Services

• Is it only transactional duties that Consero offshore staff can handle?
• Although transactional processing is the most clearly recognized outsourced finance and accounting (F&A) function, it is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Consero offshore capabilities.  Consero staff routinely perform highly sophisticated data and financial management leveraging their strengths in analytics and financial modeling.  Upon request, we can demo these capabilities and how they help clients make critical tactical and strategic decisions for their businesses.
• How much can I save using an offshore F&A contractor?
• In general, Consero contractors will save clients between 50 to 60% versus local staffing options.  Augmenting the local client team with offshore resources can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in staffing costs.

Security

• What measures are taken to protect my corporate data?
• Basic background checks are done on all of staff members, and each is under confidentiality agreements that protect our clients’ information.  Consero has a badge-access facility with 24-hour manned security to prevent any access by non-authorized personnel or removal of information.  Consero also has industry-standard network security to ensure the safety of your data and our equipment.

Experience

• What is the offshore team’s experience level in finance and accounting?
• It ranges from 1 to 12 years of experience with 100% of Consero employees having a college degree, and 60% having a graduate degree in either Chartered Accountancy or MBA.  Consero hires only the best and brightest paying above-market to attract this kind of talent.  Evidence of the quality and experience level of Consero employees is that we commonly fill roles held by local U.S. hires with 15+ years of experience.
• Have your financial analysts done any “heavy duty” analysis work such as valuations, financial statement analysis, and financial projections?
• Yes, this is actually an area of major strength for Consero.  We do highly sophisticated financial analysis work in all of these areas.  Upon request, Consero can provide samples of this work.
• Do you have US GAAP experience?
• Yes, many members of the Consero staff have worked for U.S.-based corporations and have a direct working knowledge of GAAP accounting.  In addition, International Accounting Standards are 90% equivalent to GAAP standards and are the basis of the Indian Chartered Accountancy program that much of our team has completed.  Consero also provides training on variations from GAAP to non-GAAP accounting.
• With which accounting software packages does your team have experience?
• Consero staff have direct experience with all the major accounting software packages, such as QuickBooks, Great Plains, NetSuite, Oracle, SAP, and more.  They also have experience with a number of industry-specific accounting packages.  This means that clients need only train Consero staff on their accounting setup and processes – not on how to use the accounting software itself.
• What is the offshore team’s experience with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint?
• The Excel skills in our office are unrivaled.  Consero provides extensive in-house training on Excel techniques, and we bring experts from the outside to train our people in related areas such as Visual Basic.  Consero staff also possess solid Word and PowerPoint skills.

Logistics

• What hours does the offshore team work?
• Standard office hours are from 4:00 AM to 1:00 EST.  This gives the client the best of both worlds – the advantage of overnight processing and an entire morning for review and interaction with Consero staff.  Like any other client employee, Consero staff will work longer when needed and frequently are in the office quite late finishing urgent projects.
• How many hours per week does the offshore team work?
• Clients can expect 40 to 50 hours a week from Consero staff.  As our client’s deadlines are our deadlines, Consero staff will do what it takes to get the job done.  Since Consero charges a monthly flat fee, the client does not incur additional charges if our staff works longer hours on a project (the same as a local, salaried employee).
• Are there language issues when working with your personnel?
• Because Consero hires employees expecting them to interface directly with clients, Consero screens candidates for strong English-speaking skills. In fact, all employees are interviewed by a U.S. staff member who, among other attributes, assesses both written and verbal English capabilities.
• How do I communicate with Consero staff in India?
• All Consero staff have client-local, U.S. phone number s as well as email and instant messaging capabilities.  It is no different than talking to client staff members when they are working remotely or just out of the office.
• How do staff members get access to the client information they need?
• Depending on the client’s systems setup, Consero staff members can securely access required applications via either web-based connections (for hosted applications), VPN, or remote desktop.  Documentation is received electronically, or paper documents are scanned to the client’s server and accessed there via the secure connection.  
• During after-hours, is there a way to leave a voice mail?
• Yes, Consero staff have client-local, U.S. phone numbers that go to voicemail if they are unavailable.
• How do I get started?
• We scope the role or duties required by the client and supply a proposal and price quote within a few days.  Upon acceptance, Consero then helps the client establish IT connectivity for the assigned Consero staff members and provides contact information (local phone numbers, email, instant messaging) for everyone.  The client is also assigned one of our highly experienced Engagement Managers, who has responsibility for client satisfaction, first-tier escalation, mentoring, and other account supervisory duties.  Consero begins work after an initial kick-off meeting.