The stress of accounting: One in three UK accountants has suffered mental health problems
A new analysis of over 500 UK accountants reveals frequent stress-related health problems, with almost a third saying they have suffered mental illness.
According to exclusive data shared with City A.M., 28 per cent of British accountants feel extremely stressed in their day-to-day lives because of their job, while 17 per cent admit to taking time off as a result.
The research, carried out by the Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association (CABA), also shows that accountants' stress levels are higher in the UK than internationally, with accountants in Africa, the US and Canada all reporting lower stress levels. Only in Asia are accountants more stressed.
The biggest disparity of all, however, was found in the proportion of accountants suffering mental health problems. In the UK, 30 per cent said they had suffered mental illness at some point in their career, which is almost three times as many as any of the other regions looked at.
Kelly Feehan, services director at CABA, said:
Mental ill health is becoming more prevalent and while one in three chartered accountants admit they have experienced this problem, we see this as a silver lining.Good work is being done to promote the importance of admitting and addressing stress and mental ill health, and we hope international chartered accountants can follow the UK’s lead and feel more comfortable speaking about their problems moving forwards.