you’re not
alone
You’re not
alone
accountants are used to high-stress, results-driven environments. It can be easy to get so absorbed in the grind that when you have moments of doubt, you feel as though everyone else is doing OK.
But accountants aren’t just great problem solvers and critical thinkers – they’re also good at powering through when they’re struggling. In fact, many of them are going through the same challenges as you.
the reality accountants face
Our burnout report uncovered just how widespread stress and financial worries are among accountants:
burnout is common:
74% of accountants experience symptoms sometimes or often
panic attacks and anxiety are real concerns:
29% experience panic attacks always or often, while 35% report frequent anxiety
money worries are widespread:
51% of ICAEW members and 78% of ACA students are worried about coping with unexpected expenses
what are other accountants doing to cope
Despite various challenges, accountants are finding ways to manage stress and burnout:
say physical activity helps them cope
find that taking time off improves their symptoms
report that reducing workload or hours makes a significant difference
real-life stories from accountants
learning to recognise stress before it takes over – Liam’s story
“My problems at work crept up on me. The workload was very heavy, I never seemed to get to the end of any task, and everything I did was being judged. Seeking support from caba helped me demonstrate how determined I was to improve my mental state. I think that helped my relationship with my wife and work. When I returned to work, while the environment hadn’t changed, I had. After a spell, the stress got to me again, but this time I recognised it and went straight to my GP. He encouraged me to have more time off, and focus on the relaxation techniques and what I had learned about thought patterns.”
rebuilding confidence after burnout - Heather’s story
“I was working at a firm, but I was really unhappy there. The hours were silly, and although I was putting in a lot of effort, I was being repeatedly told that I was underperforming. I had an appraisal that went very badly. They gave me 3 months’ paid leave and washed their hands of me. I was devastated.
“I called caba and told them about what had happened. I said I was thinking maybe I wasn’t cut out to be a chartered accountant after all, and needed an honest assessment to work out whether this was my future or not. It soon became clear that although I wasn’t a good fit with the company, I actually have some very accomplished skills. Together we built my confidence, and I decided to stay in the industry.
“It was great that caba could fund the counselling. It wasn’t long before I was back in work, in a very interesting interim position that’s helped me gain additional skills and build my confidence further.”
something missing that would really help you?
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