If you’re not yet convinced of the merits of remote accounting practices, we’ve gathered some important points for you to take into consideration. You’ve probably noticed the increase in businesses that have decided to stay remote, even after we were all allowed back into the office. But you might be wondering if it’s now time to take the plunge and make your accounting practice remote. Read on to decide if this is the best option for you.
Your practice will be more cost-effective
If your staff work from home and don’t have to commute, it’s easy to see how reducing expenses such as office space and travel would make financial sense for your business. But there are other benefits too: remote workers will be spending less on fuel, which means a smaller carbon footprint; they can wear more comfortable clothes, and they don’t need to buy lunch every day!
It offers flexibility
Remote workers can choose when they work best—whether that’s early morning or late at night—and they have more control over their schedule than someone who works in the office all day. This means they may be able to work fewer hours while still meeting deadlines, which is great news for everyone involved! It’ll help your staff to become more productive and help improve their well-being so overall everyone benefits from this newfound flexibility.
People are more productive when they aren’t distracted by co-workers, so having fewer people in the office can actually boost productivity overall. And if you’re worried about losing some of that “group, think” mentality? You don’t need to take our word—just ask any entrepreneur who has ever worked from home! We promise it’ll be just fine.
Improving staff’s wellbeing
Let’s just say that this one could probably warrant its own article, but increased well-being is definitely something we’ve seen in our clients who have adopted remote working practices. Studies show that employees that work from home are happier; healthier too! The lack of stress caused by commuting, being on time for meetings, and spending time away from your home environment is good for your health. Those with families can work around such commitments and have the best of both works; working, and still being involved in their families’ lives.
Opens more avenues for staff employment
Owning a remote accountancy practice allows you to look for talent beyond your local area. If you’re struggling to find staff members that fit the bill, opening your applications up to people who work remotely can find you the top talent in the accounting industry. Co-sourcing is a method which allows the bled of two companies who work together to reach one goal and is a great way to find qualified staff for your practice. The staff will work for you but be employed by someone else so it saves the hassle of having to look for top quality candidates, sorting out sick leave and all the other errands that come with employing staff as it will all be handled for you. Learn more about co-sourcing here.
Increases productivity and reduces time off
More accounting practices are choosing to go remote because WFH can increase your staff’s productivity. And the numbers don’t lie: working from home increases productivity by 13%, according to a study by Sandford.
In fact, 65% of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) employees are unlikely to take sick leave when working from home. That’s a big win for employers!
A lot of the time many employees will be unable to attend work due to illness, but still be eager to work which is why introducing remote working could be beneficial for both you and your staff.
Gives you the competitive edge
Offering WFH makes businesses more competitive—especially during these tough economic times. In fact, a recent study showed that companies with a remote workforce have a higher chance of thriving than those without one. Our lives have changed dramatically since the pandemic it’s fair to say, which is why we need to adapt our work culture to keep up to date with the times. People want to be offered the option to choose where they work- which is why introducing remote working gives your company the edge and more likely to find top-quality accounting staff.
Makes your practice more sustainable
Making your accounting practice remote reduces commuting which as a result, makes it more sustainable. Staff don’t have to deal with traffic jams or public transportation, and you can set your own schedule. Say goodbye to being late because of the morning traffic rush. The air quality was noticeably improved when we were all working from home. Working from home enables better air quality, which as a result benefits the environment and health of those in the local area. Working in the office we are more prone to print off documents, contracts, and things that need signatures and use a lot more paper. Going remote can change this- everything needs to be done and kept online especially confidential documents that cannot be printed out at home. Therefore, going remote can reduce your company’s paper waste. All these factors will benefit your company and its carbon footprint but will also entice customers to use your services. Customers are more likely to choose an accounting practice that is making an effort to become more sustainable, so don’t forget to mention this to them.
Ultimately, there are a number of benefits to using remote working in your practice. It can make staff more productive, help well-being, make the practice more cost-effective and sustainable, offers flexibility, opens more avenues for employment, and gives accounting practices a the competitive edge. When it comes to making workers happy and allowing them the freedom to make their own choices about when and where they work, nothing can beat remote working. If you’re still questioning if this is the right move for your accounting firm, why not ask your current staff directly? Let them give you the insights and base your decision on that. Contemplate what you’d want from your employer as well if the shoe was on the other foot- this will let you see it from your staff’s perspective.
