More than 80% of British accountants suffer
from stress and many are struggling to cope with long hours and a
poor work-life balance, research has found.

The survey found that a quarter of accountants
drink in excess and one in eight have misused drugs in the past
year.

Stress is the biggest issue as many are faced
with excessive demands from employers and are fearful for their
jobs in the unstable economic climate.

The research was conducted by the Chartered
Accountants’ Benevolent Association. It questioned more than a
1,000 accountants and 1,100 students – all members of the Institute
of Chartered Accounts for England and Wales.