Episode 113. In today's interview, "Mental Resilience for Accountants: Randy Crabtree."

Randy Crabtree is co-founder and partner of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals in the USA. Since 2019, he has hosted the bi-weekly “The Unique CPA,” podcast, which ranks among the world’s 10% most popular programs. (Source: Listen Score). You can find articles from Randy in Accounting Today’s Voices column, the AICPA Tax Adviser . He is a regular presenter at conferences and virtual training events hosted by CPA associations, state CPA societies and top 400 CPA firms across the country.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

◆ why mental health and resilience is especially important for the accounting profession

◆ what is pushing accountants and CPAs into the 'red zone' or threshold of what they can cope with mentally

◆ the physical and mental symptoms of overload in accounting professionals

◆ why the hope that 'a slower day is coming' is false and how things are just getting faster

◆ the challenges for a stable profession like accounting to deal with the changes of a pandemic, a hybrid workplace or even technology

◆ what can happen when accountants start not being able to cope with the physical and mental demands of their job

◆ how a life-changing trauma like a stroke or major illness can alter the direction of one's life

◆ how 'hitting a wall' forces people like accountants to recalibrate life and career

◆ the mental healing that must accompany physical trauma of a major illness or injury

◆ why nobody is immune from life altering situations and how mental health issues are available to all

◆ the impact of mental breakdown, anxiety and panic attacks for professionals like accountants and CPAs

◆ the role of therapists, coaches and counselors for everyone to help deal with mental, emotional and physical difficulties

◆ what sometimes makes handling mental issues more difficult for men than women

◆ breaking the illusion that accountants don't know everything and can't do everything

◆ the importance of having people looking out for you and outlets to confide in when things are going on 'inside'

◆ why it is often harder for loved ones when someone close to them goes through illness, injury or mental health issues

◆ the unique challenges of super smart professionals like accountants who are super busy and under huge pressures

◆ the illusion of success for accountants that come with billing 3000 hours but also huge pressures

◆ strategies for accounting professionals and CPAs to cope with the pressures of work

◆ the importance for accounting firms to hire people with outside interests from 'the work'

◆ shout out to the book "What's Your And? Unlock the Person Within the Professional" by John Garrett

◆ the relevance of fun and enjoyment in non-work activities for accounting professionals and CPAs

◆ how accountants have become therapists, coaches and counselors for their own business clients in these challenging times

Check out Randy's previous interview on here:

"Career Advice for Accountants & CPAs with Randy Crabtree"

https://bit.ly/3K5rRZL

Also check out Randy's interview with Rob for his Unique CPA podcast entitled:

"Changing Your Life for the Better Now"

https://tri-merit.com/podcast/changing-your-life-for-the-better-now

Randy’s perspective took a sharp turn in 2014 when he suffered from a stroke. The path to recovery led him to re-focus on the importance of helping others and incorporating things he was passionate about into everyday life. As co-founder of Tri-Merit, this meant educating others on stroke awareness, early detection and on the simple pleasures in life like craft beer. He is Randy is also President of Stroke Survivors Empowering Each Other (SSEEO) and part-owner in an award-winning craft beer and bottle shop in Chicago, Illinois.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-crabtree-1945a67/

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a CPE-accredited daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.

Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay informed and build your commercial acumen.

Every Wednesday and Friday, we feature an uncut interview with top authors, leaders, thinkers and performers in the accounting and fintech world.

Every Thursday the show gives you a practical 'here's what works' tips concerning a key challenge, need or strategy for accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay current and keep your skills topped up.

Finally, every Saturday gives listeners a bonus episode which focuses on the buyers of accounting services - the clients themselves. In particular how they feel, react to and experience their interactions with accountants. That includes why they buy or don't buy, why they move or stay and why they think how they think about you, your firm, your prices and your offerings.

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