3 minutes with Heather Arnold FCCA, The Mindful Accountant

Burnout nearly pushed Heather Arnold FCCA out of accountancy altogether. Instead, it set her on a path that would change not just her own career, but the way she helps other accountants work. We caught up with The Mindful Accountant to find out what sustainable practice really looks like.

You’ve worked in corporate finance, run your own practice, and trained as a mindfulness teacher. At what point did those worlds collide?

When I was working in a busy corporate organisation as a management accountant, studying for my final ACCA exams. I was under a lot of pressure, struggling to cope and on the brink of giving up. Then I discovered mindfulness through a friend. After seeing the benefit it had on myself, I decided to share it with my colleagues and then trained as a Mindfulness Teacher.

What does a calmer, more sustainable career in accountancy look like?

It means having a work-life balance and moving away from the culture of always being on. Setting clear boundaries to yourself and others regarding the hours that you work which means protecting your personal time, especially during non-peak periods.

Has mindfulness changed the way you work as an accountant yourself – your focus, your client relationships, how you manage your day?

Absolutely, my focus has improved hugely since I started building breaks into my day, whether that’s a short breathing exercise, some gentle movement, or a longer meditation. I’m also far less reactive now and I feel like I have the tools to stay calm even in the most stressful situations. Flexible working has also given me more control over my schedule, and I’m now much more intentional about working with clients who respect my time and share my values.

What’s the one thing you wish every accountant knew about mindfulness?

Scientific research shows that even just a few minutes a day can rewire how your brain responds to stress, you don’t need to overhaul your life to feel the benefit.

What was the biggest highlight from your seminar at Accountex London?

Getting a full audience of people sitting and standing to meditate at the end just for three minutes in busy noisy conference hall was amazing. It proved that anyone, anywhere, can find stillness if given the space to try.

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