The busy season for accountants and auditors is coming up fast, and you may already be dreading the stress and exhaustion that comes with it. While we can't reduce your workload, we don't want you to burn out. To help you make it to the finish line (ie: April 15th), we're sharing five tips to help you survive busy season.

When is the busy season for accountants? 

If you're just starting your accounting or auditing career, you may not have experienced the busy season, but it starts in January and runs through April. Auditors are busiest between January and March, and the tax deadline for both individuals and the majority of businesses is April 15th, ensuring tax professionals have to hit the ground running at the start of the year and only get busier over the following months. 

5 busy season survival tips for accountants

Once the holidays are over, the busy season for accountants start, and it's a marathon, not a sprint. To make sure you have the mental and physical energy to make it to the finish line, implement these survival tips and strategies. 

Inform your family and friends

Your family and friends may not realize or understand why you're so busy, especially if you end up missing social gatherings, family meals, and other events in order to meet deadlines and finish the workload. Let people in your circle know what's going on and that you may not be as available as you usually are. Setting the expectations before you go missing will prevent confusion and hurt feelings. 

Keep a healthy lifestyle

Despite the early mornings and late evenings, be sure to take care of your physical and mental health. Many accountants risk burnout that can lead to illness, fatigue, and sleep disorders, which you definitely don't need anytime, much less between January and April.

• Drink plenty of water (when you're not drinking coffee)
• Go to the gym or do other things to stay active
• Don't skip meals
• Eat healthy snacks 
• Aim for seven hours of sleep each night

Following the basics will keep your energy up and support your immune system, keeping you healthy and focused during the hectic workdays. 

Take regular breaks when you can

Whenever you get the chance, take a break and go for a walk as a refresher. Just getting away from your desk and getting some fresh air can give you a much-needed reset. Claire N., an accountant from our Facebook community, goes outside to get the mail as a break. Sarah T. says, “or gladly do the snacks run!”

Stay motivated

When you're in the thick of the busy season, it may seem impossible to stay motivated. However, keeping a positive outlook can make or break your time at work and can even affect your coworkers' morale. Know that you'll make it to the finish line and keep your head up along the way. Sarah T. offers her own busy season suggestion, “Work 11-13 hours, sleep 8 hours, the remaining 3-5 hours must include a 30-minute walk and of course showering and eating. Attitude: this misery will end in a couple of months!” 

Celebrate the end of the busy season

Make plans to celebrate the end of the chaos! Book a massage or a spa day, plan a weekend getaway, or even schedule a much-needed vacation. Having something to look forward to will help you stay motivated and help you recharge when it's back to the still-busy work for the rest of the year. 

Just remember that you’re not in this alone. There are plenty of others who understand exactly how demanding this season can be – stick together, you can do this!

Go into the busy season for accountants with the latest tax resources

Make sure you're ready for the upcoming tax season with all the latest news and updates! Check out our tax resource guide or go deeper with our CPE courses related to tax insights and education.