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- Is the Accounting Industry Ignoring Burnout?
Hi everyone,
I’ve been there—years ago, working in investment banking, burning the midnight oil, chasing targets, deadlines, and wearing exhaustion like a badge of honor. But the recent tragic death of 26-year-old Anna Sebastian, a young CA at EY India, forces us to question: is this relentless grind worth it?
This isn’t just a problem limited to the accounting profession, or the corporate world, or even India. It’s a global issue—a culture of overwork that’s seeping into every industry.
A survey by the American Institute of Stress found that 65% of workers said workplace stress affected their personal life.
We’ve normalized burning out as part of success, especially in high-pressure fields like finance, law, and professional services.
When I look back at my time in investment banking, I see a culture that celebrates exhaustion, mistaking it for dedication. Working 12- to 14-hour days, answering emails at 3 a.m., canceling personal plans just to meet deadlines—none of that was questioned. In fact, it was expected.
And I was lucky to have made it through with my well-being intact, but many are not as fortunate.
The WHO reports that workplace stress, including long hours, contributes to 745,000 deaths annually, making it a leading cause of suicide.
We’ve built a system that worships productivity above all else. There's this idea that success is measured by how much you can endure, rather than the value you bring.
But this is the kind of mindset that leads to burnout, mental health crises, and tragic cases like Anna’s.
And this is far from a corporate thing - this mindset is deeply ingrained due to societal pressure. Parents push children toward high-achieving careers, ultimately tying personal worth to academic and financial success.
But it's not just the individuals, businesses suffer too.
Overworked employees are far less productive over time. Studies show that after 55 hours of work per week, productivity starts giving diminishing returns, dropping so sharply that additional work adds no value.
Despite this, we still encourage marathon work hours.
It's not sustainable—for anyone. Leaders at firms of all sizes, from the Big 4 to small and medium accounting firms, need to rethink how they treat their workforce.
A new approach to leadership is needed.
It's time for business leaders to lead with empathy. The traditional "tough it out" mentality has proven to be harmful. Employees should be allowed to rest, disconnect, and live full lives outside of work.
I believe as leaders, our greatest asset isn’t the hours logged, but the health and happiness of our people. This philosophy drives me to create a workplace where well-being is prioritized, and I strive to embody this belief in every aspect of my leadership.
So, where do we start?
Let’s stop glorifying the grind.
I’m not saying that hard work isn’t necessary—it absolutely is. But there’s a fine line between dedication and losing oneself in the process.
Building a supportive work culture is key. It’s time to move on from celebrating long hours and start rewarding balance, creativity, and energy.
Anna’s story, as heartbreaking as it is, should serve as a wake-up call. We owe it to the next generation to do better. Let’s not wait for another tragedy to make this change.
For a more in-depth and interactive view into things, register today for my free Autumn 11 webinar series designed to help you grow a successful firm!
Until next time,
Arun
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