Why Accounting Firms Are Enforcing RTO: What Leaders Must Know - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 106

Return to Office Mandates in Accounting: What Gives?

Published on: 11th February, 2025

Return-to-office mandates are making waves in the accounting profession. Some firms are tightening policies, while others embrace hybrid work. What’s the real reason behind these decisions? Are RTO mandates about productivity, or are firms using them for hidden cost-cutting measures? Rob Brown breaks it all down in this episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast.

Key Takeaways:

- RTO mandates are often about cost-cutting, not collaboration.

- Hybrid work models attract and retain top talent.

- Firms with strict RTO policies risk losing their best employees.

- Leadership needs to focus on results, not presence.

- Junior staff benefit from mentorship, but forced RTO isn’t the answer.

- The best firms balance flexibility with structured in-office collaboration.

- Talent wars are shifting—progressive firms will win.

You can check out the video version of this with visuals and graphics here on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/2ppYuKYDJDo

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The Accounting Influencers Podcast (AIP) is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. The show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel.

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The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is one of the world's leading shows for accounting leaders, professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

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About the Podcast

Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.
Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, helps decision makers and leaders in accounting and finance stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by technology, private equity, regulation and shifting client expectations. Each episode interprets the trends disrupting accounting and finance such as AI, automation, M&A, talent and the move to advisory and translates them into practical insight that strengthens authority and influence.
Accounting Voices is also a platform for the wider ecosystem of networks, associations, educators, consultants, software vendors and technology experts who serve accountants and finance professionals worldwide. It extends into regular Accounting Voices networking sessions that connect this audience and amplify ideas that move the profession forward. With its international reach and long shelf life the show delivers credibility and commercial value for listeners and sponsors alike. Search for "Accounting Voices" on YouTube for all episodes and connect with Rob Brown on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

About your host

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Rob Brown

ob Brown is the creator and host of the Accounting Voices Network, a media platform that includes the flagship solo podcast Accounting Voices and the panel shows Accounting M&A and Accounting Tech. He chairs conferences, panels and virtual events worldwide and is recognised as a leading advocate for the accounting profession.

He is an accomplished speaker and authority on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, succession, executive presence and the forces shaping the future of accounting. Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk The Personal Brand of You has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

A former co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, Rob now focuses on amplifying the voices of leaders, firms, networks, vendors and influencers across the global accounting ecosystem.

Outside of work he is a stroke survivor, lives with epilepsy, holds a black belt in kickboxing and is based in Nottingham, UK. He plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.