2025 Outsourced Accounting Turnaround Times: What Your CPA Firm Can Really Expect

Picture this: You’re a CPA firm owner juggling a dozen client deadlines, a stack of reconciliations, and a payroll run that’s due yesterday. Sound familiar? That’s where outsourced accounting swoops in to save the day.  

By handing off tasks like bookkeeping, tax preparation, or payroll services to a trusted outsourced accounting partner, you can reclaim your time and focus on growing your firm and delighting your clients. But here’s the catch: How fast can you actually expect those tasks to get done? 

Turnaround times are the heartbeat of any outsourcing partnership. Too slow, and you’re back to square one; too rushed, and quality might take a hit. In 2025, with tech and talent evolving at lightning speed, knowing what to expect is more crucial than ever.  

In this blog, we’re spilling the beans on how long outsourced accounting tasks really take. Ready to ditch the guesswork? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty!

Typical turnaround times for common outsourced accounting tasks 

1. Bookkeeping 

• Typical Turnaround: 2-3 business days 

• Simple reconciliations for small businesses might wrap up in 48 hours, while high-volume or complex datasets could push it to three days.  

2. Payroll Processing

• Typical Turnaround: 1-3 business days 

• For a company with 50 employees, expect a 24-48-hour turnaround. Larger payrolls or intricate setups (e.g., multi-state taxes) might hit the three-day mark. 

3. Financial Statement

• Typical Turnaround: 2-3 business days 

• Basic statements for small firms can be ready in two days, while detailed reports for mid-sized businesses may take a full three days, especially if reconciliations are involved. 

4. Tax Preparation

• Typical Turnaround: 2-3 business days 

• During off-peak seasons, a thorough review and preparation might take two days. Peak tax season (January-April) could stretch this slightly due to volume, but top outsourced service providers maintain this benchmark with scalable teams. 

5. Management Reporting and Analysis 

• Typical Turnaround: 1-3 business days 

• Quick dashboards might be delivered in a day, while comprehensive analyses with custom metrics could take up to three days. 

Want to know which other accounting services you can outsource? Check out our blog now! 

Factors that affect processing times 

Turnaround times aren’t set in stone—they can vary based on several factors: 

• Volume of data- A small firm with 50 transactions processes faster than a corporation with thousands. 

• Complexity: –Multi-entity accounting or international tax compliance naturally takes longer. 

• Client responsiveness- Delays in providing documents or approvals can push deadlines back. 

• Technology used- Outsourcing firms with outdated tools may lag, while those using AI-driven platforms (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero) speed things up. 

• Seasonality- Tax season spikes can stretch timelines unless offshore service providers scale proactively. 

How outsourcing partners manage turnaround times

• By keeping clear deadlines- Setting milestones—like “reconciliations by Day 1, review by Day 2”—keeps tasks on track. 

• Through efficient workflow systems- Tools like Asana, Trello, or proprietary platforms ensure transparency and timely handoffs. 

• By regular communication- Weekly status updates or real-time chats via Slack or Microsoft Teams prevent surprises. 
• By keeping buffer time- Smart remote service providers build in a cushion for revisions or unexpected hiccups, ensuring delivery stays on schedule. 

How Infinity Globus optimizes turnaround times for outsourced accounting tasks 

At Infinity Globus, we’ve fine-tuned our approach to deliver lightning-fast results without compromising quality. Here’s how we do it: 

1. Streamlined processes with advanced tools- We leverage AI-powered software like QuickBooks and Xero to automate repetitive tasks, slashing processing times. 

2. Experienced and dedicated teams- Our CPAs and EAs specialize in U.S. accounting standards, ensuring accuracy in record time. 

3. Clear communication channels- Daily updates via secure portals keep our clients in the loop. 

4. Real-time collaboration and updates- Cloud-based platforms let us work alongside our client’s team seamlessly. 

5. Flexibility and scalability- Whether it’s 10 clients or 100, we adjust capacity to meet the impending deadlines. 

6. Proactive approach to deadlines- We anticipate peak periods and allocate resources ahead of time to meet deadlines. 

Conclusion 

In 2025, outsourced accounting isn’t just faster—it’s smarter. With turnaround times now measured in days rather than weeks, accounting firms partnering with the right remote service providers are gaining a serious competitive edge. 

The real magic happens when cutting-edge technology meets human expertise. At Infinity Globus, we’ve perfected this balance, delivering the speed you need without sacrificing the accuracy your client’s demand. 

Think about what your CPA or accounting firm could accomplish with all that reclaimed time. New advisory services? More client meetings? Maybe even that vacation you’ve been postponing? 

Ready to stop wondering “when will this get done” and start saying “what’s next”? Let’s talk about how Infinity Globus can transform your accounting workflow. 

Get in touch today! 

FAQs 

1. How quickly can I expect financial statements from an outsourced accounting team?

Preparing financial statements, like balance sheets and profit & loss statements, typically takes 2-3 business days. Basic reports for small firms can be ready in two days, while detailed statements for mid-sized accounting firms might require a full three days. 

2. Why do turnaround times vary for outsourced accounting tasks?

Turnaround times depend on factors like data volume, task complexity, client responsiveness, the technology used, and seasonality. For example, a small firm with few transactions processes faster than a multi-entity corporation, and delays in providing documents can push timelines back. 

3. How do outsourcing partners handle high-volume periods, such as tax season?

Top outsourcing providers anticipate busy periods like tax season and adjust their capacity accordingly. They may add extra resources, streamline workflows, or set earlier deadlines to manage the increased volume, ensuring that tasks are completed on time without sacrificing quality. 

4. How do outsourcing providers ensure timely delivery of accounting tasks?

Top providers manage turnaround times by setting clear deadlines, using efficient workflow tools, maintaining regular communication, and building buffer time for revisions or unexpected delays. 

5. Can outsourced bookkeeping be completed faster than 2-3 days?

Yes, for very small accounting firms with minimal transactions, some providers can deliver bookkeeping in as little as 24 hours using automated tools. However, the standard 2–3-day turnaround ensures accuracy for most cases. 

6. Can turnaround times vary based on the accounting software used?

Absolutely! Using modern, AI-powered accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero can significantly speed up the process. These platforms automate routine tasks and reduce manual intervention, allowing for faster processing and fewer errors. 

7. What makes Infinity Globus stand out in optimizing turnaround times?

Infinity Globus optimizes turnaround times with AI-powered tools like QuickBooks and Xero, experienced U.S.-focused teams, daily updates via secure portals, real-time cloud collaboration, scalable resources, and a proactive approach to deadlines, ensuring fast and accurate results. 

8. How does Infinity Globus handle scalability for larger clients?

Infinity Globus has a flexible and scalable approach, meaning we can easily adjust our resources depending on the client’s needs. Whether it’s handling a larger client base, increased transaction volume, or more complex accounting tasks, we can quickly ramp up capacity to meet deadlines without compromising on quality.