[username101]

This is a venting/advice seeking post:

I’m currently working at a Big 4 (started last Oct.) I started studying for the exam last summer and have passed one section so far (FAR). When I started my job, I was pretty excited to get into the real world and be a functional member of society. However, this jobs leaves me feeling completely empty at the end of the day. I’ve looked into other careers in accounting and have spoken to other professionals, and I’ve realized I just need to get out of this profession or I will end up clinically depressed (seriously). I took this job because for a recent graduate the pay was great and it is a highly regarded place to work.

Right now I’m struggling with whether I still want to continue with this process. If I do, I know there are countless hours of studying and stress ahead of me. Whenever I sit down to study, it seems like there’s a voice in my head trying to understand why I’m putting myself through this misery.

I mean no disrespect to those in this field, as have many colleagues who truly enjoy this profession and are working towards becoming manager/controller/other higher up position in the field. However, I think this lack of motivation is affecting my work performance. I know I’m a smart person, but I don’t think this is a place I can thrive at.

Whenever I speak to people about this outside of work (I try not to talk to other co-workers about this issue), they look at me as if I’m being ridiculous since my company is paying for my review materials and I’ve already passed one of the sections. Am I being stupid? Unless something happens to magically make me love this profession, I don’t think passing this exam is going to enhance my career. Also, if I do choose to leave after 1 or 2 years, are there exit opportunities in a non-accounting field where I won’t be getting a drastic pay cut? I’m willing to go as low as 50k since I live in nyc and cost of living is ridiculous. I understand many jobs will require me to start from the bottom, and I’m fine with that.

If I’m wrong in my reasoning, please tell me. Any advice/comments are really appreciated. Thanks.

[peetree]

Better to find out now than to find out after twenty years of work I say.

You need to do what makes you happy in life. For some of us, it is accounting, others, it may be something else.

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[2012passtheCPA]

I agree with peetree at the end of the day you have to do what is best for you.

I do have some questions for you, if you've already thought about them, sorry for wasting your time.

What don't you like about accounting? Do you not like Big 4, because they work you like a dog? Do you not like your present position, because of your boss or senior accountants (never been in public, yet, so I don't know how the hierarchy works)? Do you perhaps not like the particular clients you are working with? What I'm trying to figure out if you don't like the work or is it the current environment you are in? Maybe a smaller firm would help? Maybe audit instead of tax or vice versa?

One of the things I love about accounting is there is so much you can do and you have so many options. What got you into accounting in the first place? Maybe finding that passion again will help?

Like I said, and peetree as well, you have to do what's best for you. Just thought I'd maybe get you thinking about more than just “I hate accounting” because it may be you're unhappy at your present position, not the industry in general. Or perhaps I'm completely wrong and you really do not have a passion for accounting.

Good luck in your decision!

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's not the profession, but THAT job. What do you really enjoy doing? Why did you pursue accounting in the first place? Answering these questions can help determine if it's the profession or THAT job that is causing you to feel this way.

[StephAV]

What are you interested in? I'm assuming you are pretty smart… Big 4 usually scoop up the top students…

One option is recruiting… I just got an email today from RobertHalf asking if I'd be interested in their opening for a staffing manager… That is sales that uses your accounting background just as a basis, so you can understand what you are looking for in candidates, etc…

Maybe teaching??

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[Anonymous]

to OP, I used to work at one of the big 4 in NYC as well. I was there for about 3.5 years. It made me hate accounting as well. I was in audit, I felt like at the end of the day, I accomplished nothing, all I did was tick and tie and document steps. And the end product isnt even yours, it just your client's financial. I felt like being an auditor at the big 4, all i did was checking the boxes even as a senior. However, now Im out of big 4, accounting does not seem as bad.

[Anonymous]

I'd agree with the others that accounting has such a range of work that not liking your job at the Big 4 may not mean that you don't like accounting at all. I work in a small public accounting firm with 1 other person – the experience here is SO different from what everyone on here talks about working in big firms! And then all the non-public aspects of accounting…teaching, working for a manufacturer, non-profit, etc. So, if you liked studying accounting, I'd try to see if there's a different part of doing accounting that you'd prefer. But at the same time, studying isn't at all like doing, so it might not be a good fit for you.

However, there are other fields that a CPA can be useful in, depending on what you aspire to do. If, for example, you wanted to be a CEO, then the CPA certification could still look good.

My advice to you would be to take a weekend off studying, off socializing, off everything, and go wherever you can think and focus best (whether that's the living room or the woods), and try to figure out what you do and don't like doing (not “accounting”, but “concrete things” or “mundane tasks” or whatever the specifics are), then try to brainstorm careers that would meet the “good” list and minimize the “bad” list. But still try to look at it in terms of the factors of the position, rather than the industry. The specific employer and position will make more difference than the broad industry…whether it's tech work (can be basically telecommunications, or it can be goofing off with coworkers all day, or staring at a screen for 8+ hours), retail (running a cash register, stocking shelves, being a salesperson, or running analysis of sales numbers), accounting (meeting with clients all day, figuring taxes all day, meeting with boards, etc), or anything else. I think the key is to figure out what aspects of a job you want, then figure out what position/company type/etc will have those aspects and meet your qualifications.

[Author]

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