Navigating Workplace Challenges: When Workload Becomes Overwhelming

Entering a new role can be an exhilarating experience, but it can also come with unforeseen challenges—particularly in demanding fields like Accounting. If you’re feeling overwhelmed shortly after starting a position, you’re not alone. A recent account from a new property accountant at a small family-owned real estate business highlights some common concerns that many professionals face in their early days on the job.

The Situation

This new accountant has stepped into a complex environment, tasked with responsibilities that seem daunting from the get-go. As part of a small Accounting team—comprising an accounts payable specialist, a staff accountant, a senior accountant, a controller, a senior tax expert, and a CFO—this individual is responsible for:

• Executing 85 bank reconciliations monthly across multiple entities.
• Closing 21 separate entities each month, managing numerous intercompany transactions.
• Making journal entries and cash management postings on an outdated Sage system.
• Navigating a complicated entity structure while also learning the ropes.

As if that wasn’t enough, the CFO has set an ambitious expectation for month-end closings to be completed in the middle of the month, leaving the remainder of the month for technical projects. Previous experiences have shown that long hours may be the norm here, with one day extending to a grueling 10 hours. Despite the high demand, the company’s policy appears inflexible, with no option to “make up” hours even when work-life balance suffers.

While the new accountant was initially encouraged to use their tech skills to enhance efficiency, there seems to be a contradictory message now, with pushes to revert to manual methods for certain tasks. The challenge becomes more pronounced when upper management suggests ambitious projects—like creating a custom application over a weekend—without considering the feasibility of such requests.

The Concerns

There are several red flags that the new property accountant is grappling with:

• What was presented as a hybrid work model turned out to be fully in-person.
• The reality of extended working hours was not disclosed during the hiring process.
• The sheer volume of work feels excessive for one individual.
• Mixed messages about utilizing technical skills are demotivating.
• Feelings of dread and anxiety about work have set in just one month into the role.

Background and Experience

Residing in Los Angeles, this accountant brings a robust background including a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and finance, coding skills, and a track record in building AI agents and autom