The Hidden Reason You're Exhausted | ARC

Discover the link between triggers, burnout, and the power of saying “not right now.”

Accounting ARC

With Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto

Center for Accounting Transformation

Let’s be honest: the accounting profession isn’t exactly known for work-life balance. Long hours, tax season sprints, and "just one more thing" emails can leave even the most seasoned pros teetering on the edge of burnout.

In this episode of ARC, hosts Liz Mason, CPA; Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA, confront that edge—and explain why healthy boundaries are more than just trendy jargon. They're essential tools for staying sane, productive, and professionally respected.

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“Burnout is basically professional depression,” says Mason, CEO of High Rock Accounting. “If you find yourself triggered, angry, or exhausted at work all the time, there’s a good chance your boundaries are being violated—and you might not even realize it.”

From protecting their calendars to setting clear expectations with clients and teams, the ARC crew shares how they’ve each developed personal systems that work for them, not just their inboxes. And while TikTok may glamorize the “just say no” mentality, the hosts caution against confusing boundaries with avoidance.

Originally published May 29, 2025.