Tips and Strategies for Busy Seasons and Tax Deadlines in Accounting and CPA Firms - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 51

Busy Season & Beyond: Good to Great for Accountants

Published on: 22nd January, 2024

Steve Cox, Director of Business Intelligence @ IRIS Software Group, shares what works for accountants and CPAs during and post busy tax seasons.

Rob and Steve discuss the international prevalence of busy seasons, and the impact it has on accountants in terms of long hours, stress and mental health.

Steve provides advice for accountants on how to get through busy season and how to reflect afterwards on what went well and what could improve. He emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and strategy, reviewing your client list, and looking at processes and workflows.

Steve also discusses the role of software vendors in supporting accountants during busy season. He predicts that busy season will continue but technology and benchmarking can help smooth out the cycles.

Key Takeaways:

  • Busy season is an international phenomenon, with accountants worldwide facing intense workloads leading up to tax deadlines.
  • Busy season takes a toll on accountants through sleep deprivation, stress, and negative impacts on health and family life.
  • After busy season, accountants should reflect on what went well, what could improve, and what's in their control to change.
  • Long-term planning and strategy is critical rather than just focusing on the short-term. Review your client list and staff wellbeing.
  • Software vendors play a key role in supporting accountants during busy season as an agony aunt and shoulder to cry on.
  • Technology like AI may make compliance tasks easier but won't eliminate busy seasons. Knowledge sharing will help.

"Frazzled is a really good word to describe them because there isn’t much else you can say. It is all those long hours take their toll."

"Is life going to get easier for an accountant? No. Everyone seems to be thinking that AI is either going to come and replace their jobs or make their lives easier."

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The Accounting Influencers Podcast drops every Monday to accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers across 150 countries in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. To participate in our international virtual speed networking events for the accounting community, go to https://accountinginfluencers.com/events and book your place at the next gathering. Great to build your personal brand and make valuable industry connections.

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You can watch this episode and more on our YouTube Channel

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Join the Accounting Influencers community and get invitations to our international speed networking events to build your personal brand and network in the accounting, finance and tech world: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

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Thanks to our sponsors:

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

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About the Podcast

Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.
Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, helps decision makers and leaders in accounting and finance stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by technology, private equity, regulation and shifting client expectations. Each episode interprets the trends disrupting accounting and finance such as AI, automation, M&A, talent and the move to advisory and translates them into practical insight that strengthens authority and influence.
Accounting Voices is also a platform for the wider ecosystem of networks, associations, educators, consultants, software vendors and technology experts who serve accountants and finance professionals worldwide. It extends into regular Accounting Voices networking sessions that connect this audience and amplify ideas that move the profession forward. With its international reach and long shelf life the show delivers credibility and commercial value for listeners and sponsors alike. Search for "Accounting Voices" on YouTube for all episodes and connect with Rob Brown on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

About your host

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Rob Brown

ob Brown is the creator and host of the Accounting Voices Network, a media platform that includes the flagship solo podcast Accounting Voices and the panel shows Accounting M&A and Accounting Tech. He chairs conferences, panels and virtual events worldwide and is recognised as a leading advocate for the accounting profession.

He is an accomplished speaker and authority on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, succession, executive presence and the forces shaping the future of accounting. Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk The Personal Brand of You has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

A former co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, Rob now focuses on amplifying the voices of leaders, firms, networks, vendors and influencers across the global accounting ecosystem.

Outside of work he is a stroke survivor, lives with epilepsy, holds a black belt in kickboxing and is based in Nottingham, UK. He plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.