Finance as a Service (FaaS) has become the preferred model for companies that need enterprise-grade finance and accounting (F&A) without building a large in-house department.
The right partner supplies people, process, and technology in one subscription, freeing leaders to focus on strategy instead of spreadsheets. But how do you separate the truly strategic partners from basic outsourcing vendors?
Use the checklist below, then see how Consero raises the bar with AI-enabled technology, flexible engagement models, and a full continuum of services.
1. Start With Self-Assessment
Clarify your gaps and goals. A precise inventory of needs keeps you from over- or under-buying and lets you compare providers on apples-to-apples terms.
2. Evaluate a Provider’s “Three Ps”
3. Demand Modern Technology
Leading FaaS partners now embed artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate high-volume tasks—invoice capture, 3-way match, anomaly detection, rolling forecasts—while surfacing insights your team can act on. Look for:
- True cloud architecture (no VPN-bound desktops).
- Open APIs to integrate CRM, HRIS, and BI tools.
- AI-driven quality controls that flag coding mistakes before they hit the ledger.
- Self-service dashboards for executives and investors who want answers in minutes, not a month-end packet.
Get the playbook we use to help hundreds of businesses scale their back-office.
Schedule Consultation4. Confirm Cultural and Communication Fit
A finance partner becomes an extension of your management team. Validate that they:
- Align cadence with your staff.
- Provide a named engagement manager and clear escalation path.
- Offer governance calls and board-ready packets on a predictable schedule.
- Share your values around transparency, continuous improvement, and data security.
5. Check Reputation and Proof Points
Ask for client references in businesses similar to yours, then probe:
Verified case studies and audit letters speak louder than slide decks.
Why Companies Ultimately Choose Consero
Consero Global pioneered Finance as a Service more than 15 years ago and continues to push the boundaries of what “outsourced finance” can mean.
| Consero Advantage | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Fast Time-to-Value | Consero’s pre-built process maps and tech stack get clients live in 30–90 days—versus 12–18 months to build internally. |
| AI-Enabled SIMPL® Platform | Automated GL coding, exception alerts, and interactive dashboards deliver real-time visibility without manual data wrangling. |
| Flex Finance & Flex Resources | Scale whole workflows (Flex Finance) or tap specific skill sets-AP clerks, revenue accountants, FP&A analysts (Flex Resources)—month-to-month. |
| Full Continuum of Services | Day-to-day bookkeeping, controller oversight, FP&A, advisory/CFO guidance, and specialized cleanup projects to fix historical issues. |
| Industry Bench Strength | Teams staffed with experts in SaaS, healthcare, professional services, and PE- & VC-backed growth companies. |
Is FaaS Right for You?
FaaS is not a one-size-fits-all answer. The model delivers its greatest value and the fastest time-to-insight when your operating profile matches the strengths of a cloud-first, platform-enabled service.
| FaaS Works Best When… | FaaS May Not Be Ideal When… |
|---|---|
| Industry Alignment | |
|
Your industry depends on an industry-specific ERP/GL (e.g., construction, property-management, large-scale manufacturing) that cannot be migrated or integrated efficiently. |
| Team Structure & Needs | |
| Lean Finance Teams need seasoned controllers, FP&A analysts, and CFO-level guidance without hiring a dozen people. | You must maintain a unique fiscal calendar (4-4-5, 13-period, etc.) or statutory chart of accounts that overrides U.S. GAAP/IFRS conventions. |
| Operational Complexity | |
| Multi-entity / multi-location structures demand consolidated, audit-ready reporting and best-practice KPIs. | Operations require specialized government-contracting compliance (e.g., DCAA cost-accounting standards) that a horizontal platform cannot support. |
| Transaction & Data Management | |
| Transaction volumes are high but transaction types are repeatable (subscriptions, time-and-materials, services, marketplace payouts) and can be automated with AI. | You manage a high volume of physical-goods inventory with complex forecasting, bills of materials, or warehouse management that must reside inside the GL. |
| Reporting & Analytics | |
| Leaders value real-time dashboards and rolling forecasts to make data-driven decisions. | Most A/R, A/P, or management reporting must be handled in a foreign language or the company is headquartered entirely outside North America, creating regulatory or linguistic barriers a U.S.-centric platform won’t cover. |
Why this matters: Focusing on core-competency industries lets a FaaS partner bring pre-configured process maps, benchmark KPIs, and talent with vertical expertise. Conversely, edge-case requirements, such as bespoke ERPs, heavy inventory, or niche compliance, can erode the time-to-value that makes FaaS attractive.
Consero in Action
Here are a few real-world examples of how a full FaaS engagement actually plays out:
More Than A Provider, A Strategic Partner
Selecting a Finance as a Service partner is less about low-cost labor and more about strategic enablement. Vet providers for expert people, battle-tested processes, and enterprise-grade platforms that deliver speed, accuracy, and insight.
Consero checks every box while adding modular flexibility and high-octane advisory services that evolve as you do.
Ready to see how modern FaaS can unlock growth? Request a consultation with Consero and discover a finance function that’s always on, always insightful, and always ready for what’s next.
