Provisional Accounting Blog

Holding a management position is a huge responsibility. The decisions you make impact your entire team and the company as a whole. It’s only natural to feel a bit apprehensive when making decisions of a huge magnitude, but if you constantly second-guess every single move you make, it’s time to put a little more trust in yourself.

Your team looks to you for guidance, but it’s hard to set a strong example for them when you’re always unsure of your own choices. Constant wavering doesn’t make you seem more responsible, it just gives the impression that you don’t know what you’re doing. Learn how to make a decision and stick to it.

5 Ways to Stop Overthinking Every Little Decision

Use these five approaches to stop second-guessing yourself and start leading your team to success.

Set a Time Limit.

Force yourself to stop overanalyzing by setting a time limit for each decision and when the designated time is up, force yourself to make a final judgment. This way, you avoid making rash decisions, but you don’t allow yourself to spend too much time mulling over each situation.

Make It Okay to Be Wrong.

No one makes the right judgement call every time. Accept the fact that sometimes your decision is going to produce great results and other times it will prove to be the wrong move. You’re only human and you’re going to make mistakes no matter how long you spend pondering each move.

Remember That Most Decisions Can Be Reversed.

Jobs in the financial industry do not involve making life or death decisions. Some choices certainly carry much more weight than others, but it’s important to remember that most can be overturned, if necessary. Focus on taking each decision seriously, without seeing the consequences in a purely black or white manner.

Dig Deep to Understand Why You Overthink.

Think long and hard about what it is that causes you to be so overly cautious about each decision you make. It could be self-doubt, a need for perfection, anxiety, or any number of deeply rooted reasons. When you identify the cause, you can understand what’s driving this behavior, which will allow you to better control it.

Employ Distraction Techniques.

Come up with a few distraction techniques you can put into action when you realize you’re overthinking something. This can be anything from heading outside for a walk to occupying yourself with busy work, as long as it refocuses your energy on something positive.

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In some professions, a graduate degree does little for earning power or job prospects, but accounting and finance isn’t one of them. Whether you’re planning to become a CPA or have your sights set on other mid-to-high-level positions in the field, earning an advanced degree is a move you certainly won’t regret.

It probably isn’t realistic for you to drop everything and head back to school full-time. Even a part-time program at a local institution may be out of the question if you have a really demanding job or personal obligations. Thankfully, many highly respectable colleges and universities offer an array of fully online graduate programs, allowing you to earn the same degree as everyone else in a non-traditional setting.

4 Reasons to Consider Taking Online Courses

You’ll Become More Marketable

Most accounting and finance positions require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, but if you’re hoping to move into a role with more responsibility, an advanced degree is often recommended, if not required. If you earn a master’s degree, you’ll have an automatic edge on other candidates without one, which can help you get the job.

Flexible Schedules Allow You to Achieve a Work-Life Balance

Unlike a traditional learning environment, online programs allow you to fit your course schedule into your life. Most schools allow you to take as few or as many credits as you want at a time, so you can earn your degree at your own pace. When you’re enrolled in an entirely remote program, you can complete your coursework from anywhere, at any time of day, providing the ultimate flexibility.

Many Companies Offer Tuition Assistance

There’s a very good chance your employer offers full or at least partial tuition assistance, providing the opportunity to earn your degree on the company’s dime. Sometimes certain caveats apply — staying employed by the company for a certain amount of time after your tuition bill has been paid or earning a minimum grade in the course — so check with your HR department for specifics.

Your Earning Power Will Increase

Earning an advanced degree may result in a serious pay increase at your next job. According to a 2015 survey conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAT), the average starting salary for MBA graduates is $100,000. This is an overwhelming $45,000 more than the $55,000 average starting salary of graduates with just a bachelor’s degree.

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In the past, employees dressed in business professional attire for work each day, used formal titles to address their boss, and followed a strict 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. These days, business has become inherently more casual — and in most cases, this is a good thing. However, there’s a fine line between laid back and just plain unprofessional, so it’s important to make sure your company doesn’t cross into the territory of the latter.

4 Signs Your Laid Back Office is Bit Too Relaxed

If any of these situations sound familiar, your super casual office may have spun a bit out of control and your team might be too laid back at work.

Employees Are Habitually Tardy.

It’s okay to occasionally look the other way when an employee sleeps through his alarm, but it’s not alright if people habitually come into work whenever they please. The work day starts at a certain time for a reason and when employees are constantly late, your bottom line suffers.

People Are Taking Advantage of Sick Days.

If your company is one of the many that offers unlimited sick days, it’s important to make sure your generosity isn’t being taken advantage of. Consider reinstating a set number of sick days if you notice people seem to be using them in excess.

You Don’t Have a Dress Code.

Not having a dress code is a recipe for disaster — even if your work environment is a casual one. All it takes is one employee to come into the office wearing something grotesquely inappropriate that is offensive to others. Play it safe and institute a formal policy of what is and isn’t acceptable to wear to work.

Management Isn’t Getting the Respect They Deserve.

Your management team is friendly and approachable, but this doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a certain level of respect from their subordinates. If employees constantly overstep boundaries and behave in a generally arrogant manner within your laid back work environment, it’s time to demand some serious attitude adjustments.

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Some people have no trouble walking into their boss’s office and asking for a raise, but it isn’t that easy for everyone. If you know you deserve a higher salary, but have been hoping your boss would broach the subject first, it’s time to stop waiting around and finally get the ball rolling.

When you’re naturally shy about finances, the thought of asking your boss for more money can be almost panic-inducing. Build your confidence by focusing on how fortunate the company is to have you on the team. As a talented accounting professional, you add a lot of value to the organization and you should be properly compensated for your efforts.

3 Ways to Get the Raise You Deserve

It would be nice if your boss just gave you a raise because you asked, but it rarely goes like that. Remain cool and confident during this nerve-wracking discussion by taking the time to build a solid case that clearly supports your request.

Determine Your Market Value.

Conduct research to see what other accounting professionals with your level of education and years of experience are earning in your geographic area. The S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is a great place to find this information. Present the findings to your boss as supporting evidence that your request for a larger salary is reasonable.

Highlight Top Accomplishments.

Present a strong case that really sells your request for a larger salary. Include specific dollar values you’ve saved the company, successful projects you’ve worked on, the amount of new business you’ve brought in, and any other specific and measurable achievements that are sure to impress.

Discuss the Future.

Make it clear that you consider the company part of your long-term career plan and aren’t simply asking for more money to tide you over until you can find something better. Share initiatives you would like to implement in the future and demonstrate enthusiasm for projects you’re currently working on to show how much you value your job and enjoy being part of the team.

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