Firms were already exploring flexible and remote work models when the pandemic broke, but the immediate shutdown did in a year what was until then a slow pacing trend towards remote work.
This change into a remote work model in a service-based industry that involves a high level of trust is no less than revolutionary. As with any revolution, those who do not join the revolution will be left behind.
On the other hand, having a seamless transition into remote work requires a rethinking in almost all work-related aspects: Establishing and maintaining confidence with clients, setting boundaries with clients and staff, finding the right technological tools, hiring new staff, and more.
But along with the challenges comes opportunity. The savings in overheads such as office rental and administration staff are substantial, and the move to remote work allows more flexibility when hiring employees and recruiting clients.
So, how do you make the switch from Brick & Mortar to remote in 2021? The first thing is to rebuild your accounting infrastructure technology to handle remote work. Paper is out. You need to set up the ability to work with clients online - receiving documents and information, data entry, and bill-pay management must be adapted to the new norm of digitization and online access.
Make sure to join our free webinar on February 24, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. EST, presented by Jeff Phillips, CEO of Padgett Business Services and Co-Founder of Accountingfly, and learn more on "Making The Jump From Brick & Mortar to Remote in 2021." You can This event has ended. You can find it an all of our archived events HERE.
Second, the key to more profitability and growth in remote work is in moving into more advisory roles, which are easier to provide remotely and lead to higher-value service and greater potential for profitability. To free time to focus on offering add-value services, you must end manual data entry and automate tasks for your firm and for your clients.
Managing and hiring new staff also requires rethinking. Integrating cloud accounting software will enable all team members and clients to access information remotely and collaborate. The change will eliminate geographical considerations when hiring new talent and will give you access to a larger talent pool to choose from. You’ll be able to build a “dream team” of professionals who will participate in executing your vision of your firm.
Naturally, hiring high-end talent means offering them more financial incentives. But the process of going remote also allows you to create a leaner, more efficient workforce. With integrating automated tasks and cloud accounting software in place, you can eliminate costs for lower value admin help. Doing so will free up financial resources to hire top tier talent who will drive client engagement, deliver higher-value services, and help you grow your firm.
Once you’ve built your lean, high-quality staff, you need to develop new management methods to maintain communication, collaboration, keep them motivated and make sure they perform the best. Periodic staff meetings such as daily morning meetups and routine all-hands conferences are paramount to ensuring everyone on your team is on the same page.
Working with remote staff also presents a challenge to managing tasks and workloads for team-members. Sure, you can manage your team with emails and phone (or zoom) calls, but it may create clutter, misunderstandings, and time waste. It will also be hard to track assignments efficiently.
That is why you will also have to start working with a collaborative project management software to handle assignment allocation and tracking. By integrating such software and learning how to make the best of it, you will increase your productivity and eliminate dependence on email and phone calls.
Make sure to join our free webinar on February 24, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. EST, presented by Jeff Phillips, CEO of Padgett Business Services and Co-Founder of Accountingfly, and learn more on "Making The Jump From Brick & Mortar to Remote in 2021." You can This event has ended. You can find it an all of our archived events HERE.