So, CalCPA has this interesting article about managing stress that is definitely worth a read but it's the following description that really stood out to us:
The accounting profession, much more so than most, has been known for its high stress environment and culture. I’ve seen an increasing lack of healthy life balance result in an ever-increasing number of talented people feeling dissatisfied with their career, desperate and even leaving the profession. Among the main culprits, common within all ranks of the profession: increased workloads and longer work weeks, nonstop deadlines, an expectation of perfection, clients demanding lower fees, high billable hour targets, poor diet and lack of exercise or other outlet.
In addition to sapping energy, chronic high stress increases risk for mental and physical concerns—including lowered productivity, an increase in errors and misjudgments, poor communication with coworkers and clients, decreased job satisfaction, digestive disorders, chronic headaches, lack of sleep, hypertension and weight gain.
If we're reading this right, writer Jack Kenefick, CPA is essentially saying the accounting profession will make you miserable, tired, fat, and gassy. Sounds about right.
In our humble opinion, you can do all the 5 minute stretches you want, but you're still going to succumb to a heart attack by 35 under an environment like this.
In all seriousness, why then is this high stress culture so pervasive in accounting? It's a question we've been asking for 5 years and will continue to ask. It's really stressing us out, actually. BRB, off to go to a quick breathing exercise.
