 2 Type II; ISO 27001; encrypted data transfer; strict internal review and quality control; U.S.‑licensed preparers (CPAs/EAs) so they understand IRS & state laws. Always check for references and audit trails.
Can outsourcing handle complex tax returns (e.g., multi‑entity, estates, trusts, foreign income)?
Many of the providers listed do have capacity for complex work. But you’ll need to verify on a case-by-case basis. Some outsource only simpler returns, some build specialist teams. Always ask for samples or case studies of similar complexity.
What are the risks?
Potential risks include errors (if quality control is weak), data breaches, misalignment of workflow or communication delays, hidden costs, and insufficient understanding of state/local law. Mitigate by having SLAs, security audits, trial periods, and multiple review stages.
When should a CPA firm start outsourcing?
When workload becomes unpredictable, when hiring becomes difficult or expensive, during peak seasons when in‑house staff is overloaded, or when you want to grow advisory revenue but don’t want to stretch your internal team thin.
Outsourcing tax preparation for CPA firms in the USA isn’t just about saving labor cost, it’s increasingly essential for maintaining high quality, compliance, and growth in a tight market.
The right partner gives you flexibility to scale, peace of mind on accuracy and security, and the capacity to shift your firm’s focus toward higher‑margin advisory work instead of being consumed by backlogs.
Among the options, QX Accounting Services stands out if you need a provider built for CPA workflows, with strong compliance, offshore + onshore capacity, and fast, secure delivery. But many of the smaller or niche providers listed offer good alternatives for firms that want different trade‑offs (cost vs specialization vs speed).
Combining creative flair with a solid foundation in research-oriented content marketing, Divya assists accountants in understanding and navigating pressing industry issues. With a knack for distilling complex data into actionable advice, she helps professionals make informed decisions to enhance their practices.
Unauthorized copying or plagiarism of our content is a violation of intellectual property rights. We take such matters seriously and will pursue legal action to protect our original work. Anyone found engaging in such activities will be held accountable under applicable laws.
Explore outsourcing solutions, request a free trial or discuss your practice’s needs with our expert consultants.