What are the real reasons why the CPA firms want people to go back into the office? Just curious - maybe I’d like to hear from managers and above

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Probably because they’re paying for the space and it’s not getting used.

But also, I will say that you cannot replicate the effectiveness of in-person teaching in a virtual environment.

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It has very little to do with the facility costs. It’s mostly about team cohesion and staff development. Too many people are 1-2 years behind where they would ordinarily be with more hands on coaching and interaction.

likeuplifting

New staff turnover is high. They don’t feel
Connected to their teams. They are missing out on coaching and it’s impacting their development.

likesmart

We work in a people business, and leadership believes a culture of teaming/togetherness/networking is a driving force of successful high performing teams. And leadership believes it will help retention and overall happiness if people actually like each other and are loyal to eachother.

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No

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I think public accounting is based on working long hours and when you’re together it’s more bearable. When you’re at home, then you realize how miserable it is to work 80+ hours. Also, firm leaders are hoping to go back to the way things were because that’s what the business model is based on and not remote workers. They also believe remote work is the cause of all the resignations, which is partly true but the core issue is the amount of hours and lack of human capital.

likesmart

Agreed - staff shortage is the main problem. If there aren’t any shortages, the firm could easily force folks to go back into the office.

likeuplifting

Camaraderie really means a lot imo. My audit professor in college said “misery loves company” and it is so true. It’s nice to connect with people and feel like we’re all going through the same thing.

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When you went through recruiting and asked “why did you pick XYZ firm”, how man people said “the people”. Historically, the strong relationships that developed from the long hours working together, team lunches, happy hours developed a camaraderie and loyalty that kept people at the firm…that doesn’t exist when working remotely. ALSO, staff are generally performing terribly working remotely. They don’t get the relevant coaching nor do they learn from observing those around them - watching a senior interact with a director is a great way for you to learn how to do it.

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I have been very interested in this throughout the pandemic. The reason I see is that the PPMDs only got where they are because of mentoring and hearing conversations around them. I grew up learning so much hearing partners and managers debate things, partners and clients debate things. For those that only plan to stay a few years , this long term relationship and skill building isn’t important to them. It’s 100% true that we are more efficient getting our work done at home without a commute. But all that on-site learning and observation is gone. I know this doesn’t matter to those only staying a few years but it really matters in the long run. This is the part of the model I see changing. People who don’t want to come in won’t be forced to (more than a minimum at least at my firm). But their potential for growth beyond SM is severely limited and will make the path a lot easier for those that do choose to come on and engage.

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The problem (or at least a point of interest) is that most people who stay in PA long-term didn’t know as a staff that they would definitely stay to manager or SM or beyond. So the staff who “think” they only want to stay a couple years may have eventually become great SMs but instead they WFH and don’t build the connections, or observe and interact with SMs and PPMDs daily. Self-fulfilling prophesy I guess. But it’s a “new” working world for sure - I think people will figure out a good sustainable hybrid model eventually.

Maybe they are trying to force us out of our long haul Covid depression. Avoiding reasons to leave the house is a symptom of depression you know l

lol I leave the house for plenty of reasons - lunch, dinner, gym, drinks and etc. I just don’t wanna go back to work since commuting takes time

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