Good Work/Life Balance Comes From Good Workflow

Most all software applications come with some sort of online learning that is included with your purchase. Take advantage of it, and learn how to leverage your existing technology to get you home for dinner during busy season. There are also many CPE courses focused on teaching tax and accounting professionals how to better use technology.

Read About Other Professions & Industries
As an auditor, I have always had to learn the ins and outs of each industry that I have audited. During many engagements, I have seen how my clients have leveraged technology and been impressed at the way technology hardware and software was being utilized. I always assumed that the technologies my clients were using would be too expensive or could never work in a public accounting practice. But I have since learned how wrong I was.

If you think outside the box and do a little research, you will be surprised at how you can leverage technology from other industries. Also, focus on learning how other professional services and consulting firms are solving their problems. I know there are certain tax and accounting specific processes that are only present in public accounting, but we should always be open to leverage other proven technologies. By nature, tax and accounting professionals are conservative, and we are normally the last group to adopt new technologies.

Learn More About Technology
Spend time learning about technology solutions that are focused on the tax and accounting profession. Technology changes at breakneck speed, so solutions that were not available six months ago might be available now. Read professional publications that focus on tax and accounting technology. You will be surprised at what is out there. Also, don’t neglect using Google as a tool to learn about tax and accounting solutions. There are many quality vendors out there that don’t spend advertising dollars to promote their products.

Up to this point, I have not asked you to purchase one piece of equipment or hire a consultant. Some people believe that you have to have money to make money. I believe that if you want to create more time, you must invest time. There are no easy ways to achieve work/life balance, but as we have always been told, nothing worth having is ever easy to obtain. Keep working at it, and you will get there. Good luck and I hope to see you on the golf course, beach, ski resort or wherever you decide to invite me once you complete this process.

For the other articles in the Work/Life Balance Series see below:
Saying Yes is Also Saying No
How to Maintain Your Equilibrium
Whistle While You Work