I am old guy too at 30, but I do know of a few 40+ staffs in my class (big 4). They are all mother's with families. Most of the Seniors aren't too much younger than me, so it hasn't been to bad.
I like Public accounting, but after auditing for a while. I don't think I could have a fulfilling life working as an industry accountant. Industry is full of dead-end jobs, lazy people, boring work and uninspiring culture.
So now, I jumped into Public Accounting, which I like so far, but all the exit opportunities are not for me. I don't know what I am going to do now. If I was younger, I would have had time to restart, but I'm too old now. I can stay in Public, but then I am worried that I won't have the stamina to last as a manager because I will be in my mid thirties by then. And the pay is ridiculously low for Managers and Senior managers.
So yeah, know what you're getting into because I think I made mistake. Not because I hate public, but because for me the only option right now is the partner track, and I am WAY too old for that path. I refuse to go to industry. Maybe i'll go mid-tier
FAR 78
REG 87
BEC 78
AUD 78
Passed all exams on first try! Good luck to everyone!