professionalissues
BY AMBER SETTER , PCC , CPA ( INACTIVE )
The Dawn of a New Era
The Profession — and its People — Undergo Transformation in recent years , the accounting profession has experienced a profound transformation that goes well beyond AI and the allure of private equity and has paved the way for a new era in accounting — one characterized by a connection to spiritual development and turning inward to explore what makes up a more fulfilling , meaningful life .
In this article , we ’ ll explore the two key phases of the spiritual transformative journey — the “ dark night of the soul ” and subsequent “ start of a new life ”— and offer insights and guidance for CPA firms that desire to differentiate their culture by becoming the best place to grow — personally and professionally .
What is Dark Night of the Soul ? The “ dark night of the soul ” is a metaphorical journey through a challenging and transformative phase where one begins to question everything . It ’ s common to feel confused , overwhelmed and lost during this period , which demands deep introspection , a re-evaluation of meaning , and a contemplation of one ’ s habitual ways of thinking , acting and feeling .
As holistic psychologist Dr . Nicole LaPera puts it , the dark night of the soul occurs when “ we stop living out of our autopilot programming . …( When ) we start to realize we ’ ve been conditioned to perform , achieve and to seek external things to make us happy or feel worthy of being loved .”
This is a pivotal moment in the evolution of self , prompting a deeper exploration of purpose and significance in one ’ s professional and personal journey .
Insights From a Professional Coach on the Awakening of Accountants At Conscious Public Accountants , we
It takes deep courage and internal strength to navigate this transformative journey .
see the awakening taking place within the accounting community . Through coaching engagements that span from staff to managing partners and CFOs we witness accountants navigating the challenges of their personal “ dark night .”
Prior to COVID , our coaching clients sought support for external goals like pay raises , job promotions and growing a book of business . COVID changed that . A 2021 New York Times article highlighted individuals leaving prestigious jobs to pursue their passions . This signaled a realization that the status quo was no longer sustainable and noted a theme : “ The pandemic changed my priorities , and I realized I didn ’ t have to live like this .”
Real Talk : No One Wants to be Working Like We Have Been Mandatory Saturdays , 55 + billable hour workweeks and responding to client emails within 24 hours are nothing more than programmed beliefs about how work should be done . The pandemic exposed the flaws in our beliefs about what a “ good ” work ethic looks and sounds like . It revealed our profession needs to work smarter , not harder .
Spiritual awakenings are challenging and imperative ; they force us to recognize the ineffectiveness of our behaviors . Consciousness precedes choice , and choice precedes change . When accountants awaken to what is no longer working , the opportunity to become greater emerges .
Start of a New Life Since COVID , the focus of our coaching engagements has turned inward as clients seek a more meaningful and fulfilling life . Coaching sessions have become introspective where clients explore bigger questions , such as :
• What work is most meaningful to me ?
• How can I grow my career without sacrificing my soul ?
• Who is the leader I want to consciously become ? It takes deep courage and internal strength to navigate this transformative journey . These new-world leaders face the challenge of forging new paths , aspire to deliver services that have never existed and yearn to manage their practices very differently . But their novel ideas are often met with confusion or resistance . They want to live a more balanced lifestyle , but don ’ t know how . The necessary behavioral changes are hard to put into practice when one has never witnessed them .
Heightened Awareness and How CPA Firms are Holding Space for This Transformation As accountants embark on this new era , they bring with them a heightened awareness that transcends the traditional confines of their profession and positions them to contribute to a more ethical , responsible and interconnected world . CPA firms can play a crucial role in this transformation by creating environments that foster personal development , encourage purpose-driven approaches
10 CALIFORNIA CPA MARCH / APRIL 2024 www . calcpa . org