Whether a person has been working from home for many years or is new to remote work schedules, it’s essential to have the equipment needed to remain productive. There is a direct correlation between quality home office equipment, job satisfaction, and overall productivity.
Long before recent global events that caused a rise in remote workers, more than three-fourths (79%) of accountants, CPAs, and finance professionals have worked from home offices.
Prudent finance professionals working remotely invest in their home office setup. From ergonomic furniture to finding the perfect display, there are six must-have home office upgrades for accountants working from home.
6 Home Office Upgrades to Invest In
Roughly 1,076,179 accountants work in the United States, according to Zippia’s data science team. The average age is 43 years old, meaning most accountants working from home are tech-savvy enough to understand the importance of an efficient office setup.
However, fewer know what they need exactly.
It takes more than just having the right software to work from home. Here are six home office upgrades CPAs and accounting professionals won’t regret investing in.
1. Ergonomic Office Chair
An ergonomic set up in a person’s workspace leads to a 16% increase in productivity and a 9% increase in employee satisfaction. The main priority in an ergo office setup is the chair.
Things to look for in an ergonomic office chair include adjustability, materials, and weight capacity. Also, people should consider whether they want a chair with a headrest and footrest versus one without one.
According to New York Magazine’s The Strategist, ergonomic experts recommend ten brands that have earned their Top 10 Very Best Ergonomic Office Chairs recommendation. These include:
- Herman Miller
- Branch
- Modway
- Humanscale
- Autonomous
- ALL33
- Gaiam
- DRAGONN
2. High-Quality Wireless Headphones
One must-have for anyone working from home is a high-quality wireless headset. When a conference call or Zoom meeting requires concentration and confidentiality, users will want a set of headphones with active noise-canceling capabilities that offers protection from sound escaping the headset. Our entire IT team uses the Jabra Evolve 75 because it offers Bluetooth capability, high-quality noise-cancelling audio, an impressive microphone, and it’s extremely comfortable.
3. A Desk That Fits Your Work Style
The desk is the most essential piece of furniture in any office setup. Things to consider when shopping for an office desk are style, functionality, storage space needs, and how the desk fits into a person’s work style.
Over the last decade, the trend for sit/stand desks has grown as people realize the health benefits associated with remaining active during the work day. While a sit/stand desk might not be for everyone, it is an option for those looking for a complete ergonomic setup.
Things people should look for when purchasing a desk for their home office upgrades include:
- Adjustable height options
- Charging port access
- Wireless charging capabilities
- Number and size of drawers/shelves
- Built-in whiteboard for notetaking
4. Reliable Wireless Router
Beyond furniture, a home office requires dependable tech gear like a reliable wireless router. Remote workers will want one that offers transfer speeds of at least 50 Mbps.
Users should also check their internet upload and download speeds. Internet bandwidth can significantly impact productivity, especially when service providers throttle users back to accommodate an increase in traffic.
For that reason, it is also a good idea to get a dynamic IP address from the internet service provider. They are more secure and make it more difficult to obtain certain user data, like location.
Most service providers offer a dynamic IP address by default, as static IP addresses require additional setup. However, users should check with their providers to ensure the status of their IP addresses.
One of the best home office routers on the market right now is the AmpliFi Alien WiFi 6 Mesh Router.
5. A Powerful Computer
Accountants and finance professionals manage large datasets that demand sufficient and secure storage. Furthermore, they use robust accounting software and often have extensive IT tech stacks.
These systems require fast processors, expansive RAM, and adequate internal and external storage and memory capabilities. A powerful computer system will last year and result in fewer workflow interruptions and operational disruptions.
Purchasing a computer can seem overwhelming. Buyers should speak to an IT specialist who can ensure they get the system they need with all the required specifications to meet the demands of the accounting industry.
These specialists will be able to help set up and manage a firm’s IT infrastructure at the office and assist those working from home set up their home office.
6. A Large External Monitor
Most remote workers are used to working on laptops with 15″ displays. Larger external monitors can increase productivity, reduce eye strain, and make viewing details easier than ever.
Larger monitors allow users to spread their work out over the entire display. No more toggling between tabs or searching the taskbar for the open document they are working on.
Tech experts recommend the Dell P4317Q with a 43” display. Split-screen capabilities are basically like having two monitors. Get two monitors, and it could be like having four. Imagine all the work that can get done!
When workers use an external monitor, they can use their laptop as a docking station or even as an additional display. The productivity possibilities are nearly endless.
A Tech Guru is Your Most Indispensable Home Office Essential
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job growth for accountants from 2018 to 2028 is 6%. This growth means more accountants will be working from home, at least part-time.
Setting up a home office as an accounting professional takes a little more consideration than most remote jobs. Data security, infrastructure capabilities, and solving technical challenges require the expertise of IT specialists who understand the needs of accounting firms.
At Tech Guru, we specialize in working with accounting firms, accountants, and finance professionals. We know what system requirements are necessary for remote employee management and how to troubleshoot issues your employees may have with setting up their home office.
Do your accounting firm and its employees have all the equipment they need for working from home? Check out our Remote Working Equipment list to make sure you and your team have everything they need.
