At a glance
- Productivity is low in the UK, and the accountancy profession is not immune.
- To thrive, accounting firms need to improve employee motivation.
- Steps to take range from considering a four-day week to embracing AI.
1. Embrace AI tools to save time
A June 2025 UK government study found that civil servants using AI tools like Microsoft’s Copilot saved on average around 26 minutes daily on administrative tasks like document drafting and meeting summaries. That’s two weeks a year.
For little or no cost, accountants can copy this strategy, adopting AI to streamline routine tasks and save time for more strategic activities.
Andreea Daly, founder of Money Squirrel, says some already have.
She argues that using AI and digital innovation can deliver real, measurable value, improving client relationships along with compliance and financial wellbeing. “We are working with accountancy firms … that help their clients to streamline cash management and build stronger savings habits to optimise financial reserves, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Daly also notes that the full potential of AI in accounting remains largely untapped, despite the profession’s documented recruitment problems. “Today’s workforce is looking for more than traditional desk-bound roles,” she says. “They seek flexibility, autonomy, and meaningful work, and firms that fail to modernise risk alienating this next generation.”
2. Raise productive time
Despite working 8-hour days, the average UK employee is productive for only about 2 hours and 53 minutes, according to a VoucherCloud study.
Kat Bernardes, HR Transformation Practice Lead at LACE Partners, puts it this way: “The productivity puzzle has not been answered. UK productivity has stagnated in an unprecedented way. And businesses are naturally analysing how to optimise cost and deliver efficiency to protect margins and shareholder value.”
Short-term solutions like headcount cuts may seem quick wins. But Bernardes recommends that organisations try something else: action to focus their teams on sustainable productivity boosts. Implementing time-tracking tools and promoting focused work periods, for example, can help accountants maximise their productive hours.
3. Consider a four-day workweek
Trials of a four-day workweek in the UK have shown promising results, with 86% of participating companies planning to continue the practice. This approach can lead to increased productivity and improved employee well-being, with 100% of managers and CEOs that participated saying it had a positive or very positive impact on their employees.
The CEO and Founder of Aqilla, Hugh Scantlebury, says that giving employees a whole day back each week can make a big difference. “Whether employees choose to spend their time on charity work, skills building or even just catching up on domestic chores, it all contributes to a healthy work-life balance.”
“Technology should not be implemented ‘for its own sake’. It must solve a clearly defined problem.”
Kat Bernardes, HR Transformation Practice Lead, LACE Partners
He adds that in the long run, this gives back to the business, as well-rested employees are more motivated and productive, have higher job satisfaction and are less likely to suffer from burnout.
4. Invest in digital skills and tools
When last measured in 2021, the UK’s productivity rate was £46.92 of output per hour worked. That left it lagging behind rates for most other G7 countries. One way to help bridge this gap is through investing in digital tools and training staff to use them.
“There has never been greater opportunity for businesses to optimise operations and reduce costs through technological advancement,” says Bernardes. “But technology should not be implemented ‘for its own sake’. It must solve a clearly defined problem.”
She adds that digital tools are only as good as the people using them. “That’s why we urge business leaders to assess their current tech landscape and identify gaps in capability and to build the right skills internally or partner for them.”
Daly adds that regulatory change is pushing the need to digitise in the accounting profession. For example, he notes, the government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) program “makes adopting digital tools not just a strategic choice, but a legal necessity”.
5. Leverage remote work benefits
A recent Employment Hero study reported that 67% of fully remote workers rate their work productivity as high. At the same time, 59% of fully remote workers felt they had time to relax compared with just 46% of fully onsite workers.
For Scantlebury, the flexibility delivered by remote working leaves a lasting impression on those given the opportunity. It generally reduces the time and money spent on commuting, increases flexibility, and enhances work-life balance. That offers a potential solution to combat some leading causes of stress, frustration and anxiety. Regular remote workers also cite benefits such as fewer distractions, improved efficiency, enhanced well-being, and better relations with colleagues.
Accountancy firms can capitalise on this by offering flexible work arrangements, which may also aid in talent retention.
Scantlebury notes, however, that the remote working approach requires the proper support and technology to maintain productivity and collaboration. “To create and sustain successful hybrid work arrangements for finance teams, companies might consider providing access to cloud-based accounting platforms for easy collaboration on reports, data analysis, management, and financial compliance.”
He adds that investing in cloud-based applications and infrastructure and reviewing HR processes can help businesses maintain productivity and a strong company culture even while employees are working remotely.
