Can Accounting Firms Be Productive With Remote Staff?

Rob Brown sits down with Jeff Phillips to discuss the challenges and opportunities of remote and hybrid work environments in the accounting industry. Jeff, drawing from his experience as a CEO managing remote teams, shares valuable insights on how firms can not only maintain but increase productivity with remote staff.

The discussion explores into the shift from traditional office-based work to hybrid and remote models, addressing common concerns about productivity, trust, and company culture. Jeff emphasizes the importance of adopting the right mindset and implementing effective systems to ensure work gets accomplished, regardless of physical location. He introduces concepts like asynchronous communication and project management tools that can revolutionize how accounting firms operate in a digital age.

Key Takeaways:
✓ Remote work can lead to increased productivity when structured correctly
✓ Shifting from a "see you to trust you" mentality to a results-oriented approach is crucial
✓ Asynchronous communication can enhance efficiency in accounting tasks
✓ Project management tools are essential for tracking productivity in remote teams
✓ Regular "office hours" and personal check-ins can maintain company culture in remote settings

Quotes:
"Don't even look at the technology until you've defined your philosophy about how we're going to communicate."
"Running a hybrid team is challenging. Yet, if work is structured correctly, it frees your team to be more productive than they are today."

Chapters and Timestamps:
02:20 - The mindset shift for productive remote work
04:50 - The benefits and realities of remote work
08:30 - Synchronous vs. asynchronous communication
11:40 - Technology tools for remote collaboration
14:00 - Philosophy and approach to remote work
16:40 - Addressing obstacles and objections to remote work
18:20 - Maintaining company culture in a remote environment
22:40 - Strategies for effective remote team management
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The Accounting Influencers Podcast is for accountants, bookkeepers, finance professionals and those who lead, work in, and serve them. Hosted by Rob Brown and special guests who are influential within their field, the podcast covers topics such as leadership, business growth, technology and automation, diversity and career development. Join the accounting influencers conversation at one of our virtual speed networking events for influential leaders and professionals in the accounting, finance and tech world:
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