Comparison · Updated September 2026
Nearhire vs TOA Global
Hiring offshore accounting and finance staff for an Australian or New Zealand team: how the two options differ.
Quick verdict
TOA Global is the largest specialist in offshore staff for accounting firms, with thousands of team members, centres in the Philippines and a Cape Town office, and a dedicated full-time-equivalent model where TOA is the employer. If you are a firm placing ten or more seats and want the biggest provider in the category, it is the reference point. Nearhire is the small, South Africa-only alternative: one named person at a time, Big 4-trained CAs as standard, and a direct hire option.
Side by side
Feature comparison
| Nearhire | TOA Global | |
|---|---|---|
| Countries sourced from | South Africa only | Philippines primarily, plus South Africa (Cape Town); also US and Canada offices |
| Specialism | Accounting and finance roles specifically | Accounting firms specifically, at scale |
| Hiring model | Direct Hire (join your payroll) or Managed Hire (Nearhire employs, you pay monthly) | Dedicated full-time staff employed by TOA Global, custom quoted per seat |
| Business hours | Shared overlap as standard, full Australian hours at a premium | Dedicated full-time staff; hours arranged per client |
| Who you're hiring | A named, vetted person you choose | A dedicated team member from TOA's talent pool, trained in TOA's programmes |
Pricing
How the cost compares
Nearhire publishes indicative all-in costs for 7 accounting and finance roles across 5 AU/NZ cities in the salary guide. Direct Hire is a placement fee on hire; Managed Hire is a monthly fee, confirmed once the scope is set.
Pros and cons
What each is good at
TOA Global is good at
- Scale and track record: the best-known name in offshore accounting staff, with thousands of team members
- Purpose-built for accounting firms, including training programmes and a US-standards focus for North American clients
- Delivery presence in both the Philippines and Cape Town
Where Nearhire differs
- Nearhire sources only from South Africa and puts the South African CA, recognised by CA ANZ by reciprocal agreement, at the centre of the accountant shortlist
- Nearhire places one named person at a time with a recruiter on your brief, rather than seats in a large delivery model
- Nearhire offers Direct Hire onto your own payroll as well as Managed Hire; TOA's model keeps TOA as the employer
- TOA does not publish its rates; Nearhire shows an indicative cost per role on the site before you book a call
Who should choose which
Making the call
Choose Nearhire if: Nearhire is the better fit for a practice adding its first one or two offshore accountants, that wants to choose the person and cares about the CA qualification being recognised here.
Choose TOA Global if: TOA Global is worth considering if you are standing up a larger offshore team and want the category's biggest provider behind it.
Questions
Frequently asked
Is Nearhire the same as TOA Global?
No. TOA Global is the largest specialist in offshore staff for accounting firms, with thousands of team members, centres in the Philippines and a Cape Town office, and a dedicated full-time-equivalent model where TOA is the employer.
Can I use both Nearhire and TOA Global?
Yes. Many businesses run Nearhire for accounting and finance roles and a separate provider for other functions. There is no exclusivity requirement on either side.
Which is cheaper, Nearhire or TOA Global?
It depends on the role, seniority and hiring model on both sides. The most reliable way to compare is to get a specific quote from each for the exact role you're hiring. Nearhire's all-in cost is typically well under the fully loaded cost of a local hire in the same city; see the salary guide for indicative numbers.
Start hiring
See if Nearhire is the right fit
A 20-minute call to understand the role, then we go to work. You only pay when you hire.