Recruitment is a game of speed, relationships, and results. You’re on the phone, in interviews, chasing leads, and filling roles before your competitors even know the vacancy exists.
But while you’re smashing targets and celebrating placements, there’s a quieter part of your business that can make or break your success: the backoffice.
Payroll, invoicing, credit control, VAT returns, compliance — they’re not glamorous, but they’re the engine that keeps your agency running. And in recruitment, especially if you’re heavy on shortterm temp placements, that engine is under constant pressure.
That’s why outsourcing your bookkeeping isn’t just a costsaving exercise — it’s a strategic move.
We Speak Recruitment
We’re not generalists who “also” work with agencies. We’ve spent years in the recruitment finance trenches, particularly with temp desks that live and die by weekly payroll. We understand:
- Weekly payroll vs. monthly income — paying temps every Friday while waiting 30–90 days for client invoices to clear.
- Highvolume onboarding — contracts, ID checks, compliance docs, righttowork evidence, all processed at speed.
- Multiple revenue streams — perm fees, temp margins, temptoperm conversions, and sometimes agencytoagency subcontracting.
- Cashflow gaps — one latepaying client can throw your entire payroll into chaos.
We’ve seen the stress this creates for agency owners and directors — and we’ve built systems to take that stress off your desk.
So… What Does an Outsourced Bookkeeper Actually Do for a Recruitment Agency?
Think of us as your offsite finance team — without the overheads, training, or holiday cover headaches. Here’s what we handle:
1. Payroll Support That Keeps Temps Happy
We make sure your temps get paid on time, every time — even when client payments are running late. We’ll reconcile timesheets, calculate pay, and ensure compliance with holiday pay, pensions, and deductions.
2. Invoicing That Doesn’t Slip
We raise and send invoices promptly, so the clock starts ticking on payment terms immediately. No more “we didn’t get your invoice” excuses.
3. Proactive Credit Control
We don’t just send statements — we chase payments, follow up with clients, and escalate when needed. You focus on placements; we focus on getting you paid.
4. Cashflow Forecasting
We map out your incoming and outgoing cash so you can plan payroll with confidence. No nasty surprises, no lastminute scrambles.
5. Bad Payer Protection
We use tools like credit insurance and Debtor Watch to flag risky clients before they become a problem. Prevention is always cheaper than cure.
6. Compliance Without the Headache
From VAT rules to agency worker regulations, we keep you compliant and ready for HMRC inspections.
7. RealTime Reporting
We give you clear, jargonfree reports so you know exactly where your agency stands financially — and can make decisions fast.
Why Recruiters Love Outsourcing
- It’s scalable — whether you’re a boutique perm agency or running a highvolume temp desk, we flex with your workload.
- It’s costeffective — you get a whole team’s expertise for less than the cost of one inhouse hire.
- It’s stressreducing — no more late nights wrestling with spreadsheets or chasing overdue invoices.
The Payoff
When you outsource your bookkeeping, you:
- Keep payroll running like clockwork.
- Protect your margins from slowpaying clients.
- Free up your time to focus on placements, not paperwork.
In recruitment, your time is money. Outsourcing gives you more of both — and that’s why, for recruiters, outsourced really is the new black.