Hi

For years, long hours were worn as a badge of honour in the accounting profession. Late nights. Weekend working. “War stories” about tax season.

It was unhealthy. And it put clients at risk. Tired people make worse decisions, miss more details and burn out. That isn’t good for you or for them.

The combination of automation, remote work and a genuine talent shortage is finally forcing a reset. Firms that cling to the old model will simply run out of people. So we’ll see:

• More flexible working patterns
• Better planning 
• Serious attention to mental health

Why does this matter to you? Because you actually want your accountant to have a life. You want them rested enough to think clearly about your business. You want continuity. 

You also benefit from a culture shift from “output at all costs” to “sustainable excellence”.

A firm that cares about its people tends to:

• Plan capacity properly
• Automate aggressively
• Say “no” to the wrong work
• Focus on doing fewer things, better

That shows up in the service you experience. Emails answered promptly, not hurriedly, meetings where people are present, not distracted, fewer last-minute panics because deadlines are managed sensibly.

What can you do, as a client, to support this and benefit from it?

• Be organised. Get information in on time.
• Agree realistic turnaround times.
• Pay for value.
• Treat your accountant as a long-term partner.

Ask yourself a simple question - would I rather work with someone who is permanently frazzled, or someone who is calm, focused and plans ahead?

In 2026, the best firms will look firmly like the latter. Burnout is not a sign of commitment. It’s a sign that the system is broken. And systems can be redesigned.

Noel Guilford

P.S. If you’d rather work with an accountant who is calm, present and thinking clearly about your business, reply to this and we’ll arrange a conversation.