[Gary]

Considering pursuing an audit career for a Big 4 firm in Detroit. What are the busy seasons like? I’ve seen everything from 50-55 to 75-80 and everything in between.

AUD 8/18/16
FAR 11/16
BEC 1/17
REG 2/17

[Anonymous]

I heard people said: 80+ hours per week during busy season.

[Myredstapler]

The busy season hours really depends on which clients you get put on. It depends on the size of the client, what transactions occurred during the year (carve-outs, acquisitions, etc), the type of client (SEC client vs non SEC client), and many other factors. I've had busy seasons that ranged from 60 hours to over 80 hours.

[Operation_CPA]

I'd echo what the other posters above have mentioned. Your client plays a huge factor – how responsive they are, if support received is sufficient, etc. It goes without saying, but another big part of the hours you work is how the engagement was staffed, if people quit, etc. Being short staffed towards YE is not fun.

Towards the end of busy season I was leaving around 10 PM or 12 AM, but that was in crunch time. We also came in on Saturdays for a few hours. To be honest, it's wild how fast the day goes by because you're not watching the clock…

[Author]

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