Before I get started, just a quick heads-up that I host a Monthly Group Coaching Program for accountants. We meet on the third Friday of every month at 12 pm EST, and it’s a great space to get support, grow, and connect with others who get what you’re going through. 

This month’s topic is all about underearning, whether you’re an employee or an entrepreneur.  

The truth is that underearning doesn’t just mean making less money. It means earning less than you’re capable of, often because of internal habits, beliefs, or behaviors that go unnoticed for years.

Whether you’re an employee or an entrepreneur, underearning can quietly affect how you price yourself, negotiate, ask for what you want, or even believe you’re allowed to earn more.

In the group coaching session we’re going to explore where underearning may be showing up in your career or business, what’s driving it under the surface, and what shifts are available if you want to start earning in alignment with your value.

If you want more details, just email me at dawn@thesmarteraccountant.com. I’d love to have you in the group!

Alright, let’s get into the episode…

Have you ever thought about walking away from your accounting career? Maybe you’re feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or just questioning if this is the right path for you. It’s something a lot of accountants go through, but rarely talk about.

The truth is, this career can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be exhausting and stressful. There are days when the work feels endless, and no matter how much you do, you never seem to catch up. The pressure to meet deadlines, manage clients, and constantly keep things running can take a toll on your energy and your passion for the job.

But here’s something most people don’t talk about—it’s okay to feel this way. It’s completely normal to hit a point where you’re wondering, “Is this really worth it?” It’s even okay to question whether you should continue in this field.

When you’re feeling this way, it can seem like the only option is to leave the profession behind. But what if you could make a change that helps you feel more in control, more confident, and more connected to your work again? What if you didn’t have to leave to feel better?

That’s what today’s episode is all about. We’re going to dive into some of the most common reasons accountants consider quitting and what’s really behind these feelings. It’s not about blaming the career—it’s about looking at what’s going on inside your head and your life that might be leading to these thoughts.

You’re not alone in feeling stuck or unsure about your career. In fact, many accountants come to me struggling with this, but they don’t always know what to do about it. That’s why it’s so important to start asking yourself the right questions, so you can move forward with more clarity and confidence.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I cut out for this?” or “Why does this feel so hard?” then keep listening. This episode might just help you find the answers you’ve been looking for.

So, let’s start by looking at the first reason many accountants want to leave this career.

Reason #1: Constant Stress and Overwhelm

As an accountant, it often feels like you’re always behind. The never-ending to-do lists, constant emails, and looming deadlines pile up, leaving you feeling like you’re juggling too many tasks at once. It’s easy to get lost in the noise, constantly putting out fires and never truly feeling caught up.

This constant stress isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s a serious problem. When you’re under pressure all the time, it starts to affect your health. You might feel physically drained, mentally foggy, and emotionally exhausted. 

And, let’s be honest, this stress can make it harder to do your best work. When your mind is constantly racing, it’s hard to focus, and the quality of your work might begin to slip. Worst of all, you’re so consumed with work that there’s no space left for self-care, leaving you feeling burnt out and disconnected from everything else in your life.

Here’s what you need to know: stress doesn’t have to be a normal part of the job. In fact, it’s a sign that the way you’re working isn’t sustainable. The problem isn’t the job itself—it’s the way you’re managing your time and brain. 

If you keep pushing through this cycle without changing how you work, it will eventually catch up with you. The truth is that you don’t have to accept stress as a given; it’s time to take a step back, reassess how you’re working, and find a way to make it more manageable.

But stress isn’t the only thing making accountants want to quit. Let’s move on to the next reason…

Reason #2: Lack of Work-Life Balance

If you’re like many accountants, it feels like there’s no time left for anything outside of work. Your job can often demand overtime, weekends, and late nights, leaving little space for your personal life. Vacations get pushed aside, family moments slip away, and before you know it, your work life starts to take over everything.

This imbalance isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. Without a proper work-life balance, burnout becomes inevitable for many accountants. 

When work consumes every moment, resentment starts to build up. You might feel frustrated, drained, and like you’re missing out on important parts of your life. 

Over time, this can lead to a sense that your career is taking more than it’s giving. What started as a passion or a career you chose because it brought you satisfaction can begin to feel like an exhausting burden.

Here’s what you need to know: finding balance isn’t just about managing your time—it’s about setting boundaries, recognizing your limits, and rethinking what success means to you. Success doesn’t have to mean working non-stop or sacrificing personal time. 

The truth is that you have the power to create a life where work and personal time coexist in a way that feels fulfilling, not draining.

If you’re feeling like your personal life is slipping through the cracks, the next reason may resonate with you…

Reason #3: Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is something that many accountants face, even those who are incredibly successful. In fact, it’s now the #1 issue that accountants want to work on with me.  It often makes you feel like you’re not good enough, like you’re just faking it, or like you don’t truly deserve the achievements you’ve worked so hard for. 

Even though you might be good at what you do, you might still question whether you really belong in the profession, wondering if you’re just one mistake away from being “found out.”

The problem with imposter syndrome is that it can hold you back. This constant self-doubt prevents growth and keeps you from fully embracing your success. 

Instead of celebrating your achievements, you’re stuck in an inner battle, questioning everything you do. Over time, this can drain your energy and confidence, leaving you feeling stuck and less likely to take risks or step into new opportunities.

What you need to know is that imposter syndrome is actually a normal feeling, especially in high-stakes professions like accounting. It doesn’t define your capability or worth. 

In fact, recognizing that these feelings are part of the human experience is the first step in overcoming them. The truth is that you don’t have to let imposter syndrome hold you back from reaching your full potential or enjoying your career.

Now, let’s explore the next reason why accountants might consider leaving this profession…

Reason #4: Doubts About Career Fulfillment

At some point, many accountants find themselves questioning why they chose this profession in the first place (I know I definitely have!). The work that once felt meaningful and exciting can start to feel distant, leaving you feeling disconnected or unfulfilled. 

You may even find yourself wondering, “Is this really the right career for me?” Despite your accomplishments, it might not feel as rewarding as it once did.

The problem with this lack of fulfillment is that it leads to disengagement. When you’re not feeling connected to your work, your job satisfaction takes a dive. 

You might even start questioning the value of the profession itself, making the work feel tedious, or worse, pointless. Even the most rewarding aspects of the job can lose their shine when you no longer see the purpose behind them.

What you need to know is that it’s possible to reconnect with your purpose and redefine what fulfillment looks like for you. Fulfillment doesn’t just come from climbing the career ladder—it comes from aligning your daily tasks with what truly matters to you. 

The truth is that it’s about identifying what brings you meaning and satisfaction in your work and reshaping your approach so that you feel more connected to what you’re doing every day.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your work, the final reason might really hit home…

Reason #5: The Never-Ending Cycle of Deadlines

If you’re an accountant, you’ve probably experienced the feeling of always rushing to meet deadlines. It’s a constant sense of urgency that never seems to let up. 

The pressure to finish reports, file tax returns, and keep up with the constant flow of tasks can leave you feeling like you’re never fully caught up—always moving from one deadline to the next.

This never-ending cycle is more than just stressful—it’s exhausting. It keeps you stuck in “survival mode,” where you’re just trying to get through the day instead of working strategically. 

The constant pressure not only leads to burnout but can also negatively impact your time management skills. In this mode, it’s hard to take pride in your work because you’re too focused on getting things done rather than doing them with intention and care.

What you need to know is that deadlines are a part of the job and they aren’t going away. However, you do have the power to choose how you respond to them. By learning to manage your time and brain more effectively, you can meet deadlines without feeling overwhelmed. 

The truth is that it’s not about doing more—it’s about doing things more strategically and with focus, so you can handle deadlines with ease and confidence.

Now that we’ve gone through the reasons why you might want to quit, let’s take a look at how all of this connects to your brain…

The Brain Science Behind It All

Our brains are wired to respond to stress, deadlines, and challenges in ways that can make things feel even harder than they need to be. When you’re under pressure, your brain triggers a “fight or flight” response, sending out stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This reaction can make it difficult to think clearly, prioritize tasks, or even calm your nerves.

For accountants, this is especially problematic because the brain’s natural stress response makes it harder to focus on the task at hand and can cause overwhelm to build up quickly. When deadlines are looming, or when imposter syndrome kicks in, the brain often goes into overdrive, thinking you’re in a crisis—when in reality, you’re just managing a busy workload. 

The more we let these stress reactions control us, the harder it becomes to stay focused, make decisions, or even enjoy the work we’re doing.

What you need to know is that while your brain is hardwired to react this way, you don’t have to let it control your life. By learning how your brain works, you can start to manage these stress responses better. 

For example, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, you can recognize it as your brain’s reaction and take steps to calm it down. With the right tools, like understanding how to manage your time and your emotions, you can train your brain to respond more effectively. This can lead to less stress, more control, and ultimately, greater fulfillment in your career.

Now that we’ve explored the science behind these issues, let’s hear a story from one of my clients…

Becoming a Smarter Accountant: Falling Back In Love With Accounting 

Let me tell you about one of my clients who came to me feeling completely overwhelmed. Like a lot of you, he was working long hours, constantly stressed about deadlines, and felt like he couldn’t keep up. 

On top of that, he struggled with imposter syndrome, always doubting if he was good enough, even though he had years of experience and was well-regarded by his colleagues. He was stuck in a cycle of burnout and was starting to question if accounting was still the right career for him.

He shared how it felt like he was always “on” but never really making any progress. The constant pressure of looming deadlines made him feel like he was running a race that would never end. 

He was missing out on family time, neglecting his own health, and worse—he didn’t feel fulfilled anymore. He felt disconnected from why he chose accounting in the first place.

When we began working together, we started by focusing on managing his brain and his time. We talked about how his stress responses were driving his actions and making it harder to prioritize effectively. 

By learning simple brain management tools, he came to understand that the stress wasn’t about his capability—it was how he was reacting to the pressure. We also worked on setting clear boundaries with his time, teaching him how to say no and make time for himself and his family, which he had always put on the backburner.

Over time, he learned to stop letting stress control him. We focused on shifting his mindset—recognizing his achievements and understanding that imposter syndrome wasn’t something that defined him. 

As he implemented time-blocking and made more intentional decisions about his workload, he became more productive and felt less rushed and overwhelmed.

By learning to manage his responses to stress and rethinking what success meant for him, he was able to regain control and confidence. Now, he leaves work on time, enjoys his family life, and feels proud of the work he does, all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Let’s wrap up with a few key takeaways.

Key Takeaway and Action Item

So, let’s quickly recap the five reasons why accountants might want to leave the profession:

1. Stress: Constant pressure and overwhelming to-do lists that never seem to end.
   
2. Work-life imbalance: Feeling like you have no time for yourself or your loved ones, always working overtime.
   
3. Imposter syndrome: Doubting your abilities, even when you’re an expert in your field.
   
4. Lack of fulfillment: Losing sight of why you chose accounting and feeling disconnected from your work.
   
5. Endless deadlines: The feeling that you’re always rushing from one deadline to the next, never fully catching up.
   

But here’s the key takeaway: These challenges don’t mean you have to quit the profession. The solutions lie in how you manage your time, energy, and mindset. 

It’s about recognizing that the stress, overwhelm, and frustration you’re experiencing are signals that something needs to change. When you learn to manage your brain and your time effectively, you can create a career that feels more fulfilling, balanced, and sustainable.

So, here’s a question to ask yourself: “What’s one small change I can make in how I manage my time or mindset today to start feeling more in control and less overwhelmed?”

Asking yourself this question is important because it helps you shift from feeling like a victim of your circumstances to feeling empowered to take action. It’s easy to get stuck in the cycle of stress and overwhelm, but identifying even one small change can give you a sense of control and direction. 

By starting with something manageable, you can build momentum and begin to see that change is possible, without feeling like you need to overhaul everything at once.

Okay, as I finish up, let me pull back the curtain and share a personal story of how I can relate to this topic.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Now let me pull back the curtain…

I remember a time early in my career when I felt completely overwhelmed. It was during one of the busiest seasons, and I was juggling multiple clients, deadlines, and personal commitments. I was working late into the night, skipping meals, and barely seeing my family. 

Despite my years of experience, I started questioning if I could keep doing this long-term. Was I cut out for this? Was this career really worth the sacrifice?

At that point, I realized something had to change. I wasn’t just stressed because of the work; I was stressed because I didn’t have a clear plan or boundaries. 

I felt like I was just reacting to every demand without any sense of control or purpose. I had to make a shift—not just in how I managed my time, but in how I managed my brain and my energy. I started setting clearer boundaries, learning to say no when I needed to, and prioritizing time for myself and my family. 

Slowly, I rediscovered my passion for the work and found that balance between career and personal life that I had been missing.  And I promise, if you can relate to any of this, you don’t have to stop being an accountant; you just need someone to show you how to handle things in a smarter way.

If you’re feeling like you need to make a change, I encourage you to take The Smarter Accountant Quiz at www.thesmarteraccountant.com and schedule a free 30-minute call with me at www.thesmarteraccoutnant.com/calender. 

Let’s figure out how you can move forward without burnout or stress. Together, we can explore how to regain control, reduce overwhelm, and create a career that’s fulfilling and sustainable.

I want to leave you with this final encouragement: You don’t have to continue working the same way. By managing your brain, your time, and your energy differently, you can make your accounting career work for you—not the other way around. You have the power to create the balance, confidence, and fulfillment you’ve been looking for, without the stress and burnout.

And as always, if you found this episode helpful, share it with another accountant. You never know who needs to hear this.

The truth is, you’re already smart. But this podcast will show you how to be smarter.