Is accounting stressful? Understanding key challenges and coping strategies

Let’s be honest, accounting work can be stressful. Accountants handle high workloads and pressing deadlines. They must navigate complex and ever-changing regulations while juggling demanding clients. And that’s all before the busy season starts!

Together, these factors make accounting a highly demanding profession that requires not only skills and expertise but also resilience and the ability to handle pressure.

In this article, we’ll explore the key factors that make accounting stressful. We’ll also highlight key strategies you can implement to overcome stress and thrive in the accounting industry. 

We wrote this article in partnership with Trudy Langston, an experienced tax accountant, Enrolled Agent, and the owner of Savvy Tax Chick. Read on to hear her insights on stress management.

The nature of accounting work

“Accounting” is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of different disciplines and responsibilities. Beyond managing a business’s books, an accountant may work in financial analysis, tax preparation, payroll, or audit — and that’s just scratching the surface. 

While these different aspects of accounting vary in terms of process and skills, they have one important factor in common. All of them demand highly accurate, efficient, and compliant processes. Even the smallest error or oversight can have wide-reaching implications for businesses and clients — from hefty fines to a loss of client trust. This leads to a high-stakes environment where the smallest details count. 

At the same time, accountants often juggle multiple clients at any given time. Each client has their own needs and expectations. Deadlines come thick and fast, pushing accountants to work against the clock. But that’s not all — accounting is also highly seasonal. While accountants are busy year-round, tax and audit season drive a huge spike in demand. The result is long hours and high levels of stress.

These factors combine to create a uniquely challenging professional landscape. Unsurprisingly, research by the Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association (CABA) showed that more than half (55%) of accountants have reported suffering from stress and burnout. This is significantly higher than the average of 41% across other industries. 

What makes an accountant’s job stressful?

So why is accounting so stressful? In truth, multiple factors combine to make accounting stressful — from the inherent nature of accounting work to workplace culture, regulatory complexity, and fast-moving trends. In this section, we’ll look at some of the key stressors that accountants face: 

• Heavy workloads. Accountants often face heavy workloads year-round. But when busy season kicks in, they can find themselves working 50-80 hours per week for several months. Often, the only way to meet rising client demand is to work evenings and weekends, making a healthy work-life balance almost impossible. 
• Strict deadlines. When we asked experienced tax accountant Trudy Langston what the biggest source of stress is for accountants, she replied with a single word: “Deadlines!” In addition to heavy workloads, accountants often have to complete work by specific dates imposed by the IRS or the clients themselves. Failing to do so can cause all manner of issues for an accounting firm and its clients. 
• Attention to detail. Accuracy is everything in accounting. In a world where the smallest of mistakes can cause a cascade of issues, accountants must demonstrate outstanding attention to detail and diligence at all times. When coupled with long hours, this is a recipe for stress. 
• Client expectations. Because of the sensitive nature of accounting work, clients expect the highest level of quality, accuracy, and thoroughness as standard. But that’s not all. In recent years, technology has changed the way people interact with service providers, and accounting clients now expect a slick, digital client experience that’s tailored to their needs.
• Complex regulations. Accountants must adhere to complex regulations around tax preparation, financial reporting, and more. Failure to comply can result in severe financial penalties, angry clients, and damaged reputations. This complexity is compounded by the fact that regulations are subject to change. 
• Technological disruption. Like many other industries, accounting is being transformed by innovation and disruptive technologies. This is ultimately a net positive, as it enables accountants to improve efficiency, accuracy, and the client experience. But it means that to stay competitive, clients must be willing to adapt and stay one step ahead of the curve.

These are some of the key reasons why being an accountant can be a stressful job. For a detailed look at why accountants experience burnout and how to thrive during industry changes, check out this blog post: “Why accountants are quitting: inside the forces reshaping the profession.”

How to determine if accounting is the right career for you

While accounting can undoubtedly be stressful at times, there are many reasons why it can be a highly rewarding and lucrative profession for those who are well suited to it. In addition to having the prerequisite hard skills and experience, successful accountants tend to have an interesting blend of qualities and soft skills, including: 

• Attention to detail
• Integrity and ethics
• Adaptability and resilience
• Analytical and strategic thinking
• A client-focused mindset
• Tech fluency
• A willingness to learn

If you have these qualities as well as a genuine interest in business, finance, and numbers, accounting could be the perfect fit for you. 

The beauty of accounting is that there are so many ways you can build a career. You can climb the corporate ladder and become a CFO, or you can start your own firm. You can expand your knowledge by becoming a CPA or Enrolled Agent. You can specialize in a particular accounting niche or industry. Whatever your preference, accounting provides interesting and varied career paths. 

And while we’re here, let’s dispel a common misconception about accounting — that it’s boring. This may have been true decades ago, when accountants were like human computers, crunching endless numbers in stuffy offices. But today, it couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Modern accountants tackle interesting and varied challenges. And with the industry constantly evolving, they’re at the forefront of major tech trends such as AI, automation, and analytics.

So if you’re seeking a career where you can challenge yourself, grow, and have a tangible impact, accounting could be a great fit. 

12 ways to overcome accounting stress

1. Automate accounting processes

Working long manual hours while trying to flawlessly handle routine accounting tasks can be overwhelmingly stressful. Accounting automation offers relief by streamlining repetitive processes, including:

• Budgeting and money management 
• Financial reporting
• General ledger management
• Tax return preparation 
• Client communication

Automating these manual responsibilities directly alleviates burnout and frees up time. Ultimately, both your clients and your wellbeing win when automation lightens your load. 

Trudy Langston is a big advocate of automation — not only for accounting work but also for managing client interactions. Her team at Savvy Tax Chick uses ChatGPT to automate client communications. But all of those interactions — and everything else — are managed through the central hub of their practice management system. As Trudy explains, “Everything must come through TaxDome!”

For more details on implementing automated workflows in your practice, check out this accounting process automation guide.

2. Utilize practice management software

To streamline workflows across your entire practice, you can utilize practice management software. This consolidation of document, team and client management minimizes manual work by automating the main repetitive processes. With such comprehensive tools, accountants can optimize efficiency while regaining control over demanding work. 

When it comes to practice management, TaxDome is among the most efficient options available. According to Trudy Langston, TaxDome not only improves operational efficiency but also makes life easier for accountants. “TaxDome has helped our office to become more efficient. The auto-reminders and workflow process are so smooth. We’re using TaxDome to help manage our stress and efficiencies.”

For comparisons of the  top accounting software picks this year, see our detailed blog post.

3. Prepare for busy seasons 

Careful preparation is key to managing workloads and stress during peak accounting periods. Strategies such as clearing schedules, establishing priorities and bringing on temporary staff can help accountants minimize anxiety. For more tips on thriving during the busy season, see our guide.

4. Take regular breaks

It’s easy to get sucked into work and feel like you can’t spare even a few minutes, but short breaks will boost productivity long-term. Taking regular breaks during the workday can help you recharge:

• Step away from your desk often to clear your head
• Set a timer if needed to remind yourself to stand, stretch or take a short walk
• Grab a snack or coffee for a mental reset

5. Avoid multitasking

While multitasking may seem efficient, it often reduces efficiency despite feeling productive in the moment. Consider resisting the temptation to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. Instead, we would recommend focusing your attention on completing one task at a time and minimizing workplace distractions. 

6. Establish boundaries

It is critical to draw clear lines between your professional and personal lives and leave work at work:

• Make it a rule not to do work tasks at home in the evenings or on weekends
• Disconnect from email and disable work notifications on your phone outside of office hours
• Have a dedicated workspace separate from your living areas if you’re working remotely

With strict boundaries, you can fully recharge and avoid carrying constant stress into your downtime. 

But according to Trudy Langston, setting boundaries doesn’t just help protect your personal lives. It also establishes clear expectations with clients. “I have put in place dates by which the client must get all their items to us, for us to do a timely return,” she explains. “If they do not honor that then we no longer feel guilty if their return wasn’t completed on time.”

7. Speak up about workloads

If your accounting workload starts to feel truly unmanageable, don’t just push through and suffer. Suffering in silence only breeds resentment and burnout. Instead, try speaking up to your supervisor or management about work distribution concerns. There may be room to adjust deadlines, reassign responsibilities or hire additional staff. 

8. Prioritize quality sleep

Sleep is absolutely vital for both physical and mental health, yet it’s often the first thing sacrificed when workloads mount. To avoid burnout:

• Prioritize getting quality sleep of 7-9 hours per night
• Maintain a consistent sleep schedule
• Wind down from work at least an hour before bed
• Limit screen time at night
• Use apps such as Sleep Easy to improve sleep hygiene

Good-quality sleep boosts focus, productivity, mood, and immunity — all protections against stress. Make sleep a non-negotiable block in your schedule. 

9. Engage in activities outside work

Making time for hobbies, socializing, and self-care can provide balance to offset workplace demands. Consider pursuing activities outside of work that bring you joy and fulfillment, such as:

• Traveling or vacationing
• Reading 
• Engaging in arts, crafts or music
• Volunteering in your community
• Regular social engagements with family and friends

On that last point, it’s crucial that firm owners provide the flexibility for accountants to balance their professional and personal responsibilities. This is something Trudy Langston is keen to encourage at her firm. “I allow my team to come and go, within reason, on their own,” she explains. “Family must come first. So if they have something to attend to or take care of involving family, that comes first.”

10. Maintain physical health

Caring for your physical health can directly support your mental wellbeing and resilience against stress. Aim to:

• Follow a nutritious, balanced diet
• Stay hydrated throughout the day
• Exercise regularly, even if brief workouts

When your body feels energized and strong, you’re better equipped to handle workplace challenges. 

11. Practice mindfulness

Meditation and yoga can be helpful to build resilience against accounting stress and anxiety. By bringing focus inward, such practices encourage relaxation and reduce reactivity to stress. Headspace and other apps can provide accessible guided meditations. 

Starting a regular habit, even 5-10 minutes daily, may strengthen your ability to handle demanding situations. 

12. Implement humor

Humor and laughter offer proven stress management benefits, acting as a powerful counterbalance to accounting stress. If you and your coworkers make it a habit to share accounting jokes whenever things get too serious, you will have a quick way to lighten the mood. To always have access to the best field-related comedy, follow social media accounts or blogs curating accounting memes.

Wrapping up

Accounting is well known for being stressful. But by implementing proactive coping strategies, you can help safeguard your wellbeing. 

Key tactics to reduce accountant stress levels include automating workflows, taking breaks, establishing boundaries, optimizing sleep, adding humor, practicing mindfulness, speaking up about workloads and maintaining life balance through hobbies and exercise. 

With the right stress management approach, you can sustain a thriving accounting career for the long haul.