Increase Productivity In Remote Teams for Accountants
Remote working is no longer a temporary solution for accounting firms it is now a core part of how modern practices operate and scale. With the rise of cloud accounting, Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements and global talent access, accountants are increasingly managing teams and clients remotely as part of their everyday workflow.
Traditionally, accounting relied heavily on physical paperwork, in-office collaboration and manual processes. Today, secure cloud platforms, digital document capture and real-time reporting allow accounting teams to work efficiently from anywhere while remaining fully compliant with HMRC and GDPR requirements. Firms that adapt to this shift gain faster turnaround times, improved accuracy and greater flexibility without compromising data security or service quality.
However, simply allowing staff to work remotely is not enough. Productivity depends on the right systems, clear communication, defined responsibilities and effective use of technology. This guide outlines practical steps accounting firms can take to manage remote teams efficiently, reduce operational friction and deliver consistent results for clients.
Tips for Accounting firms to efficiently manage Remote Teams:
Start with Cloud accounting:
No matter what sector you are working in, technology is a driving factor for every business, and migration to the cloud is one of the fastest-growing techs every accounting firm needs to advise their clients to over switching to. When working remotely with clients, Cloud-based accounting software can help you share and access client records from anywhere in the world, and that, too, with guaranteed security. So the first step towards boosting productivity with remote accountants is migrating to the cloud.
Encourage communication:
Staying connected is very important if you wish to boost productivity with remote accountants. Use video conferencing apps like Skype and Google Meets to get your client’s supervision. Stay connected at all times and organize client meetings online; and it is no different than working in the same office as your client.
Upload bills and share other transaction documents via secure channels:
With the internet at your disposal, accountants can easily get access to client’s bills and other necessary transition details that are needed to manage their books efficiently. Apps like Bill Minder and Zoho Books offer easy syncing of bills and therefore are very useful for accountants to increase productivity while working from a remote location.
Use services like google docs etc to share numbers, calculations:
Accounting is all about managing numbers and while accountants are working remotely, apps like Google Sheets offer both easy calculations and end-to-end encrypted sharing between the client and the accountant. Adapting to such services allows efficient calculations while your accounting team serves the clients remotely.
Keep track of your goals with apps like Trello:
Even accountants need to keep a tab on their goals to ensure efficient management to increase efficacy. Apps like Trello come in very handy in managing goals, no matter you are handling one client or many clients. Achieving small goals is the key to avoiding a disorganized workflow. Setting daily targets is a practice that every accounting firm needs to incorporate to keep things running smoothly and boosting productivity.
Allow team members to take ownership:
If you are an accounting firm with a team of remote-working accountants, you need to let every team member take ownership of their work. It is no brainer that distributing work among responsible team members reduces the workload on the whole team and is, therefore, a major factor in increasing team productivity.
Conclusion:
While you are in the business of handling accounts for various clients, switching over to working remotely isn’t as bad as it sounds, and with a little experiment, mostly by leveraging technology into your current working model, will not only make the task easier but better. Once you successfully transition into the culture of remote working, you can see a significant improvement in your delivery.
FAQ
1. How can accounting firms increase productivity with remote teams?
Accounting firms can improve remote productivity by using cloud accounting software, setting clear workflows, using task management tools, encouraging regular communication, and assigning clear ownership of tasks.
2. Is remote working effective for accounting firms?
Yes. With cloud-based systems, secure document sharing and structured processes, remote working can be as effective or more effective than traditional office-based accounting.
3. What tools do remote accounting teams use most?
Remote accounting teams commonly use Xero or QuickBooks for bookkeeping, Dext for document capture, Microsoft Teams or Zoom for communication, and tools like Trello or ClickUp for task management.
4. How do accountants securely share client documents when working remotely?
Accountants should use GDPR-compliant cloud storage platforms with encryption, access controls and two-factor authentication rather than email attachments.
5. How do accounting managers track performance in remote teams?
Performance can be tracked using task management software, time-tracking tools, regular check-ins and clear KPIs linked to deadlines, accuracy and client satisfaction.
6. Does remote accounting affect HMRC or MTD compliance?
No. As long as firms use MTD-compatible software and follow HMRC record-keeping requirements, remote accounting fully supports compliance.
7. What are the biggest challenges of managing remote accounting teams?
Common challenges include communication gaps, inconsistent workflows, data security concerns and lack of accountability—most of which can be solved with the right systems and processes.
8. Can outsourcing accounting work improve productivity?
Yes. Many UK accounting firms use outsourced or offshore accounting teams to handle routine work, allowing in-house teams to focus on advisory and client-facing services.
Parul is a dedicated writer and expert in the accounting industry, known for her insightful and well researched content. Her writing covers a wide range of topics, including tax regulations, financial reporting standards, and best practices for compliance. She is committed to producing content that not only informs but also empowers readers to make informed decisions.