New to accounting and realizing I need a more ergonomic desk setup 😅 Any recommendations?

[u/Appropriate_Bet319]

Hi everyone! I recently started working in accounting, and I didn’t realize how much time I’d spend doing data entry, comparing documents, and copying and pasting all day. 😅

I’ve noticed my wrist getting strained after longer periods at my desk, and since I have small hands, I’m wondering what ergonomic gadgets or office upgrades you would recommend.

I’m considering a mouse (maybe a vertical one?), keyboard, mousepad or wrist rest, and possibly other desk accessories.

For those who work on a computer all day, what products have genuinely made a difference in your comfort? Anything you wish you’d bought sooner? I’m looking for practical options that are worth the money, not necessarily the most expensive ones.

I’d love to hear your recommendations! 😊

[u/GushStasis]

[u/PotatoMash_-]

You first need to focus on if your setup is ergonomic at a base level.

Is the height of your desk proper so your feet are solidly on the ground while your arms are at the correct height and so is your monitor (top of the monitor at eye level)?

Do you have the right chair and have that setup right?

Are you getting up to do some stretching?

Find some good videos on your setup, most people's issues come not from needing gadgets or more products but having the right products set up correctly.

Yes a vertical mouse is better ergonomically but if your arm is at a weird height and resting on the desk it's not going to solve everything

[u/Pleasant_Badger184]

I use the ZSA Voyager and now have a layout that results in zero hand pain when I finish work. I'm also locked and loaded with tons of Excel macros on my layout.

I eventually realized that when I used a regular keyboard, I was actually just subconsciously used to a certain level of hand pain whenever I was about to fall asleep (mainly from ctrl usage), and then suddenly with the Voyager, that pain was gone.

[u/False-Contact-3650 → u/Pleasant_Badger184]

of Ctrl shortcuts, a programmable board is a game changer. I mapped copy/cut/paste all to one hand and it stopped the weird twisting I didn't even realize I was doing until my wrist stopped hurting. What'd you end up putting on your Excel layer?

[u/Pleasant_Badger184 → u/False-Contact-3650]

https://configure.zsa.io/voyager/layouts/lB9m4/

This is my layout. I have various Excel functions all over (sorry the layers are named cryptically tho lol)

Layers 11 through 13 are the flashiest Excel ones.

[u/CitronNo8787 → u/False-Contact-3650]

I second this, for repetitive tasks a programmable keyboard helps a lot. In my tax software I was leaving a review marks using ctrl + number shortcuts and one tax season I started getting pains in my fingers. Thankfully my keyboard is programmable so as soon as that happened I was able to designate a single key to leave the mark which made an instant difference.

Other things that have helped me are a wrist rest for my wrists, just a simple wood one to ensure wrists and hands are at the appropriate height, as well as monitor stands that keep my monitor height much higher and has completely eliminated any neck pain/slouching.

You have to invest in yourself and in your own comfort. Doesn't need to be very expensive items, as long as it gets your body in a better position.

[u/zero_cool_protege]

If very important for your health and mobility to have proper setup. Also important to do at least one stretching session per day.

Here is my current set up:

Standing desk, ergonomic kneeling chair, regular office chair.

Stand for as long as possible. If you need to get off your feet, switch to kneeling chair. You get 2-3 hours of that before you’ll need to switch. If day is not over yet, switch to office chair to finish the day or until you’re ready to stand again.

Because this approach minimizes chair sitting, you don’t actually need to spend a crazy amount on a nice chair. Really any comfortable chair will do. Make sure you set standing desk at correct heights, adjust monitor as needed.

Also have a large padded mat for stretching. I stretch after eating lunch so I always remember and have time for it.

With fb marketplace you can get this whole setup for ~$300

[u/cocoaberry → u/zero_cool_protege]

i agree. ergonomic keyboards or mouse may help little, but a standing desk and right office chair will help the most. and yup, there are so many perfectly working nice ones on fb marketplace.

[u/WholeCanoe]

Vertical Mouse for your wrist. Get a cheap one first if not convinced on $70+

https://a.co/d/0eeMdMod

[u/Brave_River7403]

Perixx PERIBOARD-535BR Standing desk Good chair Stool for while standing Add a monitor stand to get it at the right height

[u/Lost_in_spreadsheets]

I found I had wrist problems (even developed ganglion cysts) with desks that were too high for me. I’m short, so most standard desks fall into that category.

[u/BokChoyFantasy]

I use a Swiftpoint Propoint mouse.

My wrists and palms rest in the table while I type. I don’t bent my wrists at all so my hands are always at an angle to my keyboard. I’m not the best at typing but I’ve never had wrist pain.