Avoid Overtime Fatigue: Protect Your Finance Team and Your Bottom Line
Overtime can seem like the simplest fix when workloads spike, especially during closes, audits, or special projects. But relying too heavily on extended hours comes with hidden costs: burnout, turnover, reduced accuracy, and even compliance risks. The smartest finance leaders find ways to meet demand without pushing their teams to the breaking point.
The Hidden Costs of Overtime
Working extra hours can keep projects moving in the short term, but the long-term impact on productivity, accuracy, and morale can be damaging.
Declining Productivity
Research from Stanford University shows that productivity per hour sharply declines once a person works more than 50 hours per week, and drops so much after 55 hours that additional time adds little to no output.
Increased Error Rates
Fatigue impacts cognitive function, making it harder to catch mistakes. For finance teams, even small errors can lead to costly restatements, delayed closes, or audit findings.
Burnout and Turnover
A survey by Deloitte found that 77% of professionals have experienced burnout in their current role. Burned-out employees are significantly more likely to look for another job, which means you could lose your best people just when you need them most.
Why Overtime Fatigue Hits Finance Teams Hard
The precision and focus required in finance roles mean fatigue-related risks can have serious consequences for your organization.
- Audit failures due to overlooked details
- Slower reporting cycles as fatigue slows review and approval
- Higher labor costs from paying premium overtime rates
- Knowledge drain if overworked team members resign
Signs Your Finance Team Is Reaching a Breaking Point
Spotting early warning signs gives you the opportunity to address overtime issues before they damage your team or your results.
- Increased sick days or absenteeism
- More corrections or rework required after deadlines
- Noticeable dips in morale or engagement
- Key team members openly discussing job searches
If you are seeing these red flags, it is time to address the workload before you lose people or accuracy.
Staffing Strategies to Reduce Overtime for Your Finance Team
Reducing overtime starts with planning ahead and knowing where to find qualified help when workloads surge.
Plan Ahead for Demand Peaks
Look at historical data to identify predictable crunch times like fiscal closes or audit prep periods.
Bring in Specialized Contract Talent
Temporary or project-based CPAs, auditors, analysts, and AR/AP specialists can absorb excess work without adding permanent headcount. PrideStaff Financial has screened and vetted accounting talent that is ready to help.Â
Rotate Project Assignments
Distribute high-intensity tasks across multiple team members or contract professionals to avoid overloading your core staff.
Create a Relief Bench
Maintain relationships with vetted professionals who can be deployed quickly when overtime starts creeping up.
A Smarter Way to Keep Deadlines Without the Burnout
Preventing overtime fatigue is not about avoiding extra hours entirely; it’s about using them strategically and supplementing your core team with specialized support during peak periods.
This approach helps you:
- Keep reporting accurate and on time
- Protect employee well-being and retention
- Reduce overtime pay and related costs
- Maintain compliance and quality standards
Protect Your Team, Protect Your Output
The cost of overtime fatigue can far exceed the cost of proactive staffing. By planning ahead, building a flexible staffing strategy, and engaging specialized talent before crunch time, you can keep your finance operations running at full strength without pushing your people past their limits.
Need Specialized Accounting Support?
At PrideStaff Financial, we specialize in recruiting top accounting and finance professionals. Whether you need a full-time hire or contract staff to support closes, audits, or special projects, we can help. Just complete this short form and contact one of our offices today to get started.
