Yes, accountants frequently experience significant mental health issues, with studies showing over 50% of them reporting high levels of stress, burnout, and anxiety. Due to intense, seasonal workloads (tax season), long hours, and pressure for 100% accuracy, many in the profession suffer from exhaustion and poor mental well-being.
Unfortunately, accountants are also at risk of the more extreme symptoms of burnout. In severe cases of burnout, sufferers may experience pronounced anxiety or depression, which can severely impact their personal and professional lives.
Health care and health systems.
Perhaps more than any other industry, health care workers have experienced unprecedented stress and impacts to their mental health over the last five years.
According to ICAEW, 30.4% of accountants suffer from mental health issues and 51% admit that depression and anxiety leave them dreading to go to work. This is about half of the accounting professionals.
Research by AAT found that 90% of people who work in accountancy have been stressed out by work, with 43% having to take time off as a result of stress. This makes accountancy one of the most stressful industries to work in.
Accountants are one of the least happy careers in the United States. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, accountants rate their career happiness 2.6 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 6% of careers.
Jobs with the highest depression rates often involve high stress, emotional labor, poor work-life balance, and underappreciation, with top categories including healthcare support, food preparation and serving, community and social services, and roles in arts, entertainment, sports, and media, according to recent studies. Factors like demanding environments, long hours, dealing with trauma, and low pay contribute to mental health challenges in these fields.
Introverted sensors, ISTJs are known as the best personality type for accounting jobs, CFO positions, or careers as auditors. This type is loyal, hardworking, and understands the importance of their roles; but the real predictor of success here is their analytical nature that enables them to work quickly and precisely.
17 of the happiest jobs
A new study finds that people who work in the arts, design, entertainment, sports, and the media are more likely to have frequent mental distress than those in other fields. Overall, about one in ten workers reported frequent mental distress, according to the study, published in June in JAMA Network Open.
Their teams often work overtime to ensure they meet deadlines, especially when auditing a company or doing taxes for clients during the busy season. These long hours cause stress and burnout, which can lead to mental health problems, especially when the accountant isn't able to spend time with family and friends.
The accounting 150-Hour Rule traditionally requires aspiring Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) to complete 150 college credit hours (a master's degree or extra undergrad courses) for licensure, beyond the standard 120-hour bachelor's degree, plus experience and the CPA exam. Due to talent shortages, states are introducing new pathways, like Ohio's 2025 change, allowing a bachelor's degree, two years' experience, and the exam as alternatives to the extra schooling, making licensure more accessible.
A significant percentage of accountants are leaving the profession or their jobs, with over 300,000 U.S. accountants quitting in recent years (a ~17% workforce reduction), driven by burnout, long hours, poor work-life balance, and lack of advancement, leading to a major talent shortage. Surveys show high intentions to leave, with nearly 44% planning to switch jobs in the next year and 29% having already left a company in the past two years, while many younger professionals (39% in one survey) are particularly prone to high turnover.
What industries do well in a recession? 10 recession-proof job fields
According to the 2024 Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report, 63% of emergency medicine doctors have felt burned out—the most of any specialty—and they're followed by OB-GYNs (53%), oncologists (53%), and pediatricians (51%).
At its core, bed rotting involves staying in bed on purpose, where individuals lay around engaging in passive activities like watching TV, phone scrolling, or napping. Fans claim it lets them “reset their brain” after burnout. Critics argue it's glorified avoidance that can breed more depression and lethargy.
10 personality traits that indicate you'd be a great accountant
Frightening & Intense Scenes
A scene includes flashing lights and loud music, as a man is in great distress. This scene is may be difficult for some viewers, such as those with epilepsy. The many scenes of violence may be difficult for some viewers. Several instances of violence toward children.
Communicate Clearly
Set up a time to meet with your accountant to discuss your decision in person or via video call. Be honest but professional about your reasons for parting ways and provide constructive feedback.
Will AI replace accountants? Not entirely—but it will change accounting. Firms that embrace AI and technology will attract forward-thinking clients and top talent. Accountants who pair their expertise with AI tools will stay ahead of the curve.
Fast-forward a few years, and Erica now runs an accounting practice making over $200,000 yearly—on less than 15 hours of work per week.