Myanmar or the Philippines for Accounting and Finance Roles

Myanmar or the Philippines? If you are building a remote accounting or finance team, it is the question we are asked most. Both countries have strong finance professionals, both work in Xero, QuickBooks and MYOB, and neither needs you to open a company there. The right answer depends on the hours you need, the work itself and how much value matters to you. This guide compares the two, role by role.

The short answer

Choose Myanmar when you work Singapore or APAC hours and want the best value for careful, recurring finance work such as bookkeeping, reconciliations, accounts payable and management reporting. Choose the Philippines when you want the deepest pool of finance staff, people already trained in Australian, Singaporean and UK accounting practice, or a qualified CPA. Many of our clients use both.

When Myanmar is the better choice

Myanmar is one of the least crowded outsourcing markets in Asia, which is exactly why it works so well for finance. There is a growing pool of university-educated professionals in Yangon and Mandalay with solid English and high digital literacy. They pick up new software and workflows quickly, and they take accuracy seriously.

The biggest advantage is retention. People in Myanmar tend to stay with a team for years, and in finance that matters more than almost anywhere else. Every time a bookkeeper leaves, your month-end knowledge leaves with them. A team member who has closed your books for three years is worth far more than one who has done it three times.

Myanmar is a strong choice when:

• You work Singapore or APAC hours and want your finance team online at the same time as you.
• The work is recurring and rule-based: reconciliations, supplier bills, invoicing, expense claims, management reports.
• You want to grow a finance function steadily, at our best value, with people who stay.

Read more about outsourcing to Myanmar and the skills Myanmar’s talent brings to remote work.

When the Philippines is the better choice

The Philippines has the largest and most experienced pool of offshore finance staff in the region. Many Filipino bookkeepers and accountants have spent years working directly for businesses in Australia, Singapore and the UK, so they already know the practice, the terminology and the software those markets use. The country also has a large pool of CPAs licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission.

The Philippines is a strong choice when:

• You need someone senior on day one, such as a full-charge bookkeeper who can run month-end with little guidance.
• You want a qualified accountant to support your own accountant with reviews, reporting packs or advisory work.
• The role involves a lot of spoken contact, such as credit control calls or supplier queries.
• You need cover outside APAC hours and are open to a night shift.

If you are pricing up a Philippines bookkeeper, our guide to what a remote bookkeeper in the Philippines costs gives typical salaries and worked examples. See also outsourcing to the Philippines.

Role by role

• Bookkeeping and bank reconciliations: either country works well. Start with Myanmar for value and Singapore hours, or the Philippines if you need someone very senior.
• Accounts payable and receivable: either. Choose the Philippines if the role includes a lot of phone follow-up with customers.
• Payroll preparation: either, as long as you keep the approval step with you.
• Management reporting and trackers: Myanmar is excellent for recurring weekly and monthly reporting.
• Qualified accountant or CPA support: the Philippines, for the depth of the pool.
• Credit control for UK or European customers: consider South Africa, for native English and European hours.

Whichever country you choose, we test for the exact software you use before anyone starts with you. See how we approach outsourced bookkeeping.

What it looks like in practice

One of our first clients, a work and travel company with branches in Australia and the UK, started with bookkeepers and data entry specialists in Myanmar supporting its Australian operations. As the business grew, it added sales consultants in South Africa for the UK branch and social media specialists in the Philippines. Each country was chosen for what it does best. Read the work and travel company case study.

An Australian fractional accounting firm took a similar approach when it needed more capacity without more local headcount. It built a dedicated offshore team of experienced accountants and CPAs working in Xero and QuickBooks across multiple client books. Read the fractional accounting firm case study.

Practical questions answered

Do I need a company in either country? No. On a contractor arrangement your team member works with you under a service agreement through Linkers. On an employer of record arrangement, the employment is held by our partner in their country. Either way, your agreement is with Linkers. Our guide to contractor or employer of record explains the difference, and you can read more about outsourcing to Myanmar without a local entity.

What statutory costs apply? On employer of record, the Philippines adds SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and 13th-month pay. Myanmar adds the Social Security Board contribution. The estimator on our pricing page shows both.

Is internet and power reliable? We check for a stable setup, including backup power and internet, before anyone joins your team, in every country we work in.

Can I mix countries in one finance team? Yes, and many clients do: for example, a Philippines-based senior who reviews the work of a Myanmar-based bookkeeper. You still deal with one partner and one named account manager.

Frequently asked questions

Is Myanmar cheaper than the Philippines for accounting roles?

Myanmar is usually our best value for finance work, while the Philippines sits in the middle. The exact figure depends on the role and experience, so ask us for both and compare.

Is English in Myanmar good enough for finance work?

Yes, for the large majority of finance roles, which are mostly written: emails, notes in your accounting system, reports. We test English along with skills before you meet anyone. For roles with a lot of phone contact, we will tell you honestly if the Philippines or South Africa suits better.

Which country is better for Australian businesses?

Both work well. The Philippines is two to three hours behind Sydney, so the overlap is almost complete. Myanmar is three and a half to four and a half hours behind, and an earlier start gives a strong overlap with your day.

What if the person is not the right fit?

We assign a different team member free of charge within the first three months. That is our replacement guarantee.

Not sure which country fits your role?

Tell us the role, the hours and your software, and we will tell you honestly which country suits it, even when that is the less expensive one. Build an estimate on our pricing page or book a call. See also remote teams for professional services.