20% of young accountants say alcohol has negatively affected them

One in five accountants aged 30 or under said that alcohol has had a negative impact on their life, according to a survey from Caba.

The survey of over 1900 UK accountants found that one in seven accountants said they know someone within the accountancy industry who they think has an addiction.

One in four accountants said that a friend, relative or doctor had also expressed concern over their own drinking habits.

Furthermore, one in seven accountants under the age of 30 said they’ve witnessed a colleague taking drugs.

Of the accountants who gamble, one in four said they spend over £400 a month and one in three admitted to not always being open with their friends and family about their gambling habits.

Dr Stefan Walters, psychologist and addiction specialist, said: “I’ve worked with many accountants and financial professionals over the years to support them through addiction. It’s a common issue, particularly for people in high-stress, high-performance jobs. The pressure of having to be a perfect version of yourself can take its toll, and often addictive behaviours arise as a coping strategy.”

Cristian Holmes, CEO of Caba, added: “Being an accountant is a highly respected and coveted career path, and the profession has many perks. However, the demanding nature of the job often means long hours and a lack of margin for error, which can result in high levels of stress and burnout for some people.

“To combat these feelings, we often turn to habits that are effective in lifting our moods. Unfortunately, many of these can become addictive over time and can subsequently be detrimental to our mental, physical, and financial health if left untreated.”