Talent shortages and the rise of AI are forcing firm leaders to rethink their people strategies. Offshoring is often part of the conversation-but what does it take to do it well?

In this episode of the Digital CPA Podcast, host Kalil Merhib sits down with David Schnitt, President & CEO of IQ BackOffice, to unpack how offshoring, outsourcing, and AI can work together to create sustainable growth models for firms. Dave brings decades of experience helping organizations build global delivery teams, and he shares both the opportunities and pitfalls that leaders must understand before diving in.

Listeners will learn:

The difference between offshoring vs outsourcing, and why firms often confuse the two.
The essential considerations for firms exploring offshore talent-security, management, client interactions, attrition, compliance, and more.
How to avoid the trap of "cheap labor" and instead build a scalable model with quality people and processes.
When offshoring makes sense from an ROI perspective, and why management capability matters more than firm size.
The most common models-direct hire, BPO partnerships, outsourcing, hybrid-and the trade-offs of each.
Why Client Advisory Services (CAS) is especially well-suited for global talent + automation, and how the right leverage model drives margins.
The emerging role of offshoring in tax and audit, and how firms are making it work.
Where AI is delivering real impact today (not just hype), and how pairing automation with offshore models changes the ROI equation.
What the next 3-5 years may look like for the balance between onshore staff, offshore teams, and AI.

As Dave emphasizes, offshoring is a viable model only when built on strong processes, effective management, and thoughtful use of technology. Firms that win will be those that integrate people, process, and AI into a cohesive growth strategy.

Don't miss this practical, forward-looking discussion it's packed with actionable takeaways for any leader considering how to optimize human capital in the age of AI.

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https://www.iqbackoffice.com/

David Schnitt: LinkedIn