DDigital Transformation of the Accounting Profession: Remote Working Practices in the Covid-19 Pandemic Period

Abstract

The production models that emerged with the industrial revolution and the resulting working classes have taken their current form with the effect of technological developments. This classification, which started with the blue collar of the people who work directly by participating in the production process with manual labor and physical strength, and the white collar of the people who work in the office environment by doing mental power, has adapted to change over time with the addition of new professions and working styles. The place of the accounting profession in this classification is referred to as the white collar, which produces the financial information of the business at the desk. As of March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic all over the world after the outbreak of the corona virus (covid-19) viral disease after Covid-19 has spread to at least 114 countries worldwide and infected more than half a million people. Under these circumstances, most governments have declared curfews, taking drastic measures to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. Companies have also changed their work schedules to protect the health of their employees and adapted to the remote working schedule. In this process, the accounting profession has evolved to respond to the needs emerging in the economic conjuncture, and with the effect of technological progress, it has developed into a new working pattern during the pandemic period. Professional accountants are subject to the Professional Accounting Legislation formed by the professional law and the regulations, circulars and decisions published by the Ministry of Finance and the professional association. In this study, it is discussed that how the accounting profession is affected behind the scenes of the disruptive technological developments and the changing world order due to the epidemic, and the working conditions of the professionals in order to adapt to the new process within the framework of the Turkish Accounting Profession Legislation.