Each year at this time I try to share something motivational for all of the accounting professionals. Because while you may not have the life-work balance thing quite down yet, you’re still doing some of the greatest work there is: supporting the financial health of others, and that deserves praise.
This is neither the time nor the place for finger-pointing or shaming. What you need to do to prevent what seems like an endless cycle of abuse will be on you to address the rest of the year and going forward. Right now, you need support and encouragement.
Tax work does not stop. It is not getting easier. Certainly, with the advent of modern technology, AI notwithstanding, there are aspects of tax and accounting “work” that can certainly be improved. They could lend you all the helping hand that could make the difference between an overwhelming, stress-filled “season” and one that is more manageable, even enjoyable, and gives you time and some sanity back.
Now is not that time, because you’re in it. You’re in deep with seemingly no way out. Clients still haven’t uploaded forms to your portal or used it at all. You are harangued by email pings and notices, or even calls, when you are trying to complete filings or on hold with the IRS trying to resolve an issue.
This, my friends, is not the way. You know it; you’ve probably known it for years. But again, it’s not the time to look at what could have been; it’s time to breathe and feel whole, feel some sense of balance in an upside-down world.
So I ask you: take time, even just some moments, for yourself. Reach out to a colleague. Get up, stretch, take a walk, refill your beverage of choice (no judgments), and know that it will be OK.
Remember, you are a community; you have support online and IRL. Yes, your clients need you. This is why you do what you do; you’re their financial lifeline in some cases. That’s a lot on any human, but you do it year in and year out, and you are still here.
Know who is there for you, including yourself. Know that you will get through. Know that you got this.