Audit Firm: Busy Season

Hello, my followers! Do you have busy season during off season time (it is summer after all, isn't it?!) ? Well, I have. I have to perform audit of 8 statutory financial statements during this summer, then the audit and review of listed companies. I am not complaining, I am just saying: "Busy!". And here is my next article for you about the busy season time tips.

Intro

Busy Season for auditors means long hours, tight deadlines, and constant pressure. It can be exhausting for even the most experienced accountants. The busy season for auditors normally starts from around mid-January and lasts till the end of March.

Here are few tips that will help you to get through the busy season in a successful manner.

Start your day earlier

Starting to work early in the morning can save you some time for a calm sleep in the night that will make you refresh for the next day. Although late sitting is a norm and not an exception during the busy season for auditors, but starting your day earlier can actually help you manage your tasks more efficiently.

Take advantage of travel time to the office: While on the way to office if you are not driving, you can easily check your e-mails, prioritize your most important tasks and preplan the schedule for the whole day.

Set Agenda for meetings

Plan your meetings well ahead of time by setting agenda for each meeting so as to avoid missing out on any important issue that needs to be discussed and clarified from the client.

Make a To-Do List

At the end of every day make a To-Do List for the next day. Things that are left undone today should be given priority the next day so as to avoid backlog of activities. 

Delegate Work

Activities that can be handled by subordinates should be handed over to them in a timely manner to free up yourself for handling more productive tasks.

Keep office and personal time separate 

Busy season does not mean you should ignore your family, health and other recreational activities. Exercise regularly. Do take breaks on the weekends and enjoy passing time with family and friends which will help you to be more effective at work. .

Apply the “Pay time” Sale Concept

Pay time is the time during the day when clients are available; normally it is from 9:00 a.m. in the morning to 6:00 p.m. in the evening. No pay time is when you would not be able to reach out to them. Use no pay time for responding to e-mails, writing, research, or for any other marketing activity that does not directly lead to a paycheck. (Kelley C. Long, CPA, personal financial coach)

Additional Thoughts

The thought of busy season can bring some stress but if you mentally prepare yourself and try to weigh the positives and the negatives you can tackle it with ease and full of productivity. Do plan a trip at the end of the busy season that will keep you motivated throughout the tough busy working season and will also re-energize you at the end of it.