Accounting Outsourcing Turnback: Case of Malaysia

One of our accounting outsourcing research output. Good info on challenges faced by local govern agency who take back its accounting process due to high risks of accounting outsourcing to third party vendor. Lessons learned for vendors and managers. Pls have a look at this paper for more interesting story.

Accounting outsourcing turnback: process and issues

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Document Information:

Title:	Accounting outsourcing turnback: process and issues
Author(s):	Ruhanita Maelah, (School of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia), Aini Aman, (School of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia), Noradiva Hamzah, (School of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia), Rozita Amiruddin, (School of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia), Sofiah Md Auzair, (School of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia)
Citation:	Ruhanita Maelah, Aini Aman, Noradiva Hamzah, Rozita Amiruddin, Sofiah Md Auzair, (2010) "Accounting outsourcing turnback: process and issues", Strategic Outsourcing: An International Journal, Vol. 3 Iss: 3, pp.226 - 245
Keywords:	Accounting, Malaysia, Operations management, Outsourcing
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/17538291011093811 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Acknowledgements:	The authors would like to thank the reviewers of this manuscript and delegates at the Curtin International Business Conference, Sarawak Malaysia, November 2009 for their comments and suggestions.
Abstract:	Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide understanding on the process of accounting outsourcing turnback from the client's perspective. The aim is to understand the issues faced by clients during turnback process, and provide recommendations to resolve them. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts a qualitative interpretive case study approach. Data were collected based on documentation, archival records, direct observation, and interviews to allow for triangulation. Findings – This study provides empirical evidence of accounting outsourcing turnback process. Some of the issues faced by clients include lack of management support, limited financial and human resources, and uncooperative vendors. Research limitations/implications – Theoretically, this study extends Elliot's model by providing empirical evidence on process, identifying issues, and discussing recommendations on accounting outsourcing turnback. The limitation is the use of a single case study of a small company in Malaysia. Practical implications – Practically, this study enhances understanding on accounting outsourcing turnback process and issues. The recommendations provided can serve as guidelines for clients who are considering outsourcing turnback as a strategic move. Originality/value – There has been limited research in the area of accounting outsourcing focusing on turnback process. This study contributes to the field of accounting outsourcing by describing an accounting turnback process and issues faced by clients. The study recommends communication, financial support, top management support, back-up exit plan, and vendor management throughout the turnback period. Finally, gradual reduction of accounting outsourced works rather than immediate termination is favored to reduce the risk in accounting outsourcing turnback.