Many SMEs try to save money by building their accounts team with junior staff. It looks cost-effective – until the cracks appear.

On paper, a junior-heavy accounts team looks like a bargain.

Lower salaries. Less overhead. A team that can “grow with the business.”

But in practice, the costs creep in quickly: mistakes, delays, and constant rework.

Here’s where the hidden costs show up:

1. Errors that multiply

Junior staff often don’t have the experience to spot issues in reconciliations, coding, or payroll.

A small mistake today can snowball into days of untangling later.

2. Reporting delays

Without the right technical knowledge, even simple month-end tasks can take weeks.

Directors end up waiting on reports – or questioning their accuracy once they arrive.

3. Constant supervision

What looks like a cost saving quickly becomes a drain on senior leaders’ time.

Instead of focusing on strategy, they’re reviewing line items, chasing corrections, and firefighting issues.

4. High turnover

Junior roles are often stepping stones. Staff gain experience, then move on.

That leaves you retraining again – and carrying the risk of inconsistency.

Accounts isn’t an area where “cheap” usually works out cheaper.

The real cost isn’t in salaries – it’s in the time, stress, and missed opportunities that come with inexperience.

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