Outsourced Accounting: The Secret of Successful Vacation Rentals

Outsourced Accounting: The Secret of Successful Vacation Rentals

What differentiates successful vacation rental businesses? Many people assume it’s about having a portfolio of beautiful homes to rent in ideal locations. Others think it’s about how you market the properties or handle the maintenance. All these things are important, of course, but the answer is more basic: accounting.

How long a business lasts – vacation rental or otherwise – is largely determined by how it manages its money. Financial mistakes can sink an otherwise strong operation, just as financial excellence can put one on a path of continued growth. Too many vacation rental operators underestimate the importance of accounting in everything they do – and pay a bigger price than they realize.

That price comes when they decide NOT to outsource their accounting needs. Managers might conclude that outsourcing is unnecessary or too expensive and carry on with in-house accounting assuming that everything’s fine. But it’s not fine.

In fact, the decision not to enlist accounting assistance puts a ceiling on their own success. 

When resources are stretched too thin, it only takes a small hitch in the process for serious problems to occur.

What’s even more unsettling is that those errors may have already occurred but have yet to be discovered. This is where an outsourced accounting team can be a life saver. With experienced accountants who understand your business in the control room, you never have to worry about personnel changes or other disruptions that could derail your daily operations.

Improve Staff Productivity

Vacation rental accounting represents a major workload to tackle (and do it correctly) on top of everything else property management requires. There may be few resources – in terms of time, money, staff, expertise etc. – to apply to accounting, making it a frustrating and time-consuming process that distracts from other objectives. Outsourcing ensures there’s enough resources for everything, whereas keeping it in-house means it will always feel like your resources are spread too thin to actually move the needle. 

Stop Repeating the Same Mistakes

With limited resources for in-house accounting, the risk of errors and omission is high, as are the consequences if things like security deposits and refunds aren’t handled correctly. Accounting mistakes force a business to scramble, and all it takes is one to shred the bottom line. Outsourcing accounting to a team of experts makes errors far less likely; continuing as normal guarantees they will happen again.

Never Miss Another Opportunity

Financial data is full of important business insights – both positive and negative – but it takes a trained eye, the right techniques, and plenty of time to find them: more than most vacation rental businesses have available. Consequently, they treat accounting like an obligation instead of an opportunity. Outsourcing, on the other hand, is designed to supply a steady stream of insights based on what operators want or need to know.

Leverage Software Made For Professionals

Common accounting software like Quickbooks can complicate vacation rental accounting, particularly around trust accounting and financial reporting. However, upgrading to something better raises questions about ROI and requires a lengthy learning curve. Vacation rental businesses could be stuck with accounting software they’ve outgrown, or they could partner with an outsourced accounting firm that leverages best-in-class technology for everything it does.

Flexible outsourced accounting solutions for busy short-term rental managers

Successful vacation rental firms prioritize accounting, which is why they outsource it as well. They recognize the advantages of having a full service outsourcing firm – not just a CPA or bookkeeper – in their corner with expertise in the particulars of vacation rentals. Just as importantly, they acknowledge the challenges of conducting exceptional accounting in-house.

If you’re ready to differentiate your own vacation rental business, contact Ximplifi.