An Overview of Best Practices and Tips on Overcoming Potential Challenges
With the global pandemic forcing organizations worldwide to resort to remote work practices, bookkeepers and finance professionals have also been obliged to stick to remote accounting to contribute to slowing down the spread of the virus.
Ditching the daily commute and face-to-face interactions, accountants across the globe are turning on their spreadsheets and accounting software at the comfort and safety of their homes.
Although shifting to remote accounting seems manageable, it can still pose a challenge for bookkeepers who are used to thriving in their professional workspaces. Likewise, restructuring operations to fit remote work schemes can also be a struggle for both firms and accountants.
Because of this, we’ve compiled some tips for working from home effectively as an accountant. Find the best methods here to adjust to the new normal and keep up your professional and productive streak.
- Invest in powerful accounting software
Accounting software automates your workflows and guarantees that your bookkeeping work is extensively monitored, delegated, and accomplished within the deadline. Having the right online accounting software for you translates to streamlined operations and increased efficiency for remote accounting.
Luckily, most platforms are easy to use and require very little time to grasp. Besides taking care of your routine work and day-to-day assignments, they can even generate reports and analysis to make the most revenue with each billing and to bump up your client’s lifetime worth through financial liquidity.
Overall, accounting software will make remote accounting easier. It will keep an eye on your transactions, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and supply you with insights that can improve your enterprise operations.
- Set a budget for new solutions and operational modifications
Can accountants work remotely? Of course, they can, if they have the appropriate tools and background to accomplish their jobs online.
However, these solutions and even the additional training for working remotely require funding, so it’s good to allot a budget for new tools and supplementary modules when you start constructing your work structure for remote accounting.
For instance, if you’re looking to get an accounting software, you can look at pricing plans and see if they fit the bill. Look through the features of different packages and determine which tools you need for your operations.
To get the bang for your buck, go through a free trial to see what you’re signing up for before you make a purchase. Speaking of which, did you know that you can try Uku for free?
We’re an accounting practice management software that can take your remote work practices to new heights and make your entire bookkeeping experience more convenient and efficient. If you want to take remote accounting seriously, sign up for an account and get in touch with us. We might just be what you’re looking for.
- Look to successful accounting firms that have adopted remote work strategies
Prior to the pandemic, a lot of businesses and accounting firms have already been working remotely. Likewise, plenty of bookkeepers have also succeeded in working from home and enjoyed its perks, which only stresses the benefits of adopting work from home strategies or purchasing tech tools to work remotely.
If you’re feeling confident, you can even ask them to give you tips for working from home effectively as an accountant or suggestions for adjusting to remote work processes. We’re sure that they’d be willing to lend a hand during the crisis.
- Find your rhythm
Fully shifting to remote accounting requires rhythm. When you’re working in an office, you already have a flow of what happens day after day. Although you might have already experienced working at home before, transitioning to full-time remote work amidst the disruption of your daily environment demands a massive adjustment.
For instance, you’ll notice an absence in social interaction. You can’t walk over to your co-worker’s cubicle and instigate a conversation anymore. However, there are platforms where you can communicate with your colleagues while still maintaining a professional channel for work-related matters.
Aside from enlisting technology’s help, you can also develop a work from home routine. You can begin mornings with meditation and make breakfast before showing up for work.
After office hours, you can choose to walk around or near your house and unwind. You can also pick an activity that allows you to relax after a long day. The most important thing is feeling good about yourself and this new work structure.
- Keep in mind that the world still spins despite remote work practices
Remote accounting amidst a global pandemic won’t always be smooth sailing. While interpreting a crucial financial record, your child might walk in the room crying. During an important announcement, there could be someone who suddenly decides to cook in the kitchen and the noise could keep you from listening intently.
When people ask for tips for working from home effectively as an accountant, changing perception towards professionalism is usually left out.
We ought to remember that we’re all dealing with this situation differently and working in different environments. Some homes have crying children, barking dogs, unreliable connections, and other distractions. In fact, a survey from Statista declares handling at-home distractions as the top obstacle for remote work.
Even though you want to be as productive as you can, life around you will still go on. One of the most important remote working tips for accountants is maintaining a good remote work and life balance and acknowledging that working from home won’t be as easy as you want it to be.
This is the new normal
Remote accounting amidst a global pandemic is all about going towards a particular goal. You need to be driven to work with the worldwide change and forsake fear and worry. Build a plan that fits the new society we’re in and assure your clients that you’re still in business.
Illustration by Dmitry Nikulnikov from Icons8
