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  • 1.  Are We Burning Out Faster Than the Last Generation?

    Posted 04-07-2026 02:11 PM

    There's a lot of discussion about burnout in accounting, but I'm starting to wonder if the bigger issue is how early it's hitting people now.

    It doesn't seem like burnout is a "mid-career" issue anymore. For many, it shows up within the first few years.

    Is that your experience?

    • Are we burning out faster than previous generations?
    • Or is this just the reality of the profession that has always been there?

    And more importantly, what's actually working for you to stay sustainable? 😅



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    Bee Nance
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  • 2.  RE: Are We Burning Out Faster Than the Last Generation?

    Posted 04-08-2026 06:48 AM

    Hmmm… this is an interesting take. Just yesterday, I had lunch with someone who graduated less than three years ago, and they were already verbalizing real fatigue. My initial reaction was honestly, toughen up champ, you've got this!

    But the more I listened, the more I realized there was something deeper there. Accounting has always been demanding, but it does feel like career paths are compressed now and promotions are happening faster. There's also a much stronger desire for meaning much earlier in people's careers, not just advancement for advancement's sake.

    That combination fundamentally changes how the grind is experienced, and maybe explains why burnout feels like it's showing up sooner than it used to.

    I've been in public accounting for almost 16 years (mercy), and I can say confidently - it's not for the weak. But what's helped me stay in it hasn't been grit alone. It's been being intentional about setting boundaries for myself (not for them), championing change where I can, and cultivating a team that brings energy, skill, and a whole lot of laughter along the way!



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    Kendra LaFleur
    Director
    Forvis Mazars, LLP
    Atlanta GA
    770-286-3119
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  • 3.  RE: Are We Burning Out Faster Than the Last Generation?

    Posted 04-15-2026 11:08 AM

    Kendra, I really appreciate this perspective, especially the honesty in how your thinking evolved even within that one conversation.

    What stood out to me is your point about compression. It's not just that accounting is hard (it always has been), but that the timeline for proving yourself, advancing, and "figuring it out" feels much shorter now. That changes the psychological load in a big way. When everything is accelerated, there's less room to recover between sprints.

    I also think your observation about meaning is spot on. Earlier generations may have expected to "earn" fulfillment later, whereas now there's a desire to feel alignment and purpose much sooner. That's not necessarily a weakness, it just shifts what sustainability needs to look like.



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    Bee Nance
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Are We Burning Out Faster Than the Last Generation?

    Posted 04-17-2026 10:42 AM

    This is a great question. I have just been asking myself if I am the problem lately, considering how much I feel I need to be doing, and how far I am from some of my goals. Just the basic work life balance has its challenges, funnily it remains a juggling game. 

    I think another major contributor is the amount of 'noise' I have to intentionally cancel out, so I can remain live to things that matter. 



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    Audrey T Murenzvi
    Luipardal Hotel Amenities
    Harare
    +2630774885446
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  • 5.  RE: Are We Burning Out Faster Than the Last Generation?

    Posted 04-17-2026 10:54 AM

    Wow! Thank you so much for sharing, Audrey!  I can relate to this. I'm constantly having to update my to-do lists and "thought jars" to weed out the noice and try to focus on what I need to focus on in a given moment. With multiple priorities, sometimes it's hard to know which thing takes priority. It's helped me to break down big goals into bite-sized task because I thrive on checking things off -  but that's really just a complete mind trick. Sometimes it's works. Haha

    I hope you find something that helps. You're too valuable to be burning out! ☺️



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    Bee Nance
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Are We Burning Out Faster Than the Last Generation?

    Posted 04-20-2026 04:15 AM

    Thank, all the best to you. To never burning out. ☕



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    Audrey T Murenzvi
    Luipardal Hotel Amenities
    Harare
    +2630774885446
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    Original Message