Why Office, HR & Accounting Professionals in the Twin Cities Stay—or Leave

Office manager having meeting with staff

The Twin Cities are home to a bustling hub of administrative, human resources, and accounting roles—from executive assistants and payroll specialists to HR generalists and accounts payable pros. Yet, retaining top-tier clerical and office personnel remains a challenge.

At KeyStaff Professionals, a division of Midwest Staffing Group, we’ve spent decades building deep relationships across Minnesota’s professional staffing landscape. Our mission: to understand why office-based professionals stay—and why they move on.


Why Office and Accounting Staff Often Leave

  • Lack of Career Progression
    Many administrative, HR, and accounting professionals desire growth—whether it’s mastering new systems, stepping into supervisory roles, or expanding into strategic functions. Without visible pathways, stagnation quickly sets in.
  • Feeling Overlooked in the Back Office
    It’s not uncommon for vital roles like clerical support or payroll processing to go unnoticed. Yet simple recognition—an email, team call-out, or sincere thanks—can significantly uplift morale.
  • Cloudy Expectations and Weak Feedback Loops
    In roles driven by precision and deadlines, unclear responsibilities or feedback can foster frustration. Professionals want clarity—where they stand, what’s expected, and how they’re performing.

What Keeps Office Professionals Motivated

  • Clear Communication & Trust
    Supportive managers who provide frequent, transparent feedback build trust and reinforce staff commitment.
  • Professional Development Opportunities
    Whether through training on the latest HR software, Excel mastery, or cross-training in finance functions, growth is a key retention lever.
  • Meaningful Recognition
    Celebrating someone’s accuracy in month-end closes or responsiveness to employee inquiries shows that detail-oriented work truly matters.
  • Purpose and Work-Life Balance
    A stable, supportive office environment where tasks are imbued with strategic purpose goes a long way in maintaining engagement.

How KeyStaff Professionals Supports Retention in Office Roles

  • Deep Twin Cities Expertise
    With over 30 years of experience through Midwest Staffing Group, and over 40 combined years of recruiting know-how, KeyStaff understands the Twin Cities’ office staffing dynamics inside out.
  • Specialized Office Staffing Solutions
    Whether you need contract staffing, contract-to-hire, or direct placements in Administrative, HR, or Accounting & Finance, KeyStaff delivers tailored matches.
  • Personalized Candidate and Client Experience
    The team takes time to understand both candidate goals and organizational culture—ensuring a match for skill and fit. As one HR client shared: “KeyStaff Professionals provide thoroughness that is very rare… they truly listen… the entire staffing process is managed at a very high level.”
  • Compliance, Support, and Trust
    Built on Midwest Staffing’s infrastructure, KeyStaff manages background screenings, payroll, compliance, and more, so employers can focus on supporting office teams.

Recommendations for Employers in the Twin Cities

ChallengeStrategy
Staff stuck in admin routinesDefine skill-building paths or cross-functional goals
Employees feel undervaluedShine a spotlight on successes and dependability
Communication breakdownsHost regular check-ins or email updates
Hiring gaps in office functionsUse contract-to-hire for flexibility and evaluation

Final Thoughts

The backbone of many Minnesota businesses lies in their office—whether HR, accounting, or administrative. Retaining professionals in these roles starts with clarity, development, recognition, and purpose.

KeyStaff Professionals, rooted in Twin Cities tradition and fueled by Midwest Staffing’s experience, is your partner in building that workplace—a place where office experts aren’t just employees, but valued team members.

👉 Discover how to keep your clerical, HR, and finance teams engaged: visit keystaffpro.com

New Federal Legislation Makes Temp Staffing Smarter and More Affordable

New Federal Legislation Makes Temp Staffing Smarter and More Affordable

Big news is shaking up the staffing world — and it’s coming straight from Washington. President Trump’s newly signed “Big Beautiful Bill” is designed to boost American productivity, modernize hiring, and empower the workforce. For businesses relying on temporary office and administrative professionals, and for the candidates stepping into those roles, this bill is packed with positive change.

At Keystaff Professionals, we specialize in connecting top-tier administrative talent with the businesses that need them. Here’s how this legislation benefits both sides of the desk — from entry-level receptionists to experienced executive assistants, and from small businesses to corporate offices.


💼 Incentives for Hiring Through Staffing Firms

One of the biggest wins in the bill? Companies hiring through certified staffing agencies now qualify for tax credits and wage subsidies, making it more cost-effective to hire skilled office support staff on a temporary or temp-to-hire basis.

What this means for employers:
You can maintain operational efficiency without stretching your budget — especially during peak seasons, transitions, or special projects.

What this means for candidates:
Expect more administrative job openings, better hourly rates, and increased chances for long-term placement.


📋 Simplified Compliance for Office Roles

Administrative and clerical roles often come with strict onboarding, confidentiality, and data compliance requirements. Under the new bill, the burden of compliance for short-term roles has been streamlined — especially when using trusted agencies like Keystaff Professionals.

For businesses:
You can expand your team faster with less red tape, while still meeting all required HR standards.

For professionals:
Less paperwork, faster start dates, and more seamless placement experiences.


📚 Government-Backed Upskilling for Admin Talent

The Big Beautiful Bill includes federal funding for training programs — especially in software skills, digital communication, and remote office tools like Microsoft 365, CRM platforms, and Zoom. Keystaff Professionals can now connect candidates with upskilling opportunities while placing them in real-world roles.

For clients:
You gain access to a more tech-savvy talent pool that’s ready to hit the ground running.

For candidates:
Level up your skills, grow your resume, and improve your chances of landing higher-paying roles — all while working.


🧑‍💻 Embracing the New Flexible Office Model

With support for remote, hybrid, and gig-style administrative roles, the bill modernizes how office work is viewed and staffed. Businesses can now take full advantage of virtual assistants, part-time data entry help, or seasonal administrative support without long-term commitments.

Businesses win with staffing flexibility.
Candidates win with more control over how and where they work.


The Keystaff Advantage

At Keystaff Professionals, we’re already helping our clients and candidates navigate this new landscape. Whether you need a temporary receptionist for a week or a contract executive assistant for a quarter, now is the time to take advantage of the cost savings and talent access this bill makes possible.

And if you’re a job seeker with office, customer service, or admin experience? There’s never been a better time to work with a professional staffing agency.


Let’s Build Your Team — or Your Career — Together

Reach out to Keystaff Professionals today and find out how President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill is opening doors to smarter staffing and better opportunities.

The US-China Tariff War’s Ripple Effect on the Clerical Industry: Workforce Strategies for 2025

The US-China Tariff War’s Ripple Effect on the Clerical Industry: Workforce Strategies for 2025 Keystaff Professionals

The US-China tariff war continues to disrupt global supply chains, but its impact extends beyond manufacturing floors. For clerical and administrative teams across the Midwest, the trade conflict has intensified workforce challenges-from compliance complexity to AI-driven skill shifts. Here’s how businesses can adapt, with insights from staffing experts like Keystaff Professionals.

How Tariffs Reshape Clerical Work

  1. Compliance Overload
    New tariffs and retaliatory measures require meticulous documentation, customs coordination, and regulatory reporting-tasks increasingly falling to administrative teams. 52% of HR professionals cite communication breakdowns as a major obstacle in talent acquisition, exacerbating delays in hiring compliance-savvy staff (Gallup).
  2. Cost-Control Demands
    Rising material costs force clerical teams to track tariff-related expenses, renegotiate supplier contracts, and manage budget adjustments. 30% of organizations list economic uncertainty as a top challenge, driving demand for clerical staff skilled in financial analytics and procurement (Panther Group).
  3. AI and Automation Pressures
    39% of clerical skill sets are expected to become outdated by 2030, with roles like data entry clerks and administrative assistants among the fastest-declining. AI tools now handle tasks like invoice processing, pushing clerical workers toward higher-value roles requiring analytical thinking and AI collaboration skills (WEF).

The 2025 Clerical Workforce Challenge

  • Skill Gaps: 63% of employers cite skill gaps as the biggest barrier to transformation, with demand rising for clerical staff proficient in AI tools, regulatory compliance, and cross-border communication (SHRM).
  • Attrition Risks: 32% of employers fear talent retention issues as clerical roles evolve, requiring new strategies to upskill and engage employees (Eastridge).
  • Hybrid Work Complexity: Remote teams managing tariff-related logistics need cloud-based collaboration tools and digital security training to mitigate risks (Wiley).

Why Clerical Roles Are Critical in 2025

  • Risk Mitigation: Clerical teams ensure tariff-related fines or delays don’t derail operations.
  • Cost Visibility: Administrative staff provide real-time data to guide reshoring or automation decisions.
  • Regulatory Agility: With stricter labor laws and AI regulations looming, skilled clerks help businesses adapt swiftly.

Partnering with Keystaff Professionals

With 40+ years of Midwest staffing expertise, Keystaff connects businesses to:

  • AI-literate administrative assistants
  • Bilingual compliance coordinators
  • Contract specialists for tariff-driven procurement needs.

Learn more: Keystaff Professionals

Final Takeaway
The tariff war underscores the clerical industry’s evolving role as a strategic partner in risk management and cost control. By leveraging staffing experts like Keystaff Professionals, businesses can build clerical teams equipped for 2025’s hybrid, AI-driven, and compliance-heavy landscape.

Remote Work Trends 2025: Hybrid Models & Flexible Staffing

Remote Work Trends 2025: Hybrid Models & Flexible Staffing at Keystaff Professionals

As we delve into 2025, the landscape of remote work continues to evolve, driven by technological advancements, shifting employee expectations, and strategic business decisions. Here are the key trends shaping the future of work across various sectors, including Administrative, Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Engineering, Construction Management, and Customer Service.

Hybrid Work Models: The New Norm

Hybrid work arrangements are becoming increasingly prevalent, with 53% of remote-capable employees preferring a mix of in-office and remote days3. This approach allows for flexibility while maintaining team cohesion and collaboration. Companies like General Motors are embracing hybrid models, recognizing their value in retaining top talent2.

Technological Advancements

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming remote work by automating tasks and enhancing productivity. 75% of employees are already using AI tools, which enable them to focus on high-value projects1. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are also being used to create immersive team experiences, improving remote collaboration1.

Freelance and Flexible Workforce

Freelancers are projected to become the majority of the workforce by 2027, offering businesses access to specialized skills on demand1. This shift highlights the growing importance of flexible staffing solutions in meeting fluctuating business needs.

Cybersecurity and Remote Work

As remote work increases, cybersecurity remains a top priority. Companies are adopting zero-trust security models and investing in employee training to mitigate risks1.

Keystaff’s Perspective

At Keystaff Professionals, we understand these trends and are adapting our strategies to support clients across Administrative, Accounting & Finance, Human Resources, Engineering, Construction Management, and Customer Service sectors. We recognize the value of hybrid models and flexible staffing solutions in meeting the evolving needs of our clients. While we continue to focus on traditional placements, we are also exploring opportunities for remote and hybrid roles, ensuring our clients have access to the best talent regardless of location.

As the remote work landscape continues to evolve, Keystaff remains committed to providing insights and solutions that help businesses thrive in this dynamic environment. Whether you’re navigating hybrid work models, leveraging AI for efficiency, or addressing cybersecurity concerns, we’re here to support your staffing needs with expertise tailored to your industry.

Citations:

  1. https://www.moo.com/blog/inspiration/future-remote-working-2025
  2. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/all-things-work/will-workplace-look-like-2025
  3. https://www.oysterhr.com/library/status-of-remote-work-in-2025
  4. https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/remote-work-statistics-and-trends
  5. https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/five-hybrid-work-trends-to-watch-in-2025/
  6. https://www.forbes.com/sites/niritcohen/2025/01/05/the-future-of-work-we-predicted-for-2025-what-actually-happened/
  7. https://www.reddit.com/r/Futurology/comments/1g7mifl/70_of_employers_to_crack_down_on_remote_work_in/
  8. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/02/whats-in-store-for-remote-work-and-rto-in-2025.html

Minnesota’s Preventing Pay Discrimination Act: What Employers Need to Know

As of January 1, 2024, Minnesota has implemented a new law aimed at promoting pay equity—the Preventing Pay Discrimination Act. This legislation prohibits employers from asking job applicants about their salary history, ensuring that wages are based on qualifications, experience, and industry standards rather than previous earnings. By removing salary history from hiring decisions, the law helps close wage gaps and foster fair compensation practices.

For details on the official statute, visit the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

What Employers Need to Know

To comply with this new law, Minnesota employers must:

Eliminate salary history inquiries – Employers can no longer ask candidates about their past wages, either directly or through a third party.

Set pay based on job qualifications – Compensation must be determined by factors such as skills, experience, education, and market conditions rather than an applicant’s prior earnings.

Adopt transparent pay structures – Employers should develop clear salary guidelines that justify pay decisions and promote equitable compensation.

Consider pay transparency in job postings – While not legally required, including salary ranges in job listings demonstrates a commitment to fairness and can help attract top talent.

How KeyStaff Supports Employers

At Midwest Staffing, we help businesses navigate these new regulations while streamlining the hiring process. Here’s how we ensure compliance and support fair hiring practices:

Transparent Hiring Practices – We assist companies in developing clear, structured pay frameworks that align with compliance requirements and market expectations.

Industry Market Insights – Our expertise in workforce trends enables employers to set competitive and equitable salaries without relying on past compensation data.

Candidate Screening – We evaluate applicants based on skills, experience, and cultural fit, ensuring that pay decisions are fair and unbiased.

Strategic Talent Placement – We connect businesses with highly qualified candidates, helping them build strong teams while adhering to fair pay practices.

By partnering with KeyStaff Professionals, companies can confidently comply with Minnesota’s salary history ban while attracting and retaining top talent. Contact us today to learn how we can help you navigate this change and enhance your hiring strategy! 🚀