Can accountants actually ‘have a summer’?
Ah, summer – the time to unwind, relax, and soak up the sun... but more often than not, work can get in the way. Summer can be quite a busy time of the year, which poses the question – can accountants actually have a summer?
·4 min read
Ah, summer – the time to unwind, relax, and soak up the sun…
But more often than not, work can get in the way.
We probably don’t need to remind you of the dreaded paperwork, client demands, and the time your team’s booking off. Summer can be quite a busy time of the year, which poses the question – can accountants actually have a summer?
Is it too late to get a tan?
While it’s good to be involved and have your boots on the ground, you can’t do everything alone. Your firm needs to be capable of running itself – meaning without your daily input. I know, you’re thinking – gasp – is that even possible? We hear you, there are certain tasks that only you can give the green light, but the less day-to-day tasks you’re involved with, the better.
Why? Well, there are alarming statistics out there when it comes to accountants taking their annual leave – 39% don’t expect to use their full quota of annual leave, with reasons given including pressure to complete a project, and busy workloads. Take a step back for a minute – that statistic is as mind boggling as it is unsustainable. You deserve to vegetate on a sandy beach with your favourite sun hat and a glowing tan, but the longer you put it off, the less likely it’s going to happen. So how can we, as an industry, approach this in a healthier way?
Delegate, delegate, delegate
Get to a place where you can hand over tasks effortlessly to your team. You don’t want to drag yourself into the office with everything still sitting on your desk where you left it – thousands of unopened emails and reports first thing after a holiday? No thanks, so start training your team now. Take an hour off (where you can) and show them the run of things – whether it’s reports, calculations, or some email admin.
Not only does this help you out over the summer months, but it also broadens your team’s skillset. Offering learning opportunities makes employees 47% less likely to be stressed, and 21% more likely to feel happier and confident – and who doesn’t want a happier and more confident team?
Is your firm as flexible as it could be?
Flexibility is the secret ingredient to a stress-free summer, and firms are catching onto it like wildfire. In a study from 2021, flexitime or staggered hours were offered by 38% of firms. Another option is the four-day work week – while we know it’s not applicable for busy season and other times of the year, it could be a good shout during the summer.
In fact, in a recent study, over 90% that took part in a four-day work week were continuing our planning to continue it, and employees in the study ended up taking fewer sick days too. Think about it – both you and your employees get to enjoy your summer, while still staying as productive as ever. If this sounds like your cup of tea, discuss the possibility of introducing these new work policies to your team.
Summer is a mindset
When you decide to switch off your out of office, stick with it. Don’t forget to switch your brain off too – disconnecting can be more of a mental battle than a physical one, and a stress-free, rested mind is much more productive than an overstressed and overworked one. Recharging your batteries is essential for long-term productivity and wellbeing, and helps prevent burnout (Remember just how rampant burnout is across the accounting industry?).
Invest in a cloud-based tech stack
If you do need to jump into an emergency call or look into your software to double check a large payment, there are some ways to get through it without getting sucked into the office quicksand. For example, using cloud-based solutions mean you won’t have to pack your work laptop or tablets into your suitcase – you can login from any browser you like, once you’ve got a decent internet connection, and work with your team in real-time. With the multi-user access that comes with cloud solutions too, there’s no cross-checking who’s changing what – you can see the work that’s being done, on the go.
So, can accountants actually have a summer?
We definitely think so, it just takes some planning, preparation, and the right tech in your toolbox. Here at Bright, we’re on a mission to make a happy and efficient working life a reality for accountants through reliable software and amazing support. Interested in learning more about our multi-award-winning software solutions? Book a demo in the link below.
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This content may have been developed with the assistance of AI tools. Content is reviewed by a member of the Bright team before publication. Guidance on legislation can be obtained from your industry body.
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