Ninety percent of UK accountancy professionals surveyed by research firm CCH would recommend implementing a paperless office system to other potential users, although senior staff are seen as the greatest obstacle to change. The research, carried out among over 1,350 accountancy professionals, also revealed that more than half of firms (58%) are now storing the majority of their clients’ files electronically.

“The high level of satisfaction that accountants are now expressing towards paperless office systems shows that we are reaching a tipping point in this market,” said John Bower, director of CCH Business Development for Wolters Kluwer UK.

Technological advances have made the paperless office a viable prospect for firms of all sizes, Bower added.

The CCH research also revealed that over three-quarters (79%) of all accountancy firms have implemented some elements of a paperless office system. Surprisingly, 37% say they have not yet introduced online filing for tax returns, despite HMRC’s hopes to virtually eradicate paper-based filing this year.

The most frequently cited reasons for moving to a paperless office system was to benefit from a secure electronic backup and easier access to client files, with ninety five percent of respondents revealing that each of these factors played an important role in their firm’s decision. This was followed by administration and storage cost savings (89%) and a reduced risk of human error (84%). Bowers said it was also encouraging that 67% cited environmental concerns for going paperless.

Over ninety percent of users said that the benefits of adopting a paperless office have been in line with all of their expectations. However, persuading senior staff posed the biggest challenge for firms adopting a paperless office system. Almost a third of respondents said that they had to overcome the reservations of senior staff.