Question 1

What does the monthly fee include?

Accepted Answer

The monthly fee covers everything your team needs to operate. Staff salary, office workspace in Cebu IT Park, company-managed desktop computer, HR administration, payroll processing, Philippines government contributions (SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG) and ongoing IT support. One invoice per month. No hidden costs.

Question 2

What are the one-time fees?

Accepted Answer

There is a recruitment fee of $280 per person and a setup fee of $110 per person. These are one-time costs. After that you pay the monthly all-inclusive fee only.

Question 3

What is the minimum engagement?

Accepted Answer

The minimum is 2 office-based staff members. There is no maximum. We work with teams from 2 to 50 people.

Question 4

How does your pricing compare to hiring locally?

Accepted Answer

A mid-level back-office employee hired locally costs $4,500 to $7,000 per month including salary, employer payroll taxes, office space and overhead. An equivalent team member through Plus Back Office starts from $1,350 per month all-inclusive. Businesses typically save 50 to 70 percent on total employment costs.

Question 5

Can we scale the team up or down?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can add team members at any time following the same recruitment process. For scaling down, standard notice periods apply in line with Philippine employment law. We advise on the correct process.

Question 6

How long does it take to hire a team member?

Accepted Answer

Most roles are filled within 2 to 4 weeks depending on the position and experience level. We source from JobStreet, SEEK and local networks. Each candidate goes through two online interviews and a final in-person interview in Cebu. You receive 2 to 3 screened candidates per role and make the final selection.

Question 7

What happens if a team member does not perform?

Accepted Answer

We offer a 3-week replacement guarantee at no additional recruitment cost. If a team member does not meet your expectations within the first 3 weeks, we replace them.

Question 8

Who conducts the interviews?

Accepted Answer

We handle sourcing and initial screening. You are involved in the final selection. We can recommend the strongest candidate or you can lead the final decision.

Question 9

What qualifications do the staff have?

Accepted Answer

Staff are university-educated Filipino professionals with relevant experience in their field. For accounting roles we source candidates with accounting qualifications and experience in Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks and similar platforms.

Question 10

Who manages the offshore team day to day?

Accepted Answer

You manage the work: priorities, deadlines and deliverables. We manage the employment: HR, payroll, attendance, IT and office operations. Your team reports to you directly, like an in-house team.

Question 11

How do we communicate with our offshore team?

Accepted Answer

Directly, using whatever tools you already use: email, Slack, Teams, Zoom. Your team works your business hours and is available during your business day.

Question 12

How is attendance tracked?

Accepted Answer

We track attendance and working hours for all staff. You have visibility over when your team is working. We also track online activity to ensure time is being used productively.

Question 13

Can we visit the Cebu office?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Clients are welcome to visit our Cebu IT Park office. Cebu has an international airport with connections across the region. We can arrange an office visit as part of the onboarding process.

Question 14

How is our data kept secure?

Accepted Answer

Your team works on company-managed desktops within a secure office network. All devices have VPN, 2FA and full disk encryption. The office has biometric access control, CCTV monitoring and 24/7 building security. No personal devices are permitted for work.

Question 15

Is offshore outsourcing compliant with data protection law?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the right setup. Data protection laws in most jurisdictions require that overseas recipients of personal data provide comparable protection standards. Our office-based model with company-managed desktops, controlled network access, VPN and encryption provides the technical controls needed to support compliance. We recommend businesses consult their legal advisers on their specific obligations.

Question 16

Can our IT team manage the desktop setup?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can work with your IT team to configure desktops to your specifications, install required software and set up VPN access to your systems.

Question 17

Where does the team work from?

Accepted Answer

Your team works from our office in Cebu IT Park, Philippines. Not from home. It is a professional managed office with company desktops, secure network and on-site supervision.

Question 18

Why Cebu and not Manila?

Accepted Answer

Cebu IT Park is a PEZA-registered business district with modern office infrastructure, stable power and internet, and a strong talent pool. Cebu typically has lower staff turnover than Manila and less traffic disruption which improves reliability. For SME-sized teams of 2 to 20 people, Cebu is often a better fit than Manila.

Question 19

What is the timezone for the Philippines?

Accepted Answer

The Philippines operates on GMT+8. Australian Eastern Time businesses get a 2 to 3 hour morning overlap and full afternoon coverage. Australian Western Time businesses share the same timezone. US businesses run their offshore team on a night shift, which is standard practice in the Philippines BPO industry with experienced night shift professionals available.

Question 20

Is the team formally employed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All staff are formally employed by Plus Back Office under Philippine employment law. They receive statutory benefits including SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG contributions. They are not freelancers or contractors.

Question 21

How do we get started?

Accepted Answer

Book a discovery call. We scope your roles, explain the process and give you a clear monthly cost. If you want to proceed we move into role definition, candidate sourcing and interviews. Most teams are operational within 4 to 6 weeks of starting the process.

Question 22

Do we need to set up a Philippines entity?

Accepted Answer

No. Plus Back Office is the employer of record in the Philippines. You do not need to set up a local entity, navigate Philippine employment law or manage payroll. We handle all of that.

Question 23

What information do we need to provide to get started?

Accepted Answer

The main things we need are the roles you want to fill, the tasks and responsibilities for each role, the systems your team will need to access, and your preferred working hours. We handle everything else.

Question 24

Is offshoring to the Philippines legal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Businesses in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the UAE can legally engage offshore staff in the Philippines. Your offshore team is employed by Plus Back Office under Philippine labour law. You have no local employer tax obligations for your offshore team members. Your commercial relationship is with Plus Back Office as the service provider.

Question 25

How is our intellectual property protected with an offshore team?

Accepted Answer

All staff sign confidentiality agreements as part of their employment contracts. Teams work on company-managed desktops in our controlled Cebu IT Park office with role-based system access. You control which systems and files the team can access. Client NDAs can be executed where required.

Question 26

What happens if a team member leaves?

Accepted Answer

We replace the team member at no additional recruitment cost. Within the first 3 weeks this is covered by our replacement guarantee. After that period we manage the full replacement process including sourcing, interviewing and onboarding the new hire, with your approval on the final selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing and Costs

Hiring and Onboarding

Management and Operations

Security and Data

Location and Model

Getting Started

Still Have Questions?