Accountants can expect to take only so much strain when putting in seemingly endless hours during busy season, but firms can offer ways to help and, at the same time, build a reputation as a good place to work. In addition, staffers can take measures to ease stress during a time when being overloaded with work tasks can be an everyday occurrence.

 

Firm leadership must decide the old days of endless tax-time drudgery are over and realize today's workers want and need imaginative solutions to balance life and work. Many firms offer familiar free perks, such as catered meals, massages, and exercise facilities, while others consider such perks as flu shots, haircuts, tax-return preparation, valet service, parties, and games. There are other alternatives gaining popularity, including flexible schedules, work-from-home programs, or bringing in a professional chef to bolster enthusiasm around the office.

 

Other work-life balance perks to consider include:

Professional staff can take charge of their own work-life balance during busy season with some commonsense steps, such as making sure personal bill payments are automated, hiring a temporary house-cleaning service, shopping for convenient foods to prepare, and making more use of laundry services.

 

Staffers can also:

Learn more by reading the "Accountant’s Busy Season Survival Guide" on the AccountTown website. 

 

Michael Alter, nationally recognized payroll expert with an MBA from Harvard University, is a spokesperson providing thought-leadership and sensible advice to help accounting and payroll professionals with practice management and building deeper and more profitable relationships with clients. Alter, president of SurePayroll, is a frequent guest of national business news programs on Fox, Yahoo, and Bloomberg News. He is also a columnist for INC.com and is frequently quoted in national news publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Entrepreneur Magazine.