“Busy season.” I remember being in school and hearing about it, but never fully understanding what it meant. Between the swirl of rumors and horror stories about the hours, I almost changed my major! Thankfully, it’s not as bad as you’ve likely heard. Here are a few tips I have learned throughout my first year at BFBA to help you get through the dreaded “Busy Season.”
1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You are brand new and you will feel overwhelmed at times. That’s normal. There is a lot to learn in a short amount of time and we don’t expect you to remember everything. That is why you have coworkers, seniors, managers and partners to help you learn and grow. There really isn’t such a thing as a stupid question. Ask away!
2. Manage your time well.
There’s a lot of work to get done and you will be frequently working on multiple projects at once. Make sure that you are utilizing your time to the best extent possible.
3. Embrace urgency without sacrificing quality.
Everyone will be working a lot of hours as work gets allocated amongst staff. There will be a buzz of urgency around the office to try and get work completed. However, take your time and take pride in the product you turn in. Finding that balance between urgency and quality is critical.
4. Be ready to learn… A lot.
The learning curve is steep, but there are people that will help you along the way. There will be a lot of information to be learned and different software to be used. That said, given how immersed you’ll be in the work, you won’t even realize how much you’re learning. Show up with an eagerness to learn and a great work ethic and you’ll be just fine!
5. Communication is key in public accounting.
You need to make sure you are communicating with your seniors and managers. If you start to feel overwhelmed, let them know. The work is going to keep piling up and if you don’t communicate, you’ll continue getting work assigned to you.
There you have it, the five critical steps to success! The next time you hear those nasty “Busy Season” rumors, tell people to relax—you’ve got this!
This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for obtaining competent accounting, tax, legal, or financial advice from a certified public accountant, attorney, or other business advisors. You should not act upon any of the information in this article without first seeking qualified professional guidance from your business advisors on your specific circumstances. The information presented should not be construed as advice or guidance from BFBA.