Whether you are new to remote work or have an established remote team in your accounting firm, it is essential to have clear and healthy working practices in place to ensure seamless collaboration.
Running an accounting firm with a remote accounting team can bring its own set of unique challenges, especially if you hire people from different altitudes, working backgrounds, or living conditions. But with the right approach, it can also be incredibly rewarding and culturally enriching. One of the most important aspects of managing a remote accounting team is to prioritize their health and well-being.
Here are 5 healthy guidelines that can help you keep your remote accounting team healthy, happy, and productive.
Going Beyond Remote Managing Tips
Hiring remote employees can save accounting firms a significant amount of time and money, not to mention access to a vast pool of talent from around the world. However, once you have built your remote accounting team, you need to ensure it runs smoothly.
This involves a set of well-known and widely spoken tips for successfully managing a remote team such as:
- Be reasonable with your expectations
- Provide remote training tools
- Use proper communications tools
- Respect their Time Zone
- Regular follow-up
Although these tips are fine and have been proven to work, on a day-to-day basis they may fall short of fostering effectiveness, and efficiency, and building a trust-based long-term workforce that retains new hires.
5 Healthy Guidelines For Your Remote Accounting Team
Encourage Regular Breaks
Japanese companies are globally known for encouraging naps and breaks during working hours, and there is a valid reason for this. In Japan, there is a term called "karoshi," which means "death by overwork." Although it may sound harsh, research has shown that working beyond one's physical and intellectual capabilities is neither productive nor healthy.
Working from home can make it difficult for remote accounting team members to take breaks, but it's important for their mental and physical health. Encourage your team to take regular breaks, and suggest that they use this time to step away from their computer and engage in a non-work related activity, like taking a walk or stretching.
For example, PwC schedules regular breaks throughout the day for their employees to help them recharge and avoid burnout. EY on the other hand allows employees to take breaks as needed, rather than on a strict schedule, to help them manage their workload and stress levels.
Promote Active Lifestyles
Sitting at a desk all day can take a toll on one's physical health. Encourage your remote accounting team members to be active during the workday, whether that's by taking a walk during their lunch break or doing a quick yoga session. Consider offering a fitness stipend to support their wellness goals.
Deloitte offers meditation and mindfulness programs for their employees to help them reduce stress and improve their focus and productivity.
Emphasize Healthy Eating Habits
Working remotely can make it easy to snack mindlessly, but a healthy diet is important for productivity and well-being. Suggest healthy meal options and snacks, and encourage your team to take the time to prepare healthy meals.
Consider offering a stipend for meal delivery services or healthy snack subscriptions. If your remote team is based offshore, such as in South America, sending an occasional gift box or surprise breakfast can be a thoughtful gesture that doesn't have to cost a lot.
Prioritize Mental Health
This is something that is often overlooked more than you think. The pressures of day-to-day and the ingrained practices of micromanagement can lead to feelings of isolation and burnout.
Prioritize your remote accounting team's mental health by encouraging them to take breaks, offering support through an employee assistance program, and scheduling regular team check-ins to stay connected.
In addition, leaders should pay attention to shifts in attitudes and practices from the normal activities of their teams. A sudden change in the way they interact could be a sign of discomfort, disgust, or instability. If the issue is related to personal problems, it is important not to pressure anyone but rather to create a safe and trusting space for employees to express themselves.
Foster Social Connections
Working remotely can be lonely, but it doesn't have to be. Foster social connections among your remote accounting team members by scheduling virtual team-building activities or hosting virtual social events. Encourage your team to take breaks together and to share non-work-related updates.
If your employees are located in nearby areas, you can organize or facilitate extra-work activities such as passes and discounts in cafes or cultural spaces.
The Beast Team Is The Healthy Team
Remember, your team is your greatest asset, and investing in their health and productivity will not only benefit them but your entire accounting firm. Furthermore, managing a remote accounting team requires a different approach than managing an in-person team.
However, by prioritizing your remote accounting team's health and well-being, you can ensure to create of a positive and productive work environment. By following these 5 healthy guidelines, you can that foster growth, creativity, and success for everyone involved.
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Kevin Mitchell, CPA
Senior Manager and CPA with over 20 years of experience in accounting and financial services, specializing in risk management and regulatory compliance. Skilled in managing audits and leading teams to deliver exceptional services. Proud father of two.
References:
Human Resources Today. (2020, May 4). The importance of taking breaks during the workday. https://www.humanresourcestoday.com/2020/the-importance-of-taking-breaks-during-the-workday/
Forbes. (2019, June 28). Japan's Solution to Overwork: A Nap at Work. https://www.forbes.com/sites/benjaminlaker/2019/06/28/japans-solution-to-overwork-a-nap-at-work/
Accounting Today. (2021, February 25). 5 ways to improve remote team productivity. https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/5-ways-to-improve-remote-team-productivity
Society for Human Resource Management. (2018, May 3). Managers: Pay Attention to Employees' Work-Life Balance. https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/managers-pay-attention-to-employees-work-life-balance.aspx
