"I thought this was the end. I was like, finally, no more deadlines."
This was the text I received from a buddy during the height of the most recent busy season. It was during that rare New York earthquake. Do you remember hearing about it? The one that shook up the Northeast pretty good.
I'm sitting here on the other side of the country, getting ready for my own workday to start, when suddenly my phone buzzes with this text.
This guy thought he was going to die, and his first thought was, "Oh good, I don't have to deal with work anymore."
My friend works at a Big Four accounting firm in the tax department.
I get it. We all have those moments where we're so stressed out and overworked that we start thinking some pretty dark thoughts. But to actually put it into words like that and to have that be your immediate reaction to a potentially life-threatening situation? That's a whole other level.
And the thing is, I know this guy well. He's a hard worker, super smart, really good at what he does. But he's also been putting in insane hours, year after year, trying to climb that corporate ladder. And it's just taking a toll on him.
But what really gets me is that this kind of thinking, this whole "I'd rather deal with a natural disaster than keep working" mentality, isn't even that uncommon in our industry. We've all had those moments where we're just so burnt out and exhausted that we start fantasizing about some kind of escape, no matter how drastic.
And that's the thing about burnout. It's not just a little stress or a bad day at work. This pervasive, all-consuming feeling of dread and hopelessness just eats away at you, day after day, until you start thinking about some pretty messed up things.
Burnout is a widespread problem
As much as we joke about it and try to brush it off with a bit of dark humor, the reality is that burnout is a serious problem across the country, but particularly in our accounting industry.
They say numbers don't lie, but here's a statistic that might make you wish they did:
According to a
Emotional exhaustion is the feeling of being completely mentally and physically drained from the constant demands of the job. Depersonalization refers to detachment or cynicism toward your work and the people you interact with. And finally, a low sense of personal accomplishment is that nagging feeling that despite all your hard work, you're not making a meaningful impact or progressing in your career.
The fact that virtually everyone in accounting is grappling with these issues to some degree is really concerning. It's not just a matter of individual well-being, although that's certainly important. It's also about the long-term sustainability of our profession. How can we attract and retain top talent if the stigma is that "you will burn out"?
And here's another sobering statistic from the same study: 81% of accountants had their personal lives disrupted at least once a month due to work, specifically the month-end close process. That's a massive chunk of people who are consistently sacrificing their personal time and relationships just to keep up with the demands of the job.
When you look at numbers like that, it's clear that burnout isn't just some minor inconvenience or occasional stress. It's a pervasive, deeply rooted issue affecting almost everyone in accounting to some degree. And if we don't start taking steps to address it, both as individuals and as a profession, we're going to see some serious consequences down the line.
Burnout has a significant impact
According to Hamza Khan, author of "The Burnout Gamble," the annual cost of lost productivity, disengagement, and healthcare issues related to burnout is estimated to be
Now, I know what you might be thinking: How did they even come up with a number like that? It seems too big to be real. And honestly, I had the same thought when I first heard it. But when you break it down, it makes more sense.
Think about all the ways that burnout can impact a company's bottom line. You've got decreased productivity as burned-out employees struggle to stay focused and motivated. You've got higher turnover rates as people leave their jobs because they just can't handle it anymore. And then there's the increased healthcare costs that come along with the physical and mental toll of burnout.
All of those factors add up, and they add up fast. And when you consider just how widespread burnout is, particularly in high-stress industries like accounting, it becomes clear how those costs can snowball into trillions.
But here's the thing — as staggering as that $7.8 trillion figure is, it's still just an estimate. The true cost of burnout, in terms of human suffering and lost potential, is incalculable. And that's why it's so important that we start taking this issue seriously, both as individuals and as a society.
We need to start prioritizing mental health and well-being in the workplace, and creating environments that support and nurture employees rather than burn them out. Because, at the end of the day, no amount of money can make up for the toll that burnout takes on people's lives. And that's something that we simply can't afford to ignore.
Strategies for combating burnout
So, what can we do about it? First and foremost, we need to start prioritizing celebration and recognition in the workplace. And I'm not just talking about a quick "good job" email or a gift card to Starbucks. I mean really taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and accomplishments of our teams.
For example, Mike Whitmire told me on
Time is money, and leaders who take the time to show their team they are valued can go a long way in combating those feelings of burnout and exhaustion. It reminds people that they're not just cogs in a machine but valuable members of a team that appreciates and supports them.
We also need to start setting better boundaries around work hours and expectations. In the same podcast episode, Stefan van Duyvendijk told me about this brutal audit he worked on, where he was putting in 17-hour days for three weeks straight. And if that wasn't bad enough, he was stuck in the basement of some government building with no windows and no natural light. It's like something out of a horror movie (not a bad pitch for my next script now that I think about it).
This isn't an isolated incident. So many accountants and auditors have stories like this, where they're working insane hours in terrible conditions, all in the name of getting the job done. Yes, we are hard workers, but at what cost?
No one should be working 17-hour days, period. And if we're in a situation where that kind of schedule is necessary, we need to look at our processes and figure out where we can streamline and improve.
The most directly applicable improvement that should be focused on is setting up the infrastructure of business operations and workflows that enable expectations to be met. That means building mental health into the blueprint, which can very often start with the right systems. Popcorn machines are nice when you're stuck at the office, but a task management system will help you actually leave work on time is much more impactful.
We've been talking about the burnout crisis for decades, but the talk needs to turn into action. We must create a work environment that supports healthy habits, like taking regular breaks, getting outside for fresh air and natural light, and encouraging people to prioritize their self-care both inside and outside of work. This is a pipeline issue that needs to be addressed, or the strain will continue to pile up for those who are left until the mounting pressure takes the whole building down.
It's never easy, but who knows — maybe one day, we'll get to a point where no one ever has to send a text message like the one my friend sent during that earthquake. A point where we can all find joy, purpose and fulfillment in our work without sacrificing our mental and emotional well-being in the process. That's the dream, right?
Let's tackle burnout together
Every single one of us has a role to play in solving the burnout problem in the accounting profession. So, here's my challenge to you:
- Start by taking an honest look at your own well-being. If you're feeling burnt out, don't ignore it like so many do. Reach out for support and implement some of the strategies we discussed.
- Have a conversation with your colleagues and your leaders about burnout. Share your experiences, your concerns and your ideas for change. The more we talk about this issue, the harder it becomes to ignore. Candor is tough, but leaders must encourage it.
- Advocate for change in your organization and in our profession. Push for policies and practices that prioritize well-being, and don't be afraid to speak up when you see something that contributes to burnout culture.
Remember, we're all in this together. By supporting each other and working toward systemic change, we can create a profession that is more productive and profitable and more fulfilling and sustainable for all.
