Holiday Blues or a Career Cue? How to Tell the Difference.
We’ve all been there: that sinking feeling on a Sunday night after a long break. You’ve spent the last two weeks switching off, but as the Monday morning alarm approaches, the "back-to-work" nerves feel heavier than usual.
For public practice accounting professionals, the start of 2026 brings a unique set of questions. Is it just the standard post-holiday slump, or is your gut telling you that your current role has reached its expiry date?
While a vacation is a great way to recharge, it also provides the mental distance needed to see your career clearly. In an era of rapid digital transformation and shifting client expectations, staying in the wrong firm isn't just frustrating, it’s a risk to your professional longevity.
Here are four signs that it’s time to stop browsing and start moving.
1. The Learning Plateau: Are You Coasting or Growing?
If you can predict every task in your week down to the hour, you aren't growing. You’re coasting. In the past, "stability" was a valid goal; in 2026, agility is your most valuable asset.
With AI-driven tools now handling routine data entry and basic reconciliations, your value in public practice lies in Business Advisory, Tax Strategy, and CFO Advisory. If your current firm isn't integrating these tools or giving you the space to master them, your skills are depreciating. Staying static in a tech-forward market is the fastest way to see your career stall.
2. The Value Gap: Advisory and Strategy
Does your firm’s 2026 vision align with the reality of the industry? The Australian accounting landscape has shifted. Clients no longer want just a tax return; they want a partner who can provide real-time insights and strategic direction.
If you are working for a firm that treats CFO Advisory or Insolvency as minor "add-ons" rather than core service lines, you are missing out on the most sought-after experience in the current market. Being part of a forward-thinking firm ensures you are at the forefront of the industry’s most critical developments.
3. The "Monday Dread" Test: Burnout vs. Firm Culture
It’s important to distinguish between what you do and where you do it.
The Post-Holiday Slump: You feel tired because you’ve had a great break and need to find your rhythm again. This usually fades within a few days.
The "Monday Dread": You feel a deep sense of anxiety or resentment regardless of your actual workload.
Is it the work you hate, or the environment? If your firm lacks transparency, offers no flexibility in a hybrid world, or still celebrates a "burnout-as-a-badge-of-honor" culture, a holiday won't fix it. A change of scenery is often the only cure for a firm culture that no longer fits your life.
4. The Market Reality: The Cost of Staying
With demand for Senior Accountants and Managers at an all-time high in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, the "cost of staying" might be higher than you think.
In 2026, firms are competing fiercely for talent. They are offering more than just higher salaries; they are providing accelerated pathways to Partnership, diverse project exposure in Business Advisory, and genuine work-life integration. If you’ve been in the same role for over two years without a significant shift in responsibility or compensation, you are likely trailing behind the market average.
Ready for a Career Reset?
If you’ve realised that your "holiday blues" are actually a sign that you’ve outgrown your current position, don’t wait for the next long weekend to take action.
Hedley Scott Recruitment offers confidential career conversations for public practice professionals looking to make their next strategic move. Whether you’re looking to specialise in Tax Advisory or find a firm that leads in CFO Advisory, we can help you navigate the 2026 landscape.
Contact our team today to discuss current opportunities in Public Practice.