Building a remote team has its challenges, but if implemented correctly, remote work can be convenient and cost-effective.

The way people work is changing, especially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, remote teams are being run by companies and firms who’ve realized that remote work can benefit employers and employees. Accounting firms can now pivot from traditional work models and make flexible work options available. If firms want to hire and scale productive remote teams, they have to do it the right way to avoid costly mistakes and to make remote work sustainable and practical for employees.        

Why Hire a Remote Team? 

Hiring a remote team gives firms access to a broader group of talented people. Before the pandemic, only about 5% of full-time employees worked from home. Once COVID hit, more and more people wanted to work remotely, and now 20-30% of full-time employees work from home.  

Some people want to work remotely to be COVID-safe, while others simply want the freedom to work for a great company without having to move or go into the office every day. Research by the global staffing firm Robert Half has revealed that over 53% of organizations have hired new staff remotely since the pandemic began.    

Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to run a remote team at scale. Now is the time to think about new technology, shifts in work culture, and employee preferences and to consider a transition to remote work.     

Onboard New Team Members the Right Way  

The way remote team members are onboarded should be carefully considered to ensure a smooth transition into the company. It’s essential to create an orientation program that will make new employees feel just as welcomed and prepared to start work as if they were in the office. Good onboarding practices can include:       

• Introducing new employees to the company culture 
• Organizing a Zoom meeting where new employees can meet everyone on the team 
• Clearly defining the responsibilities of each new employee
• Giving new team members access to any essential passwords, documents, and technology needed to do their job  
• Setting daily check-ins, weekly check-ins, and monthly check-ins   

Communication and Trust are Essential 

To make sure a remote team is working efficiently, proper expectations need to be set. Don’t be afraid to delegate work. It’s important to trust remote employees but set firm expectations to ensure productivity. Setting daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly check-ins can be helpful for communication. Documenting all processes and having clearly defined objectives will make employees feel that their work is valued, which can result in higher rates of personal confidence and productivity.     

Invest in Technology that Makes Remote Work Easy   

Advances in technology have made it easier than ever to run a remote team and have them be as productive as possible. Examples of new technology include project management software, cloud accounting software, and cyber security software. LumaTax’s advanced technology makes it easy for CPAs and advisors to work from home because our technology is automated. It’s important to note that accountants who work remotely should use a VPN to protect sensitive client data. 

Firms that take full advantage of LumaTax have the benefit of saving both money and time that can be reinvested into initiatives that will allow them to zero in on growth strategy and core competencies. Not only that but CPAs and advisors who use LumaTax are ensuring their clients are as SUT compliant as possible—a win-win.