Middle managers are breaking

AI is triggering client discounts. Burnout is driving out your best people. And the firms winning right now? They’re rethinking what value actually means. 

Forget pizza Fridays. One former Big 4 pro is calling out the real reasons middle managers are burning out—and what leaders are missing. Meanwhile, automation bragging just backfired, and your clients probably don’t know how much 401(k)s could save them.

If you’re still trying to solve modern problems with old playbooks, you’re already behind.

AI agents explained. What do bookkeepers really think about Intuit Assist? Veronica Wasek of 5 Minute Bookkeeping shares her take.

Fraudsters don't take a summer vacation. The IRS drops summer security tips to help tax pros stay on the defensive.

That's what you call a backfire. When a Big 4 firm bragged about automation, clients asked for a discount.

Melio gets merged. Xero snaps up Melio to boost bill pay game.

Burnout isn't a badge of honor

We'll say it: Accounting isn't exactly known for its work-life balance. But that doesn't mean burnout should be baked into the business model.

Enter Lauren Baptiste, CPA, a former Big 4 pro turned coach and founder of Acheloa Wellness. With over a decade in public accounting and a mission to help firms keep their best people from hitting a wall, Baptiste is pulling back the curtain on what's really driving burnout. Hint: it's not the lack of pizza parties. 

This fall, she is launching “Retained by Choice,” an online training program to support middle management professionals from the effects of burnout. In this candid Q&A with The Net Gains, she shares red flags firm leaders should watch for, why middle managers are often left behind and how to build a career that doesn't come at the cost of your health. —Janet Berry-Johnson

How does burnout affect a firm’s ability to hire and retain top talent? Are there any early signs firm leaders should pay attention to?

Burnout is one of the most costly and under-addressed challenges in accounting. Firms spend heavily on hiring without realizing they’re onboarding already-burned-out professionals. Retention (not recruitment) is where the real ROI is.

Burnout is especially prevalent in middle management, where experienced seniors, managers and senior managers are expected to “figure it out” without support. They’re overworked, undertrained and constantly navigating ever-changing demands. 

Early signs vary from professional to professional but can include sarcasm, frequently complaining to peers, the first “less-than” performance review or an uptick in sick days. Subtler cues include delayed client responses or emotional withdrawal at team events.

What shifts can accounting firms make in their work environment or leadership style to reduce burnout risk and increase long-term retention?

Firms often try quick fixes (i.e., happy hours, swag or Pizza Fridays), but these are just band-aids that fail to address the actual problem. To reduce burnout and retain top talent, they must focus on actual solutions. That starts with listening to middle management and taking immediate, meaningful action.

To solve burnout, leaders must address the root cause of stress: chronic understaffing, lack of training and unrealistic workloads. “Transformational support” means fixing the system, not just the symptoms. A resilient firm culture helps professionals thrive, not just survive.

When developing talent, how can firm leaders support women who are balancing high-performance expectations with personal and family responsibilities?

Many women, especially at the leadership level, carry the mental load both at home and at work. They’re the ones fielding doctor calls, managing family logistics and tying up loose ends at work. It’s no wonder they often feel like they’re failing at both. The answer isn’t to lower the bar; it’s to provide actual support that provides them the tools to thrive.

Coaching and personal development programs help women build capacity without personal sacrifice. Leaders also need to model healthier ways to lead, because no one wants to follow in the footsteps of a burned-out partner who never sees their family.

What advice would you give to accountants and bookkeepers who want to grow their careers or their teams but don’t want to sacrifice their health or happiness in the process?

Take ownership. Your firm won’t save you; neither will the government or your spouse. I learned this the hard way in 2013 after I burned out and landed in the ER. I was part of the problem: saying yes to everything, striving for A+ workpapers and staying silent when I needed help. The shame set me back, financially and emotionally.

Burnout recovery starts with self-awareness and action. Most of my clients come to me on their own because they know their career and health are their responsibility, not someone else’s.

Be the benefits whisperer

In a recent episode of the Earmark Podcast, Justin Kurn of Dark Horse CPAs and Julia Miller from Gusto lay out a case for why accountants should step up as employee benefits advisors.

Turns out, small businesses offering 401(k)s see 40% less turnover, but most never hear a peep about it from their CPA. From spotting the right moment to start the conversation to deciphering the cost of benefits, this episode is packed with practical insights to boost your value and your revenue.

Why this matters: Helping clients offer benefits isn't just good karma. It's a smart way to deepen relationships and grow your advisory income. (Earmark Podcast)

Is your cyber game all metrics, no maturity?

Tracking cybersecurity efforts shouldn't just be a numbers game. So says Joel Lanz, CPA and adjunct professor at NYU Stern School of Business.

While executives love a tidy dashboard or key performance indicator (KPI) scorecard, maturity models, like those from NIST or COBIT, offer a more balanced, long-term view of how well an organization is actually managing cyber risk. The takeaway? Smart firms are moving beyond red-yellow-green heat maps and asking tougher questions about their actual readiness.

Why this matters: Cyber threats don't care about your KPIs. Mature programs make firms more resilient and more credible to clients, insurers and regulators. (The CPA Journal)

12.7%

Increase in the total cost of a typical grocery trip for a cookout since President Trump's sweeping tariff announcement in April. Bad news for summer barbecues. (CNBC)

• Got newlywed clients? Check out this slideshow before filing their first joint tax return
• Great CFOs nail the numbers and own the boardroom
• Stop chasing KPIs and start measuring what actually fuels growth
• Tech budgets are bloated, but business goals miss the memo
• CFOs aren't panicking. They're planning their way through the gloom

Financial reporting's getting a makeover

Corporate reporting might be in for a glow-up. Emerging tech like AI, automation and ESG data platforms are streamlining the reporting process and fundamentally changing what gets reported and how it gets interpreted. Think real-time dashboards instead of quarterly data dumps and a shift from financial statements to full-blown "value narratives" that include environmental and social impact. The result? A more holistic (and arguably more chaotic) picture of business health that stakeholders actually want to read.

Why this matters: As client expectations evolve, they'll need more than debits and credits. They'll need translators, advisors and tech-savvy pros who can help them tell the story behind the spreadsheet. And if you're not ready to evolve? There's an AI tool somewhere that is. (AccountancyAge)

The Net Gains is your one-stop shop for fresh, FREE accounting insights. You can reach the newsletter team at thenetgains@mynewsletter.co. We enjoy hearing from you.

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The Net Gains is curated and written by Janet Berry-Johnson and edited by Bianca Prieto.