Do accountants outside the US work as long hours as their counterparts in the US typically do?

Accounting professionals worldwide often experience demanding workloads, though the hours and intensity can vary significantly depending on regional practices, cultural norms, and specific roles within the field. While US accountants are known for long work hours, particularly during tax season or quarterly reporting times, non-US accountants may also face comparable demands, albeit influenced by their respective country’s legal, economic, and business environment.

In many European countries, for instance, there might be stricter regulations concerning work-life balance which could result in comparatively shorter working hours. However, in some Asian countries, where there is a strong emphasis on diligence and extended work hours, accountants may work even longer than their US counterparts. Additionally, factors such as specific industry demands and company culture play crucial roles in determining actual working hours. Therefore, while non-US accountants sometimes do work long hours, the extent can significantly vary based on numerous influences intrinsic to each region or country.