A note before you read: ABFI is one of the alternatives here, and we wrote this page. Facts about Supporting Strategies come from its own site.
Who Supporting Strategies is good for
Supporting Strategies offers bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting, payroll administration and controller services, delivered through franchised local offices, with packaged monthly pricing [1]. For an owner who wants a team in their region backed by a national system, it's a solid model.
Why businesses look for an alternative
- Experience varies by office. Franchise models depend on the local team; some owners want a specific industry playbook.
- No local office nearby, or they're happy working remotely.
- They want a different pricing structure or scope.
The alternatives, by who they fit
| If you want... | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A remote firm with add-ons | Bookkeeper360 | QuickBooks Online or Xero, payroll and advisory [2] |
| A one-to-one local relationship | An independent local bookkeeper or small firm | Personal service, local knowledge |
| A startup-focused provider | Pilot | Bookkeeping, tax and CFO for startups [3] |
| A remote accounting department with industry playbooks | ABFI Accounting | Locked close, controller review, CFO help available [4] |
See also: Bookkeeper360 alternatives, freelance bookkeeper vs accounting firm and the full outsourced bookkeeping list.
Supporting Strategies and ABFI side by side
| Supporting Strategies | ABFI Accounting | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Franchised local offices [1] | Remote team, US-wide |
| Bookkeeping, AP and AR | Yes [1] | Yes |
| Controller services | Yes [1] | Yes, every month (controller services) |
| Industry playbooks | Varies by office | Startups, agencies, staffing, contractors, e-commerce, multi-entity (industries) |
| CFO-level help | Check with your office | Available in higher tiers |
| Pricing | Monthly packages, quoted locally [1] | From $850 a month, published [4] |
If in-person meetings with a nearby team matter most to you, a Supporting Strategies office may suit you better. ABFI fits owners who are comfortable working remotely and want industry-specific accounting with published starting prices.
How to switch
- Pick a switch date after a closed month; check your agreement's notice terms.
- Confirm you own the accounting file and invite the new provider. See how to give your bookkeeper access safely.
- Transfer AP and AR work carefully: list open bills, scheduled payments and open invoices on the switch date so nothing is paid twice or missed.
- Move payroll administration on a payroll boundary.
- Check the last reconciliations before taking over.
More: switching bookkeepers mid-year and how to choose an accounting firm.
Keep reading
- Best outsourced bookkeeping services
- Freelance bookkeeper vs accounting firm
- How to choose an accounting firm
Sources
- Supporting Strategies, company website, www.supportingstrategies.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Bookkeeper360, company website, www.bookkeeper360.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Pilot, company website, pilot.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- ABFI Accounting, Pricing, www.abfiaccounting.com/pricing. Checked November 6, 2026.
Questions owners ask
What does Supporting Strategies do?
Outsourced bookkeeping, AP and AR, financial reporting, payroll administration and controller services through franchised local offices.
Is a local bookkeeping office better than a remote team?
Neither is better for everyone. Local offices offer in-person contact; remote teams can offer broader industry depth and published pricing.
What's the best Supporting Strategies alternative?
Bookkeeper360 for a remote firm with add-ons, an independent local bookkeeper for a personal relationship, or ABFI for a remote accounting department with industry playbooks.
Does ABFI have local offices?
No. ABFI works remotely with businesses across the US.
How do I avoid paying bills twice when switching?
List open bills and scheduled payments on the switch date and agree who releases each one.
Comfortable working remotely?
ABFI's complimentary Business Accounting Diagnostic reviews your books and shows how a remote accounting department would run them.