Workplace stress can be positive say accountants

A survey of over 120 finance professionals has found that 72% feel that their job is becoming more stressful. However almost half of those felt that stress was not necessarily a negative issue.

The poll, carried out for specialist finance recruiter Elements also upheld claims by accountants that they work long hours. 82% of respondents were working more than a ëstandardí 40 hour week and 30% were working 45 hours or longer. In addition, nearly a fifth undertook extra work at home more than once per week. As one finance professional put it, ìAdvances in technology have given us the power to access the office from almost anywhere in the world ñ at any time of day - but it also means accepting that you are accessible 24/7 as well.

However, despite the pressures on their time, over half of those who felt that their jobs were becoming more stressful, believed that the rewards on offer made sacrifices worthwhile. As one accountant put it, ìYou donít get success handed to you on a plate in this world ñ finance professionals may be in high demand but if you want to reach the top you have accept that a certain amount of stress is going to be part of your life.î

Interestingly, when asked whether stress had a negative impact on their life almost half (48%) felt that this was not the case. ìWe all have to accept that some amount of stress in our lives is a normal daily occurrence and not a pathological conditionî, said one respondent, ìMany people, thrive on the surge of adrenalin which a certain amount of pressure and challenge can provideî, said another.

ìThereís little doubt that accountancy is a more demanding environment today than it ever has been,î says Paul Bibby, Managing Director of Elements ìEvents such as the Enron scandal and the ensuing emphasis on corporate governance issues, not to mention the recent volatility in the financial markets have put increasing pressures upon finance professionals. Todayís accountants need to be highly proficient technically and, at the same time, demonstrate a whole range of wider commercial skills if they are to deliver everything thatís asked of them.î