As a small or mid-size business owner, what would influence you when choosing to outsource certain business functions like accounting, marketing etc?

The3 main reasons that push your hand to outsource some business services are:

1. That aspect of business that is not the core competence of your team/business should/could be outsourced. While it may affect the profits but the amount of undivided attention that you can put on your core business (be it manufacturing or service or concept) will help you scale the business rapidly than if you would have dissipated your energies, time in procuring resources to do your non-core competence work.
2. The other factor being 'horses for courses' approach. It is best to let the domain experts take care of that particular aspect of business that is not your core competence as a business or promoter.
3. Cost factor also derives such decision. At times the outsourcing partner delivers service at a fraction of amount that you would have spent if you would have invested in having an in-house vertical for the same.