Remote work has become an increasingly popular trend in recent years, with its adoption only accelerating due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many industries, including the accounting sector, have been forced to shift to remote work to continue their operations.
As a result, more and more accounting firms are considering making remote work a permanent option for their employees. In fact, a recent study revealed that 85% of UK business leaders perceive employees to be equally or more productive when working remotely.
However, successfully transitioning to a remote work model requires careful planning and implementation of strategies to ensure that team members remain engaged, motivated, and productive. In this article, we will explore five strategies that as an accounting firm owner, you can use to build a successful remote work culture.
1. Change your mindset
The first step in building a successful remote accounting firm culture is to change your mindset. Leaders need to be intentional, especially in what they communicate to their team. It’s essential to be clear about your work rules, trust your team to get the job done, and default to trust to reduce employee turnover.
They should also write a flexible work policy and systematically improve it over time, with their team members’ input. The policy should be updated regularly and clearly communicate the expectations of remote work.
2. Set up the right office
Setting up the right office is critical to a successful remote accounting firm culture. Providing your team with the necessary tools at home will exponentially improve the remote work experience. Managers should take a home internet speed test and invest in improving bandwidth.
Investing in high-quality noise-canceling headphones can help team members stay focused during calls. Other comfort-enhancing tools like a laptop riser to bring the camera to eye level, dual monitors, or a sound machine to block out distractions can also contribute to a more comfortable and productive work environment.
3. Address your culture
Creating a strong connection with your team is vital to your culture. Be purposeful about fostering this connection by setting aside time for casual conversation during meetings. Try organising virtual coffee chats or happy hours.
Find out what works best for your team to stay connected and maintain a positive culture. Given the constant changes, managers should regularly call their team members and hold open office hours. Effective communication is critical, and leaders must stay in touch.
4. Automate with technology
To work remotely and efficiently, it’s important to embrace cloud-based accounting software. Collaborative online documents and chat features allow for real-time editing and seamless communication with team members.
In short, investigate which tech tools will work best for your team and implement them. By leveraging technology, you can boost efficiency and ensure that your team stays connected and informed.
5. Manage by objective
As remote work becomes more prevalent, the traditional approach to management and leadership must be redefined. New rules and systems are needed to replace in-person check-ins. To streamline workflow, assign clear responsibilities and deadlines from the start, and utilise project management software.
Many applications allow you to run by objective and pay attention to the results. Managing by objective makes you a better manager and makes better teams and happier employees.
Learn more about accounting trends with INAA
By adopting these strategies, accounting firm owners can ensure their team stays connected, productive, and engaged, no matter where they are working from.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the current trends within the accounting industry, be sure to take a look at what the INAA can do for you. You can discover the benefits of INAA membership here, or apply for your membership on our join us page.