This toolkit brings together practical tools, learning resources, and reflective exercises to help you recognize stress and burnout, take proactive steps to prevent them, and manage their impact when demands are high. Whether you are noticing early warning signs or already feeling overwhelmed, these resources are designed to support resilience, protect mental well‑being, and encourage sustainable performance at work and beyond. Use the toolkit in the way that best fits your current needs. There is no required order, and even small actions can make a meaningful difference.
Disclaimer: This resource was prepared by CPA Assist as non-authoritative guidance. CPA Assist does not accept responsibility or liability that might occur directly or indirectly as a consequence of the use or application of, or reliance, on this material. Some links lead to other websites, resources, or tools maintained by third parties over whom CPA Assist has no control. CPA Assist makes no representations or warranties regarding, and does not endorse, any linked website, the contents thereof, the information appearing thereon or any of the products or services described thereon. Links do not imply that CPA Assist sponsors, endorses, or is affiliated or associated with the entity that owns or is responsible for any linked website.
This section explains what workplace stress and burnout are, how they differ, and why they matter. The resources explore common signs, causes, and impacts they can have on mental health, performance, and overall well-being. Developing a clear understanding of these concepts, and recognizing how they may show up for you, is an important first step toward taking informed, meaningful action.
The Surprising Difference Between Stress and Burnout
An article highlighting the difference between stress and burnout.
Read MoreCCOHS: Mental Health – Job Burnout
An overview from CCOHS that explains what job burnout is, common causes and warning signs, and its impact on mental health and workplace well‑being.
Read MoreWhat is Stress and What Can I Do About it
An online article that explains what stress is, common causes and symptoms, and practical steps you can take to manage it more effectively.
Read MoreIs Your Organization at Risk for Burnout?
A tool to help assess your organizations’ response to work-related stress
Read MoreThe Neuroscience of Burnout: Understanding and Mitigating Burnout in the Workplace
A webinar exploring the neuroscience behind burnout and its impact and providing strategies to manage and reduce it effectively.
Read MoreStressAssess
A survey to anonymously gather information and improve the psychosocial factors in a work environment.
Read MoreWork-Life Balance Quiz
A tool designed to help you evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of your current work–life balance.
Read MoreThis section focuses on proactive strategies to reduce the risk of burnout before it develops. It includes tools to identify early warning signs, set healthy boundaries, and build sustainable habits and resilience over time.
Setting Healthy Boundaries at Work
A resource for understanding how to set healthy boundaries to boost mental well-being, foster self-care, balance work and life, and enhance energy and focus in…
Read MoreManaging Client Expectations for Accountants
An article on how clear expectations around scope, timelines, communication, and deliverables reduce stress, prevent scope creep, and support sustainable practice.
Read MoreSelf-care: The Number One Protective Factor
A webinar describing a framework for leadership self-care that includes practical guidance for improving and maintaining emotional well-being.
Read MorePlan for Resilience: Workplace Edition
A resource to help you move from surviving to thriving by helping you build resilience and plan for stressful situations.
Read MoreMind Tricks: Why do we do things that we know are not good for us
A webinar that explores the psychology behind habits and decision‑making, helping you understand why stress can undermine good intentions and how small mindset shifts can…
Read MoreFind Out Your Burnout Score
An online index quiz to assess your level of burnout for early warning and monitoring of your current level of job burnout.
Read MorePrevent Burnout
Strategies to help identify risks and prevent burnout for yourself from Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.
Read MoreFitness & Nutrition
Read MoreThis section provides practical support for when stress is already affecting you. It offers tools and strategies to help you cope, regain balance, and restore energy during high-pressure or overwhelming periods.
Managing Burnout and Stress
Strategies to manage stress, prevent burnout, and spot warning signs and practical tools to safeguard mental well-being during busy times.
Read MoreStrengthening Your Response to Stress
A webinar about managing stress effectively, recognizing its causes and symptoms, and implementing strategies to positively strengthen your response and well-being.
Read MoreSnuffing out Burnout: Five Ways to Build Better Resilience in Times of Stress
Five strategies to help manage stress during busy or high-stress period so it doesn’t manifest into larger health problems.
Read More7 Helpful Ways to Manage Overwhelming Stress
An article that explores stress management and how to make stress more manageable.
Read MoreBack-to-Sanity: Finding Calm Amidst Back-to-School Stress
A webinar offering practical strategies to cope with heightened stress during demanding life transitions.
Read MoreLearning to Rebalance: Practicing Self-care as a CPA and Parent
A personal story that explores running on empty and the importance of prioritizing self‑care, offering validation and insight for those seeking to rebalance during demanding…
Read MoreWorking While Stressed or Ill
Information on how to work successfully while living with addiction, anxiety, depression, menopause, or stress.
Read MoreIs there anything missing, or any aspect of this toolkit that could make it even more useful for you? We’d love to hear your thoughts—email us at contact@cpa-assist.ca.
CPA Assist provides confidential counselling services and 24/7 crisis support to Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Nunavut CPAs, candidates, and their immediate families. To book an appointment through CPA Assist, call 1-855-596-4222.