With the holiday season behind us, January marks the start of busy season for CPAs – a time synonymous with long hours, tight deadlines and unparalleled workloads.
At Distinct, we work with CPAs everyday and have seen firsthand the pressure audit and tax professionals face, particularly during busy season. While we’re not CPAs, we deeply respect the expertise and resilience it takes to navigate this demanding time of year. This is why, we’ve gathered insights from the best sources possible: CPAs.
This blog compiles practical tips shared by your peers, to help you best prepare for the 2025 busy season.
Practical tips for CPAs preparing for busy season
1. Set and manage expectations
According to Bryan Carreto, CPA, now Senior Manager at RSM US Mexico Consulting – “The best thing you can do is let your family and close people know that you’re going to be working a certain number of hours. If you set expectations from the get-go, you’re setting yourself up for success.”
Carreto highlights the importance of clear, early communication about your schedule. By establishing realistic boundaries from the start, you can help your loved ones understand the demands of busy season and openly discuss which commitments are non-negotiable.
2. The importance of personal time
Traci Kratish Pumo, CPA and partner at BDO USA, stresses the value of prioritizing personal time, even during the busiest periods – “The biggest thing people need to remember is that your career is going to last a lifetime. Right from the get-go, you need to carve time out for yourself. If you have a hobby, you need to make sure you’re managing your weekly schedule and plan for that hobby, even at the busiest times of the year, be it going to the gym, cooking, or going for a walk. Anything that helps you get into that good frame of mind daily and release stress. If you can do that, you’ll enjoy a very long career in public accounting.”
Carreto echoes this sentiment, urging CPAs to preserve their hobbies and take time to recharge. He recommends finding moments to unplug and spend time with family or friends. “Playing a sport may not be possible during the week but maybe you can try to find some time on the weekend,” he adds. While the ability to take time off depends on your firm, Carreto stresses the importance of reserving (where possible) at least one day off a week to focus on activities that bring joy outside of work. This intentional downtime can help prevent burnout.
3. Maintain a positive mindset
Joseph Arnold, CPA and founder of Smarter CPAs, highlights the unique growth opportunities that busy season offers. As he explains, “It’s funny when you interview at other places, whether it’s a public accounting firm or an industry position, sometimes they don’t even ask how many years of experience you have; they just ask, ‘How many busy seasons have you had?’”
Arnold encourages CPAs to see busy season as a valuable learning experience. “You learn so much… this is just the way it is. It’s almost like a badge of honor,” he explains. By focusing on the positives and reframing the challenges, CPAs can shift their mindset to growth and opportunity. As Arnold puts it – “It’s like condensing a whole year of learning into 2 or 3 months, with so much work being done under tight deadlines. Keep that in mind and you’ll enjoy the process a lot more.”
4. Get to know and lean on your team
Teamwork is key to navigating busy season successfully. Tasha Robinson, CPA now Audit Associate at Grant Thornton, emphasizes the importance of building relationships with your colleagues. “Make sure you get to know whoever’s on your team because most times you’re in that audit room, or office, for 10-12 hours a day,” she says. While it may seem obvious, spending quality time with your colleagues fosters a sense of connection and mutual support, making the long hours more manageable.
Strategies for CPA firms to navigate busy season successfully
1. Set the tone
Leadership plays a crucial role in establishing a productive and supportive environment during busy season. Bina Patel, CPA and Managing Director at Deloitte Tax LLP, highlights the importance of reassurance and calm leadership – “The first thing I do as a leader… [is] set the tone,” she shares. Patel advises leaders to remind their teams, “the work will always get done… just take it one step at a time.” Staying composed and focused helps build confidence in your team, particularly when they look to leadership for direction and motivation.
Similarly, Rabecca Eunis, CPA, underscores the impact of fostering a positive atmosphere – “First and foremost, there were never any harsh words or behavior during tax season. Everybody knows the deadlines, but let’s have a decent time getting it done.” Maintaining a calm and respectful environment can significantly enhance morale and productivity, even in high-pressure situations.
2. Respect team preferences
Understanding and accommodating the varying work styles of your team can lead to more effective outcomes. Jamie Klosterman Sanders, CPA, Tax Partner at RSM US LLP, advises leaders to encourage team members to reflect on their work preferences – “Do you prefer working longer hours over fewer days, with a day or two off to recharge? Or do you prefer shorter work days spread throughout the week?” This approach not only respects individual preferences, but also informs smarter workload planning, ensuring sustainable productivity year-round.
3. Maximize efficiency through better organisation
One of the biggest challenges CPA firms face during busy season is dealing with late or unprepared clients – an issue cited by 50% of respondents in recent research.
Tony Coladonato, CPA and President at Coladonato, emphasizes the impact of organization in tackling such hurdles. He explains – “We’re doing a better job of managing workflow, project tracking and setting specific due dates for clients to have their tax information ready to avoid extensions.”
Implementing organizational strategies like clear workflows, realistic deadlines and educating clients early can save valuable time and reduce bottlenecks. Moving work into slower periods and optimizing processes is key to navigating the season efficiently.
4. Be flexible
Staffing shortages remain a significant challenge, with 37% of CPA firms reporting ongoing issues. Arran Jaiswal, Distinct’s US Director and public accounting expert, advocates for a flexible approach – “Remote work can significantly improve both employee well-being and business outcomes, and we’re seeing firms adopt initiatives like “summer Fridays off” to help. Ultimately, a flexible approach is key to balancing the scales.”
Offering flexibility – whether through capping hours, incorporating remote and hybrid work options, or finding ways to give back time – can help firms not only manage busy season more effectively, but also attract and retain top talent in a competitive market.
Working with Distinct
At Distinct, we understand the pressures tax and audit professionals face as busy season approaches. If you’d like any advice or support, or wish to strengthen your team ahead of busy season, our specialist public accounting recruiters can connect you with top-tier talent. Reach out today to see how we can help.
