CPA & Accounting Firms: 6 Tactics for Better Work-Life Balance (During Tax Seasons)
infinityglobus
9 Feb 2024

In the hectic business realm, achieving a perfect work-life balance for employees can be a challenging task for Canadian   At the same time, if the firms are unable to strike this equilibrium, they can end up adversely affecting their employee’s mental health, which can eventually lead to job-hopping on the part of the employees.

In other words, an effective accounting work-life balance is the need of the hour and a major aspect that should be taken care of by accounting firms, if they wish to retain their employees and promote a positive environment that brings growth at all levels.

Well, mentioned below are some of the practical approaches for managing stress in accounting firms and striking the right balance of professional and personal life that fosters goodwill amongst employees.

Strategies for Maintaining Work-Life Balance

Following are some of the strategies that you can adopt to maintain work-life balance at your canadian accounting firm:-

1. Promoting a Healthy Work Culture

One of the strategies you can promote to build an effective work-life balance is by promoting a healthy and positive work culture. This can be done by establishing communication, developing transparency, and promoting inclusivity at the firm.

2. Supporting Employee Well-being and Mental Health

Accounting firm employee well-being and mental health must be considered at all times to bring the right balance of professional and personal life. Here, it is important that you reach out to employees regularly and ask if they are stressed or feel burned out because of any reason.

When you ask such simple yet important questions consistently, your employees see you as a supportive firm where people’s mental health is given priority above work. This brings a positive energy amongst employees and strikes a work-life balance efficiently.

3. Flexible Work Arrangements

According to a report, 65% of the respondents stated that they think they will be more productive at home than in a traditional office setup.

Well, this comes as no surprise!

When a flexible work arrangement combined with flexible timing is offered, employees are likely to bring better output since they feel they are in charge of their own time. This makes them more responsible for managing and working efficiently on the given task without missing deadlines.

When flexibility and reasonable free will are granted, not only does employee productivity get boosted but a perfect work-life balance also gets maintained at the firm.

4. Promoting Vacation and Time Off

Another way of reducing burnout in accounting jobs is by promoting vacation and time off for your staff members. Encourage employees to take holidays and rejuvenate themselves frequently. A place where brows do not get narrowed when leaves are applied is where work-life balance thrives.

5. Review Work Allocation

One of the strategies for maintaining work-life integration in accounting firms is reviewing the work allocation to ensure that everyone has achievable workloads. When this is done, mental health gets promoted, and a positive culture is maintained.

6. Set Example

As a Canadian accounting firm owner, you can always lead by example and hit the balance between work and personal life. When you ensure that your employees leave the office on time or take breaks in between, you prioritize their overall well-being, fostering a healthy environment.

7. Promote Family-Friendly Policies

Firms that promote family-friendly policies practically and not just on paper, are likely to boost accounting firm wellness effectively. Offer extended parental leaves and even provide equal benefits when it comes to parenthood without gender bias.

You can also consider if you can provide part-time roles to the employees in some situations. Today, many firms are innovating and offering such benefits as is evident by the example of a renowned CPA firm, Withum. This firm recognized the importance of work-life balance and hence made their first female part-time partner, Maureen M. DeCicco, who had decided to be at home for her children without compromising with the work at hand.

8. Promote Well-being Activities

Another way of maintaining work-life harmony in your Canadian accounting firm is by promoting well-being activities. You can offer gym membership to employees who are working remotely. Likewise, you can conduct various fun activities in between work hours to make on-site employees feel relaxed.

Final Thoughts

Today, work-life balance is a brewing issue that must be addressed effectively to foster a positive environment and boost productivity. Accounting tasks are not easy, but certain strategies can be undertaken to maintain the right balance of professional and personal realms.

When adequate measures are taken, employees’ well-being gets promoted, boosting efficiency at all levels.