90% of accountants want this... are you one of them?

How is public practice really doing??

The 2024-2025 research report from Sage, titled ‘The Practice of Now’, pulls back the curtain on the biggest shifts in the sector and shines a light on how accountants and bookkeepers are truly feeling.??

But what makes this report so important??

It’s not just a list of statistics – it's a call to action.?

In the face of digital transformation, heightened client demands, and a competitive job market, Sage's message is clear: those who embrace change and seize opportunities will thrive.??

From groundbreaking advancements in technology to evolving client expectations and a fresh look at workplace culture, Sage’s report offers an unfiltered view of public practice.?

For this study, Sage interviewed 1,000 accountants and bookkeepers to assess the overall attitudes and ambitions of the public practice workforce.??

Here’s a dive into the key insights and takeaways that both accountants and firms should acknowledge.?

Accountants need more wellbeing support?

With 96% of respondents saying their work has significantly shifted in the past five years, and 80% feeling worried about the future of their role, it’s no wonder there’s a mental health crisis within public practice.?

Sage’s report found that 86% of accountants and bookkeepers are feeling burnout, with 25% of those seriously considering leaving their job next year.?

Contributing factors to industry-wide low morale include ‘long hours, pressure to keep up with changing tax laws, and the need to meet clients’ complex financial needs.’?

Interestingly, a lot of respondents say that ‘new technologies, while beneficial, introduce a learning curve that many find overwhelming.’??

Sage summarises that these challenges explain why only 50% of accountants and bookkeepers feel successful in their roles.??

While a career in accountancy can be lucrative, it’s important to remember that it’s a high-stress, high-stake environment. Tight deadlines, piling workloads and difficult clients take their mental toll, and firms need to offer the right support to ensure their staff feel looked after.??

Accountants are excited for the future?

Despite the general sense of burnout and low morale within public practice, accountants are looking ahead with optimism – 96%, in fact.??

While they face challenges, 97% say "they are satisfied with their roles and the industry”.??

Sage argues that this surge of optimism can be attributed to how the role of accountants and bookkeepers has evolved to “becoming strategic advisors who help shape their clients’ futures”.??

AI is opening a new window of opportunity for public practice. Firms are stepping away from traditional, time-consuming methods and focusing their efforts on streamlining processes. This comes as great news for the 92% of respondents that agree they currently spend too much time on manual tasks, with 85% of those wishing for more opportunities in advisory work.?

Speaking more specifically, accountants and bookkeepers say they want to spend more time in:?

• 44% strategy to grow their practice?

• 44% implementing new tech and systems?

• 42% managing and engaging with new clients?

Accountants want to upskill??

As public practice continues to take new shape, there’s a huge demand from accountants and bookkeepers for further learning opportunities.??

Sage’s report has found that 56% of those surveyed are worried that they “don’t have the right skills to succeed in the industry in the future, with 7 in 10 worried about the need to improve their skills surrounding technologies in particular.”?

As well as this, 90% of accountants and bookkeepers believe that “if their teams could focus on their development, it would make a significant difference.”??

But here at Public Practice Recruitment Ltd, we’ve done our own digging.??

We recently released a poll on LinkedIn, asking our network if they feel like they need to reskill in 2025.??

Here’s the results:?

• 33% voted ‘Maybe, I’m considering it’?

• 31% voted ‘Yes, definitely!’?

• 28% voted ‘No, I’m confident in my skills’?

• 9% voted ‘Not sure, I need more info’?

“With so many accountants on the fence or feeling the need to reskill in 2025, it’s clear that the sector’s evolution is on everyone’s mind. It’s exciting to see 31% embracing the idea, while 33% are open to exploring it. Even for those confident in their skills, there’s still room to keep growing as the field changes. There's a sense of re-evaluation across the accountants and firms we work with, which is a healthy position to be in as candidates look at the future of their careers and the value they can bring to clients.” - Garry Howling, Managing Director of Public Practice Recruitment Ltd.?

Accountants want to lean into AI?

We’ve spoken at length about how AI is transforming public practice. While the crowd still remains slightly divided on the ethics surrounding AI, there’s no question of its ability to increase productivity, accuracy and profitability.??

72% of accountants and bookkeepers say that “their team spends too much time on manual tasks over more strategic or advisory tasks”, with 66% saying “their current workload gets in the way of serving their clients’ needs”.??

Sage claims that “overwork, stress and likelihood of burnout will be reduced, helping accountants and bookkeepers to protect their mental health and strike a better work-life balance”, and we couldn’t agree more.??

However, despite the overwhelming majority (89%) of those surveyed saying that AI-powered tools would make a huge difference to their practice, only 39% say they’re already doing it.??

“I imagine a future where all financial data is automatically entered, classified, and analysed in real time, eliminating manual data entry and human errors, and improve work efficiency and accuracy.” - A surveyed Senior Accountant at a large practice.

Accountants want to build closer client relationships?

Only 21% of accountants and bookkeepers would describe their current role as “human” or “personal”.?

In a field that’s all about people, this statistic seems contradictory, and 89% of those surveyed agree – with 85% saying “they wish they had more time connecting with clients and their challenges.”?

On top of that, 85% “also wish they had more opportunity to do advisory work in their current role.”?

This is where AI comes in, offering an opportunity to reshape the day-to-day for accountants.

By automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks like data entry, report generation, and even some compliance work, AI has the power to free up accountants’ time, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: building relationships and providing valuable insights.?

1 in 4 accountants are “seriously considering leaving their job in the next year”?

This statistic may be one of the most shocking out of all Sage’s data...?

But perhaps not so shocking for those working in the field.?

As stress and burnout runs rampant across public practice, 1 in 4 of accountants and bookkeepers are “seriously” looking to change jobs in 2025.??

With mounting demands, the rise of tech-driven roles, and the ever-increasing need for flexibility and work-life balance, it’s clear that many professionals are re-evaluating what they want from their career.?

Are you one of the 25% thinking about what’s next??

At Public Practice Recruitment Ltd, we understand that making a move isn’t just about landing a new role; it’s about finding a firm where you feel truly valued and supported.??

We work with progressive practices across the UK, matching accountants with firms that recognise the importance of balance, development, and a positive workplace culture.?

Ready to make a career move to a firm that prioritises your wellbeing and future growth??

Take the first step by contacting our team today.??

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