The end of the year is a busy time for accounting and finance professionals.
Besides completing critical projects, you may also have an end-of-year review to attend or administer if you are a manager. This is also an opportunity to look ahead to growth strategies — both for yourself and your team.
Here are some tips on how to make the most of this hectic but exciting time of year.
Preparing for Your Performance Review
When preparing for your performance review, take inventory of your accomplishments throughout the year. Write down any projects that you completed and any awards or recognition that you received. This will give you more confidence when the review comes around and will help remind your reviewer of all the successes that you achieved throughout the year.
Additionally, prepare potential goals you have for next year. Have specific objectives in mind that can be easily tracked and measured so that progress can be monitored and adjustments can be made as needed. Align these goals with those of your company so that everyone is on the same page about what needs to be accomplished in 2023.
Celebrating With Your Team
This holiday season might look a little different than normal, but it’s still possible—and important—to recognize your team’s hard work throughout 2022 from afar or in person. If everyone is working remotely, consider hosting an online holiday party complete with games and prizes or organizing a virtual gift exchange. Alternatively, throw a get-together outdoors or at someone’s home with plenty of food and festivities! Doing something special like this will show your team members how grateful you are for their efforts over the past 12 months.
Planning Ahead for Growth Strategies
Finally, use this time before the new year arrives to plan ahead for growth strategies — both yours and those of any people you manage. If your team has skills gaps, consider filling them by hiring externally or training existing staff members who show potential in these areas. Maybe there are processes that could be improved upon. Or perhaps customer service standards need an update?
Use this reflective period at the end of the year to identify areas where improvement can be made so that when January rolls around, you can hit the ground running!
Conclusion
The end of the year can be hectic — but it doesn’t have to be stressful! By taking stock of your accomplishments through writing them down, preparing concrete goals for 2023, and celebrating with your team (virtually or otherwise), you can cap off another successful year with promise and purpose — setting yourself up for success going into the New Year! With preparation, reflection, goal setting, and celebrations in place, there’s nothing stopping you from having another strong finish this December!
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