How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome in Accounting

At some point in your studies or career, you might have questioned whether you're truly good enough, but you're not alone. Imposter syndrome is the persistent self-doubt about your ability to do your job despite clear evidence of competence and is something nearly every professional faces.

Whether you’re still studying for your ACA, CIMA, AAT, CIPFA or ACCA, just starting your accountancy career or have years of accounting experience under your belt, imposter syndrome can still make you question your capabilities.

Throughout this blog, we’ll delve into how to overcome imposter syndrome in the accounting sector to believe in yourself as an outstanding accountancy professional.

Acknowledge your feelings

It’s ok to admit that you’re feeling less than confident in your abilities, but if you’re experiencing persistent feelings of inadequacy despite evidence of success, it’s important to understand why you’re feeling this way.

Negative thoughts can be damaging to your mental health and your attitude towards career development. It's crucial that Accountants acknowledge their feelings and accept that it’s common for professionals to have self-doubt. Being aware of your feelings and understanding that you’re experiencing imposter syndrome, can help you push away negative thoughts and feelings.

You’ll realise that there’s no evidence to suggest you aren’t worthy of your career success and that you can achieve great things.

Don’t compare yourself to others

With so many overachievers and so much talent in the accountancy industry, it’s easy to feel like you can’t compete and the worst thing you can do when you doubt your skills, or where you belong, is to compare yourself to others. 

Just because other professionals seem confident or successful doesn’t mean you’re any less capable. Everyone is on a different career path and it’s impossible to evaluate another person's success and understand their experience.

If you’re experiencing feelings of inadequacy or inferiority, don’t let comparison cloud your progress. Concentrate on your own experiences and skills and what you can do to become the best professional version of yourself. Your goals may differ from others and losing sight of this can steer you away from success and satisfaction in your accountancy role.

Practice self care

Between balancing tight deadlines and swiftly evolving technologies, accountancy professionals sometimes have to navigate a stressful and high pressure landscape. Taking care of your mental and physical wellbeing is crucial for your overall health and quality of life and can affect productivity, career development and efficiency.

Imposter syndrome can significantly affect mental health in accountancy practices, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. Stress, isolation and anxiety can all intensify imposter syndrome and practicing self care can positively impact confidence, self esteem and overall performance for accountancy professionals.

Regular exercise, healthy eating and quality sleep can help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and shift negative thoughts and self doubt into a more positive mindset.

Don’t be scared to fail

Imposter syndrome can make even the most capable accountants doubt their skills to the point where they avoid taking on new responsibilities, taking risks or tackling complex tasks.

Accountancy professionals are expected to maintain a high level of accuracy and the pressure to produce perfect work can sometimes result in mistakes. Striving for perfection is pointless as not only is it unattainable but it can be damaging to your mental health and development.

In moments of self doubt, don't give up out of fear that you will fail. If you recently failed your exams, missed out on a promotion, or made a mistake at work, don’t be afraid to try again. Take a break, gather your thoughts and motivation, and keep trying.

You can make improvements and learn from your failures, which will ultimately make you a better accountant. Over time, embracing challenges can help you build your confidence and self belief which can put you in great stead in your accountancy career.

Celebrate your successes

Reframe any negative thoughts by focusing on your strengths and celebrating your accomplishments. Career journey and development is made up of countless small steps and each of these deserves recognition. Being kind to yourself and celebrating your successes, no matter how small, strengthens learning, builds confidence and boosts motivation.

It’s important that accountancy professionals focus on their strengths and progress instead of perceived weaknesses as it can help build mental resilience and push forward even when challenges arise.

By recognising your hard work and commitment, you can feel proud of your accomplishments and boost your confidence in your skills and capabilities. Embrace positive self talk and accept positive feedback from your peers. This creates a more inclusive company culture for all employees to learn and thrive in.