If you can’t see your employees in person, how do you know what they’re working on and how much they’re getting done? Staff accountability is a concern for many firms when they become virtual. But it doesn’t have to be. Did you know that most virtual firms actually have higher productivity than those with a fully on-site staff? That’s good news whether you have two remote workers, multiple offices in different cities, or all your employees working from home. Here are three tools you can use to create staff accountability in your virtual firm.
Track Projects Paperlessly
If your team is spread across multiple locations, there’s no physical piles of paper moving from desk to desk. But you can use CCH Axcess™ Workstream to virtually keep track of where files are in the process and who’s working on what. The solution not only manages deadlines, but it also has project notes, so if a client calls with a question, anyone can open the file and know exactly what’s been done and what’s needed.
Keep an Eye on Engagement and Productivity
If you want your staff to get more done in less time, you can’t penalize them for being efficient. Rather than relying on the hours they’re putting in, you want to ensure they’re being efficient and profitable any time they’re on the clock. Encourage engagement by tracking important KPIs with CCH Axcess™ Data Axcess Utility. You can set up a dashboard and reporting for metrics like revenue, expenses, and labor margin to keep them all moving in the right direction.
Facilitate Communication and Collaboration
Staff needs to be held accountable for the level of client service they’re providing, too, especially when they’re not meeting face to face. With virtual tools like CCH Axcess™ Client Collaboration, the client experience is simple and convenient, even for those who typically shy away from technology. The secure portal allows clients to electronically review and sign forms, import financial documents, and track the process of their return. The central collaboration hub makes communication and file transfers between the firm and its clients satisfying and seamless.
If you’re a believer in the benefits of being a virtual firm, download the “Virtual and Semi-Virtual Firms: Benefits for Your Firm” ebook for more ideas.
