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Most chartered accountants have experienced stress in their career, with burnout increasingly seen as routine in the profession, according to new research from occupational charity Caba.
The organisation, which supports the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) community, has launched a campaign called Behind the Profession to draw attention to the pressures facing accountants and the support on offer.
Caba’s polling shows that 67% of accountants have suffered from stress during their working lives, while 41% say burnout has become normalised in the sector. A fifth say their day-to-day activities are limited by a physical or mental health condition or disability.
Financial strain is also affecting many in the community. More than one in 10 respondents reported experiencing financial hardship in the past year, and nearly one in six said they had relied on credit to pay for essentials. Among those struggling, 72% pointed to rising living costs as the main cause, with 42% cutting back on basics such as heating, hot water and broadband.
Almost half of accountants surveyed said there is an expectation to appear as if they are “keeping it together” even while facing difficulties. Caba said it wants to encourage more people to seek help. In the past year, the charity provided one-to-one support to nearly five thousand people and saw around forty thousand use its online resources.
Cristian Holmes, chief executive of Caba, said: “Accountancy is a respected and rewarding profession, but accountants aren’t immune to the challenges we all face. Behind a colleague’s smile might be someone struggling with their mental health; behind the person in the team meeting could be someone coping with personal debt.
“No one should have to shoulder these burdens alone. Caba’s experienced team listen with empathy and advise without judgement. We’re here to make sure every chartered accountant who needs help – whether financial, emotional or practical – knows they can reach out to us, and that our support is always available.”
