It’s That Time of Year Again: Lend Your Accountant a Helping Hand

(Somehow, unbeknownst to the tba staff, our accountant, Sonja Ambrose, managed to post to the blog. Do you think she was trying to send us a message?)

It’s that time of year again: Lend your accountant a helping hand

By Sonja Ambrose

Sure, after many years of running year-end reports, financial statements and the like, I have gotten used to the routine – but that doesn’t mean it’s any less stressful! It’s that time of year when your own office accountant might be going just a little bit crazy.

Here’s why: January arrives with a bang – and not only because of New Year’s Eve fireworks. Your accountant needs to close out the year in payroll. She needs to finalize W-2 forms and prepare fourth-quarter reports, year-end reports, and 1099 forms. And this time, it’s not just the boss who wants the reports.

So does the IRS.

By January 31.

No excuses.

(Oh, and by the way, she still has to perform her other duties.)

So, take a moment this January and lend your accountant a helping hand by following these three guidelines:

1. Feed You Accountant: Make sure s/he gets plenty of healthy food during the month. Oh, and feed her the paperwork she asks for, when she asks for it.

2. Let your accountant out of her cage: Like all mammals your accountant needs regular exercise. If you want to be a real friend, treat her to a meal while she enjoys her temporary time away from the bonds of year-end number crunching.

3. Give your accountant space: During this time of year, your accountant may lash out if you get too close. Give her plenty of space and let her do her thing.

Have a happy January everyone and don’t forget to hug your accountant!