Episode 111

Depression & Mental Health In the World of Accountancy

Andy Salkeld is a former accountant (Big 4), corporate financier and business intelligence specialist who seemed to have it all. But Andy lives with depression and has been suicidal. Now an investor co-owner of a small business, he speaks and writes openly about mental health and depression in professional life. Shownotes:

  • How we often introduce ourselves as what we do, not who we are, which doesn't always create honest conversations
  • How the perceived stigma of mental health affects professionals like accountants
  • The competitive 'Darwinian' nature of professions that involve the mind - the survival of the fittest
  • The huge pressures accountants are under in building their career, and why any sign of weakness can be detrimental
  • How good or not accountants are at handling change, disruption and pressure
  • Much of a professional's self worth, identity and acceptance is wrapped up in what they can do, not who they are
  • How accountancy is like football in being a performance business with massive pressure to get results
  • How accounting firm leaders and cultures are rarely equipped to deal with admissions of mental health and stress
  • In a data driven industry, it's hard to make decisions about complex emotions inherent in mental health
  • How a greater acceptance of mental health and liberation of views has led to a better understanding of the impacts
  • In accounting firms, people (and leaders) do genuinely care but don't always know how to help with mental health
  • The importance of sharing your struggles and vulnerabilities in work situations, especially if you're in a leadership role
  • Nobody has all the answers, especially in times of great disruption and uncertainty
  • One example of the chain of events that might lead someone to take their own life
  • The song lyric that turned a suicidal depressive's life around to now helping other professionals deal with mental health
  • The role of therapists and counsellors in helping you articulate complex emotions and situation

When not working, Andy loves playing board games, listening to ska and pop-punk music and cooking. He lives with his cat Pika – named after a Pokémon – in Leeds, UK. Recently he has been teaching himself music from no prior knowledge using only a GameBoy. You can reach him here...

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About the Podcast

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Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.

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About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown is the founder and host of the Accounting Voices Podcast, the flagship solo show of the Accounting Voices Network. Each episode offers sharp analysis and commentary on the trends, ideas and people shaping the global accounting profession.

Through this Accounting Voices Podcast, Rob helps accounting firm leaders, decision makers and professionals stay relevant and make sense of disruption in areas like AI, automation, M&A, private equity and soft skills beyond the tech. His perspective blends clarity, insight and curiosity, making complex issues relevant and practical for professionals and decision makers across accounting and finance.

He also leads two monthly panel shows, Accounting M&A and Accounting AI, which bring together senior voices to explore consolidation, strategy and the impact of technology on firms and people.

Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and a TEDx speaker whose talk The Personal Brand of You has more than 400,000 views. Over his career he has hosted and moderated more than 1,000 conversations with accounting and fintech leaders worldwide.

Based in Nottingham UK, Rob is a stroke survivor living with epilepsy, a black belt in kickboxing, a decent chess player and an average player of four musical instruments.