Today remote accounting is more prevalent than ever. Because of the increased remote capabilities of modern accountants, one question is a particularly hot topic: Should we staff with on-site accountants, remote accountants, or some combination of the two?

The realities of both on-site and remote ways of working have come to roost and the push-and-pull between two viable options is now at a fevered pitch.

To provide direction on this topic, GreenSlate’s SVP, Head of Accountant Relations S. Brett Gantt shared insights from his 30 years of experience in the production accounting field, along with the latest industry trends and essential considerations for studios, producers and key production accountants. 

Most of these are common sense concepts but it is nice to list and evaluate each. Here they are. 

Financial impacts

To meet the accounting needs of a production, there are essentially three choices: hire locally, travel in a team member, or engage a remote accountant. Each of these options comes with direct financial impacts that will shape your budget. 

Let’s look at each in turn. 

✅ Hiring locally

Prior to COVID-19, hiring locally was often seen at the starting point for productions. Financially, hiring local accountants enables the production to cut down on travel expenses, including housing, per diem, car allowances, etc. It also allows the production to take advantage of tax incentive benefits on productions qualified accountant expenditures. 

Budgeting for a local accountant is also simple as the costs are typically the accountant’s salary plus a box rental — which covers equipment and technology use, typically up to $500 per project. 

✅ Traveling in an accounting team member

Bringing in an out-of-state accountant introduces a variety of additional costs. In addition to the accountant’s salary and box rental, you will also need to budget for travel and daily transportation costs, which may include a rental car. You will also likely be providing for a living allowance. 

Altogether, the travel expenses associated with an out-of-state accountant can add up, especially if you anticipate a long production. 

✅ Engaging a remote accountant

Remote work, in many ways, fits between hiring locally and traveling in a team member. With a remote hire, you are able to eliminate many of the travel expenses associated with an out-of-state team member.

At the same time, a remote accountant isn’t likely to be eligible for tax incentives, which are often tied to hiring local talent. This can mean a significant financial impact depending on the state in which the production is taking place.

Team impacts

Gantt says that financial considerations are important when it comes to staffing a production yet, “At the same time, each hire directly impacts the workflow, communication, and overall effectiveness of your accounting team. Cutting costs on the front end may lead to a difficult team dynamic or drops in productivity and effectiveness.” 

Let’s look at key team dynamics. 

✅ Expanding the talent pool

One of the main benefits of considering off-site or remote accountants is access to a broader pool of talent. By widening the search beyond local candidates, you can tap into highly skilled professionals who may not be available in the area. 

For example, a production based in a smaller market like Baton Rouge, Louisiana, might struggle to find a highly experienced payroll accountant locally. By expanding the search to remote candidates, the producer could hire a top-tier accountant based in New York who specializes in complex productions and union regulations. 

✅ Collaboration and team dynamics

When deciding between on-site and remote accountants, the impact on collaboration and team dynamics is an important consideration. 

A key consideration is the accountant's ability to navigate real-time challenges that arise throughout the course of the production. On-site accountants can take advantage of face-to-face interactions and in-person relationships, while remote accountants must be skilled at tackling complex issues using digital tools like video calls, messaging platforms, and project management software. 

Gantt says that ultimately, “Collaboration and team dynamics often come down to the individual accountant. Choosing an accountant who has the right balance of skills, temperament, and adaptability is key. Some accountants thrive in fast-paced, in-person environments where they can rely on direct, immediate feedback, while others are adept at working independently, and handling challenges remotely with a high degree of self-management.” 

It’s worth noting that a hybrid approach can be optimal for many accounting teams. Staffing one or two accountants on-site to field direct production questions, while the rest of the team works remotely can create a team dynamic that’s built for speed and efficiency. 

✅ Productivity

Accountant productivity is another important factor when making on-site or remote staffing decisions. And again, this topic often comes down to the individual accountant. 

Skilled remote workers are able to use the quiet and space of their home office to increase productivity and get more done on a day-to-day basis. However, accountants who are not as familiar with remote work, or not as self-motivated, may find the ongoing distractions of a home environment too much — which can drag on productivity. 

Production accountant views on working remotely can vary, but according to one production accountant who gave their insights during a GreenSlate webinar, they’ve been working from home for the past three years and have felt extremely productive. “I get up early. I'm very dedicated and diligent. So I feel like after working from home for three years, having a child, and having to pick her up from school and things like that, now I see a lot of jobs are [no longer] remote.”

Their view was that “...for me in the way that I work and the way that I have structured the past three years, it's [WFH] been really productive.”

Gantt stresses that “It’s important to assess the work habits and environment preferences of each accountant before making a hiring decision. It’s equally important to set clear expectations and equip your accountants with the right tools for seamless collaboration.”

The impact of modern technology

The evolution of modern technology has made it easier than ever for production accountants to work remotely. 

Tools like GreenSlate are built for the needs of flexible accounting teams. With built-in automation, production accounting software cuts down on manual labor and increases efficiency. Remote accountants can access and manage essential financial data through cloud-based platforms, track expenses, and manage payroll in real time without being physically present on set.

While remote accountants may lack the in-person immediacy of an on-site team, these tools allow for continuous collaboration, ensuring they can tackle complex issues and provide real-time updates. To set your team up for success, it’s essential to have the right technology infrastructure in place, allowing remote accountants to seamlessly integrate with your production workflow.

Checklist: Key staffing questions to consider

To staff the best accountant for your production, carefully consider the financial and team impacts of the hiring decision. Use this checklist to inform your decision-making process when deciding whether to staff with local, traveling, or remote accountants.

✅ Budget and financial considerations:

• What are your budget constraints for this role?
• Does your production qualify for local tax incentives?
• Is a hybrid model financially feasible for your production?

✅ Team dynamics and collaboration: 

• Can your production team maintain high levels of productivity with remote collaboration?
• How well do your accountants collaborate in remote environments versus on-site?

✅ Production logistics:

• What is the length and complexity of your production?
• Would your production benefit from having some team members on-site to handle direct communication?

✅ Accountant experience and fit:

• Would a remote accountant bring specialized expertise that local talent may not offer?
• Does the accountant thrive in a remote or on-site environment?
• Does the accountant have experience working in productions with similar accounting needs?

✅ Technology and workflow:

• Do you have the necessary technology (accounting software, communication platforms) to support remote work?
• Are there clear protocols for communication, task management, and reporting across remote and on-site teams?

Are you running a remote or hybrid team?

Equip them with the tools they need to save time, increase efficiency, and manage the day-to-day requirements of any production. 

✅ Connect with GreenSlate for a demo to learn more about our advanced production tools and how to build your business case.