Outsourced accounting helps AEC firms boost efficiency, reduce risk, improve visibility, and scale financial operations strategically.
Most AEC firms today find themselves asking the question: how do we use our time, talent, and technology more effectively? With the increasing complexity of managing projects, clients, and adhering to financial standards, firms often find that their accounting function becomes stretched – or even stagnant.
That’s why more AEC firms are turning to outsourced accounting services, not as a stopgap, but as a long-term strategy for improving operations, gaining financial clarity, and maximizing their Deltek investment.
The evolving role of accounting in AEC firms.
Accounting in AEC firms is far more than back-office number crunching. From project budgeting and revenue recognition to meeting all financial requirements and forecasting, the accounting function directly supports firm performance and leadership decision-making. Yet many firms struggle to keep up.
It’s not uncommon for firms to rely on a lean accounting team, or even a single person, to manage their entire finance function. But when that person takes a new job, retires, or simply can’t keep up with the increasing demands, the result can be late reports, limited insights, and a growing risk of costly errors.
Even firms with strong internal teams can reach a ceiling when it comes to maximizing Deltek’s capabilities. Achieving the maximum return on investment requires not only accounting knowledge but also in-depth expertise with project-based financials, timekeeping, workflows, and reporting structures that are unique to the AEC industry.
Understanding the value of outsourcing.
Outsourced accounting doesn’t mean giving up control. In fact, for many firms, it’s a way to regain control by ensuring that the right processes, people, and expertise are in place to support the business. Here’s how outsourcing can directly benefit firms using Deltek Vision or Vantagepoint:
- Specialized expertise without the hiring headaches. Finding professionals who understand accounting, the AEC industry, and Deltek is a tall order. Outsourcing gives firms instant access to that rare combination of skills, without the time and costs associated with hiring, training, and retraining staff. This is especially valuable when dealing with turnover, extended absences, or transitions in leadership or firm ownership.
- Optimized use of Deltek functionality. Many firms only scratch the surface of what Deltek Vision and Vantagepoint can do. An experienced outsourced accounting team does more than just data entry and reporting; they help you uncover opportunities to make your Deltek system work better for you. By providing deep financial clarity and operational insights, they enable your firm to pursue initiatives like building better dashboards, streamlining billing and collections, and automating key workflows which help ensure your system’s configuration truly reflects how your firm operates. The result? Fewer workarounds, more efficient operations, and better data for decision-making.
- Scalable support that grows with you. Outsourced accounting models are inherently flexible. Whether your firm is in rapid growth mode or simply trying to stabilize operations after a leadership change, you can scale services up or down based on what you need, from transactional support like AP/AR to controller or CFO-level insight. This is particularly useful for firms going through mergers, expanding geographically, or shifting strategic direction.
- Stronger internal controls and reduced risk. Having an external team support your accounting processes can enhance segregation of duties, minimize the risk of fraud, and ensure that your internal controls are both documented and adhered to. It also adds an extra layer of consistency during periods of change, something that’s particularly valuable for firms navigating ownership transitions, audits, or compliance requirements tied to government contracts.
- Better visibility into financial performance. Ultimately, Deltek Vision and Vantagepoint are powerful tools, but only when supported by accurate, timely inputs. With outsourced accounting, firms benefit from routine and reliable financial reporting that enables more confident decision-making. This includes up-to-date KPIs, margin tracking, backlog and pipeline visibility, and clearer forecasting that helps you plan strategically for growth or course-correct when necessary.
When does outsourcing make sense?
Outsourcing isn’t right for every firm, but there are some clear signals that it’s time to consider it:
- Your current staff is overwhelmed, and key tasks are falling through the cracks.
- You’re not getting timely financial reports, or you don’t trust the numbers.
- Your firm has grown, but your accounting capabilities haven’t kept pace.
- You’re investing in Deltek but not seeing the return in productivity or insight.
- You’re anticipating leadership changes, ownership transitions, or increased compliance demands.
In these situations, outsourcing can provide a steady head, expert guidance, and a path forward that supports your firm’s growth and sustainability.
Accelerating success with outsourced accounting.
For project-based firms in the AEC industry, the accounting function is both essential and complex. And when Deltek Vision or Vantagepoint is part of your financial ecosystem, that complexity only increases. Outsourcing provides a practical approach to enhancing your accounting operations, mitigating risk, and maximizing the value of your software investment.
It’s not about replacing your team; it’s about supporting your firm with the expertise and capacity you need, when you need it. If you’d like to learn more about how SN’s outsourced accounting team can help your firm achieve better results, reach out today.
Lisa Lee is managing director of Outsourced Accounting Services at Stambaugh Ness. Connect with her on LinkedIn.