How To Cope With The Current Tax Busy Season (Tips For Juniors!)

As a dedicated US tax job board, we speak with a lot of veteran US tax professionals who have worked in the industry for decades. As busy season is fully underway, we asked them what their advice would be to juniors participating in their first April deadline.

This is what they said:

1. Plan ahead: Prioritise your work and plan your schedule in advance. Make a to-do list and break down larger tasks into smaller ones that you can accomplish more easily.
2. Use time management techniques: Use time management techniques such as the Pomodoro technique, which involves working for a set amount of time followed by a short break. This can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
3. Stay organised: Keep your workspace and files organized to minimize stress and maximize efficiency. Label your files and keep them in easily accessible locations to save time.
4. Take care of your health: Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. These habits will help you maintain your energy and focus during the busy season. Whilst it may be hard to put this into practice, eating and exercising well will help more than you can possibly imagine!
5. Communicate with your team: Communicate effectively with your team members to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that tasks are being completed efficiently. If you have a good line manager, they'll understand the struggle of busy season and help advice you to get through it.
6. Stay positive: Remember to maintain a positive attitude and celebrate small wins. This can help you stay motivated and focused throughout the busy season.
7. Learn from your experiences: Take note of what worked well and what didn't during the busy season. Use this information to improve your strategies for the following year.

Overall, the US tax professionals we spoke with were very open about how tough busy season is - no two ways about it. Whilst there are things you can implement into your daily life that will make it easier to get through, it's also important to know that not all firms are equal with the workload you're expected carry out.

Remember to prioritise self-care and effective communication, while staying organised and positive, in order to successfully navigate the tax busy season as a junior tax advisor.

And finally, if you're fed up with it compltely, explore what's on the market. Reach out to the specialist US tax recruitment firm, Blackden Consulting, and explore their services here.

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