Top 5 Benefits of Accounts Receivable Outsourcing

Are chasing late payments and tracking invoices distracting you from your core mission? If so, we have the game-changing solution you need: accounts receivable outsourcing.

For example, due to delayed payments and inefficient collections, a company may face cash flow disruptions, making it challenging to meet operational expenses, pay suppliers, and invest in new equipment or projects. Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Situations like these are more common than you’d think. It’s the narrative of many organizations struggling with complex and inefficient financial processes.

This article explores accounts receivable outsourcing: what it entails, the top five benefits it offers, and how to successfully work with an outsourcing partner.

What Is Accounts Receivable Outsourcing?

Accounts receivable outsourcing (ARO) refers to hiring a third-party company to manage your accounts receivable process.

This strategic move allows you to focus on your core business while entrusting the complex and time-consuming task of accounts receivable management to experts.

In other words, it is a collaborative partnership in which a specialized service provider ensures your outstanding invoices are settled on time, helping you get paid faster.

Accounts receivable outsourcing can encompass several activities, from collection services and invoice and payment processing to risk assessment and customer service.

Ultimately, the goal of outsourcing accounts receivable is to improve cash flow and minimize the risk of nonpayment, all while enhancing customer satisfaction.

Examples of Accounts Receivable Outsourcing Services

Outsourcing accounts receivable tasks is your gateway to more streamlined and efficient financial operations. 

The following section explores ARO services, offering a closer look at how each can play a crucial role in improving your accounts receivable process, securing repeat business, and enhancing your business’s financial health.

Collection services

The collection process entails handling overdue accounts, including sending payment reminders, scheduling appointments, and negotiating payment terms. Outsourcing collection services ensures your organization follows best practices to improve days sales outstanding (DSO).

Invoice processing

Outsourcing accounts receivable for invoice processing includes preparing, distributing, and updating invoices following best practices to ensure accuracy and timeliness to improve cash flow.

Payment processing

Efficient payment processing enables you to get paid faster and maintain an optimal cash flow. Third-party providers specialize in receiving and recording payments, reconciling accounts, and depositing funds into your business’ bank account.

Credit and risk assessment

Rely on trust, yet exercise your due diligence. Outsourcing providers are experts in credit and risk assessment, efficiently setting credit limits and monitoring payment patterns to reduce the risk of non-payment.

Reporting and analytics

Effective ARO companies provide insights into aging reports, collection rates, and customer payment trends. These insights allow you to make informed decisions and adhere to best practices.

Customer service

Outsourcing accounts receivable for customer service includes handling inquiries, resolving payment disputes or misunderstandings, and assisting customers with outstanding balances. This helps enhance customer satisfaction and streamlines the billing and collections process.

Top 5 Benefits of Accounts Receivable Outsourcing

The section uncovers the top five benefits of outsourcing your accounts receivable that will supercharge your business.

1. Cost savings

Outsourcing accounts receivable may help reduce your overhead costs by eliminating the need to hire and train in-house staff. This can free up resources for core business functions.

2. Increased efficiency

By outsourcing accounts receivable, you experience faster and more efficient collections, which leads to reduced DSO and improved cash flow.

3. Access to specialized expertise

Bringing an in-house accounts receivable team on board often requires investing in software and training. On the other hand, ARO companies bring specialized knowledge and technology stacks to the table. You can benefit from automation solutions and advanced accounting software—without additional investment in expensive software licensing. 

4. Improved customer relationships

Customers are always first. Streamlining the billing and collections process, resolving payment issues promptly, and providing efficient customer service support can enhance customer satisfaction. And happier customers may lead to a higher rate of customer loyalty and repeat business.

This can be especially true with B2B clients, as a more efficient AR process on your end can make their accounts payable process more straightforward—a fact they will likely appreciate. 

5. Scalability

As your business evolves, you can scale your arrangement with your outsourcing partner based on your needs without significant internal restructuring. Accounts receivable outsourcing gives you the strategic advantage of remaining agile and responsive to evolving demands.

Discover more benefits of accounting outsourcing in our “Comprehensive Guide to Accounting Outsourcing With Pros and Cons.”

How To Ensure a Successful Accounts Receivable Outsourcing Partnership

From defining your requirements and finding the ideal partner to monitoring performance long-term, you’ll need to consider a few factors when outsourcing accounts receivable.

Choose the right outsourcing provider

Select a reputable and trustworthy outsourcing firm or professional with a proven track record of success in accounts receivable management. Do your research, ask the right questions, and remember that when evaluating independent contractors (rather than companies), resumes might not reveal soft skills, cultural fit, or work ethic, so have an open conversation before deciding.

(To hire the right remote accounting and finance professionals, check out our article on effective interview questions for these roles.)

To free up valuable time and other resources, consider providers like Near to help you find the best accounts payable professionals. We have access to over 20k pre-screened candidates, enabling us to find the right talent for your business in under 21 days.

Clearly define expectations

Establish clear service level agreements (SLAs), performance metrics, and communication procedures to ensure that you and your outsourcing provider have the same goals and expectations. Getting everything in writing avoids misunderstandings down the road.

Establish effective communication

Make sure you build a successful collaboration with your provider. Work together to determine the best communication channels to use and the frequency of meetings and updates. Doing so enables you both to keep on top of objectives or any changes in strategy.

Provide access to necessary information

For everything to run smoothly, grant your outsourcing provider access to critical data, including customer information, billing records, and payment history. This way, you can ensure they have the necessary resources to perform their tasks effectively.

Monitor performance

Continuously review reports and analytics on accounts receivable performance and address any issues or concerns promptly to maintain efficiency and quality. While they certainly possess the necessary skills and tools, it’s prudent to monitor progress and ensure the company is heading in the right direction.

Maintain control

While you can outsource many accounts receivable functions, it may be best to retain control of some critical functions, depending on your business. Evaluate if you want to maintain control over credit risk assessment, customer service, and dispute resolution, or if you are happy to turn these over. This can help you maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction and risk management.

Final Thoughts

Accounts receivable outsourcing can be a game-changing strategy if you are looking to optimize your financial operations and eliminate cash flow concerns.

By entrusting the complex and time-consuming task of accounts receivable management to experts, you can focus on your core mission and reduce overhead expenses while improving customer relationships. 

To outsource your accounting functions to top accounting professionals, including accounts receivable experts, fill out this form to get a list of pre-vetted talent you can interview for free.