Stress Management FOR ACCOUNTANTS WRITTEN AND PRESENTED BY: TRACY A. BROOKS ACCOUNTANT

Stress Management For Accountants What is Stress?

What is Stress?  Stress is how one REACTS to any demand and/or change that he/she believes challenges his/her capacity to cope Reaction Physical Behavioral Emotional

What is Stress? Advantages:  Can promote sense of urgency  Helps maintain balance  Promotes productivity Disadvantages:  Depletes energy - fatigue  Clouds perception  Negatively affects mental attitude  Interferes with physical functioning of bodily processes

Accountants & Stress In general, the accounting profession is considered high pressure. Recent studies indicate:  82% Accountants suffer from stress  77% Cited working long hours (average 48 + hours a week)  71% Said their work/life balance was poor

Accountants & Stress Key Stressors that affect Accountants:  Time Pressure  Volume of work  Quality of work being performed  Responsibility for People  Technology

Accountants & Stress Key Stressors that affect Accountants:  Time Pressure  Rushing  Insufficient time to perform the work  Unreasonable deadlines

Accountants & Stress Key Stressors that affect Accountants:  Volume of work  Tight time constraints with accomplishing heavy workload  Taking work home  Spreading self too thin to complete multiple work activities  Having to attend meetings throughout workday

Accountants & Stress Key Stressors that affect Accountants:  Quality of work being performed  Changes in job requirements that affect work performance/existing skill set  Sudden re-prioritization of tasks  Changes in work content

Accountants & Stress Key Stressors that affect Accountants:  Responsibility for other people  Responsible for work of co-workers and work quality  Maintaining work group  Act as an “Information source” to co-workers

Accountants & Stress Key Stressors that affect Accountants:  Technology  Lack of equipment and/or software to perform work tasks both efficiently and timely  Lack of appropriate training to use available technologies  Lack of adequate IT Support and resources

Accountants & Stress Managing Stress  Establish your priorities  Write down your successes  Be open-minded to change  Do not overschedule  Respect your personal limitations  Eat healthy and exercise regularly  Maintain positive a attitude  Limit negative conversations amongst co-workers  Maintain open and clear communication between management and co-workers

Stress Management For Accountants