Cost to Hire Finance and Accounting Staff in the Philippines for Australian Companies
Author: Martin English
Published: May 8, 2026
TL;DR
Australian companies typically spend between AUD $1,200 and AUD $5,000+ per month to hire finance and accounting staff in the Philippines through an Employer of Record (EOR), depending on role seniority.
A mid-level CPA generally costs around:
- AUD $2,300–2,800/month all-in
including:
- salary
- statutory contributions
- 13th Month Pay accrual
- EOR fees
Equivalent Australian finance hires often cost:
- AUD $7,500–10,000+ per month
making offshore hiring in the Philippines approximately 65–75% lower cost for many finance roles.
Smart Outsourcing Solutions (SOS) EOR fees start from:
- AUD $290 per employee per month
- no setup fees
- no recruitment fees
About Smart Outsourcing Solutions
Smart Outsourcing Solution (SOS) is the go-to Employer of Record in the Philippines for Australian financial services companies.
We support:
- 1,000+ employees
- 250+ global clients
- 30+ Australian accounting and financial services firms
Our team specialises in compliant offshore hiring for:
- accounting
- bookkeeping
- finance operations
- mortgage processing
- paraplanning
- compliance support
with extensive experience supporting Australian-regulated businesses.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Finance Staff in the Philippines?
Direct Answer:
Australian companies typically spend between AUD $1,200 and AUD $5,000+ per month to hire finance staff in the Philippines depending on role seniority, experience level, and whether the employee is hired through an Employer of Record (EOR).
For most Australian businesses:
- junior bookkeeping staff cost approximately AUD $1,200–1,800/month all-in
- mid-level accountants and CPAs cost AUD $2,300–3,200/month all-in
- senior finance managers cost AUD $3,500–5,000+/month all-in
Benchmarks below reflect Metro Manila market rates. Provincial locations such as Cebu and Davao are often 15–25% lower.
Philippines Finance & Accounting Salary Benchmarks
| Role | Entry (0–2 yrs) | Mid (3–5 yrs) | Senior (6+ yrs) |
| Bookkeeper / Accounts Officer | PHP 25,000–35,000 | PHP 35,000–50,000 | PHP 50,000–65,000 |
| Accountant (non-CPA) | PHP 30,000–45,000 | PHP 45,000–60,000 | PHP 60,000–80,000 |
| CPA / Financial Accountant | PHP 40,000–55,000 | PHP 55,000–75,000 | PHP 75,000–100,000 |
| Financial Analyst | PHP 40,000–55,000 | PHP 55,000–75,000 | PHP 75,000–110,000 |
| Paraplanner | PHP 40,000–55,000 | PHP 55,000–75,000 | PHP 75,000–100,000 |
| Finance Manager | — | PHP 80,000–110,000 | PHP 110,000–160,000 |
Exchange Rate Assumption
Benchmarks above are modelled using approximately:
- PHP 37–38 per AUD
Australian companies should model conservatively because exchange rates fluctuate over time.
What Does an EOR Cost in the Philippines (AUD)?
Direct Answer:
Most EOR providers in the Philippines charge between AUD $250 and AUD $600+ per employee per month depending on support level and provider structure.
Smart Outsourcing Solutions charges:
- from AUD $290 per employee per month
- no setup fees
- no recruitment fees
Typical All-In Offshore Staffing Cost Structure
| Cost Component | Typical Amount |
| Gross monthly salary | Based on role and experience |
| Employer SSS contribution | ~9.5% |
| Employer PhilHealth contribution | ~2.5% |
| Employer Pag-IBIG contribution | PHP 100/month |
| 13th Month Pay accrual | ~8.33% |
| EOR management fee | From AUD $290/month |
Example: Mid-Level CPA All-In Cost
A mid-level CPA earning:
- PHP 65,000/month (~AUD 1,740)
typically has a total offshore employment cost of approximately:
- AUD $2,300–2,600/month all-in
including:
- statutory contributions
- 13th Month Pay accrual
- payroll administration
- EOR fee
This excludes optional equipment or software licensing costs.
Philippines vs Australia: Finance Staff Cost Comparison
Direct Answer:
Australian companies commonly reduce finance staffing costs by 65–75% by hiring equivalent offshore finance professionals in the Philippines.
| Role | Philippines All-In Cost (AUD/month) | Australia All-In Cost (AUD/month) | Approx. Saving |
| Bookkeeper | $1,200–1,800 | $5,500–7,000 | ~70–75% |
| CPA / Financial Accountant | $2,300–2,800 | $7,500–10,000 | ~65–72% |
| Financial Analyst | $2,400–3,200 | $8,000–11,000 | ~65–72% |
| Finance Manager | $3,500–5,000 | $12,000–16,000 | ~65–72% |
What Is Included in Australian Cost Estimates?
Australian benchmark estimates typically include:
- base salary
- superannuation (11.5%)
- payroll tax
- leave loading
- employment on-costs
Actual costs vary by:
- state
- business size
- award obligations
- benefits structure
Why Australian Companies Hire Finance Staff in the Philippines
Many Australian firms prefer the Philippines for offshore finance support due to:
- strong English fluency
- Australian timezone alignment
- customer-service culture
- familiarity with Western accounting systems
- large finance talent pool
- growing experience with:
- Xero
- MYOB
- QuickBooks
- Australian accounting standards
Demand for offshore finance talent in the Philippines continues to grow among Australian accounting firms, particularly for:
- Xero-trained accountants
- mortgage processing staff
- paraplanners
- bookkeeping teams
When Does Hiring Offshore Finance Staff Make Financial Sense?
Offshore finance hiring is usually most cost-effective when Australian companies need to:
- reduce repetitive operational workload
- improve bookkeeping capacity
- scale support teams quickly
- extend service delivery hours
- reduce local salary pressure
- support internal finance functions more efficiently
The largest cost advantages are usually seen in:
- bookkeeping
- accounts administration
- mortgage processing
- paraplanning
- operational accounting support
Is Hiring Through an EOR Cheaper Than Setting Up a Philippine Entity?
Direct Answer:
For most Australian companies hiring 1–15 offshore staff, yes.
Setting up a Philippine entity commonly requires:
- AUD $5,000–15,000+ in setup costs
- SEC registration
- local accounting infrastructure
- payroll systems
- director obligations
- HR administration
An EOR allows compliant hiring from day one without entity setup complexity.
For most businesses, a Philippine entity only becomes cost-efficient once offshore operations scale significantly.
What Factors Affect the Cost of Hiring Finance Staff in the Philippines?
| Factor | Impact on Cost |
| Location | BGC/Makati typically cost 15–25% more |
| CPA qualification | Australian accounting experience attracts premium salaries |
| Regulatory experience | AFSL, AML, and compliance exposure increases rates |
| Software expertise | Xero and MYOB experience commands higher salaries |
| Remote vs office setup | Influences infrastructure and talent pricing |
| EOR provider | Fees range from AUD $250–600+ per month |
Compliance Considerations
Australian financial services companies should also review:
- Compliance Checklist for Australian Financial Services Companies Hiring in the Philippines
(/resource/australian-financial-services-hiring-philippines-compliance-checklist/)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EOR fee for hiring in the Philippines?
Most EOR providers charge between AUD $250 and AUD $600+ per employee per month depending on service inclusions.
Smart Outsourcing Solutions charges:
- from AUD $290 per employee per month
- no setup fees
- no recruitment fees
Do Australian companies pay the EOR in AUD?
Usually yes.
Most EOR providers invoice in:
- AUD
- USD
while employees are paid locally in Philippine pesos.
What is included in the EOR management fee?
Typical EOR services include:
- employment contract preparation
- payroll processing
- statutory remittances
- government registrations
- payslip generation
- HR administration
- labour compliance support
Are there hidden offshore hiring costs?
Potential additional costs may include:
- equipment
- software licences
- internet allowance
- de minimis allowances
- office infrastructure
SOS pricing is fully transparent with no hidden setup fees.
How does 13th Month Pay affect offshore staffing cost?
13th Month Pay adds approximately:
- 8.33%
to annual salary cost and should be accrued monthly.
What is the cheapest finance role to hire offshore?
Bookkeeping and accounts administration roles are typically the lowest-cost offshore finance positions.
Junior bookkeeping staff often cost:
- AUD $1,200–1,800/month all-in
through an EOR.
Do Filipino accountants understand Australian accounting standards?
Many experienced offshore accountants working with Australian companies already have exposure to:
- Australian accounting workflows
- BAS preparation support
- Xero
- MYOB
- Australian bookkeeping standards
Demand for AU-experienced accountants continues to increase.
Can offshore accountants use Xero and MYOB?
Yes.
Xero and MYOB experience is now extremely common among offshore finance professionals in the Philippines.
Many Australian accounting firms specifically recruit Filipino accountants with existing Australian software experience.
Is hiring finance staff in the Philippines worth it for Australian companies?
For many Australian accounting and financial services firms, yes.
Benefits commonly include:
- 65–75% labour cost savings
- access to qualified English-speaking talent
- scalable offshore operations
- lower local recruitment pressure
- faster operational scaling
More than 30 Australian accounting and financial services firms already use SOS to build offshore finance teams.
Speak to an EOR Specialist
If you’re exploring hiring finance or accounting staff in the Philippines, Smart Outsourcing Solution can provide:
- Salary benchmarks in AUD
- All-in offshore staffing cost breakdowns
- AFSL outsourcing compliance guidance
- Payroll and statutory compliance support
- EOR onboarding typically within 1–3 weeks
Transparent EOR Pricing
- From AUD $290 per employee per month
- No setup fees
- No recruitment fees
- Transparent fixed pricing
Speak with an EOR specialist experienced in supporting Australian accounting, mortgage, and financial services firms hiring in the Philippines.
