Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is relatively high in adults, according to a recent study by Psychiatry Research. In fact, there are as many as 3.10 percent of adults living with the condition, according to the study, Accounting Today reported.
The study defined ADHD as a complicated neurodevelopmental disorder that is related to age-inappropriate hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. The condition can impact both the private and public areas of life, including work.
Accountants have not been spared, with an increasing number of professionals talking about how ADHD has affected their lives, Accounting Today reported, citing a Reddit thread inquiring about ADHD in accountants that has 141 comments. The publication also cited thought leaders, including the hosts of The Accounting Podcast, Sabrina Parris and Blake Oliver, who have been vocal about their experience with ADHD.
These examples prove that a good number of accountants may be suffering from this condition and that it is possible to thrive as an accountant, even with ADHD.
As a response, Accounting Today created a resource with practical tips and resources for accounting industry professionals with ADHD.
Although ADHD has some advantages, including creativity, hyperfocus, high energy, and the ability to think outside the box, it can also mean facing some challenges, including difficulty organizing and prioritizing tasks. Accountants with this condition might find it challenging to stay on top of deadlines and handle many projects at once.
Time management and sustained concentration might also be issues, given that practicing accounting demands long periods of intense focus on detailed financial information. Accountants with ADHD might have a more challenging time remaining focused in these cases, which could result in consequential errors or omissions.
They could experience sensory overload in a typical accounting setting characterized by continuous background noise, visual stimuli and high pressure, causing them to be overwhelmed and feel anxious.
Another issue is getting easily distracted and bored, given that some accounting tasks, including data entry and reviewing financial statements, can be rudimentary.
Strategies to Respond to ADHD
These different challenges can affect accountants’ job performance and their well-being. However, if given the appropriate strategies and support, it is possible to overcome these obstacles while succeeding as an accountant.
Through planning and organization, accountants can avoid mistakes, meet deadlines and satisfy clients’ demands. The following tools and strategies can make organization possible even with ADHD: using mind maps and to-do lists with deadlines, breaking down big projects into more manageable pieces, and using project management software.
Given that individuals with ADHD lose track of time and fall behind schedule, time management becomes critical. Steps include setting realistic deadlines and time blocks for tasks and applying the Pomodoro Technique. This technique involves working in focused bursts followed by short breaks through its Pomofocus tool. Another way to manage time is to set timers and alarms to stay on track.
Given that accounting tasks can be repetitive, those with ADHD must find ways to stay motivated. Strategies for that include turning work into a game, leaning into one's strengths, and taking breaks.
Being an accountant means collaboration and communication with co-workers, managers and clients. Steps that could help accountants with ADHD in this area include being honest about their challenges by expressing needs and explaining how specific accommodations, such as a quiet workspace and certain productivity tools, can help. They can also use written communication to document their requests and avoid misunderstandings.
Utilizing tools to stay on track during meetings, such as note-taking apps, to retain critical information is also helpful. In social settings, they should try to listen and avoid interrupting while somebody else is speaking actively.
To manage sensory overload, accountants with ADHD can adjust workspace lighting and temperature for comfort, spend time outdoors and use noise-canceling headphones or earplugs.
ADHD is not a weakness, Accounting Today stressed. With the support from managers and employers, accountants with ADHD can use their strengths to become assets to their firms. The toolkit from Accounting Today is simply a starting point because each person's experience with ADHD is unique. Experimenting with different strategies might be helpful in finding what works best. In addition, accountants with ADHD could seek help from a qualified mental health professional or ADHD coach.