By Haden Beaudoin, SafeSend.
Imagine sending out a memo to the staff in your accounting firm that reads:
Starting in January 2025, we expect all employees to return to the office five days per week.
How would that go over?
If you’ve made the jump to a fully remote business, the response probably wouldn’t be positive. If you’ve settled into a hybrid environment, you may hear some backlash, but you may also have some excited staff members who enjoy being in the office. Chances are, you’re going to have a mix of reactions (and quite possibly a mass exodus of employees).
While tech giants like Amazon are making headlines with their strict return-to-office (RTO) mandates, accounting firms face their own set of challenges when making this decision.
Consider this statistic: 90% of organizations are planning to enforce some sort of in-office presence going forward. Should CPA firms follow suit? That’s entirely up to you. But in a profession that’s already grappling with an existential staffing crisis, the stakes for return to work mandates couldn’t be higher. Firms must carefully consider how their workplace policies will affect recruitment and retention in an already shrinking talent pool.
We’re here to help you make that decision. We’ll cover everything you need to think about in order to make an informed choice on your firm’s workplace policy, with Reddit comments from accountants sprinkled in along the way.
Understanding Both Sides of the Equation
There are always two sides to every situation, and that holds true with RTO mandates in the tax and accounting profession. And the debate is becoming more intense as several big-name corporations begin requiring five-day in-office attendance by a certain date, or else. (“Else” basically being a pink slip for those who refuse to comply.)
Some may argue that it’s a way for companies to avoid layoffs by having employees quit over the mandate (also known as a “backdoor layoff”). Others say workers are more productive and that culture improves when everyone is in the office five days a week. But who’s to say definitively one way or the other? Not every company is built the same.
Here are some things for you to think about if you’re considering having your firm back in the office five days a week.
The Case for Return to Work
- Enhanced collaboration: In-person interactions can lead to spontaneous sharing of knowledge, which can be valuable for complex tasks and auditing work.
- Stronger mentorship: Junior staff can benefit from observing senior professionals and receiving immediate guidance and feedback.
- Client expectations: Some clients may prefer face-to-face meetings, especially for sensitive financial discussions.
- Fostering culture: Physical presence can help reinforce firm values and build stronger team bonds.
The Case Against Return to Work
- Commute and work-life balance: Workers in the U.S. spend an average of 55 minutes commuting to and from work each day. That’s time that could be reinvested in both work productivity and personal well-being.
- Limited talent pool: Requiring workers in the office five days a week severely restricts hiring to your immediate geographic area. That’s not something that benefits your firm during a staffing crisis.
- High overhead costs: Maintaining a traditional office space is expensive, and with inflation it’s only going to cost more.
https://embed.reddit.com/r/remotework/comments/1epezda/comment/lhlm4ub/?embed=true&ref_source=embed&ref=share&utm_medium=widgets&utm_source=embedv2&utm_term=23&showusername=false&showmedia=false&showmore=false&depth=1&utm_name=comment_embed&embed_host_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsafesend.com%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Freturn-to-work-tax-accounting-cpa-firms%2F
The Remote (or Hybrid) Work Advantage
- Talent attraction: Flexibility can be a crucial differentiator between your firm and another when vying for the same candidate.
- Cost efficiency: Reduced office space requirements can lower overhead costs. And as accountants, you know that saving money where you can is a good thing.
- Work-life balance: Working from home gives your staff time to focus on life outside of the office. Flexibility is key, especially during busy season (a.k.a. the season of burnout).
- Expanded talent pool: Allowing remote and hybrid options significantly reduces geographic restrictions since you can hire from pretty much anywhere.
- Productivity: Staff members can become more productive without the distractions of the office (i.e., coworkers stopping by for a chat).
The Remote (or Hybrid) Work Disadvantage
- Collaboration challenges: Complex tax and audit projects could take longer in virtual settings than in the office.
- Tech and security issues: Cybersecurity remains a big risk for firms, especially those with remote or hybrid environments and staff who may work on unsecured or personal devices.
- Managerial concerns: Training new employees can take longer in remote settings, especially without an onboarding plan specific to remote or hybrid work.
https://embed.reddit.com/r/Accounting/comments/1c1xjxi/comment/kz6n3kc/?embed=true&ref_source=embed&ref=share&utm_medium=widgets&utm_source=embedv2&utm_term=23&showusername=false&showmedia=false&showmore=false&depth=1&utm_name=comment_embed&embed_host_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsafesend.com%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Freturn-to-work-tax-accounting-cpa-firms%2F
RELATED: The CPA Staffing Crisis—How AI and Succession Planning Can Save Your Firm
What Your Firm Should Consider
Implementing a return to work mandate takes thoughtful analysis well beyond simple logistics. While tech companies like Amazon can mandate blanket policies, accounting firms face unique considerations, including busy season. With the profession facing the retirement of an entire generation—not to mention fewer CPA graduates—there are several things to keep in mind if you decide to issue a RTO mandate.
- The impact on technology and efficiency: Your firm’s tech stack plays a large role in workplace flexibility. Regardless of whether you’re in-office, remote, or hybrid, your firm needs to be working in a secure cloud environment. With AI taking center stage, consider how it will reshape traditional workflows and how that can impact your work environment.
- The implications around recruitment and retention: We know there’s a decline in accounting graduates, and workplace policies can make or break your retention efforts. Younger generations want more flexibility, and they’ll go to work for the firms that provide it. Also, think about your training and development and how they need to be structured to support whichever model you choose.
- The impact on client service: Client expectations have evolved quite a bit since the pandemic. Many now prefer virtual meetings for routine matters but still value face-to-face interaction for complex financial discussions. As remote and hybrid work has evolved, so have the tools to collaborate with clients (especially client portals). Consider how your workplace policy—whether in-office, hybrid, or remote—affects response times, service quality, and client satisfaction.
- The demands of busy season: Tax season can create challenges for workplace policies. While working remotely enables longer productive hours without the commute, it can also complicate collaboration during crunch time. The key is ensuring your policy supports, rather than hinders, busy season productivity—and prevents burnout.
https://embed.reddit.com/r/Accounting/comments/1c1xjxi/comment/kz84ri6/?embed=true&ref_source=embed&ref=share&utm_medium=widgets&utm_source=embedv2&utm_term=23&showusername=false&showmedia=false&showmore=false&depth=1&utm_name=comment_embed&embed_host_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsafesend.com%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Freturn-to-work-tax-accounting-cpa-firms%2F
Making the Right Decision for Your Firm
Rather than following the crowd—especially larger tech giants like Amazon—your firm needs to develop a strategic approach based on your specific circumstances. Think through the following during your decision-making process.
Assess Your Firm’s Specific Needs
- Evaluate your client base demographics and their expectations.
- Consider your service offerings and delivery methods.
- Review your team and its individual roles.
- Look at your office usage and costs.
- Examine your tech stack.
Gather Data and Feedback
- Review productivity KPIs from different work arrangements.
- Analyze client satisfaction scores and feedback.
- Examine your employee retention rates and recruitment success.
- Compare efficiency between remote and in-office work.
- Survey your staff to gain insights into their needs and concerns.
Consider a Hybrid Approach
- Identify whether roles need more office presence vs. the flexibility of a remote environment.
- Designate specific collaboration days for team meetings.
- Consider seasonal adjustments, especially during busy season.
- Plan for team building and culture activities.
Plan for Implementation
- Develop a clear policy and outline expectations.
- Create specific communication protocols.
- Establish performance KPIs and success indicators.
- Review policies on a regular basis and adjust as needed.
- Set up technology support and training.
- Create a feedback system for continuous improvement.
The key to success is doing what’s best for your firm, whether it’s working in the office or allowing hybrid or remote work environments. https://embed.reddit.com/r/Accounting/comments/1c1xjxi/comment/kz6ilig/?embed=true&ref_source=embed&ref=share&utm_medium=widgets&utm_source=embedv2&utm_term=23&showusername=false&showmedia=false&showmore=false&depth=1&utm_name=comment_embed&embed_host_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsafesend.com%2Fabout%2Fnews%2Freturn-to-work-tax-accounting-cpa-firms%2F
Finding a Balanced Approach
The return-to-work debate isn’t just about where work happens; it’s about how firms will position themselves for the future of the profession. While tech giants may be grabbing headlines with their strict RTO mandates, accounting firms have a golden opportunity to craft policies that address both the staffing crisis and evolving client expectations.
We can’t tell you if an RTO mandate is the best course of action for your firm. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But what we can tell you is that the question isn’t about whether to return to the office—it’s about how to create an environment where your team can thrive, your clients can receive exceptional service, and your firm can build a competitive edge in an increasingly complex profession.
Is it time to return to the office? Only you know the answer to that.
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Tags: Firm Management
