As Australian businesses scale, many are reevaluating how their finance departments operate. Labour costs, talent shortages, and the increasing need for flexibility have led more companies to consider remote finance teams. A common entry point? Hiring an offshore accounts payable officer.
The role of an accounts payable officer is essential. They handle vendor invoices, ensure timely payments, reconcile accounts, and maintain the integrity of a business’s financial records. Getting this right remotely begins with defining what you need, knowing where to look, and understanding how to onboard offshore talent effectively.
Define the Scope of the Role
Before engaging with any hiring platform or outsourcing partner, it’s critical to determine exactly what the Accounts payable officer will be responsible for. While the core duties are generally consistent—processing invoices, reconciling accounts, preparing payment runs—the tools, reporting structures, and compliance requirements may vary.
A solid role description may include:
- Processing purchase orders and invoices
- Handling supplier queries
- Ensuring GST and payment terms compliance
- Managing monthly close-off timelines
- Liaising with internal stakeholders across departments
In remote contexts, familiarity with cloud-based finance tools such as Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks, or NetSuite is also key.
Choose the Right Outsourcing Partner
Instead of recruiting directly, many businesses turn to a structured outsourcing firm that can help source, vet, and manage offshore talent. This reduces risk and ensures compliance with local employment laws in the Philippines, a preferred destination for finance outsourcing.
Flat Planet, for instance, has a track record of recruiting skilled Filipino accounts payable officers and finance professionals. Their team ensures each candidate has the required qualifications, English proficiency, and cultural fit to integrate seamlessly into an Australian finance team.
Assess Technical and Soft Skills
Interviews should cover both practical tasks and behavioural fit. On the technical side, you may ask candidates to complete a sample invoice reconciliation or demonstrate how they would handle a late payment issue. But just as important is their ability to work remotely, including communication skills, attention to detail, and time management.
Look for:
- Prior experience supporting Australian finance teams
- Knowledge of Australian financial regulations and tax cycles
- Clear communication and a proactive work style
- Ability to follow structured processes and meet deadlines
Set Expectations Early
Remote finance roles require clarity. Once you’ve selected your candidate, ensure they understand the following from the outset:
- Working hours and time zone expectations
- Preferred communication tools (Slack, Zoom, email)
- File sharing platforms (Google Drive, SharePoint)
- Invoice approval workflows and escalation paths
Providing clear SOPs (standard operating procedures) early in the onboarding process helps avoid confusion and builds confidence for the new team member.
Use Technology to Bridge the Distance
The success of an offshore accounts payable officer often comes down to how well integrated they are into your existing systems. Real-time communication, secure access to cloud platforms, and collaborative documentation make this possible.
Tools that support offshore accounts payable operations include:
- Cloud accounting platforms
- Accounts payable automation software (e.g. Lightyear, ApprovalMax)
- Project management systems (e.g. Trello, Asana)
- Time-tracking or log systems (e.g. Harvest, Hubstaff)
These tools do more than track tasks—they foster accountability and build a sense of shared ownership.
Foster Collaboration, Not Just Delegation
One of the most common pitfalls in outsourcing is treating offshore hires as transactional support rather than team members. The best outcomes occur when remote accounts payable officers are included in daily meetings, performance reviews, and casual team check-ins.
The goal is to create a team dynamic that values transparency, continuous learning, and shared KPIs. Even if your offshore accounts payable officer never visits your office in person, they should feel like part of the finance function, not just a support extension.
Consider Long-Term Expansion
Once the accounts payable process is functioning smoothly offshore, many businesses explore expanding their remote finance teams. Common additions include roles in:
- General bookkeeping
- Accounts receivable
- Payroll support
- Financial reporting and budgeting
The success of your offshore hire can form the foundation for a full outsourced bookkeeping team. The model is both scalable and cost-effective, allowing companies to redirect internal resources to strategic finance work while ensuring compliance and accuracy in day-to-day tasks.
Structuring a Remote Finance Team
Hiring your first offshore accounts payable officer is a practical, cost-effective way to start building a global finance function. With the right systems, support, and mindset, Australian businesses can gain operational efficiency and financial visibility—all while navigating talent shortages and rising overheads. It’s not just about reducing costs. It’s about building a finance team that’s resilient, responsive, and future-ready.
