Senior accountants take the brunt of busy season strain

Mid-level staff is bearing the brunt of the busy season strain, according to a new survey.

Distinct, a public accounting recruitment firm, polled 110 tax and audit professionals across North America and found that 54% of respondents described the 2024-2025 tax season as “somewhat” or “extremely” stressful. Senior accountants were the most affected (75%) versus associates (22%). Most associates (61%) found the season “challenging but manageable.”

Nearly 80% of respondents worked over 51 hours per week. Forty-eight percent of respondents worked 51 to 60 hours, while 31% worked over 61 hours. Managers and partners were the most likely to work over 70 hours per week, at 38% and 21%, respectively.

Maintaining work-life balance during busy season remains a challenge. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents described their work-life balance as “fair” or “poor,” with seniors most likely (47%) to  rate it as “poor.” In contrast, 26% rated their work-life balance during busy season as “good” or “excellent.”

Recognition also falls short for mid-career accountants. On average, respondents rated how recognized and awarded they felt at 6.5 out of 10. Partners averaged 7.6, while seniors and managers averaged 5.9.

“This mid-career dip is a warning sign,” Arran Jaiswal, director at Distinct, said in a statement. “If they’re burned out and undervalued, retention and succession planning become real issues. This isn’t just about free snacks. It’s about giving people the tools to manage their workload, feel valued, and stay in the game for the long haul.”

The survey suggested solutions, such as offering practical tools like automation and outsourced support as well as perks like flexible hours or wellness programs.