Does using technology decrease burnout? Sometimes. Does it increase burnout? Sometimes. Does it have no effect on burnout one way or another? Also sometimes. It all depends on the individual accountant's relationship with technology.
This is one of the findings in a
The poll found that 35% of accountants have what they called an "adversarial" relationship with technology, which FloQast defines as "a system designed and implemented with the goals, needs and interests of the accountant in mind." These professionals make only grudging use of technology, viewing it more as a hindrance than a resource.
"The accountant experiences a mix of acceptance and dread knowing they are forced to use the technology. It doesn't function the way the accountant needs or in a way that guiding principles require. The accountant must find ways to manipulate the technology or perform redundant work to ensure the job gets done," said the report.
Meanwhile, 29% of accountants have a "routine" relationship with technology, where they use it every day and are more or less indifferent to its presence. They feel it neither adds nor detracts value from their work.
The final group, at 36%, has a "synergistic" relationship with technology, where they view it as an asset that adds value to their work, and see it more as an extension of themselves. They feel they would not be able to do quality work without it.
"In this relationship, it becomes difficult to tell where the accountant's efforts end and the technology's efforts begin. The technology (or, more correctly, the people who designed the technology) has an intimate understanding of how accountants think and work and supports what the accountant is trying to achieve. The accountant benefits from having a true partner in their work," said the report.
The degree to which technology affects professional burnout will vary depending on which of these three relationships they have with it. For those with an adversarial relationship with technology, 37% reported experiencing between "medium-high" to "high" levels of burnout. Those with a routine relationship was at 29%. Of those with a synergistic relationship with technology, only 12% reported similar levels of burnout.
The report also said that one's relationship with technology also affects work-life balance. In response to the question "Thinking about the past 12 months, in how many months did the month-end close have a negative effect on your personal life?" those with a synergistic relationship said two months, while those with a routine relationship reported 3.2 and those with an adversarial relationship said 3.5.
Previous surveys by FloQast showed that almost all (99%) of accountants have experienced some level of burnout, and this contributed to nearly half (49%) of respondents having to reopen the books in three or more months during the last year to fix errors.
