News & Updates

A new survey found three-quarters of tax pros finished busy season with real, measurable damage to sleep, health, relationships, and decision quality.

More than half of the 1,000 employees in Modern Health’s annual Workforce Mental Health Report admitted to dealing with the stress by using alcohol or other substances on the job (52%) in the past year, and more than half said they had cried due to work stress (51%) in the month leading up to the survey.

Common symptoms of chronic stress and burnout are increasingly impacting white-collar workers, especially those in the accounting profession.

Cognitive bias is often treated as a theoretical concern, yet its influence on accounting, finance and leadership decision-making is both practical and pervasive.

Most leaders assume burnout is easy to spot. An employee checks out, performance drops, enthusiasm fades, and the warning signs become obvious. A more unsettling truth, revealed by new research, is that burnout might be most apparent in individuals who still appear highly productive.

A simple shift in thinking can help you implement more effective strategies – and prevent you from sabotaging your good intentions.

Busy season is often treated as a productivity proving ground. In accounting, it marks a series of peak stress cycles—tax season, compressed deadlines, and sustained cognitive load. The assumption is familiar: we just need to push through these few rough months, and we’ll be okay afterward. But the reality is different. Burnout will occur (and recur) if people aren’t allowed to recover properly, and just “pushing through” doesn’t have to be the only option.

It’s important for all of us to take care of our mental health at work. Even if your employer doesn’t provide PTO especially for mental health, you can help yourself do a reset.

After suffering two strokes in four days, the author battled mental health issues before he learned to recognize, address, and prevent chronic stress.

At CPA firms everywhere, busy season takes stress to the highest levels. So, this is a great time to think about actions that will make your business run more efficiently, become more appealing for talent attraction and retention, and become more financially rewarding.

These tips and practices can give your core team the best chance to deliver outstanding client service without burning out in the process.

We can’t easily control external factors, such as the profession’s pipeline deficit, intense tax demands and busy seasons. However, perfectionism is something we do have control over, and it’s not to be dismissed or overlooked.

Managers should lead by example in creating a low-stress environment and be prepared to proactively support employees who are experiencing destructive pressure.

True financial wellness isn’t just about crunching numbers — it’s about fostering a holistic approach that builds confidence and security in managing money. By integrating strategies that enhance financial understanding along with emotional well-being, CPAs and accountants can guide clients toward creating lasting habits that lead to long-term financial stability and success.

The final few weeks before the winter holidays can be full of stress. Try a few resilience exercises to calm the storm and get through the end of the year in peace.

Executive energy is not a private concern to be managed behind closed doors. It’s a strategic asset. Despite the massive impact, the energy levels of top leaders are almost never treated as business-critical. That needs to change.

Our “always on” culture perpetuates tech addictions. The good news: Once you recognize the signs, there are many strategies you can implement to regain control. Your body and mind will thank you!

Burnout is fueling workplace frustration, cynicism and absenteeism. Leaders can chart a path forward and right the ship.