By: Madison Bonin, Reporter
OMAHA, Neb. – Tax season or what accountants call busy season has always been a stressful time for accountants. They are working at a minimum 60 hours a week and coming into the office six days a week.
That doesn’t leave a lot of time for other things, including taking care of their mental health.
2nd year Tax Intern, Braden Myers, says he struggles to feel like he is giving enough in both school and work during busy season. And believes that knowing there is an end to busy season helps but it can also draw it out.
“It’s kinda like a double edge sword. It is kinda nice to know April 15th, or in this year 18th this will end, and its gonna slow down significantly but almost like counting down Christmas as a kid, by counting it down it almost stretches it out mentally,” said Myers.
According to ICAEW, a worldwide organization for accountants, 1/3 of all accountants suffer from mental health issues. With 41% believing their job was a key contributor. With those statistics it’s important to talk a step back and walkaway for a couple minutes a few times a day.
Audit Director and 10-year busy season veteran, Katie Byrd says that with time in the industry you learn what you have to do for yourself to make it through the season.
“I think you know I’ve figured out over the last couple of years you know 10 years’ worth of experience you start to learn what’s required to kind of keep you sane and keep you in that healthy mental state,” said Byrd.
Byrd says that the most important thing to do is find something that you enjoy doing that can take your mind away from work. For her it’s making sure she consistently gets a workout in every day. Even if it’s only 15 minutes.
A lot of accounting firms do special things for their employees during tax season to keep their spirits high like catering in meals, allowing flexible scheduling and having deadline parties for the specific due dates.
According to CABA, a well-being charity for accounts, only 2 percent of accountants are unaffected by stress. So, if you have an accountant in your life check in on them and make sure they are prioritizing their mental wellbeing these next 27 days and not just their work.
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