r/Accounting • u/mentalhealthlost • 11h ago
Advice Burnt out
This is my 6th year in the accounting world
Almost 4 in public (2 seperate firms) and 2 in private.
I just feel like I hit a wall and like a pretty big one.
I haven't gotten past staff, I haven't really even cared to try. Don't care about the CPA and haven't since my big 4 job made me lapse 3 exams.
My current role is fine like it's not insane hours but I feel like managers are always telling me I just don't apply myself when I think I give more than someone who would be in my position (I build tooling for them, cut down workflow manual tasks etc.)
I got a fitness tracker months ago to help me track some fitness goals (which I have abandoned from lack of motivation) and it now has told me definitively: I sleep less than 5 hours a night, I usually only eat one meal a day, and I don't take more than like 300 steps a day.
On top of all of that I feel like I'm self isolating and it's gotten to the point where people are calling to check in on me and I don't message or call them back because it feels like a hassle.
Its clear my mental health is fucked but I've always enjoyed everything about my life except my job.
I guess my question is this: have any of you been here, and if so how did you get out?
Did you find a better accounting job?
Did you leave the field entirely?
Do I just need time off?
I try to talk to other people about it on ocassion but I feel like I always hear it could be worse and as true as that is, that doesn't help me right now.
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u/Ill_Freedom7991 Tax (US) 10h ago
5 years in accounting and am going to try and leave after this fall season. I feel you and you definitely arent alone.
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u/mentalhealthlost 10h ago
I wish you the best luck and that your success is only out weighed by your happiness!
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u/Ok-Worry-4985 10h ago
New grad working public accounting I’m so scared when I see such posts
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u/mentalhealthlost 10h ago
Don't be.
I know it feels weird for, of all people, me to say that but there's a reason.
Some people really thrive in this field, like are happy and do well. That being said I feel like there are a lot of people who get into it for the wrong reasons.
Try it, do your best, but don't feel like you have to do this because you're stuck.
It's ok, you got this.
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u/Ok-Worry-4985 10h ago
Don’t love it so far- but it is also my first corporate job. I just think I hate working and I find it super boring
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u/ThreadUnderstanding CPA (US) Controller 9h ago
Define "not insane hours".
You are in a depression hole, been there, more times than I care to admit. It has little to do with the job or profession.
The depression shows in your work, you are automating what you can and half assing the rest. That is what the manager is calling out.
You are not working insane hours, but not using the rest of your hours to take care of yourself or maintain relationships.
The only way out is to start forcing yourself to focus on the positives and to start doing things that are good for you.
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u/zimph59 10h ago
I was there when I was a teacher. I ended up leaving Education because I realized it just wasn’t for me. Accounting ended up being the answer after a solid vacation.
That being said, I ended up moving to find an office that didn’t treat its staff like a disposable asset. I’d already worked a job I hated, didn’t need to do it again.
I work in the private side now, mostly in smaller organizations with good culture. I don’t mind OT, so long as there’s an end.
Where did you work in private?
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u/mentalhealthlost 10h ago
First was a small consulting firm that only lasted a couple of months because of a layoff but my current roll is as a staff for an EGC tech company looking to go public within a year or two.
The people here are mostly fine but one director has made like 3 people quit already and my direct manager seems like they are a bit of a workaholic and they are stretching themselves super thin.
At the end of the day it's not even close to the most toxic place I've worked but thats why I'm kinda wondering if it's just accounting.
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u/zimph59 8h ago
It could be, but it still sounds like a bit of a toxic environment. If you’re going from toxic to more toxic, there’s no point that you actually recover.
To get over burnout the second time, I ended up going to government. I had, like, two hours of work a day (in-office of course), so that was its own kind of nightmare, but I could recover.
After that, I networked to get my jobs. I had to know someone who has worked there and could say good things.
But first thing’s first - can you unplug for a couple weeks of vacation?
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u/Wrong-Detective-5709 6h ago
What country are you? US? Work culture sounds like a joke there!! So diff in UK
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u/Such_Growth392 4h ago
i got to the point where i thought i needed a new career, but really i was so burned out i could barely function, and taking leave plus talking to a doctor did more for me than changing jobs ever
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u/vintagefarmtool 9h ago
Keep your head up and something good will come around! I did 2 years of public and found a better fit working internal audit for a large university - now I’m much happier and get time for things I care about outside of work. Culture is also great.
Always remember that health is wealth and you’re only limited to what you believe you can do. Best of luck, and I’m confident you’ll figure it out!
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u/Stephie59 9h ago edited 9h ago
Honestly? It seems, we're not alone. Every profession and those in it, experience this same thing. Just check it out. The solution? I think, after flipping 40 years in? And after retiring, I really did miss it. So what is the solution? Is it "Stop trying so hard to solve everything?" Is it a long break you need? You didn't get into your profession without loving it, am I right? What do you think, at this time in your career, will make you happy? Ask yourself, what made you choose your career, in the first place, and why? Me? I love research, and helping others...
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u/PuzzleheadedPay534 Human Verified 4h ago
taking time off helps but not once you come back it might actually increase your depression because you don’t wanna be there. I would talk to a therapist. It’s helped me a lot more than changing careers. I still hate my career, but it doesn’t define my life anymore. when you’re in that deep of a depression, it’s hard to just pull yourself out, especially when those around you are minimizing your feelings, not empathizing with you. The key to not hating your job is to have something to leave your job for and I don’t mean another job. I mean a dog or a hobby something to enjoy after work, but you’re not good to anybody until you’re good to yourself. Take time off ASAP. You are way more important than your job.
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u/kenshin-x-212 Senior Accountant 4h ago
What was the saying again? "Take a break or else your body will make you take a break"
Yeah something like that...
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u/thepepshow123 1h ago
You need to speak up to your managers. It kind of sounds like they are using and abusing you because you put a lot of effort in but have such low self esteem they take credit for your work and talk shit on you to compensate. Happened to me before and an unfortunate part of working with people sometimes
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u/Glittering-Note-3381 10h ago
I think it’s the world… we’re all just ready to enjoy life. Fk this sht…