Remote work is here to stay, but a hybrid model might be the answer your bookkeeping firm is looking for. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, a lot of businesses found themselves trying remote work for the very first time. But because of the many benefits of working from home, this trend didn’t just stay a trend. Remote working environments can help your business save money and increase employee satisfaction. 

Developing a hybrid work model, however, can make you more competitive in the hiring field without losing the personal touches that make your work rewarding. Here are some tips for integrating remote work at your bookkeeping firm without completely changing your operations. 

Choose the Right Technology

The right technology is what makes any type of remote work possible. No matter where you and your team are, you need to have the ability to communicate effectively and still have some oversight. You’re probably already familiar with tools like Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams that allow you to still work face-to-face, even at home. But a workflow app might be the tool you’re missing. A good workflow app can help you track and time tasks, allowing you to see what your team is up to and how their work is progressing. 

Utilize Synchronous and Asynchronous Work

At your bookkeeping firm, there are obviously tasks that require collaboration and tasks that are better completed by one person. Successful hybrid work often involves balancing the two. Identify which projects would benefit from collaborative efforts. For those projects, you can utilize your office time and video meetings to work as a team. However, you don’t want to burn out your team by requiring too many meetings during remote working hours. A lot of people like working independently and find they can work more efficiently this way. 

Don’t Neglect Team Bonding and Building

One of the major drawbacks of remote work is the loneliness some employees may feel. Rather than seeing your coworkers every day and developing a strong work culture, remote work can make your team more isolated from one another. When creating a hybrid working environment, it’s important to prioritize team bonding where you can. This might mean training together, celebrating accomplishments as a team, and going out of your way to make your team members feel at home. 

There are a multitude of benefits to adopting a hybrid working model. Offering some WFH hours will help you attract and retain more talented team members. Remote work can also increase productivity at your firm and reduce your daily operating costs. Need some more help choosing the right technology before you make the switch? Check out our other blog here for some tips.