6 Tips to Reduce Burnout During the ‘Busy’ Tax Season

Tax season is here, and how! Accounting firms across the UK are working round the clock to ensure all returns are filed on time. As the January 31 deadline looms closer, it’s no surprise that the work pressure is immense, and stress is high among the accounting community.

Burnout is a real risk during this time due to hectic work environments, heavier workloads, and added stress. Fatigue is another problem thanks to extended workweeks and longer shifts. But, don’t worry! It’s possible to make it out of the tax season in one piece with productive strategies such as tax preparation outsourcing.

 

Strategies to Avoid Tax Season Stress and Burnout

Here are a few strategies that you can use to reduce busy-season burnout:

Set expectations

One of the cardinal mistakes accounting firms make during the tax season is not having a strategy in place to tackle the rush. It’s important to set expectations with each team member so that no single person is overburdened or given more than they can accomplish within a specific time period.

Reduce distractions 

Whether it’s office or work-from-home, distractions are a constant presence. In today’s tech-heavy world, our smartphones are constantly abuzz with social media notifications, text messages, emails, and even random phone calls. These distractions can make it difficult to focus on the task at hand and can also hamper productivity.

The simple solution to avoid distractions is to first tackle those that you can control. So, switch off your social media notifications, avoid opening text messages, and don’t pay heed to email popups. It’s a good idea to put your phone on silent mode and keep it away from arm’s reach while you’re working.

Organise and prioritise all tasks

Your workload is sure to be heavier during the tax season. With mountains of tasks awaiting completion, it’s possible to fall into a rabbit hole of never-ending work. The smart move here is to create a realistic to-do list every day to help keep you on track. This will break down your tasks into simpler, more manageable pieces.

Don’t forget to prioritise critical tasks at the top of your list. Each time you complete a task, remember to cross it off your list. This will give you a sense of accomplishment, which might motivate you to do even better.

Hire help

Even if you have a strategy in place to tackle the tax season, you might still be bombarded by last-minute client requests or even new clients with stiff deadlines. In such instances, it’s possible to feel overburdened with work, which could lead to burnout.

A simple solution to help your entire team out is to hire help from a firm providing tax preparation outsourcing for accounting firms.

An outsourcing company like QXAS is capable of taking up your extra workload and turning it around within 24-48 hours. With the tax outsourcing company handling your returns, your staff can breathe a sigh of relief, and your business can focus on more strategic initiatives and offer higher-value services like advisory work to clients.

Take frequent breaks

It’s a common sight to see accountants huddled over their monitors working non-stop during the tax season. However, doing so will eventually lead to burnout. Tax-related tasks are incredibly demanding and can lead to severe fatigue if you don’t take enough breaks in between.

We understand that stringent deadlines can make it difficult to take breaks, but we urge you to take some time out to eat, rest, and recharge. Something as simple as a power nap can make you feel refreshed and ready to take on work.

And finally, try not to work back-to-back weekends and constantly put in late hours at work. Ensure you leave the office as early as possible so that you can get some time to unwind and rest.

Leverage new technology

Tax season may not seem like the ideal time to invest in new technology, but it could be highly beneficial to your firm. Outdated technology can hamper the productivity and efficiency of your workforce. With the right tax preparation software, your firm will be able to work quickly and more efficiently.

Furthermore, choose an automated software that’s capable of handling repetitive tasks with speed and precision as this will save time and effort for your staff.

Many accountants often do not have the time and bandwidth to leverage new technology for their firm during the busy season. This is the prime reason accountants choose to outsource tax preparation services.

Moving Ahead This Tax Season

Remember to stay hydrated, have your meals on time, and take enough breaks in between work. We wish you the best of luck with all your tax preparation! And, if you need any assistance, QXAS is here to help you with your tax-related needs.

QXAS’s Personal Tax Outsourcing Services

• Cost savings of up to 50% on operations costs for each tax return
• 24-48 Hour Turnaround Time
• Expert understanding of tax documentation and software
• Get focused expertise in UK Tax Legislation
• Improve your tax season profitability by up to 33%
• Strict quality SLAs, for improved productivity with zero compromises on quality.
• 24-hour secure access to your jobs, so you stay in control whenever you choose

We take care of the entire process of tax preparation, from processing tax returns to reviewing & filing them with ROS.

Reach out to our tax experts at [email protected] or call +44 208 146 0808 for any of your tax outsourcing queries.