In-house accounting services are becoming a preferred option for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) when balancing legal compliance and optimizing operating costs. Accounting Law 2015 (Amended and supplemented by Law No. 56/2024/QH15), if the accounting system is not organized according to regulations, the enterprise may face administrative penalties as follows: Decree 41/2018/ND-CP (amended by Decree 132/2026/ND-CP), along with many risks related to accounting records during tax settlement. This article, compiled based on practical consulting experience and current legal documents, will help you understand the nature, role, and benefits of in-house accounting services, as well as the criteria for choosing a reliable partner for your business.
What is in-house accounting service?
Essentially, in-house accounting services involve an external individual, department, or unit handling all or part of the accounting work within a business, instead of the business having to hire and maintain a permanent accounting department.
According to the Accounting Law No. 88/2015/QH13 (amended and supplemented by Law No. 56/2024/QH15), accounting units are agencies, organizations, and businesses responsible for preparing financial statements, while accountants must meet certain standards regarding professional qualifications and ethics. When a business uses this service, the provider acts as an extension of the finance department, directly participating in accounting, document management, and report preparation in accordance with current regulations.
The biggest difference between in-house accounting services and other forms of outsourced accounting lies in the level of integration with the day-to-day operations of the business. full package tax accounting services While this approach typically focuses only on tax declaration and settlement obligations, it is more comprehensive, encompassing everything from recording daily transactions and managing cash flow to establishing an internal control system for all of the company's financial and accounting activities.
Legal basis for the organization of internal accounting systems.
Decree 174/2016/ND-CP guiding the implementation of the Accounting Law specifies quite clearly the standards and conditions for accountants and chief accountants, as well as the responsibilities of accounting units in organizing their organizational structure.
This is a crucial basis for businesses to determine an internal accounting organizational model that is both streamlined and fully compliant with legal requirements. Many newly established businesses, due to a lack of understanding of these regulations, have appointed unqualified personnel to the position of chief accountant, leading to legal risks when preparing and approving financial statements.
Why should businesses consider in-house accounting services right from the start?
From its inception, a business incurs the obligation to maintain accounting records, store documents, and file tax returns periodically. Without proper preparation from the start, businesses can easily fall into situations of incomplete documentation and incorrect accounting, causing difficulties in tax settlement later on. Adopting this solution from the initial stage helps businesses build a solid foundation of accounting records, avoiding risks when issues arise with the tax authorities.
The role of in-house accounting services in businesses.
This service is not simply about bookkeeping; it also plays a crucial role in ensuring that businesses operate within the legal framework and supporting management. Specifically, this role is manifested in four main aspects:
- Ensure compliance with the Accounting Law 2015 (amended by Law No. 56/2024/QH15);
- Maintain strict control over cash flow, invoices, and supporting documents;
- Support the leadership team in making management decisions;
- Minimize the risk of incurring administrative penalties under current regulations.
Control documents and records in accordance with current accounting regulations.
One of the core tasks of in-house accounting services is to ensure that all documents and records of the enterprise are prepared and stored correctly in accordance with Circular 99/2025/TT-BTC guiding the accounting regime for enterprises.
Proper accounting practices not only help businesses avoid errors in financial reporting but also facilitate collaboration with auditors, banks, or partners requiring financial capacity assessments. Furthermore, the team responsible for this work also has management responsibilities, and Issuing electronic invoices in accordance with Decree 254/2026/ND-CP Ensure the validity of each transaction that occurs.
Assistance with tax compliance and financial reporting.
In parallel with accounting services, MAN – Master Accountant Network's internal accounting services also help businesses fulfill their tax declaration and payment obligations within the prescribed deadlines. In particular, from July 1st, 2026, the 2025 Tax Administration Law will officially come into effect with many amendments related to tax declaration and settlement procedures. Businesses using professional services will be promptly updated on these changes, avoiding the application of outdated regulations that could lead to unnecessary errors.
Key components of internal accounting services
The scope of work for in-house accounting services is quite diverse, depending on the size and specific industry of each business. However, generally, a comprehensive service package usually includes the following items:
- Daily accounting and bookkeeping: Record all economic transactions fully and promptly in accordance with accounting principles.
- Managing input and output documents and invoices: Verify the validity and legality of documents before accounting for them, ensuring compliance with regulations on electronic invoices.
- Prepare periodic financial statements and tax reports: Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, ensuring they are submitted to the management agency on time.
- Consulting services for establishing internal control procedures: Establish verification and reconciliation procedures to minimize errors and fraud during operations.
- Training and standardizing procedures for accounting personnel in businesses: Instruct the internal team on how to operate the bookkeeping system consistently and systematically.
Thanks to the clear division of work items as described above, businesses can easily choose a package that suits their actual needs, instead of having to handle all accounting tasks with their limited internal resources.
Distinguishing in-house accounting services from other accounting models.
In today's market, businesses can choose between building their own in-house accounting department, hire accounting services Alternatively, businesses can use external accounting services or purely tax accounting services. According to the 2015 Accounting Law regarding accounting services, organizations providing these services must meet certain requirements regarding personnel and professional licenses before being permitted to provide services to businesses.
If a business builds its own accounting department, the advantage is a high level of control, but this comes with relatively high costs for maintaining personnel and facilities, which is especially difficult for newly established or small businesses. Conversely, by choosing services from a professional firm, businesses can maintain a relatively high level of control over accounting work while significantly saving operating costs compared to in-house organization. Compared to tax accounting services, this model is more comprehensive, encompassing internal financial management not just tax obligations.
Benefits of businesses using professional accounting services.
Choosing a reputable service provider offers many practical benefits, not only in terms of legal compliance but also in improving the financial management efficiency of the business.
Optimizing operating costs
Compared to maintaining a large accounting department with full staff, equipment, and training costs, using MAN's service significantly reduces monthly fixed costs for businesses. Businesses only need to pay for the service package corresponding to the actual workload, instead of bearing the costs of salaries, insurance, and benefits for an entire in-house accounting team.
Minimize legal risks and accounting errors.
The team at MAN that handles this work typically has experience dealing with diverse types of businesses, thus having a higher ability to detect and promptly address accounting errors compared to inexperienced internal staff. This is especially important in the context of the tightening of regulations on administrative penalties for violations in the field of accounting and independent auditing under Decree 132/2026/ND-CP.
Risks if a business does not organize its accounting system well.
If the internal accounting system is not properly organized, a business may face several significant risks. First and foremost are administrative risks:
- According to Decree 41/2018/ND-CP (amended and supplemented by Decree 132/2026/ND-CP, effective from May 21, 2026), violations in the field of accounting such as preparing documents incorrectly or misrecording transactions according to current accounting regulations may be subject to administrative penalties with corresponding fines depending on the specific violation.
- In addition, Article 13 of the 2015 Accounting Law clearly stipulates prohibited acts in accounting activities, including falsifying, misrepresenting, or altering accounting documents, as well as intentionally providing or confirming false accounting data.
These risks not only affect businesses financially but also directly impact their reputation when working with partners, banks, or investors. Invalid accounting records and documents also create significant difficulties for businesses during tax settlement, especially when tax authorities conduct periodic or surprise inspections.
Reference price list for internal accounting services in 2026
With a long-term commitment to partnering with businesses, we have developed a competitive and transparent pricing policy for each service package, ensuring no hidden costs are incurred during the collaboration.
| Service package | Applicable objects | Number of documents in the month | Reference fee (VNĐ/month) |
| Basic Package | Newly established business, with not many transactions yet. | Under 30 documents | 1.500.000 – 2.500.000 |
| Standard package | Small and medium-sized enterprises, operating stably. | From 30 to 100 documents | 2.500.000 – 5.000.000 |
| Advanced Package | Medium-sized businesses with multiple branches or complex operations. | From 100 to 300 documents | 5.000.000 – 10.000.000 |
| Business Package | Large businesses need to allocate part-time or full-time accounting personnel within the organization. | Over 300 documents | Price quote available upon request. |
Note: The above price list is for reference only, based on the general market rate and subject to flexible adjustments to ensure competitiveness and suitability to each business's budget. Actual costs will be discussed after a survey of the workload, industry specifics, and staffing requirements. Contact us directly to receive a detailed quote and special offers tailored to your business.
Criteria for selecting a reputable service provider.
To ensure the effectiveness of the service, businesses need to consider several important criteria before choosing a partner:
- Professional team: Possesses a professional accounting certificate and a thorough understanding of the 2015 Accounting Law and its latest amendments and guidelines.
- Transparent working process: Having a clear work handover system and regular reporting makes it easy for businesses to track progress.
- Commitment to data security: Ensuring the security of the company's financial information throughout the collaboration process.
- Potential for long-term partnership: We can provide advice and make flexible adjustments to suit each stage of business development and expansion.
- Keep legal documents updated in a timely manner: Regularly monitor and update yourself on new laws, decrees, and circulars to provide accurate advice and avoid applying regulations that are no longer in effect.
A unit that fully meets the above criteria will allow businesses to focus on their core operations without worrying about the accuracy and legality of their accounting records.
Team that supports businesses
MAN – Master Accountant Network, with over 30 years of experience supporting more than 500 businesses in tax and accounting matters, has undoubtedly accumulated a wealth of experience in handling documents and working with various tax authorities. Therefore, MAN accountants can handle all internal accounting tasks quickly, efficiently, and in full compliance with the law.
Furthermore, businesses won't need to spend excessive time training candidates, familiarizing accountants with the job, or gaining practical experience in working with government agencies and regulations. And for newly graduated accountants who are not yet proficient, errors in handling accounting tasks are inevitable. However, by using outsourcing services, errors will be minimized, and in some cases, MAN – Master Accountant Network will always take responsibility for the tasks handled by MAN's team.
Conclude
However, hiring an in-house accountant is a better option than using one. full accounting service It also depends on the scale of operations, long-term goals, and financial conditions of each business. To make the best choice, businesses can refer to MAN's accounting services. Contact MAN – Master Accountant Network To receive comprehensive consultation and pricing, businesses can then balance costs and make informed decisions.
Contact information MAN – Master Accountant Network
- Address: No. 19A, Street 43, Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
- Mobile/Zalo: 0903 963 163 – 0903 428 622
- E-mail: man@man.net.vn
- Google Business Profile: View MAN – Master Accountant Network's Google Business Profile
- LinkedIn Founder: View expert Le Hoang Tuyen's LinkedIn profile.
Responsible for production and professional content review by: Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO of MAN – Master Accountant NetworkHe is a CPA Vietnam auditor with over 30 years of in-depth experience in accounting, auditing, taxation, and corporate legal consulting.
Frequently Asked Questions about In-House Accounting Services
What types of businesses are in-house accounting services suitable for?
In-house accounting services are suitable for most types of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, newly established businesses that do not have sufficient resources to set up their own accounting department, or businesses that want to optimize operating costs while ensuring legal compliance.
How does in-house accounting differ from tax accounting services?
Tax accounting services typically focus only on tax declaration and settlement obligations under the 2025 Tax Administration Law. In contrast, in-house accounting services are more comprehensive, encompassing daily accounting, cash flow management, internal control process development, and management reporting support, enabling businesses to operate as if they had a full-fledged in-house accounting department.
How are the costs of hiring in-house accounting services calculated?
Costs are typically calculated based on the workload, the number of documents generated monthly, and the scope of work required by the business. Businesses should communicate directly with service providers to receive a quote that suits their actual needs, avoiding simply comparing prices while neglecting quality and the level of legal commitment.
Is it mandatory for small businesses to have a chief accountant?
According to Decree 174/2016/ND-CP, depending on the size and type of accounting unit, businesses may appoint an accounting manager instead of a chief accountant in certain cases. Businesses should consult specifically to determine the requirements applicable to their unit.
What preparations does a business need to make before handing over its internal accounting work to an external entity?
Businesses should prepare legal documents, accounting records from previous periods (if any), information on unprocessed invoices and documents, and an overview of their current personnel structure. A clear and complete handover from the outset helps the service provider quickly understand the current situation and minimize errors during the transition period.
Does using an in-house accounting service guarantee the confidentiality of financial information?
Professional in-house accounting service providers typically have clear data security procedures, including non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and secure data storage systems, to ensure that a company's financial information is not leaked.
