RemoteBooksOnline vs Paro: Trusted Bookkeeping vs Marketplace Outsourcing – What Works Best for SMBs?
At a glance, Paro might seem like another bookkeeping service – but in reality, it’s a talent marketplace that connects businesses with outsourced finance professionals (bookkeepers, accountants, etc.). On the other hand, RemoteBooksOnline provides end-to-end CPA-reviewed bookkeeping as a fully managed service with fixed pricing and predictable delivery.
Download Our Free Brochure →This guide compares RemoteBooksOnline vs Paro to help small business owners decide whether they want a trusted partner or a talent pool.
Service Offerings
| Feature/Service | RemoteBooksOnline | Paro |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Bookkeeping | Yes – CPA-reviewed, handled in-house | Depends on freelance partner hired via platform |
| Catch-Up Bookkeeping | Yes – up to 24+ months | Offered by select freelancers only |
| Tax Filing Support | No – tax-ready books provided | Depends on freelancer – not standardized |
| White-Label for CPAs | Yes | No |
| Industry Flexibility | All SMBs – real estate, law, ecommerce, etc. | Varies by available freelancers |
Verdict:
RBO offers standardized, high-quality service. Paro gives you access to a pool, with no guarantees.
Pricing Comparison
RemoteBooksOnline provides flat-rate monthly pricing, CPA-reviewed reports, and a free first month. Catch-up services are affordably priced and quoted up front.
Paro pricing depends entirely on the freelancer you connect with. Rates vary by skill level, experience, geography, and workload — and may not include oversight or consistency.
| Service | RBO | Paro |
| Monthly Bookkeeping | Included, CPA-reviewed | Freelancers bill hourly or flat |
| Catch-Up Work | Yes | Depends on freelancer |
| Tax Filing | No | Some freelancers may offer it |
Verdict:
RBO offers predictable, professional pricing. Paro requires negotiation, vetting, and potentially more oversight.
Technology & Integration
RemoteBooksOnline works directly in your QuickBooks or Xero account. No software switches or retraining required.
Paro depends on the bookkeeper you hire – some may work in QuickBooks, some may prefer Excel or other tools.
Verdict:
RBO plugs into your workflow. Paro’s experience varies based on who you hire.
Customer Support
RemoteBooksOnline gives you a dedicated team + CPA reviewer, reachable by phone or email, with continuity over time.
Paro doesn’t provide direct customer support – any communication is with the freelancer you hire. If the freelancer leaves, you’re back to square one.
Verdict:
RBO offers structured, consistent support. Paro requires ongoing vendor management.
User Reviews & Reputation
RemoteBooksOnline:
- Trusted by thousands of SMBs
- Known for affordability, consistency, and CPA-reviewed accuracy
- Highly rated for onboarding, catch-up services, and responsiveness
Paro:
- Still an emerging player in outsourced bookkeeping
- Positive for freelance access
- Mixed reviews around delivery consistency and talent quality
Notable Review Themes:
- RBO: “CPA-verified books every month,” “Best catch-up team we’ve worked with,” “Support is personal and reliable.”
- Paro: “Good talent, but took time to find the right fit,” “No backup if freelancer disappears,” “Platform feels like a middleman.”
Pros and Cons
RemoteBooksOnline – Pros:
- CPA-reviewed monthly financials
- First month free
- Fixed pricing — no hourly billing
- Consistent team and process
- Ideal for catch-up and growing SMBs
Paro – Pros:
- Flexible access to talent
- May find specialized or niche expertise
- Marketplace variety
RBO – Cons:
- Doesn’t offer one-time hires or gig-style support
- Not ideal for micro-tasks like “just this quarter”
Paro – Cons:
- No standardized process or oversight
- Freelancer quality varies
- No CPA review or scalable service model
Test Case: Online Retailer in Miami, FL
Background:
An ecommerce shop owner used Paro to find a bookkeeper. The freelancer handled the books for a few months but eventually became unresponsive and missed monthly reports – leaving the client without clean books heading into tax season.
Solution:
They switched to RemoteBooksOnline. The RBO team caught up on 11 months of missed data and began monthly CPA-reviewed bookkeeping inside QuickBooks.
Results:
- Full catch-up delivered in under 3 weeks
- No more communication gaps – consistent team assigned
- Owner received accurate monthly financials and peace of mind before tax filing
FAQs
Is Paro a bookkeeping service?
No. It’s a freelance marketplace where you can hire a bookkeeper – but Paro doesn’t do the work directly.
Can I use RBO if I used Paro before?
Absolutely. We can clean up the books and provide long-term consistency.
Does Paro offer CPA-reviewed reporting?
No. RBO includes CPA review with all plans.
Which is better for long-term bookkeeping?
RBO – it’s structured, scalable, and dependable. Paro is gig-based and best for short-term projects.
Can I cancel RBO at any time?
Yes. No contracts, no long-term commitments.
Conclusion: Which One’s Right for You?
If you want long-term, CPA-reviewed bookkeeping with flat pricing and full accountability, RemoteBooksOnline is the clear choice.
If you’re experimenting or just need one-time freelance help, Paro may be an option – but comes with the risks of inconsistency and no centralized support.
Stay organized and tax-ready year-round with our flat-rate monthly bookkeeping services.
CPA and bookkeeping firms can scale faster with our white-label bookkeeping services fully branded for your clients.
Tax professionals and CPAs rely on our QuickBooks bookkeeping services to streamline financials and scale their practices efficiently.
If you’re behind on your books, our catch-up bookkeeping services can help you get current fast-no stress, no mess.
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