The Coming Accounting Revolution: Offshore Outsourcing of Tax Return Preparation

Abstract:     
This paper describes the work processes, procedures, and vendors that CPA firms can use to outsource tax compliance work overseas. The overseas outsourcing of tax compliance work can free accounting professionals' time to offer more lucrative client services, lessen the burden of hiring and staffing, save money, and speed the delivery of client returns. Concerns about overseas outsourcing include privacy and security risks, staff concerns about downsizing and changing roles, potential interruptions to outsourcing services, and compliance with ethical standards and applicable law. We conclude by anticipating, and encouraging, a "global village" of professional accounting services that includes the overseas outsourcing of tax services by U.S. CPA firms of all sizes.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 14

Keywords: Taxation services, overseas outsourcing, CPAs

JEL Classification: M49, M55, H25

working papers series