work-life balance and stress management for f&a professionals.

During workload peaks, F&A professionals are faced with long hours and tight deadlines. Surveys show that overtime is a reality for more than 90% of F&A staff, and some even report doing 100-hour work weeks.

In addition, the very nature of many financial reporting tasks adds a layer of difficulty and stress to this profession. Compliance audits, budget preparations, and other complex tasks require intense focus and a significant amount of mental energy. 

These challenges escalate during fiscal year-end and annual budget planning cycles, which is when workloads peak, leaving little room for relaxation or self-care. The constant demand for precision and timeliness can lead to mental fatigue, and fiscal year-end stress can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance for finance professionals.

Prioritising your well-being isn't just a personal matter; it's also a professional one. When you're feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, your performance, motivation, and focus suffer. Burnout in accounting and other related roles within the financial industry has been called a silent crisis. Its effects range from decreased productivity to long-term mental and physical health issues. Whether chronic or acute, stress affects not only an individual’s performance but also their physical and emotional well-being. For finance professionals, this can mean missing out on personal milestones, declining health, and having a poor sense of job satisfaction. 

A healthy work-life balance is key to reducing stress levels and improving overall well-being. Even seemingly small changes can have a positive impact on reducing burnout in accounting and finance. For example, strategies like committing to daily physical activity can contribute to a better work-life balance for F&A professionals. This has been confirmed by studies that have found lower levels of exhaustion and a stronger sense of accomplishment in employees who exercise. 

Just like how workplace stress is related to lower productivity, stress management is linked to stronger motivation and focus at work, which makes F&A professionals more productive and efficient in their roles.

To handle financial reporting stress and improve wellness at busy times of the year, you may want to bring into your daily life some of these work-life balance tips:

• Time Management: Effective time management is crucial, especially during peak seasons. Use tools like calendars and project management software to stay organised, schedule tasks, and set realistic deadlines. Break down large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. 
• Setting Boundaries: In time-sensitive team projects, you may feel under pressure to take on extra tasks to ensure deadlines are met, but learning to say “no” can help preserve energy and focus. Also, consider establishing clear boundaries about working hours, such as turning off email notifications after a specific time, as a practical way to keep work and personal lives separate. 
• Taking Breaks: In the financial industry, 50 to 60-hour weeks are not unusual. Long and uninterrupted work sessions can lead to exhaustion, reducing productivity and increasing errors, which lead to even higher stress levels in turn. Regular breaks are essential for preventing mental exhaustion and maintaining focus. Even short breaks, like a quick walk or a five-minute stretch, can help you recharge and return to your tasks with renewed energy. 
• Prioritise Self-Care: Make time for activities that help you relax and recharge, such as exercise, mindfulness, meditation, or spending time on hobbies. Even a small amount of daily exercise can significantly reduce stress levels and improve your overall well-being. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to hit the gym, as even brisk walking for 20 minutes can bring down cortisol levels. Consistency is the keyword in self-care.
• Open Communication: Foster a supportive work environment by communicating openly with your colleagues and managers. Discuss strategies for sharing the workload and addressing challenges collaboratively. 

Utilise Organisational Tools: Streamline your workflow and improve efficiency by utilising task management software and financial reporting tools. Automating repetitive tasks can free up your time for more important activities and reduce feelings of overwhelm.

If the end-of-year period brings increased pressure, transitioning back to work after the holidays can be even more daunting. The so-called post-holiday blues, which are said to affect 64% of people, often leave professionals feeling overwhelmed and aggravate work-life imbalances.

Here are some tips to ease the transition, manage post-holiday stress like a pro, and achieve a better work-life balance:

• Plan the back-to-work period in advance
• Identify the most critical responsibilities
• Tackle smaller and less complex tasks first
• Move on to high-stakes assignments
• Experiment with different prioritisation techniques
• Set realistic goals and expectations during the initial weeks
• Aim for achievable targets
• Align with your workload and self-care routine
• Make adjustments as soon as you detect an imbalance

Coping with fiscal year-end stress requires experimenting with different techniques of stress management. In addition to the tips we’ve already listed, here are three ways to handle the pressures of peak workload times.

being present and making time for relaxation.

Mindfulness exercises, deep breathing sessions, or guided meditations have been proven to bring benefits ranging from increased focus to lower emotional reactivity, better tolerance to stress, and faster information processing.

open communication and teamwork.

During stressful periods, arranging regular check-ins with colleagues and managers is one of the keys to fostering a supportive environment where challenges can be collaboratively addressed before they become unmanageable. Discussing strategies for sharing the workload not only reduces individual pressure but also improves team cohesion and productivity. 

use of organisation tools.

The right tools can streamline workflows and improve efficiency so you feel there’s less on your plate. Task management software and financial reporting tools can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for higher-priority activities. When used alongside time management techniques, these tools can help finance professionals stay on track and avoid the stress and mental fatigue caused by trying to cope with too many demands at the same time.

Career growth is a healthy professional goal, and yet many F&A professionals may hesitate to climb the ladder further, fearing that new roles will only bring more responsibilities and more stress. However, it is possible to approach professional development in finance while keeping a healthy work-life balance. 

For example, you can start by exploring short-term professional development opportunities, such as attending industry seminars or pursuing online certifications. These can often be integrated into the work schedule without disrupting your balance.

Mentorship is particularly valuable for navigating career advancement while maintaining balance. Experienced mentors can provide insights on aligning professional aspirations with personal well-being, as they have already navigated this challenge and can offer practical advice. 

To sum up, the key to stress-free career growth for accountants and finance experts is planning with intention and ensuring that goals are aligned with the commitment to a balanced lifestyle. When objectives are aligned with what matters the most (whether it’s family, health, or personal achievements),you are more likely to feel fulfilled and motivated.

Given the fluctuating workloads throughout the year and over the span of your career, it's all too easy for finance professionals to lose sight of that crucial work-life balance. That's why regular self-assessment is key - to keep those work demands in check and ensure your career satisfaction stays on track.

So, set aside some time to track and reflect on your current stress levels, how satisfied you are with your job, and your overall health. Journaling is a simple but powerful way to keep tabs on these factors. Jotting down your thoughts daily or weekly isn't just a way to destress – it can also reveal eye-opening patterns and triggers for stress, allowing you to tackle them head-on.

Wellness apps can also be a fantastic way to monitor your physical well-being. They can track everything from your activity levels to sleep and mental health metrics. There's a vast array of options out there, including mindfulness apps, mood trackers, and journaling apps. And with advanced technologies like AI and Machine Learning, these tools can provide incredibly deep and detailed insights, many of which have proven mental health benefits, particularly in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms.

By using these tools, you can pinpoint areas for improvement and adapt your strategies accordingly. They can help you stick to those long-term goals that prioritise both your career growth and personal well-being, not just during the busy season, but throughout your entire career journey.

Achieving work-life balance is a necessity for finance and accounting professionals, especially during peak workload periods. The journey to balance is not a race — it’s an ongoing process that requires reflection, adjustment, and commitment at all stages of a professional career. To thrive in your professional roles and lead a fulfilling personal life, it’s a good idea to explore all the available resources, participate in stress management workshops, and set clear career goals aligned with your personal values. 

Take the first step today, and invest in your well-being for a healthier and more balanced personal and professional life.

why is work-life balance important?

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance reduces stress and improves overall well-being, resulting in better focus, productivity, and job satisfaction.

what are the common challenges to work-life balance in the finance and accounting industry?

Long hours, tight deadlines, high-pressure tasks, and peak seasons like fiscal year-end and budget planning are common challenges in the finance and accounting industry that disrupt the work-life balance.

how can I improve my work-life balance?

You can improve your work-life balance through a combination of effective time management, setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, prioritising self-care, open communication with colleagues and managers, and utilising organisational tools.

what are some self-care practices to manage stress?

Self-care practices like exercise, mindfulness, meditation, spending time on hobbies, and getting enough sleep can significantly reduce stress levels and improve your overall well-being.

how can I manage the transition back to work after the holidays?

Plan your workload in advance, tackle smaller tasks first, and gradually move on to high-stakes assignments to ease the transition back to work after the holidays.

how can I cope with stress during peak workload times?

Experiment with different stress management techniques like mindfulness exercises, deep breathing sessions, or guided meditations. Arrange regular check-ins with colleagues and managers to foster a supportive environment and discuss strategies for sharing the workload.