The very first Briefcase blog we wrote was about ways to annoy your accountant – and it turns out, there’s a strong (and deeply unfortunate) correlation between:
- Being the kind of person who becomes an accountant, and
- Being very easily annoyed by the things accountants have to deal with.
There also appears to be a correlation between people who know absolutely nothing about accounting and being very annoying. Very interesting!
So, if you’ve ever found yourself stress-eating an entire quiche while trying to decipher a last-minute client spreadsheet that looks like it was built in 1998, you already know that this profession is hard.
So, rest your weary bones in the chaise longue, and let’s talk about it.
Accounting for your mental health
While we’re all for laughing through the pain, it’s worth pausing on just how widespread that pain is.
A recent ICAEW survey found:
- 87% of accountants cite heavy workload as their top stressor
- 72% say they work long hours
- 63% report work so complex and high-stakes there’s no room for error
And that’s just a snapshot.
In ACCA’s latest Global Talent Trends survey, 52% of respondents agreed that their mental health suffers due to work pressures. With month-ends and auditors breathing down our neck, it’s no surprise that most of us are struggling under the pressure for perfection.
Even the smallest firms feel it. In one study, 99% of accountants reported at least some level of burnout, and 85% said they had to reopen the books at least once in the past year due to errors. When errors happen because of stress, having to go back and recheck the errors only compounds the root cause.
So, what can you do about it?
1. Think about it
You’re busy. You’re tapping away at your keyboard like a woodpecker, you’ve got a billion emails to respond to, and you’re only on your third coffee. But, even though it seems counterintuitive, this is the time you need to stop, breathe, and think about how you’re feeling. A little bit of self-reflection could be the thing between you and a big flaming burnout.
Accountants are, generally, masters in masking stress. You might not realise it, but a lot of people would be buckling under a casual day for you. That said, you’re still human, and it’s worth stepping back as asking yourself:
- What kind of work stresses me out the most?
- What’s one thing I can tweak to make that less intense?
- Do I treat my own wellbeing with the same care I apply to client audits?
Chances are, the answer to that last question is a big, fat no.
Just daring to think about your mental health is powerful. It can be the first shift in moving from survival mode to a more fulfilling relationship with work. In fact, we might suggest using some of your CPD hours on it!
2. Talk about it
It’s easy to keep shtum when it might be best to open your mouth. A problem shared might well be a problem doubled, but it still helps somehow!
This profession has a deeply ingrained stoic culture. There are landfills bulging with the problems accountants have decided to bury. But talking sincerely and openly about what’s going on can change everything.
You don’t have to turn your next team meeting into a group therapy session. But check in with a colleague. Mention you're feeling stretched. Say it out loud, even if just to a friend. The more we normalise these conversations, the more we chip away at stigma. Stick it to stigma.
And that goes both ways – if someone wants a moan, listen to them. It might seem strange, but practicing empathy won’t just help with your colleague’s stress, but it’ll help with yours, too.
3. Do something about it
Mental health doesn’t have to mean countryside retreats or chanting in a yurt – although, if that’s your bag, all power to you. Sometimes, the smallest adjustments have the biggest impact.
Try this short but mighty list:
- Move your body – take the stairs. Stretch. Walk while calling clients. Cartwheel to the toilets.
- Sleep – it’s boring and makes you feel like a kid again, but a regular bedtime might be the bulwark between you and a terrible day.
- Set boundaries – block out time in your calendar to focus, and say no when needed. Don’t be afraid to fence off your time. Get those kids off your lawn.
- Mind the mind – taking a moment out of your day to do nothing can be powerful. Have a little stare out the window for a minute or two.
- Connect – talk to people, even if it’s awkward. In fact, if it feels awkward, it probably means you need it.
- Get a hobby – painting, reading, baking; all classic hobbies that’ll help ground you.
- Break the day – even five minutes away from your desk resets your brain. Go for a walk around the block, or do some push ups in your living room.
- Help others – small acts of kindness boost your own mental wellbeing. Thank a colleague, offer help, or just check in with someone. Empathy works both ways.
Self-care isn’t self-indulgence. It’s not weakness, it makes you stronger. If it still feels unaccountanty, just frame it as risk mitigation.
🧠 Final thoughts
The world won’t end if you don’t check your inbox after 5pm. If you nip out for fifteen minutes to get yourself a Lion bar because you need it, it’s unlikely that you’ll be fired. What is likely, though, is that if you don’t do these things every once in a while, you’ll fizzle out.
Work is hard, but there are ways of making it easier. Part of that is talking to people about how you’re feeling – most people do care and do want to help. But more important is building a routine that keeps us motivated and happy. If we can keep reminding ourselves that we’re allowed:
- To ask for help.
- To take real breaks.
- To not feel okay, even if your spreadsheet balance does.
So yes - every accountant needs a therapist. And probably a nap. And definitely less shame around saying,
"Actually, I’m not okay right now.”
Let’s start normalising that - one sarcastic blog post at a time.
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