Blog Post

Partnering for Success: How Fintechs Can Leverage White-Label APIs to Offer Accounting Services

Written by:
Raj Bhaskar
Published on
6/25/2024

Small businesses are increasingly seeking unified financial management solutions. Integrating accounting services into fintech platforms is becoming essential. Fintechs that offer comprehensive accounting solutions can meet this demand, ensuring they stay competitive and relevant in the market. 

The Growing Need for Integrated Accounting Services

Small businesses are overwhelmed by disjointed accounting systems. They spend significant time and money on bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and tax management. On average, small business owners dedicate about 20 hours each week to these tasks, often leading to inefficiencies and errors. 

Time Spent on Accounting Functions
Bar chart showing weekly accounting workload: small business owners average 20.5 total hours across functions - bookkeeping (4.3 hours), invoicing (4.1), expense tracking (4.2), financial reporting (4.2), and income taxes (3.7). Data from Cornerstone Advisors survey of 750 SMBs, Q4 2023.
+20 hours per week
Small business owners spend an average of 20 hours on accounting tasks each week, with one in five spending 30 hours or more.
Table C: Issues and Challenges with Accounting Functions
Bar chart showing weekly accounting workload: small business owners average 20.5 total hours across functions - bookkeeping (4.3 hours), invoicing (4.1), expense tracking (4.2), financial reporting (4.2), and income taxes (3.7). Data from Cornerstone Advisors survey of 750 SMBs, Q4 2023.
+20 hours per week
Small business owners spend an average of 20 hours on accounting tasks each week, with one in five spending 30 hours or more.

A recent survey found that nearly 60% of small businesses find their accounting functions manual and labor-intensive. Expense tracking and invoicing are the biggest pain points, with about 40% of companies struggling with these tasks. 

Table C: Issues and Challenges with Accounting Functions
Table showcasing current accounting issues highlighting embedded accounting need: 57-59% of SMBs report manual, labor-intensive accounting processes, with high costs (35-43%) and delays (30-42%) across bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking functions
59%
of small businesses report that invoicing is manual and labor-intensive.
Table C: Issues and Challenges with Accounting Functions
Table showcasing current accounting issues highlighting embedded accounting need: 57-59% of SMBs report manual, labor-intensive accounting processes, with high costs (35-43%) and delays (30-42%) across bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking functions
59%
of small businesses report that invoicing is manual and labor-intensive.

Small businesses increasingly seek solutions that integrate all accounting functions into one platform. They want seamless financial management that saves time and reduces errors. Fintechs that can offer these integrated services stand to gain significant market share by addressing these pressing needs.

White-Label APIs: A Solution for Fintechs

White-label APIs allow fintechs to offer comprehensive accounting services without the need to develop these capabilities in-house. These APIs are pre-built, customizable solutions that fintechs can brand as their own, providing seamless integration with their existing platforms.

White-label APIs bring several benefits. They enable fintechs to quickly deploy new services, reduce development costs, and maintain a consistent user experience. Using these APIs, fintechs can offer their clients advanced financial management tools such as bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and tax management.

These APIs also enhance fintech platforms' value propositions. Customers get a one-stop-shop solution, making the fintech platform indispensable for their business operations. This leads to higher customer retention and satisfaction. Additionally, fintechs can create new revenue streams through value-added services and premium features.

Tight offers robust accounting APIs that fintechs can easily integrate. These solutions are designed to be invisible heroes, ensuring that fintech's brand remains at the forefront while delivering top-notch accounting services to its clients.

Benefits of Offering Embedded Accounting Services

Offering embedded accounting services provides fintechs with several key advantages. First, it significantly enhances customer retention and loyalty. When small businesses can manage all their financial needs within one platform, they are less likely to switch to another provider. This seamless integration creates a more cohesive user experience, making the fintech platform indispensable to their daily operations.

Secondly, embedded accounting services enhance the value proposition of fintech platforms. Customers are drawn to comprehensive solutions that save time and reduce complexity. By integrating accounting functions such as bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking, fintechs can meet their clients' diverse needs, positioning themselves as one-stop-shop solutions.

Additionally, offering embedded accounting services opens up new revenue streams. As value-added services, fintechs can introduce premium features, such as advanced invoicing capabilities or detailed financial reporting. This generates additional income and differentiates the fintech platform from competitors.

Vertical Saas Providers’ Help with Small Business Finances
Bar chart showing strong demand for embedded accounting in vertical SaaS: 86% of SMBs express interest (44% definitely yes, 42% maybe), while only 12% are not interested and 3% already use such services. From Cornerstone Advisors survey of 750 businesses, Q4 2023.
86%
A vast majority of small businesses are definitely or somewhat interested in accounting services from a vertical SaaS provider.
Vertical Saas Providers’ Help with Small Business Finances
Bar chart showing strong demand for embedded accounting in vertical SaaS: 86% of SMBs express interest (44% definitely yes, 42% maybe), while only 12% are not interested and 3% already use such services. From Cornerstone Advisors survey of 750 businesses, Q4 2023.
86%
A vast majority of small businesses are definitely or somewhat interested in accounting services from a vertical SaaS provider.

Moreover, embedded accounting services facilitate cross-selling and upselling opportunities. With access to detailed accounting data, fintech can identify specific needs and offer relevant financial products, such as loans or payroll services, tailored to their client’s requirements. This targeted approach increases sales and enhances customer satisfaction.

Possible Steps to Implement White-Label APIs

Integrating white-label APIs into a fintech platform requires careful planning and execution. Here are the key steps to ensure a smooth implementation:

  1. Assessment and Planning
    1. Evaluate the current platform capabilities and identify the specific accounting functions needed.
    2. Choose a white-label API provider that offers the required features and ensures compatibility with existing systems.
    3. Develop a detailed implementation plan outlining the integration process, timelines, and resource allocation.

  2. API Integration
    1. Collaborate with the white-label API provider to understand the integration requirements and technical specifications.
    2. Utilize the provider’s documentation and support to integrate the API seamlessly into the fintech platform.
    3. Conduct thorough testing to ensure all accounting functions work correctly and data flows smoothly between systems.

  3. Data Security and Compliance
    1. Implement robust security measures to protect sensitive financial data during and after integration.
    2. Ensure the integration complies with relevant financial regulations and standards, maintaining the trust of clients and regulatory bodies.

  4. User Experience Optimization
    1. Design the user interface to make the new accounting features intuitive and easy to use.
    2. Provide training and support to help clients transition smoothly to integrated accounting services.
    3. Gather feedback from users to continuously improve the functionality and user experience.

  5. Launch and Marketing
    1. Roll out the new accounting features in phases, starting with a pilot group to identify and address any issues.
    2. Develop a marketing strategy to promote the new features to existing and potential clients.
    3. Highlight the benefits of integrated accounting services, which focus on time savings, improved accuracy, and comprehensive financial management.

  6. Continuous Improvement
    1. Monitor the performance of the integrated accounting services and gather user feedback regularly.
    2. Work with the white-label API provider to implement updates and improvements based on user needs and technological advancements.
    3. Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies to keep the platform competitive and innovative.

In Conclusion

Fintechs looking to stay competitive must offer comprehensive and integrated services. By leveraging white-label APIs to embed accounting functions, fintechs can provide small businesses with a seamless financial management experience. This approach enhances customer satisfaction and retention, opens up new revenue streams, and differentiates the platform from competitors.

White-label APIs offer fintechs a practical, cost-effective solution for expanding their service offerings without the burden of developing these capabilities in-house. Implementing these APIs requires careful planning, robust security measures, and a focus on user experience, but the benefits far outweigh the challenges.

Integrating accounting services through white-label APIs is a strategic move for fintechs ready to meet the evolving needs of small businesses. It positions the platform as a one-stop shop for financial management, driving growth and solidifying its place in the market.

Suggested reading

New Revenue Opportunities From Embedded Accounting [Report]

This report explores how vertical SaaS providers and digital platforms can create new revenue streams by integrating accounting and financial management services for small businesses. Drawing from a survey of 750 small business owners, it reveals the accounting challenges SMBs face and demonstrates strong interest in embedded accounting solutions from industry-specific software providers.

The SMB Banking Opportunity: How Embedded Accounting Paves the Way for Lending Services

Embedded accounting is transforming SMB banking by providing access to rich financial data and insights. Banks can leverage this technology to offer personalized lending services and tap into the potential of the SMB market.

The Future of Small Business Banking: Embedded Accounting and Financial Management

Discover how integrated accounting and financial management solutions are reshaping small business banking. Learn how embedded accounting improves efficiency for small businesses while offering strategic advantages for fintechs and banks

Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or tax advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for obtaining accounting or other financial advice from an appropriate financial adviser or for the purpose of avoiding U.S. Federal, state or local tax payments and penalties.

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