5 Ways Oklahoma CPAs Benefit from Remote Access

Thanks to tremendous advances in both computing and networking technology, it is easier than ever for Oklahoma CPAs to work remotely./oklahoma-cpa-mobile-security-checklist

According to Business News Daily, 37% of employees who responded to a Gallup study confirmed that they worked remotely at some point during their career, up from 30% in 2006 and only 9% in 1995. The trend has become so common that coffee shops everywhere have the infrastructure necessary to support remote offices: wireless and broadband Internet access and a liberal seating policy for regular customers.

Remote access comes with a host of benefits for a CPA, his or her firm, and the firm’s clientele. Below is a list of five proven advantages to a flexible and mobile workplace.

Improved Business Continuity

When CPAs work remotely in Oklahoma, it is much easier for critical client services to continue in the event of a disaster. A good business continuity plan needs to address how the company will conduct business and support clients if the central workplace is off-limits for any reason.

Remote access, combined with strong collaboration technology, makes it possible to keep everything going until the crisis is resolved.

Reduced Operating Costs

When CPAs are permitted to work from home, the company reduces its expenses for office space rental, phones, furniture, and utilities. The time needed to manage these assets also goes down, letting administrators focus on areas more conducive to business growth. The company’s carbon footprint is consequently reduced, which can be a good thing for its bottom line in terms of tax benefits and credits aimed at carbon emissions reduction.

More Satisfied Workforce

Working remotely (in this instance, at home) gives CPAs more flexibility in planning their days. When they are not meeting with clients, they can enjoy greater involvement with their families and plan personal obligations like doctor and dentist appointments more easily. This level of freedom, which is seldom available in a large office, has been proven to translate into happier and more productive workers.

Cost-Effective Expansion

Many CPA offices in Oklahoma that want to expand hesitate because of the costs involved: moving to a bigger location, purchasing new furniture and computers, paying higher utility bills. Utilizing a remote office network enables a company to grow faster and support an even larger client base than before.

Recruitment Advantages

When a CPA firm is tethered to a physical office location, the available talent pool is limited to candidates who already live within commuting distance or intend to move there. However, what if the ideal CPA lives in a different city altogether? A remote office environment enables the firm’s administrators to hire the best applicant no matter where they live.

Bottom Line

Remotely situated employees are becoming more common in today’s workforce. A report issued by the American Community Survey in 2013 stated that more than 2% of U.S. employees (approximately 2.8 million people) consider their homes to be their primary place of work. That number has certainly grown since then, and will continue to grow as more companies appreciate the value of remote access for their employees.

 

Does your Oklahoma CPA office support a remote workforce? If so, have you experienced any of the benefits outlined in this article? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments box below.

 

And to follow up on the tips introduced in this article, be sure to download your free Oklahoma CPA Mobile Security Checklist.