CPAs juggle lots of responsibilities, whether for their clients or companies, families and communities. And sometimes getting lost in all that juggling is prioritizing our well-being as a life well-lived—a sense of purpose and meaning. After all, a balanced ledger isn’t just for your clients—it’s for you too.

CPAs are the backbone of the financial world, tasked with managing finances, providing strategic advice—and in some cases, being a confidant to clients. While this speaks well of the “most trusted adviser” moniker associated with CPAs, the demanding nature of the profession can take a toll on your well-being if your not careful. In a profession characterized by tight deadlines, long hours, stress and sedentariness, maintaining well-being is essential for personal health, professional effectiveness and your firm or business.

Consider this: The global wellness economy was valued at $4.9 trillion in 2019, reaching $5.6 trillion in 2022—with predictions from the Global Wellness Institute at $8.5 trillion in 2027.

Knowing this connection between well-being and top performance is why we partner with CalCPA Health on a series of mental health wellness webinars that cover topics like and resiliency and overcoming burnout, and walk you through practical steps to take to help ensure you thrive.

By investing in your well-being—and the well-being of your team members—you can enhance your overall work quality, which leads to better outcomes for clients, employers and the communities we serve.

The importance of employers setting the tone and culture when it comes to valuing well-being can’t be overstated. A supportive workplace environment can significantly impact a CPA’s well-being by providing resources for stress management, promoting a healthy work-life balance and encouraging open communication about mental health. Initiatives such as wellness programs, team-building activities and mental health awareness campaigns can go a long way toward building a supportive and trusted work culture.

What this well-being looks like will be different from firm to firm and individual to individual. Some things to consider: work-life harmony, setting boundaries (yes, even with clients), being active, incorporating computer breaks throughout the day, fostering relationships to ensure you don’t feel alone, getting your sleep (seven to nine hours is the optimum, if you’re wondering) and having interests or hobbies outside the office to take your mind off of deadlines, emails or texts.

So, take a break and give yourself permission to invest in your mental well-being!

We believe in the power of community. What strategies have worked for you? What innovations have you implemented at your workplace? I would love to hear from you! Please share your experiences with me at Denise.Froemming@calcpa.org.