Burnt-out accountants!

Almost three in four (74%) accountants said they have experienced a form of burnout (e.g., exhaustion, detachment, or decreased job performance) over the past 12 months, according to a recent poll from caba the occupational charity for ICAEW members and students.

More than one in three (36%) of those surveyed said they have suffered from insomnia or disrupted sleep, and one in three (32%) has been diagnosed with or self-identifies with depression. And, you can add three in 10 (29%) experiencing regular panic attacks.

The report findings show the concerning prevalence of chronic stress and other burnout-related symptoms within the profession. Just over one in three (36%) respondents said that their burnout symptoms had caused them to feel lonely or isolated, while a similar percentage (32%) said that their symptoms had led them to experience financial difficulties.

When it came to the workplace 45% of respondents indicated that symptoms of burnout had impaired their ability to do their job or caused them to take time off.

And, two in five (41%) said they had considered changing careers or leaving the profession because of feelings of burnout.

The report also asked respondents which aspects of their job were the biggest contributors to feelings of burnout. Excessive workload came out as number one (46%), followed by work-life imbalance (45%), monotonous or unchallenging work (32%), and a lack of support from supervisors (31%).

When asked whether they think their employer offers sufficient resources to help employees manage burnout, more than half (54%) of respondents said that they did.

Just under a third (32%) of respondents said they had sought professional help outside of work, and 19% said they were currently considering it.

Cristian Holmes, CEO at caba, said: “Being a chartered accountant is a highly respected and rewarding career choice, and there are a great many people who are incredibly happy in their role. However, for some, long working hours and tight deadlines can make for a high-pressure environment, which can sometimes lead to severe physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms we often associate with burnout.”

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the mental and financial health of ICAEW members and their close families, caba has launched a new Burnout Support Hub for chartered accountants experiencing feelings of burnout.

The hub features video interviews with ICAEW accountants about their own experience of burnout and chronic stress, as well as helpful online resources from caba.