[Anonymous]

I have just recently started at a Big Four, in which I was very hestiate to work there. I knew it wasn’t for me but I took the offer anyway due to the resume recognition. However, I am regretting my decision a few months in and feel I would be better off in private doing somehing that I enjoy. I am struggling in devising a exit strategy since I want to leave in a few months rather than sticking it out. Also, I am not sure how to approach my early absence to prospective employers as well.

[Anonymous]

I went from private to Big 4 and love it. I think for most people its the work life balance. Most of the people on my team hate it and hate every single day they are at work. It kinda scares me to think that I might be one of them someday. Try to learn as much as you can before you leave because you dont want to be looking for an entry level position all over again, its competitive out there.

[Keely]

If you know you're not cut out for Big 4 or public in general, don't let other people talk you into it. I know it's too late now, but that's my advice for others, from experience. I accepted a mid-size public auditor position and quit within three months. I knew it wasn't for me before I did it, I hated it from day one, and I knew I didn't want to stick it out through busy season. I wish I could have mentally sucked it up and done my year and left, but I quit, and that's it. And guess what, I'm still alive, I have a new job, and the resume/accounting police didn't blacklist me from the profession! I know that's silly, but I'm just saying, if you hate your job and you've only been there a few months and you want out, then get out. That is, if you have no one depending on you (kids) and you've saved wisely for such bumps in the road. It's not a death sentence, trust me.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Keely]

If you know you're not cut out for Big 4 or public in general, don't let other people talk you into it. I know it's too late now, but that's my advice for others, from experience. I accepted a mid-size public auditor position and quit within three months. I knew it wasn't for me before I did it, I hated it from day one, and I knew I didn't want to stick it out through busy season. I wish I could have mentally sucked it up and done my year and left, but I quit, and that's it. And guess what, I'm still alive, I have a new job, and the resume/accounting police didn't blacklist me from the profession! I know that's silly, but I'm just saying, if you hate your job and you've only been there a few months and you want out, then get out. That is, if you have no one depending on you (kids) and you've saved wisely for such bumps in the road. It's not a death sentence, trust me.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Anonymous]

My vote is to leave…..if you dont like it and are miserable, there is no point in putting yourself through that. Life is too short

As Keely said, you will move on and find something. Life goes on……yours and the accounting firm you are leaving

[Anonymous]

My vote is to leave…..if you dont like it and are miserable, there is no point in putting yourself through that. Life is too short

As Keely said, you will move on and find something. Life goes on……yours and the accounting firm you are leaving

[Anonymous]

OP: I was in a very similar situation. I know it seems impossible to stick it out but you should try for at least one year. I really wanted to quit after a few months but forced myself to finish one full year. I was very proud of myself for not giving up in the first few months and sometimes I even regret having not waited until I was promoted to senior.

The best part of staying for one full year, is that it made my current position at a regional firm seems way better! That one year at a Big 4 has made my last three years at a regional firm feel super manageable.

If you are able, just commit yourself to one full year of torture. You will be so glad that you did!

[Anonymous]

OP: I was in a very similar situation. I know it seems impossible to stick it out but you should try for at least one year. I really wanted to quit after a few months but forced myself to finish one full year. I was very proud of myself for not giving up in the first few months and sometimes I even regret having not waited until I was promoted to senior.

The best part of staying for one full year, is that it made my current position at a regional firm seems way better! That one year at a Big 4 has made my last three years at a regional firm feel super manageable.

If you are able, just commit yourself to one full year of torture. You will be so glad that you did!

[Spock]

Maybe a bit off-topic but still applicable to the op's inquiry. Could it be that so many people who end up in the big 4 do so based mostly on the fact that it is seen as the number one goal for every accounting major. In my accounting program it seems as if everyone says they want to get into big 4. However, when you ask them why: they go blank and cannot give a real answer. Of course, some of these people will get internships and jump into full-time without knowing what to expect or if it is something they really want to do. Just a thought, but if more people actually put some additional thought into how their goals/expectations match their future careers, there would probably be less dissatisfaction all around. What do you all think about this?

[Spock]

Maybe a bit off-topic but still applicable to the op's inquiry. Could it be that so many people who end up in the big 4 do so based mostly on the fact that it is seen as the number one goal for every accounting major. In my accounting program it seems as if everyone says they want to get into big 4. However, when you ask them why: they go blank and cannot give a real answer. Of course, some of these people will get internships and jump into full-time without knowing what to expect or if it is something they really want to do. Just a thought, but if more people actually put some additional thought into how their goals/expectations match their future careers, there would probably be less dissatisfaction all around. What do you all think about this?

[neika822]

I HATED working public accounting. I did an internship in college, and then went full-time after graduation. I made it 9 months before quitting. I couldn't even get myself to go to work in the morning. I was miserable and I knew it wasn't for me. I had some difficulty with interviews afterwards, asking why I left on such short notice. But it all worked out in the end! My only problem is that I am two weeks shy of my 1 year public accounting requirement for the CPA. But I'll be working towards getting the non-reporting license, so it doesn't matter much!

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[neika822]

I HATED working public accounting. I did an internship in college, and then went full-time after graduation. I made it 9 months before quitting. I couldn't even get myself to go to work in the morning. I was miserable and I knew it wasn't for me. I had some difficulty with interviews afterwards, asking why I left on such short notice. But it all worked out in the end! My only problem is that I am two weeks shy of my 1 year public accounting requirement for the CPA. But I'll be working towards getting the non-reporting license, so it doesn't matter much!

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[SeePeeAyy]

IMO stick it out for at least 1 year, preferably 2.

Then it would be a good time to leave and pursue opportunities elsewhere. I think if you stick it out for 2 years, your salary and opportunities are bit higher than if you move out now in less than a year.

I did an internship this past summer and will be starting full time in August. I am curious if your reaction will be similar to mine, or I will enjoy it.

[SeePeeAyy]

IMO stick it out for at least 1 year, preferably 2.

Then it would be a good time to leave and pursue opportunities elsewhere. I think if you stick it out for 2 years, your salary and opportunities are bit higher than if you move out now in less than a year.

I did an internship this past summer and will be starting full time in August. I am curious if your reaction will be similar to mine, or I will enjoy it.

[Keely]

2 years is a really long time when you're absolutely miserable in your job, especially if you're being worked to death.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Keely]

2 years is a really long time when you're absolutely miserable in your job, especially if you're being worked to death.

BEC: (4/2012) 88
AUD: (5/2012) 91
REG: (8/2012) 82
FAR: (1/2013) 78 🙂

VA CPA #42010

[Author]

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