The introduction of software as a service (SaaS) cloud based accounting applications and increased use of scanning documents can allow work to be performed remotely.
The paperless office provides the ability for your firm to have both a physical and virtual office – the virtual office allows communication between clients and staff in a seamless fashion. Clients can log on to see their financial information, post invoices paid and cash receipted allowing bookkeepers to update records ready for the accountant. In addition, you could have staff working remotely that are completing work for you in a cost effective manner.
Support staff could work a set number of hours per week from a remote location helping manage your workflow and allow you to stay client facing whilst getting the work completed effectively.
A recent request at Jadeja Partners: 1 staff member to work remotely to assist a firm in a regional area that is paperless. The support was for 5 hours per week for 35 weeks a year with potential to increase to 10 hours per week in 6 months. The requirements: a senior tax agent, public practice accredited, CA/CPA and 15 to 20 years post qualification experience to assist with reviewing the work of staff in the office and the occasional job. The regional location constantly creates difficulty in sourcing this type of role, however, the paperless office streamlines the process. The key candidates identified were from working mothers who work part time from home and practitioners making their first move into their own firm that could use the additional cash flow in the early stages of business development.
“The paperless / virtual office will allow us to change the way in which we source staff and allow more flexibility to complete work.”
There was a Charter article in 2011 with link below about the Paperless Office Nears Reality. There are also some excellent legal tips to be aware of when going paperless in the article.
charteredaccountants.com.au/News-Media/Charter/Charter-articles/Sustainability/2011-10-Paperless-Office-Nears-Reality.aspx
With the developments in accounting software packages over the last couple of years, for some firms, the paperless office has become reality.
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Asking a few questions to ourselves…
Do we have the potential for a virtual office and are we working towards one?
Can we log on to our office network remotely to complete client work and still have the same access, functionality and speed?
Jadeja Partners ask:
What are your thoughts on sourcing staff remotely to help complete work?
Do you work in a regional area and have difficulty sourcing the level of talent that you need in your local area?
