In recent years, the accounting profession has experienced a profound transformation that goes well beyond AI and the allure of private equity and has paved the way for a new era in accounting—one characterized by a connection to spiritual development and turning inward to explore what makes up a more fulfilling, meaningful life.

In this article, we’ll explore the two key phases of the spiritual transformative journey—the “dark night of the soul” and subsequent “start of a new life”—and offer insights and guidance for CPA firms that desire to differentiate their culture by becoming the best place to grow—personally and professionally.

What is Dark Night of the Soul?

The “dark night of the soul” is a metaphorical journey through a challenging and transformative phase where one begins to question everything. It’s common to feel confused, overwhelmed and lost during this period, which demands deep introspection, a re-evaluation of meaning, and a contemplation of one’s habitual ways of thinking, acting and feeling.

As holistic psychologist Dr. Nicole LaPera puts it, the dark night of the soul occurs when “we stop living out of our autopilot programming. …(When) we start to realize we’ve been conditioned to perform, achieve and to seek external things to make us happy or feel worthy of being loved.”

This is a pivotal moment in the evolution of self, prompting a deeper exploration of purpose and significance in one’s professional and personal journey.

Insights From a Professional Coach on the Awakening of Accountants

At Conscious Public Accountants, we see the awakening taking place within the accounting community. Through coaching engagements that span from staff to managing partners and CFOs we witness accountants navigating the challenges of their personal “dark night.”

Prior to COVID, our coaching clients sought support for external goals like pay raises, job promotions and growing a book of business. COVID changed that. A 2021 New York Times article highlighted individuals leaving prestigious jobs to pursue their passions. This signaled a realization that the status quo was no longer sustainable and noted a theme: “The pandemic changed my priorities, and I realized I didn’t have to live like this.”

Real Talk: No One Wants to be Working Like We Have Been

Mandatory Saturdays, 55+ billable hour workweeks and responding to client emails within 24 hours are nothing more than programmed beliefs about how work should be done. The pandemic exposed the flaws in our beliefs about what a “good” work ethic looks and sounds like. It revealed our profession needs to work smarter, not harder.

Spiritual awakenings are challenging and imperative; they force us to recognize the ineffectiveness of our behaviors. Consciousness precedes choice, and choice precedes change. When accountants awaken to what is no longer working, the opportunity to become greater emerges.

Start of a New Life

Since COVID, the focus of our coaching engagements has turned inward as clients seek a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Coaching sessions have become introspective where clients explore bigger questions, such as:

• What work is most meaningful to me?

• How can I grow my career without sacrificing my soul?

• Who is the leader I want to consciously become? 

It takes deep courage and internal strength to navigate this transformative journey. These new-world leaders face the challenge of forging new paths, aspire to deliver services that have never existed and yearn to manage their practices very differently. But their novel ideas are often met with confusion or resistance. They want to live a more balanced lifestyle, but don’t know how. The necessary behavioral changes are hard to put into practice when one has never witnessed them.

Heightened Awareness and How CPA Firms are Holding Space for This Transformation

As accountants embark on this new era, they bring with them a heightened awareness that transcends the traditional confines of their profession and positions them to contribute to a more ethical, responsible and interconnected world. CPA firms can play a crucial role in this transformation by creating environments that foster personal development, encourage purpose-driven approaches and cultivate a culture where individuals feel safe expressing their deepest truths.

At Conscious Public Accountants, we believe personal development significantly enhances business results. And to effectively lead another, one must start with effective leadership of their own self.

In today’s distributed work environment, personal connections take a back seat in virtual meetings, which tend to focus on what people are doing and not on getting to know one another on a personal level. Do you remember what it was like to sit next to someone and hear or observe what was really going on in their life? Colleagues who connect with one another on a deeper level of life are more committed to their roles, which leads to higher productivity and better business outcomes.

Creating the Container for Personal Development

CPA firms that create containers for personal development empower their employees to explore what they really want to do with their life—and create risk-free spaces for employees to share these dreams. And we’ve seen that, while initially perceived as risky, this approach benefits everyone. Your future leaders awaken to their highest level of contribution. They see possibilities for creating something the firm needs but doesn’t yet have or even see. These shared conversations about what is possible evolve the consciousness of the self and teams.

Conclusion

As the accounting profession undergoes this transformation, each phase—from the dark night of the soul to the inception of a new life—unveils deeper understanding of purpose and interconnectedness. This journey enhances the professional lives of accountants and contributes to a positive evolution of the industry.

By recognizing and embracing these transformative elements, the accounting profession is poised for a future that surpasses conventional norms, unlocks untapped potential and creates more meaningful and fulfilling working environments for all involved.