It’s no surprise that staffing remains a struggle for many accounting firms. As older generations retire and accountants leave the profession for careers with more work-life balance, fewer college graduates are waiting in the wings to fill the gap. Busy seasons, repetitive work and long, inflexible hours are partially to blame.
That’s where running your firm in the cloud comes in. While the cloud isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution to your recruiting problem—there’s a lot more to it than that—it’s certainly a step in the right direction. And that’s why embracing the benefits of the cloud can transform your recruiting and staffing efforts. So, let’s dive in and see how this works.
1. Remote work and flexible schedules
According to a Deloitte workplace flexibility survey, 90% of today’s professionals value flexibility. And 82% have taken advantage of flexible work options. So, the ability to work remotely and participate in flexible schedules is a huge draw for potential employees. And it’s a huge benefit of the cloud.
A cloud-based environment allows your staff to access their work from anywhere, at any time. This type of flexibility not only attracts and retains top performers, but it helps boost employee satisfaction and morale.
Imagine the work-life balance that comes with working in the cloud and giving your team the flexibility to work as their schedules allow. They’re no longer hampered by the strict 9-to-5 workday; they can work around their busy schedules and still maintain productivity. And when you include a “flexible and remote work environment” in your job listings, you’ll expand your hiring pool beyond what you could’ve imagined.
2. Secure environment
Security should be a top priority for accounting firms. After all, your firm contains a treasure trove of data for cybercriminals—and it’s up to you to protect it. Consider the protection that a cloud provider gives:
- Multifactor authentication
- Intrusion monitoring
- Antivirus software
- Firewalls
- Real-time backups
- 24/7 support
It’s a bit more robust than a typical accounting firm can provide on its own. And that’s OK. You’re accountants—not security experts. Not having to manage your own security is a huge benefit of the cloud.
By moving to the cloud, you’re assuring potential employees that they’re working in a secure environment. This means they’ll get to concentrate on what matters most: your clients. Being in the cloud also emphasizes your firm’s commitment to security and that you’re forward-thinking, especially when it comes to protecting your data and your clients’ data.
3. Advanced tech stack
Another benefit of the cloud is creating a modern tech stack that streamlines processes and boosts efficiency. If you’re still living in spreadsheets and drowning in paperwork, potential employees will run the other way. Running your business in the cloud provides access to the latest tools and applications your firm needs, all at your fingertips.
From automated bookkeeping to AI-driven analytics, the cloud offers endless possibilities for applications. And the opportunity to work with an advanced tech stack is a major draw for potential firm staff. For your accounting firm to thrive, you need a cloud environment that makes processes easier and your team more productive.
4. Better collaboration between clients and staff
Effective collaboration between firm staff and clients is crucial in accounting. And a benefit of the cloud is that it helps facilitate seamless communication and collaboration. Shared access to documents, real-time updates and collaborative tools like client portals make it easier to work together—no matter where you are.
Being able to communicate, especially when working remotely, is important for staff. The cloud helps reduce the friction that comes with traditional, paper-based systems, making your firm more attractive to potential employees (and clients, too).
5. Quick and efficient onboarding process
A major benefit of the cloud is establishing an efficient onboarding process for new staff members. Onboarding sets the tone for new hires and should be quick and meaningful. A streamlined process leaves a positive impression and gets new employees up to speed with your firm’s processes, tools and necessary information. But it’s not only new hires that benefit from an onboarding process; your clients do, too.
With cloud technology, you can create a straightforward and intuitive onboarding process. New hires will be onboarded the same way, and they’ll be able to start working on projects without delay. The efficiency of the cloud ensures that your firm is appealing to potential employees and that your new hires are productive starting on day one.
Use the benefits of the cloud to your advantage
There’s no doubt about it: The accounting profession is facing a talent crisis. And while you may not be able to control the number of accounting graduates, you can control one thing—moving your firm to the cloud.
By doing this, you’re removing barriers to recruiting and creating a more attractive, efficient and secure working environment. Moving to the cloud can help your firm stand out in a competitive job market and ensure you’re attracting and retaining the best talent.
If you’re ready to remove barriers to recruiting by moving to the cloud, then get started here—today!
