Accountants, clients... and the stress factor
At Accountex back in May I was asked about accountants and stress levels. I pointed out that stress in the workplace for accountants in practice is nothing new. It is not a recent development, it is just that now more publicity is quite rightly being given over to the subject.
I have been in practice for more than 30 years and have experienced stressful times. Some Januarys have been worse than others, and P35 filing time was always a tad stressful (thank goodness that one has gone).
But how will the MTD agenda stack up going forward?
I always found that analysing the problem was the best way of reducing stress levels.
And, in fact, doing that brings back the joy of being in practice and helping so many clients fulfil their business dreams.
Rise in stress levels
I found that, inevitably, a rise in stress levels not just in myself but also among staff was often caused by uncommunicative clients. The ones who who never responded to emails or letters in a timely manner, never provided the necessary information requested in one go, or who were tying up myself or the staff with seemingly endless questions.
A stress-free working life would be wonderful but you can reduce stress levels if you take control of your practice.
And just one way of doing that is by making sure that the clients you have are the clients you want to have and are the clients that, more importantly, want you and your staff to act for them.
Best service
A client is entitled to the best service you and your team can offer. But if you are unhappy you don’t have to act for them. You can resign and pass them on to another accountant who they may treat differently (or not).
Stress seldom ends without some form of resolution or determination to make it end.
And sometimes it’s as simple as sacking a couple of clients...
This article originally appeared on the ICPA website.
