One of the issues that seems to crop up a lot in the world of accountancy is the growth of the self-employed sector.
This is seen as an opportunity for accounting software companies that provide labour- and accountant-saving bookkeping technology.
And for accountants? Well they can tap in by being able to emphasise their skills as business advisers as oppose to “simply” bookkeeping experts.
Why do I say all this? Well the FT has produced an interesting video on the changing world of work and how the gig economy is fracturing the relationship between employers and employees. Check it out here.
Mental health attention
Mental health is another issue that, quite correctly, seems to be starting to get the attention it deserves.
A study finds that about half of accountants think their employers aren’t doing enough to help with employee stress, anxiety and other mental health problems. And around 60 per cent think the government should be doing more about wellbeing.
Westfield Health’s survey found 75 per cent of accountants were looking for better support from their companies.
Pressure to work late
‘The total number of UK working days lost to stress, anxiety and depression resulting from long working hours is 12.5m days,” says Westfield’s David Capper .
So it’s really interesting when you read reports like this. And then the next minute you see a headline like this: “Accountants feel pressured to work late.”
Totaljobs finds 45 per cent of accountants feel pressure to work overtime, just behind IT professionals (56 per cent) and HR (46 per cent).
Younger workers feel particularly pressed, with 58 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 years old worrying their boss or colleagues might think they aren’t working hard enough if they leave on time.
It’s the scourge of “presenteeism” and it’s most common in those earning over £50,000.
A Myanmar deal
And finally, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Myanmar Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) have agreed a “capacity building programme” to develop the profession in Myanmar.
ACCA chief executive Helen Brand says: “We will create an action plan for MICPA’s membership of IFAC, working closely with the Myanmar Accountancy Council and Office of the auditor general throughout the project.”
