Tips for Meeting Billable Hour Requirements
I graduated with a BBA in December 2024 and landed a job at Doane Grant Thornton at the end of February. After a week of training videos, I was quickly thrown into Caseware to handle Bookkeeping T2s, Compilations, and Reviews. Now, three weeks in and despite asking questions where I can, I still feel pretty lost due to everyone’s busy schedules.
Today, I learned about the billable hour requirements: 190 hours for March, and I’ve only logged 60 so far. That means I need to complete 130 hours in just two weeks. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed because I’m unsure how to effectively manage this challenge. I can usually complete most tasks in less time than the budget allows, but this leaves me sitting idle unless I’m assigned more work. Even when I’m working, I often hit roadblocks and need assistance, but there’s no one available to help.
The silver lining is that I’m eligible for overtime pay, but I’ve also been advised not to overuse it. So, I’m stuck wondering how to accumulate the billable hours, gain the necessary knowledge without assistance, and manage my overtime wisely—all at the same time.
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!
One response
It sounds like you’re navigating a challenging situation, but the good news is that you’re certainly not alone in feeling overwhelmed as you transition into a new role. Here are some tips to help you manage your billable hours and get more comfortable with your tasks at Doane Grant Thornton:
Prioritize Tasks: Identify the tasks that are urgent or have approaching deadlines, and focus on completing those first. Make a list of what you can work on, and tackle them one at a time.
Communicate Clearly: Don’t hesitate to express your need for guidance. When you ask for help, be specific about what you need assistance with. This can be done via email or a quick chat during less busy times. Consider scheduling a brief meeting with a team member to discuss your current projects and ask for tips on how to approach them.
Seek Mentorship: If possible, find a mentor within your team. This could be a senior colleague who can provide guidance, answer questions, and help you navigate your workload more effectively.
Break Down Tasks: When you receive a project, break it down into smaller, manageable steps. This will make it easier to track your progress and will help you feel less overwhelmed by the larger task at hand.
Track Your Time: Keep a detailed log of the time you spend on each task, even if it’s less than the budgeted hours. This can help you identify where you can improve efficiency or where you might need further assistance.
Use Resources Wisely: Make sure to utilize any resources available to you, such as manuals, previous work examples, or internal documentation. If your team has a repository of past cases or projects, referring to those can also help you figure out how to approach your current tasks.
Practice Patience: This is a learning curve, and it’s okay to not know everything immediately. Focus on learning and improving your skills, and over time, you’ll become more proficient and confident in your work.
Manage Overtime: Since you mentioned being careful about overtime, track the hours you’re working each week and try to balance it with your personal time. If you find yourself needing to work late, communicate your situation with your supervisor. They might be able to provide temporary support or adjust your workload expectations.
Take Care of Yourself: Don’t forget to take breaks and manage your stress. This will help you maintain your focus and productivity.
Stay Positive: Remember that every professional faces a learning curve. Celebrate small wins and improvements, and don’t hesitate to reach out to colleagues for support.
By staying organized and reaching out for help when needed, you can navigate these initial hurdles and find a way to meet your billable hour requirements while continuing to build your skills. Good luck!