Flexibility Becoming the Norm in the Workplace

Today's workforce spans four generations, each with different attitudes and expectations about work. The environment that is evolving can be summed up in a word: flexible. Numerous studies indicate that such a working environment is essential to attract and hold the young generations of workers. As the accounting profession's culture is transformed by a better work-life balance, it needs a new business model to go along with it. Ron Baker, a KPMG alum and founder of the VeraSage Institute, passionately believes that a new pricing structure should serve as its keystone. Baker advocates a new pricing mindset based on value, rather than time. New and intelligent client billing practices that capture the full value of services rendered should support adequate staff levels and appropriate professional compensation, thus facilitating work-life balance efforts. A flexible work culture, with the possible assistance and nurturing of a value reporting system will help achieve these ends.