An offshore accountant is a tax advisor who is located in a jurisdiction with low or no taxation, like Mauritius or the Caribbean. Offshore accountants can help you optimize your tax strategy by minimizing the amount of tax you need to pay.
There are two main reasons why you might want to hire an offshore accountant:
1. If you are conducting business in a country with high taxes and2. If you are trying to reduce your global tax liability.
Why Offshore?
The big advantage of hiring an accountant who is based in a low-tax jurisdiction is that they can help you minimize your
tax liability. In countries with high tax rates, accountants can be as much a part of your strategy as your marketing and
finance departments. But if you operate in a country with low tax rates, accounting can be more of an administrative
function. By hiring an accountant who is located in a low- or no-tax jurisdiction, you can reduce your tax liability. This is
particularly useful if you do substantial business in high-tax jurisdictions, or are conducting business globally.
Are You Eligible to Hire an Offshore Accountant?
The first step in hiring an offshore accountant is to check if your business is eligible.
Here are the eligibility criteria:
1. You can only hire an accountant who is not a resident of the country in which you operate your business.
2. You can enter into a contract with the accountant only if you conduct business in a jurisdiction where the outsourced accounting services will be provided.
3. Both the accountant and their firm must be registered by a professional association in a country that is not a tax treaty partner with your country.
4. The jurisdiction in which the accountant is based must have a reciprocal tax treaty with the country in which you operate your business.
5. You must make sure that the jurisdiction in which the accountant has registration has a high level of professional standards and auditing.
6. You must ask potential accountants whether they can provide value-added services, such as providing advice on accounting software, tax strategies or bookkeeping.
7. You should also ask potential accountants about the availability of professional services offered by the jurisdiction in which they are registered.
Selecting a Tax Advisor Based in a Different Country
When hiring an accountant who is based in a different country, it is important that you select the right one. Here are a few tips for finding the right offshore accountant:
1. Conduct thorough research to select a reputable firm.
2. Find out how the firm calculates their fees, and make sure it is transparent.
3. Check if the firm is member of a reputable accounting association.
4. Make sure the firm has the experience you require.
5. Select a firm that has tax experts who understand your industry and can provide guidance on your unique situation.
6. Find out if the firm has experience in dealing with clients who are in the same industry as your company.
7. Ask the firm if they employ any certified public accountants.
8. If the firm is not operating in the country where you operate your business, make sure you sign a contract with an offshore law firm.
9. Be prepared to ask an accountant a lot of questions to determine if they are the right fit for your business.
Should You Use An Offshore Accountant?
If you have decided that an offshore accountant is right for you, then it is time to sit down with your team and decide what you need from a tax advisor. Determine which accounting services you will outsource and how often you will require them. Make sure you choose an offshore accounting firm that can provide you with the following services:
1. Preparing financial reports.
2. Preparing your tax returns and advising you on how to minimize your tax liability.
3. Providing advice on setting up bookkeeping systems and managing your finances.
4. Providing advice on asset management and financial planning.
5. Providing advice on international financial issues, including exchange rates, interest rates and currency risks.
6. Providing advice on how to transfer funds between your business and your personal bank account.
7. Providing assistance with intellectual property issues.
8. Providing assistance with setting up your
company in a foreign country