The Offshore Accountant Cost in the Philippines, Per Role
The offshore accountant cost in the Philippines depends on the role and its seniority, not on a single market rate. This guide shows what a dedicated, fully managed accountant or bookkeeper costs Australian firms per month, next to the fully loaded cost of an equivalent full-time hire in Australia.
Every figure on this page comes from our published rate card. The table updates when the rate card does, so it always matches the comparison on our outsourced accounting services for Australia page.
Indicative all-in monthly cost of a dedicated, fully managed professional through OFP against a full-time local hire in Australia, by role and seniority. Across the roles below the difference is 42–64%.
| Role | Seniority | OFP, per month (AUD) | Local Australian hire, per month (AUD) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ||||
| Accountant | Medior (2–5 years) | A$2,700–3,100 | A$6,700–7,500 | 59% |
| Accountant (Senior) | Senior (5–10 years) | A$3,800–4,400 | A$8,300–9,300 | 53% |
| Bookkeeper | Medior (2–5 years) | A$2,300–2,600 | A$6,300–7,100 | 64% |
| Bookkeeper (Senior) | Senior (5–10 years) | A$2,900–3,300 | A$7,500–8,300 | 61% |
| Financial Analyst | Medior (2–5 years) | A$4,000–4,500 | A$7,800–8,800 | 48% |
| Financial Analyst (Senior) | Senior (5–10 years) | A$5,900–6,600 | A$10,200–11,400 | 42% |
| Administrative & Operations | ||||
| Administrative Assistant | Medior (2–5 years) | A$1,900–2,300 | A$5,500–6,200 | 64% |
| Administrative Assistant (Senior) | Senior (5–10 years) | A$2,400–2,800 | A$6,900–7,700 | 64% |
Rates published 20 September 2026.
Local figures are the fully loaded cost of an equivalent full-time hire in Australia, including superannuation. OFP figures are all-in monthly rates covering salary, employment, HR, payroll, compliance, equipment and replacement, shown as indicative ranges.
How to Read the Table
- One row per role and seniority. A bookkeeper handling reconciliations and BAS preparation support sits at the lower end; a senior accountant running month-end close and year-end workpapers sits at the top.
- The local column is a full cost. It includes superannuation, so the saving compares like with like, not salary against salary.
- The OFP column is a monthly fee. It is not a salary: it covers the professional and everything OFP manages around them.
Under a Managed Finance Team, the senior accountant who is your single point of contact is scoped into the proposal for your engagement, on top of the professionals in the table.
What the Monthly Fee Includes
Every engagement includes full operational management by OFP. None of it is an add-on:
- Recruitment and onboarding: sourced, screened and hired by OFP
- Payroll and compensation: run by OFP in the Philippines
- HR and local compliance: Philippine labour law, contracts, benefits, leave and attendance
- Equipment and remote work setup: secure remote infrastructure and productivity support
- Performance management: attendance tracking, KPIs, periodic reviews and your feedback
- Replacement: if a professional leaves, OFP replaces them
- Retention and development: the OFP professional community, training and career development
What the Monthly Fee Does Not Include
- Your own systems. The professional works inside your ledger, practice management and document tools, under your existing subscriptions.
- Review, sign-off and lodgement. OFP prepares; your firm and its registered BAS or tax agent review, sign off and lodge.
- Tax advice. OFP does not give tax advice; judgement stays with your firm.
Freelancer, Managed Provider or BPO: How the Cost Is Built
The monthly number only compares well when you know what it covers. The three common structures differ in who carries the employment and the risk:
| Structure | Who employs | What the fee covers | Who carries turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | Nobody: a contractor | The hours worked | You |
| BPO | The BPO | Processed volume, by whoever is available | The BPO, inside its own systems |
| Managed provider (OFP) | OFP | The dedicated professional plus employment, equipment and management | OFP: replacement is included |
With a freelancer, the lower rate leaves recruitment, supervision, equipment and replacement with you. With a BPO, the work runs in the provider's systems with no fixed person on your files. A managed provider prices the dedicated professional and their management together.
Accountant or Bookkeeper?
If the work is transaction coding, reconciliations and BAS preparation support, a bookkeeper is the right first hire; see what an offshore bookkeeper costs for Australian businesses. If you need month-end close, management reporting or year-end workpapers, price an accountant.
New Zealand firms can compare NZD figures in our NZ cost comparison.
Getting an Exact Figure
The table gives the published rate per role. Your proposal adds the scope: the roles, the hours and, for a managed team, the senior accountant who owns quality and coordination. Most teams start within 2–4 weeks of the role definition.
See how a managed team works for accounting firms, or start your team.