The Hidden Challenges of Remote Work for Tax Departments

November 10, 2020

In this article, we examine the emerging implications of remote work for the tax industry as it becomes the "new normal". We identify two key areas where tax departments are likely to face complications:

  • Development: We predict challenges in four areas:
    • Onboarding and training new staff
    • Networking and collaboration among team members
    • Acquisition of soft skills and emotional intelligence
    • Cultivation of future tax leaders
  • Compensation: We anticipate dilemmas around pay equity for remote workers in different locations.

We argue that while remote work offers benefits, it poses significant challenges for training junior staff, fostering collaboration, developing leadership skills, and maintaining fair compensation practices.

To address these issues, we suggest that a hybrid approach - mixing remote and in-person work - will likely be the most effective solution for tax departments moving forward. We emphasize the importance of finding ways to provide in-person experiences, especially for developing future leaders in the tax profession.

Overall, we aim to highlight these "hidden" challenges so tax leaders can proactively address them as remote work becomes more prevalent in the industry.itches and consider alternative solutions to manage their tax functions efficiently.

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