Accountants are privy to some very private information about their clients. As such, some clients and even some accountants themselves remain unsure about working remotely. There are, however, excellent remote accounting jobs that pay well and offer potential clients access to excellent accounting and bookkeeping services.
Is it Possible for Accountants to Work Remotely?
Traditionally, accountants worked in an office and had clients come to them. Thanks to advances in technology and the advent of the digital age, professions that used to require in-office performance can now be done at home or virtually anywhere in the world.
Currently, remote accounting jobs are available in several markets, each of which offers an excellent opportunity for professionals in the field. These markets include:
Cloud Accounting
Firms that specialize in accounting hire accountants to work remotely using cloud-based accounting software. These systems are designed to work using a cloud platform wherein accountants can work, edit, and share their projects when and where necessary. Cloud-based systems offer excellent exposure potential for professionals and provide clients the platform to access much-needed services.
Startups
Beginner business owners now recognize the importance of hiring an accountant at the start of their operations. An accountant, for example, can help guide the business owner on finance basics such as cashflow, income and profit reports, and of course, taxes. Managing their business’ financial side is critical to the success of a startup, which means that they need to have a solid accounting practice in place – something that a professional accountant can do.
While there are startups that require on-site services, many are turning to remote services due to their convenience and low costs. Keep in mind that most startups hire remote accountants only during the initial stages of their business development. As their businesses grow and their needs change, they may opt to hire on-site accountants who can focus on their business on a day-to-day basis.
ECommerce
Ecommerce has exploded in recent years. Everything and the kitchen sink can be sold and bought through online shops these days. Thanks to these platforms, the market for remote jobs for accounting professionals has remained robust. The need is necessitated by the design of the e-commerce platform. Many online sellers do not run physical offices where staff can work. Online sellers often operate from home, which means when they need the services of an accounting professional, they usually hire freelancers or someone who can work remotely. In general, online sellers save more on remote labor because this is generally more affordable thanks to lower overhead costs.