Working Remote vs. Working from Home
Is there a difference between Working from home v. Working Remotely?
My team and I had our Winter Summit where I brought up this question one morning at breakfast. The conversation was fascinating and really informing as we gathered insights around the table.
At the end of the day. Remote work is here to stay and they are loving it. As a leader I care deeply between the difference between working from home and remote work... and I'll share them in a separate post some other time.
But remote work has transformed how accounting firms operate. The days of being chained to a desk are over. Effectiveness has increased. Sharing screens and looking at a spreadsheet on zoom is way better then being in person hunched over and looking on one screen as one person drives and the rest of us try to grab the mouse from them 🤣
Instead the firms who are embracing flexibility, and employees are thriving.
The Benefits of Remote Work
✅ Increased Productivity – Employees work more efficiently in a comfortable environment. Pending they have the appropriate equipment.
✅ Higher Employee Satisfaction – Flexibility leads to better work-life balance.
✅ Lower Overhead Costs – Firms save on office space, utilities, and other expenses.
✅ Employee Travel Costs – Employees save costs on gas, food, transportation and likely even clothes.
And employees? They feel:
➡️ More balanced
➡️ Less stressed
➡️ More motivated
➡️ More loyal
It’s a win-win for everyone.
3 Key Strategies for Remote Work Success
To make remote work effective in an accounting firm, focus on these three pillars:
1️⃣ Invest in Technology
🔹 Use secure, cloud-based accounting software.
🔹 Implement strong cybersecurity measures.
🔹 Equip employees with the right tools and resources.
🔹 Provide training on how to effectively use the tools and resources.
2️⃣ Foster Communication
🔹 Schedule regular check-ins to stay connected.
🔹 Use collaboration tools like Slack (because Teams is horrible haha)
🔹 Encourage open, transparent communication.
🔹 Know that goofy - relational based meetings are ok.
3️⃣ Focus on Results
🔹 Set clear goals and expectations. This means weekly, monthly, quarterly targets. In the system, for everyone to see. (we use ClickUp)
🔹 Measure performance based on outcomes, not hours logged. (we currently make tracking hours optional)
🔹 Trust employees to manage their time effectively.
🔹 Double check on compliance that processes are being followed versus hours worked.
