Summer is a blissful time of year: longer days filled with sunshine, road trips to the beach, and more time with family. But it can also be a tough season to be an accountant, particularly an independent one. Summertime usually means things get a little slower — clients take vacations and put things on hold until they return to work or their kids return to school. It’s not easy to get anyone to return your calls.

It can be stressful when work slows to a grinding halt. However, this downtime isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Savvy business owners know they can use the time to plan for the year ahead, update their skills, and recharge their own batteries. Here are some suggestions for ways you can make the most of any dip in activity this summer: