How an Accounting Firm Increased Client Load by 25% with Global Bookkeeping Support

Summary

A small accounting firm in Canada needed help managing the growing demands of client bookkeeping and document organization. These repetitive tasks were consuming leadership’s time and limiting the firm’s ability to scale.

After being referred by a trusted acquaintance, the firm partnered with 1840 & Company to find a cost-effective offshore bookkeeper. Working 10–15 hours per week, this professional quickly integrated into the firm’s processes, delivering high-quality support that enabled the company to grow its client base by 25%—all while keeping labor costs under $10,000 annually.

The Challenge

As the firm’s client base expanded, so did the administrative burden. What began as a manageable set of tasks—reconciling books, organizing digital files, maintaining records—soon became a bottleneck.

Leadership faced three core problems:

• Limited capacity: Too much time spent on non-billable, manual tasks
• Lack of internal bandwidth: No time to onboard or serve additional clients
• Risk of burnout: Owner’s time was consumed by back-office work, not growth

Hiring locally wasn’t viable. Part-time bookkeepers in North America cost significantly more, and sourcing reliable talent took time the firm didn’t have.

The Solution

1840 & Company stepped in with a global staffing solution tailored to the firm’s needs.

1. Needs Discovery

The 1840 team conducted a deep-dive assessment to understand:

• Volume and nature of bookkeeping tasks
• Tech stack and software requirements
• Weekly workload and preferred schedule
• Key traits required in a successful candidate

2. Talent Match

Using its global network, 1840 identified and onboarded an experienced Accounting Administrator/Bookkeeper. The candidate:

• Had relevant experience with accounting platforms and spreadsheets
• Was available for 10–15 hours per week
• Quickly adapted to the client’s preferred tools and communication style

3. Engagement Setup

The firm chose monthly advance billing with adjustments based on actual hours used—allowing for both predictability and flexibility.

4. Ongoing Support

1840 didn’t disappear after placement. The team stayed involved, offering:

• Regular performance check-ins
• Ongoing availability for additional staffing needs
• Client support to address evolving workflow changes

The Outcome

After six months, the firm reported:

• 25% increase in client load thanks to newly freed capacity
• Over 60 hours per month saved on repetitive, non-core tasks
• Improved accuracy and organization of client financial records
• Annual savings of ~$9,500 compared to hiring a U.S.-based bookkeeper

Most importantly, the owner reclaimed valuable time to focus on business development and client engagement.

Why It Worked

This engagement succeeded because it combined global talent access with hands-on support and precision matching. The firm wasn’t just hiring a contractor—they were gaining a vetted, managed partner who integrated into their workflow.

Key success factors included:

• Tailored hiring: Candidate matched based on experience, availability, and personality fit
• Process alignment: Talent quickly adopted the firm’s software and systems
• Financial efficiency: The firm kept costs low while unlocking high ROI
• Ongoing oversight: 1840’s involvement ensured accountability and quality delivery