As a business owner, managing the company’s finances effectively is essential to your success. For many, that means outsourcing to an expert. But when it comes to outsourcing financial services, do you need a Done-for-You or Done-with-You approach? If you’re like many other business owners, you’re probably not sure, but understanding the difference between these two options can help you choose the right level of support that fits your needs, budget, and business goals.
Each approach has its own advantages—and its own challenges—depending on how involved you want to, or can, be in your financial management. As with many business decisions, it comes down to what is best for you and your specific situation. Before deciding though, it’s important to understand what they are.
What is Done-for-You Financial Support?
A Done-for-You approach takes financial compliance completely off your plate, allowing you to focus on running and growing your business. In this model, the outsourced financial team handles everything—from bookkeeping and accounting to tax strategy and compliance. They ensure your financial records are accurate and tax filings are timely.
Your primary responsibility is to provide the necessary documentation and data for them to do their job effectively. Beyond that, you remain largely hands-off, trusting the experts to maintain your company’s financial health and provide periodic updates. This is based on data you provide, not an actual understanding of what is happening in the business, leaving a knowledge gap when it comes to making financial decisions.
Benefits
Done-for-You financial support has the following benefits:
- Efficient and Cost-Effective – Since the team leverages their expertise, systems, and automation, this approach is often more cost-effective than a piecemeal or DIY financial strategy.
- Minimal Time Commitment – You don’t have to learn new financial processes or tools—the outsourced team takes care of everything.
- Expert-Led Execution – Experienced professionals ensure accuracy, compliance, and financial reporting based on a general understanding of the type of business overall. It is not tailored to the individual business or circumstances it is in.
Challenges
Done-for-You financial support also has the following challenges:
- Limited Financial Insight – While your finances are being handled, you may lack a deeper understanding of your company’s financial health, making it harder to make informed strategic decisions.
- Less Control Over Decisions – Since an external team manages everything, you may feel disconnected from day-to-day financial operations and reliant on their expertise without fully understanding the rationale behind key decisions.
- Potential for Misalignment – If expectations and communication aren’t clear, the financial team may make decisions that don’t fully align with your business goals or growth strategy.
The Done-for-You option is ideal for business owners who (1) prefer a high level of delegation, (2) need expert financial guidance, or (3) simply lack the time or expertise to manage these responsibilities themselves. However, issues arise in that there is a lack of a customized, tailored approach that could negatively impact your decisions.
What is Done-with-You Financial Support?
A Done-with-You approach is more collaborative—the outsourced team works alongside you to assess your financial processes, close knowledge gaps, and guide you step-by-step through implementation. As opposed to Done-for-You, this means you stay actively involved in managing your finances while gaining expert support to ensure accuracy and compliance. Over time, this approach helps you build financial confidence and independence, empowering you to make informed choices that drive long-term business success.
Benefits
Done-with-You financial support has the following benefits:
- Personalized Guidance – The outsourced team assessed your current financial knowledge and helps you develop the skills needed to manage your finances effectively.
- Flexible & Customized – They move at your pace, outlining processes and providing support as you take on more responsibility.
- Stronger Financial Control – You gain a deeper understanding of your company’s financial health, which enables you to make informed decisions and adjust strategies in real time.
Challenges
Done-with-You financial support has the following benefits:
- Time Commitment – Because you are actively involved in the process, you must dedicate time to communication and reviewing with the outsourced team.
- Steeper Learning Curve – If you’re new to financial management, understanding processes and best practices can take time and effort before you feel fully confident.
- Higher Involvement, Higher Cost – Since this approach requires more time, resources, and direct collaboration, it is inherently more costly than Done-for-You services.
This option is best for business owners who want to be actively involved in their financial management and gain a deeper understanding of their numbers. It empowers you to make informed decisions based on real-time financial data rather than relying solely on external advisors. Over time, this hands-on approach can lead to greater confidence in managing cash flow, forecasting, and strategic planning, ultimately helping you scale your business more effectively.
Which One is Right for You?
When deciding between Done-for-You and Done-with-You, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you want to be hands-on with your finances, or would you rather delegate and trust experts?
- Keep in mind that the latter means that the services you receive will not be tailored to your business. While your financial reports and ratios will be used, of course, it will not be based on a thorough understanding of what is actually happening in the day-to-day operations of your business.
- Are you looking for a cost-effective solution, or do you prefer in-depth learning and collaboration?
- Do you need immediate execution of financial compliance, or are you open to a longer, more involved process to build your financial skills?
At Agile Planners, we understand that every business is unique. That’s why we only provide a Done-with-You approach. These aren’t just routine tasks like filing a tax return or reconciling the books. Rather, we’re in the trenches with you, helping you truly understand your finances so you can make smarter decisions. This is done through a collaborative effort, with clear and consistent communication every step of the way.
With this approach, our goal is to create an experience that goes beyond compliance work, which is often merely seen as a necessary chore. Instead, we want our clients to look forward to meeting with us because they see the value in using their financials as a powerful tool for growth.
Contact us today to discuss your financial needs and find the best solution for your business
About Agile Planners
At Agile Planners, we provide strategic guidance and outsourced CFO services to companies of all sizes. We can help provide the strategy your organization needs for the growth you want. We understand that no two organizations are the same. And with our experience and financial knowledge, we can help develop the right strategic plan for your business to grow and reach its goals. Simply, we’ll be your trusted partner, so you can focus on running your organization. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
