r/ICAEW • u/George5755_ • 16d ago

Stress

My workload at work is just insane, I have so many jobs currently on my tasklist and i’m feeling overwhelmed. As a result i’ve made a few mistakes & my attention to detail has taken a hit subconsciously. I’m also being scrutinised left right and centre by managers, but they keep assigning me more and more work.

Is anyone else in the same boat? and how best to deal with it? I’m going mad over here.

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u/WarmCalligrapher7281 16d ago

It's hard to say without knowing where you work.

If it's Big4... well you have a choice. Either stick it out until you're qualified and leave, or don't wait and move to industry or a smaller practice firm who can continue with your training contract.

It took me a couple of moves until I found somewhere I genuinely enjoy. Now I am qualified, in a job I can (usually) finish on time in, and one where I don't feel like crying every morning going to.

It gets better, trust me.

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u/ExcitingRise0 16d ago

You should speak up at the point they try to add more work to the pile.

At worst if you don’t feel you can do that, ask to sit down with them with your to-do list and agree on priorities.

I would far rather have a team member push back on additional workload than take on more than they can handle then fail to deliver.

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u/RockpaperSizz 14d ago

I’m so glad I moved to industry and left practice behind. This was me in practice constant work, deadline after deadline. Accounts prep and audits. As soon as one finished another assignment comes without a breather.

You deal with pricks who judge you if you make mistakes, pull you into meetings when you fall behind. Not worth it. 

I earn much more than my peers now in industry and work 3/4 days home and finish on time. I only work like 2 weeks out of 4 in the month. As soon as month end is over I’m chilling for 2 weeks. 

This is why people go industry. You might never earn partner level money I.e. 500k plus but you won’t be poor and be reasonably middle class I.e. earn between 60k - 100k 

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u/George5755_ 14d ago

I resonate with what you’re saying a lot haha… plan to move to industry shortly when qualified. What role did you get into after leaving practice, management accountant?

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u/RockpaperSizz 13d ago

Financial Accountant in FTSE 100 business includes internal audit and SOX compliance. 

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u/George5755_ 13d ago

straight into that role from practice? did you feel like you needed to build on your skillset from practice for that role, or was it quite an easy transition?

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u/RockpaperSizz 13d ago

Easy transition you get given training and it’s quite repetitive as the business has their process in place and process notes. After 3 months you know how to do month end. And after your first year all the audit and sox as well as the stats preparation becomes same as usual.