Time for a change?

The pandemic and the move to working from home (WFH) have shone a bright light on many aspects of our working and non-working lives. But despite the suggestions of radically new approaches, for most accountants there will be an evolution in ‘how we work’ rather than a revolution in ‘what we do’.

We all exist within a global environment that was radically impacted by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. This was outside of our control and, after the initial shock, most of us simply accepted it and got on with life – working from home, frenetically washing our hands, wearing masks and social distancing. ‘How we worked’ changed overnight but ‘what we did’ remained largely the same.

WFH meant that our local environment – home and workplace – merged. And, as the lines have become blurred, WFH has thrown up pitfalls and opportunities in equal measure. Juggling caring responsibilities with work has been challenging for many. But, at the same time, we may be able to influence the new workplace arrangements, or negotiate our future working patterns, or leave. Most importantly, we have choices.

Values and priorities

For many accountants, this has led to much reflection. Why? Because we can see the possibility of gaining greater control over our lives. WFH has allowed accountants to see first-hand that work can be done in different ways. It has also allowed us the space to stand back and consider the wider picture, our career and how we are living our lives.

But what drives our opinions and views on these questions? Primarily, it’s about our values and priorities – and these vary from person to person. One individual may have wellbeing at the top of their list, while another may put career or family first.

It gets even more complex: take family, for example. Two individuals may regard this as a key value and top priority. However, one of them may have young children and a small living space, unlike the other, and as a result will be yearning to get back to the office.

One accountant told me: ‘It was stressful working and having a three-year-old at home, and it was a luxury when I was allowed back to the office.’ Another said that WFH meant her quality of life had soared as she could now avoid the daily commute and spend more time with family.

What is driving different views of the same value? Individual perspective, stage of life, unique circumstances, and more, can all have an effect. One size does not fit all.

The right mix

While WFH has changed the rules about how we work, at a recent Zoom breakfast for accountants, just one-third of participants said they were actively considering whether they wished to continue to work for their current organisation. No doubt the number who actually decide to move will be even lower.

There is a belief that organisations will find a way to work, and that a balance can be struck. If not, sure, people will consider leaving. But remember: WFH is just one consideration among many, including pay and benefits, career prospects, culture and more.

At the individual level, ‘how I work’ is easier to tackle than the ‘career question’. We know what we like. We know what works for us. For most accountants, the new workplace will be a hybrid model of remote and office work. We will meet in person for brainstorming, creative work and where on-the-job collaboration is required. Other tasks will be carried out remotely – the big WFH experiment has already proved that this works. Getting the mix right will pose challenges and require negotiation, and there will be bumps along the way.

The career question

Questions such as ‘Am I in the right career?’ or ‘Why do I do what I do?’ are more complex. They introduce both opportunities and risks. Values and perspective are again key drivers.

I spoke with some accountants recently on the question of making a career change. Some felt a little disaffected and stressed out while working from home, yet there was very little appetite to look for an alternative career path. Why?

Most mentioned wider considerations, such as impact on family, future opportunities, managing mortgages and the risks that a career change could bring. There was also a recognition that they have invested heavily in terms of time, money and commitment in getting to where they are now. This will not be relinquished easily, and applies equally to accountants without family and financial obligations.

‘How we work’ will continue to evolve. And, while there will be some resignations from individual workplaces, there will be far fewer leaving the profession as a whole.