Most accountants typically work a standard 40-hour week, but this increases significantly to 50–80+ hours during the January–April busy season. While 40 hours is standard during the rest of the year, public accountants often experience higher average hours than corporate/industry accountants.
With fixed-hour schedules, accountants can expect to work a traditional 40-hour workweek. If an accountant specializes in a sub-field like forensics or corporate tax preparation, they may occasionally work longer than their fixed 40 hours.
Full-time accountants often extend their work hours beyond the standard 9 to 5, especially when approaching deadlines for financial reporting or audits. This dedication is crucial as they are responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, preparing tax returns, and ensuring compliance with various regulations.
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.
On average, accountants work between 40-70 hours a week, some even reaching 100 hours during busy seasons, depending on the sector, company, and position. That's the most straightforward answer I could give you.
As most work is housed digitally, an accountant can opt to perform duties from home or at the office. However, accountants have to deal with varying or inconsistent hours during busy periods, like the end of fiscal years and tax seasons.
Yes, accounting is widely considered a stressful profession, especially during busy seasons (like tax time) due to long hours, tight deadlines, high stakes (accuracy with money), and heavy workloads, leading to significant burnout for many, though the level of stress varies by role and individual coping mechanisms.
Accounting is a demanding job that leaves accountants with little to no free time. Public accountants deal with several clients and are often overwhelmed with work.
It has been estimated that over 75% of accountants are introverts. This compares to the general population which has a 50/50 split between introverts and extroverts (the 1998 Myers-Briggs study in the USA found 50.7% of the general population are introverts and 49.3% are extroverts).
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.
The 2022 study adapted the MBI (Maslach Burnout Inventory) measure to rate participants on a 100-point scale and found that a staggering 99% of accountants suffer from burnout.
Mean accounting date arrangements
390 enables a company to draw up its accounts to any date within seven days either side of its accounting reference date. HMRC will generally allow a company to adopt its year-end date for corporation tax purposes provided it does not vary more than four days from a mean date.
Hourly Salary for Accountants
The BLS also breaks down compensation for accountants by hourly salary, and the median average hourly pay for accountants in 2023 was $38.
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.
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.
Summary. The accounting field offers significant earning potential, with seven high-level careers—led by the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), which averages up to $570,579 annually—that require substantial experience and key credentials like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.
If you work a typical job, you'll usually be in the office between Monday and Friday. Accountants often work a standard workday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with an hour-long lunch break. Just keep in mind that some extra effort is required during certain times of the year.
The best jobs for work-life balance often offer flexibility, stable hours, and low stress, with top contenders including roles in tech (Web Developer, Data Analyst, Software Engineer), healthcare (Pharmacist, Dental Hygienist, Physical Therapist, SLP), marketing (Marketing Manager, SEO Specialist), and public service (Librarian, Government Jobs, Substitute Teacher). Many roles in these fields allow for remote work, predictable schedules, or significant time off, preventing burnout and increasing job satisfaction.
Life as a public accountant is often defined by relentless deadlines and nonstop demands. During busy season, 12–16-hour workdays can stretch on for weeks or even months, leaving little room for rest or personal life.
Night Accountants usually work overnight shifts, often from late evening to early morning, depending on the organization's needs. One common challenge in this role is remaining focused and detail-oriented while working outside standard business hours when support from other departments may be limited.