managing burnout at work

what is workplace burnout?

Burnout is a real concern in the accountancy sector, and it’s becoming increasingly common. Long hours, heavy workloads and high-pressure environments all play a part. But the signs are not always easy to recognise or talk about. Many accountants feel pressure to keep going, even when stress is affecting their mental health, physical wellbeing or finances. Understanding what burnout looks like is the first step towards preventing it, managing it and getting the right support.

want to talk about it?

We offer two types of emotional support, giving you space to talk things through in a way that feels right for you:

talk with an accredited therapist

Work through your situation, online or over the phone, with an accredited therapist. Offering a range of talking therapies to suit your needs.

connect online with your community

Access anonymous, community led mental health support through Qwell, available anytime, with the option to chat to accredited professionals.

experiences of burnout in the sector

“Work gets so busy that you don’t have time for your friends and family. You trick yourself and think “it’s fine”. But those things damage relationships if it happens month after month.”

“When you’re in prolonged periods of stress, sometimes it’s the physical symptoms that show up before you actually know what it is.”

“If I do not stay on top of my health, everything else does start to slip... I experienced quite a lot of personal issues this summer and it was busy season, and it was quite busy and pressured at that time.”

the reality of burnout in the accounting profession

lifting the lid on the extent of the problem

We surveyed Chartered Accountants from across the UK and found that 74% have experienced indictors of burnout in the past year. Furthermore, 63% said their current work environment contributed to feelings of burnout.

The accountant burnout report examines key contributing factors and knock-on effects of burnout amongst accountants, uncovers why many do not seek help, and offers guidance to help manage accountancy burnout.

if you’re suffering from burnout, help is at hand

If you recognise yourself in the indicators and experiences of accountancy burnout, it's important that you take steps to change course, as soon as possible. While burnout is best addressed early on, before it significantly impacts your wellbeing, the next best time to act is now.

We’re here to help you find the right support for you, whether that's talking to our registered counsellors or joining our safe and confidential support community to chat to others going through similar experiences.

your questions answered

Who is eligible for support?

We support past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), ACA students, ICAEW staff members, and the family and carers of members and students.

Not sure if you’re eligible? Use our interactive eligibility tool to check if you or your family could get support.

Are your services open to everyone, regardless of financial situation?

Most of our services, including mental health support and legal advice, are provided free regardless of your financial circumstances. For our financial grants, we will conduct an assessment, looking at your income and assets, to determine what help we can provide.

I’m an accountant, but not a member of ICAEW, can you still help?

Unfortunately not. We only support past and present ICAEW members, their carers and their families. If we are unable to support you, where possible we will point you to help elsewhere. Please visit the ACO members page to see if there is another occupational charity that can assist you.

caba has supported me in the past; can I receive support from caba again?

We assess all applications based on current circumstances. Whether you’ve received support in the past or not, we’ll discuss all your options with you. Please call us if you need our help.

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