Trapped in job my parents pushed me into

[PodgyOwl]

Seeking help as I feel trapped in a job I hate. For background, I'm nearly 30, had controlling parents who threatened to disown me at a young age unless I became a Chartered Accountant or Dr and forced me in to a degree I hated and didn't succeed in.
I live in London and work in an investment bank, earning 60k as an internal auditor. I have kept trying to pass the ACA exams but keep failing. Was hospitalised for 2 months in April in a psychiatric ward as I couldn't cope. Have been having therapy for 10 years but still feel miserable everyday.
My question is, due to mortgage and other bills, I can't afford a pay cut, so that rules out retraining. Have a 2.2 in Finance. There seem to be no jobs out there that will support my bills and that I am qualified for. I feel so trapped. What do I do? I honestly see no way out

Editing to say my boss has noticed I am not productive. I procrastinate all the time as I hate the work. Have been in the job 6 years

How about looking /training as a debt adviser your financial background should really help you

A friend was railroaded into accountancy by his dad, he really hated it - he wanted to retrain as a teacher but didn't want the cut in pay so he became a trainer in accountancy - he seems happier, maybe not perfect but a better choice for him.

I wouldn’t be recommending teaching to some one with signifigant mental health problems. It’s a very stressful career due to high responsbility coupled with low autonomy.

Making a near and long-term plan will be motivating so you know there's an end goal.

make it your priority to live closer to your son. I bet a lot of what you're feeling is because you have a child you can't see due to distance. The best thing you'll ever do for that boy is to put him at the centre of your plans and build a new life so you can get to see him grow up. No time like the present.

youve got skills, you just need to apply them to a different context. People move careers and jobs all the time. Even if you get something to bridge between leaving your current job and a longer term future job, it's all good experience. Good luck,

Write a plan.
House on market.
Look to rent near son.
Get onto job agencies who cover Derbyshire. With your quals there will be jobs or temp work.
Then think about career change options.
Im in civil service and a huge % of colleagues have career changed

Are you part qualified? If so there are more options eg tech audits, cybersecurity / forensic audits, which are super interesting and accountancy firms would be willing to train you up on the tech side with your experience.

If you’re not part qualified and you can’t afford a paycut your only option really is to see if you can do something you want internally or with another investment bank.

Sell up and move to be closer to your child and start rebuilding that relationship. Counselling would seem needed, speak with GP / MH team and try and live your life for you not for others.

How about payroll or finance for a local authority in an area close to your son? Or school finance or business manager? I'm sure you have lots of transferable skills and might enjoy the change of environment (and decent pension and holidays- working in a school might enable you to cover school holidays and share care of your son in future)