26 Nov What I Wish I Knew Before My First Busy Season: Insights for Future Accountants
Busy season has a reputation — and let’s be honest, it’s not always a positive one. If you’re a student or entering the field for the first time, chances are you’ve heard about the long hours, the pressure, and the fast pace.
Stephen Dallara, a Tax Associate at Blackman & Sloop, was in that same position not long ago. Like many new professionals, he went into his first busy season anxious about what was ahead. But the reality? While the work was demanding, it wasn’t nearly as overwhelming as he expected, and it came with valuable lessons that he’s carried forward.
Adjusting Expectations
“I had heard all the horror stories,” Stephen recalls. “I was bracing for 80–100 hour weeks.”
Instead, his workload averaged around 55–60 hours per week. Still a big step up from the rest of the year, but far from overwhelming. He credits the firm’s intentional approach to planning and support.
“They encourage staff to pace themselves and make sure no one gets buried in work,” he says. “That made a big difference.”
He also learned that filing extensions isn’t a failure — it’s part of the process. As long as he had made every effort to gather client information and kept communication clear, extending a return wasn’t a failure, it was part of doing his job.
Learning to Prepare and Stay Organized
To get ready, Stephen spent time reviewing tax concepts he’d already encountered and familiarizing himself with the season’s general flow.
His biggest post-season realization? Email management matters.
“I didn’t have a good system for tracking client emails at first,” he says. “Later in the season, I created folders by client, which helped a ton. I wish I’d done that from day one.”
Managing a Full Workload
Juggling multiple clients and deadlines took practice, but one piece of advice stuck with him.
“Your workflow will be full from late January to April. Don’t panic. Work first-in, first-out. Be efficient. Some returns will be extended, and that’s okay.”
That insight, shared by Partner Ben Johnson, helped Stephen stay calm and focused, even when his task list was packed.
Avoiding Burnout
Stephen also made it a point to take care of his mental energy.
“I always took one full day off each week, even if I worked the rest of the weekend,” he says. “That reset time kept me going.”
He also leaned on small habits: coffee breaks, short walks, and stepping away when stuck to clear his head and come back with fresh perspective.
Final Advice
If he could go back and give himself one piece of advice, it would be this:
“Don’t let the volume intimidate you. Keep things in perspective and take it one return at a time.”
Oh, and yes, coffee helped too. A lot.
At Blackman & Sloop, we equip our young professionals with the support, structure, and tools they need to take on busy season with confidence. If you’re a student or new grad feeling unsure about your first season, know this: with the right team behind you, it’s not something to fear — it’s a chance to grow your skills, find your rhythm, and build lasting confidence in your career.