74% of accountants report January return to work stress
74% of accountants report January return to work stress
The data shows 41% of accountants believe burnout has become a normalised part of the culture
More than 75% of accountants feel stressed about returning to work in January following the festive period, according to new research from the charity Caba.
The survey of 500 UK accountants found 74% feel more stressed in January than any other month. End-of-year workloads and post-holiday backlogs were the primary stressors.
Personal financial strain and seasonal factors, such as reduced daylight hours and bad weather, also contributed. For 32% of respondents, this culminates in feelings of burnout.
The data shows 41% of accountants believe burnout has become a normalised part of the culture. Many respondents expressed reluctance to seek help for health or financial issues.
Approximately 39% of those surveyed said they worried seeking support could be perceived as a sign of weakness, while 27% feared it could harm their career prospects.
The charity recorded a 14% rise in enquiries during the last December to January period. Of these, 27% related to health and 23% related to financial issues.
Cristian Holmes, chief executive of Caba, said: “Chartered accountants uphold exceptionally high professional standards, but we have seen that it can make it difficult for them to ask for help.
“But accountants are only human. They face challenges just like everyone else. We urge anyone who is struggling to reach out – whether to a loved one, a friend, a member of their community, or to us. No matter how you’re feeling, there is always someone ready to listen, offer support, and help you find a way forward.”
He added: “We know that the right support can make a real difference. Last year alone, we delivered nearly 5,700 instances of support, including financial grants and donations, totalling almost £2m.”
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