Workplace burnout is no illusion. According to data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics, mental health conditions were the fourth most common reason for sickness absence in 2025 and the accounting profession is not immune.

Occupational charity caba previously reported that 74% of accountants had at least sometimes experienced burnout in 2024.

The signs of burnout

According to caba, there are common signs of burnout that accountants should be aware of. These include:

• chronic fatigue: severe tiredness, even when getting enough sleep. Long hours and anxiety can be contributing factors.
• decreased performance: a noticeable decline in productivity. 
• increased irritability: increased conflicts with colleagues or clients, and an increase in negative sentiment. 
• demotivation: feeling disengaged or losing enthusiasm for tasks that were previously energising.
• cognitive difficulties: difficulty concentrating or remembering important details, making the core functions of accountancy, such as analysing financial information, a challenge. 
• emotional exhaustion: a general disengagement from colleagues, and an emotional numbness.
• physical symptoms: headaches, sleep disturbances and gastrointestinal issues are physical signs that you’re in burnout.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, there are practical steps that accountants can take to protect their mental health, from calming the nervous system to creating boundaries and communicating with colleagues.

Elaine Mitchell, an emotional freedom technique (EFT) practitioner and sleep specialist, and Deborah Edwards, who oversees the day-to-day running of Harland Accountants, shared their views on how to keep burnout at bay.

1. Use ‘tapping’ to keep anxiety in check 

Mitchell recommends a process called ‘tapping’ for professionals in high-pressure fields such as accountancy, particularly when the pressure rises or deadlines loom.

While it might not remove the source of the anxiety, such as missing a deadline, it does break the immediate loop they may be spiralling in. Common tapping points include the fleshy outer edge of the hand and the collarbone. 

In immediately stressful situations, Mitchell also recommends breathwork. Typically, we tend to breathe shallow and from the chest, which can actually heighten anxiety, she says. Focusing on slower, deeper breaths by inhaling for four counts and exhaling for six, while expanding the belly and diaphragm, can help calm the nervous system.

2. Make time for proper rest

“Everybody gets a bit hung up on getting eight hours of sleep,” says Mitchell, who describes sleep as “a 24-hour job”.

What Mitchell means is that whatever happens during the day can carry over into the night, making it harder to rest properly.

She recommends building a calming night-time routine that signals to the body that it’s time to relax and sleep, such as soft lighting, a warm bath, soothing music or reading before bed, rather than checking emails, doomscrolling or worrying about the next day’s deadlines.

3. Set emotional boundaries

Edwards iterates that it’s important not to work or take client calls at weekends or evenings, or even give out your personal number, so they can’t just call you at any time. However, these boundaries extend to emotional ones too, she says.

“We tend to get to know our clients really well, but we can’t carry people’s emotional load and so it's important to separate from that and not try to be the saviour of all people.”

4. Put tasks in order of importance

Edwards adds that accountants should focus on prioritising workloads rather than treating everything as urgent.

While clients may believe their issue is the top priority, she says professionals need confidence in deciding what is urgent, important or able to wait. In some cases, that may also mean making longer-term structural changes to workloads, pricing or client numbers to create a more sustainable business.

5. Write down worries – and celebrate success

If you do have a lot on your mind, Mitchell says writing down worries can help stop people from ruminating on things before bed. She also recommends consciously reflecting on the day's positive moments.

“People are naturally wired to have negative thoughts, so if we go to bed and think, what’s the best thing that’s happened today, we’re looking for everything that’s been quite positive and ready to sleep more peacefully,” she says.

6. Step back and adapt

One of the simpler things colleagues can do, says Edwards, is just stepping away from the desk. Responsible use of tools such as automation and artificial intelligence (AI) could allow accountants to step away more.

Edwards suggests leaning in and using AI to make your life easier and encourages accountants to nurture client relationships and upskill during the time that’s been freed up.

“As accountants, we can be quite introverted, so [it’s about] getting more comfortable with having face-to-face conversations. Upskilling in more personal skills, networking,” says Edwards, “but also understanding how to use AI better, not being afraid of it.”

7. Make social connections

Mitchell says social connection is one of the “five pillars of good health” but notes that people often withdraw from others when struggling with their mental health.

“If there’s someone already at the coffee machine, we might wait so we don’t have to connect with them,” she cites as one example to be aware of.

Avoiding conversations with colleagues or isolating yourself can make it harder to reconnect over time, she says, so maintaining relationships and making time to enjoy yourself outside of work are important.

Edwards agrees that communication and getting support early can have a significant impact. Simply speaking with a coworker or employer and opening up about work pressures can lead to practical solutions, such as redistributing workloads or resolving technical or client-related issues before they escalate.

At Edwards’ own practice, they have mental health first aiders and counselling support through a private health provider, so people can check if their workplace has this in place.

ICAEW members can also contact caba for mental health services, financial assistance and career coaching. You can get in touch online or call them on 01788 556366.