What is Metaverse? Top 6 Ways that it can Impact the Accounting Profession
Infinity Globus
28 Jan 2022

1. What is Metaverse?

Neal Stephenson and his dystopian cyberpunk novel Snow Crash are credited with coining the term “metaverse.” The novel was published in 1992 and, along with William Gibson’s Neuromancer, which envisions a virtual reality dataspace called the matrix, is regarded as a canon of the genre. Snow Crash’s metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual reality realm accessed by personal terminals and virtual reality goggles that have a strong resemblance to the Oculus Quest and other virtual reality headsets.

Metaverse is a synthesis of multiple technological elements, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and video, in which users “live” in a digital universe. The metaverse’s proponents envision its users working, playing, and remaining connected with one another via everything from concerts and conferences to virtual globe travel. With venture capital funding for metaverse-related startups which was predicted to double to more than $10 billion by the end of last year, there is no better time to discuss the impact of virtual and augmented reality technologies on the accounting profession. And, more precisely, how it will ultimately differentiate the value of firms.

2. Metaverse and Accounting:

With venture capital funding for metaverse-related startups which was predicted to double to more than $10 billion by the end of last year, there is no better time to discuss the impact of virtual and augmented reality technologies on the accounting profession. And, more precisely, how it will ultimately differentiate the value of firms.

Accounting firms that grasp the meaning of Metaverse now may be the ones that survive the ten years ahead. And this is why: Consider your first exposure to Netscape and the Internet (Version 1.0). And consider how far we’ve come in the last quarter-century. Now multiply that by ten. The Metaverse is real, and awareness of it is increasing.

While Metaverse 1.0 is not the answer, hardware will become less obvious and software and communication bandwidth will improve rapidly. And you, as a business owner, will have to deal with it. Accounting firms are following other businesses’ leads by establishing operations in the metaverse, a virtual world in which players simulate real-world activities ranging from shopping to gaming to business consulting.

Businesses from a variety of industries, including real estate, technology, and cryptocurrency, have purchased digital land on platforms such as Decentraland and the Sandbox. Executives have begun developing business plans for ventures into those virtual worlds, which are typically created by video game developers.

They intend to use their virtual office space to provide tax and accounting advice to businesses as well as other new and existing clients. As more businesses choose to conduct business in the metaverse, the firms anticipate that many of their clients, particularly those in the entertainment and fashion industries, will seek their services there. Businesses will undoubtedly need to use the metaverse if it is to supplant the internet.

The Metaverse enables organizations to create new value through novel business models and new modes of engagement with their customers and communities. Investors are optimistic but cautious about the metaverse’s business opportunities, with some firms launching associated exchange-traded funds.

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, and Microsoft are among the tech giants that envision potential revenue streams from the sale of software and hardware required for access, as well as from the sale of ads, goods, and services within the platforms. The purpose of this article is to assist business owners and managers in being deliberate about how they manage change and market forces.

For many businesses, developing a metaverse accounting strategy will take ten years or more, but those that are deliberate and consider the impact on customers, service delivery, employees, and production will set themselves up for long-term success by initiating their adoption curve sooner rather than later.

Here are the top six ways that Metaverse can impact the accounting profession:

  • Client interaction: Physical presence meets virtual reality:
    Developing relationships with clients has always been critical to business strategy and, arguably, will become even more critical in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. When meeting potential clients in person is not possible, the metaverse creates an intimate environment conducive to connection. With the help of Metaverse, client interaction will be without any geographical boundaries, and it will become smooth.
  • New team members are trained and developed in the following areas: Personal relationships are the foundation of the accounting profession, both in terms of client acquisition and in terms of employee development and retention. During the pandemic, many businesses have struggled to train and develop entry-level employees while operating virtually or in a hybrid environment. While working in a remote environment, we believe that virtual reality and the metaverse will bring back in-person training. By utilizing it, it is possible to overcome the immersive training that we have become accustomed to in the accounting profession.
  • Increased employee interaction: Think of it as a metaverse version of happy hour, rather than on Zoom: Many companies have continued to encourage employees to work from home, resulting in a shift in the dynamics of their teams. How can employee interaction be maintained if employees are not working in a traditional office environment? By incorporating metaverse into the workplace, businesses are able to maintain their traditional communication patterns. When it comes to global corporations, the metaverse makes it possible to hold intimate, in-person meetings with global employees. Through the use of metaverse technology, employees who are thousands of miles apart can still meet virtually in what appear to be in-person meetings. Any global accounting firm can hold an employee meeting or training without regard to travel restrictions or costs, and can benefit from an in-person meeting to form a strong bond.
  • Improve how salespeople interact with prospects: As a result of the metaverse, the relationship between businesses and their customers is changing. There will always be clients who prefer face-to-face interactions over online interactions, and this will never change. Companies can bridge the gap between online sales and physical presence by utilizing metaverse technology. When it comes to running a business, you may discover that implementing the metaverse will allow you to connect emotionally with your customers. Storytelling and creating an emotional connection are two of the most important elements of effective marketing. This is made easier than ever before thanks to the metaverse, which allows your company to engage with customers in a more realistic manner.
  • Distinguish yourself from competition in Metaverse:
    The Metaverse also provides an opportunity for your company to distinguish itself from the competition. It is possible to establish a more personal connection with your clients by customizing an experience for them that is tailored to their needs. Due to Metaverse, a client may experience an accounting firm working from their office and processing AP/AR from their premises. And imagine your firm being one of the first players of the same and the competitive edge that it would bring.
  • Distraction-free working: Full immersion meets Metaverse: One of the most significant drawbacks of remote work is that working in an environment where one also lives can be distracting and time-consuming. While this may not be true for all businesses, remote work has been shown to have a negative impact on overall company productivity. Metaverse provides the option of working in a distraction-free environment. Workers could use the metaverse to work in a virtual office space, which would make it easier to concentrate. Because working in the same place as one’s home can be isolating, this can also help with employee motivation and satisfaction, as mentioned above. Collaboration and the sensation of being somewhere else are possible in the metaverse, which can help to increase productivity.
Infinity Globus author

Infinity Globus has been offering outsourced tax and accounting services to its global clientele for over two decades now. With the zeal and dedication to meet the needs of its clients and extend customized solutions, the firm has made an impeccable mark through its relentless services that amplify clients’ success and bring sustained growth all through.

Company
QUICK LINKS
RESOURCES
GET IN TOUCH
  • 25298 FM 2978 Rd, Unit A, Tomball, TX 77375 United States
CALL
EMAIL

Infinity Globus © 2024 | All Rights Reserved

SitemapAll Locations