Balancing Act: Navigating Work, Family, and Personal Growth in the Accounting Profession

By Vicky Petete, CPA, CGMA

As we begin a new year, many of you are setting goals including career, financial or personal development. But are you including the goal to strive toward a work-life balance? Work-life balance is defined as the trade-off between time spent at work or work functions and time spent on non-work activities with family, friends, church and other volunteer activities. Basically, it is a constant negotiation about how and where you spend your time.  

The accounting profession can be one of the most rewarding professions as it allows individuals to utilize their knowledge to help others. Unfortunately, the accounting profession can also be one of the most challenging because of the pressure put on individuals striving to maintain a harmonious relationship between their work and personal life. 

As CPAs, we all recognize there will be times when work will have to come first.  Whether we work in public or private accounting there will always be workloads and deadlines we cannot control. The inability to discuss with others the challenges we are facing due to confidentiality only increases the pressure. Unfortunately, during times of heavy workload, our families and our own physical health become the areas in our lives that are ignored. 

We must remember that work-life balance may vary from person to person, depending on individual preferences and circumstances. For me, I found the best work-life balance was striving to put God first, family second and work third. Unfortunately, I failed to maintain this balance many times during my career. I thank God I had a husband and family that was very supportive and always willing to assist when needed.  

Improving your work-life balance has many benefits including improving family relations and overall well-being including your physical, emotional and mental health, and possibly even your work product. So, what are some steps that we can take to improve our work-life balance? 

1. Take time to evaluate how different aspects of your life are impacting one another.
2.  Reevaluate your priorities and determine if you are doing what really matters most to you.
3.  Establish and communicate boundaries.  Be sure and discuss with your loved ones the challenges you are facing even if you cannot provide details.
4.  Learn to say no. After you have determined your priorities, be willing to say no and explain why you are saying no.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Family and friends are usually more than willing to help.   
6. During times in which your work is taking away from family times, do little things to make your family feel special.
7. Be present wherever you may be. With today's modern world of technology, it is difficult for employees to find a healthy relationship between work and personal life. Consider putting all technology to the side when you are with your family and friends. 

Is there a perfect answer on how to achieve work-life balance?  No, remember work-life balance will look different for each individual but striving to maintain work-life balance in your life will make you a stronger, happier and more successful individual. 

Vicky Petete, CPA, CGMA—an OSCPA member since 1980—has served on the Society’s Strategic Planning, Banking, Membership and Governmental Committees. Petete is the 2010 recipient of the OSCPA Public Service Award, the 2012 inductee of the OSCPA Oklahoma Accounting Hall of Fame and a member of the OSCPA’s inaugural Pathfinder class (2019). Petete has also served on the Oklahoma Accountancy Board where she served on the Budget/Audit, Outreach, Enforcement and CPE/Experience Committees.