[Anonymous]

Hey everyone,

I’m a first year working in external audit in Big 4 in the greater nyc area, and to put it frankly, I hate it. I’ve been assigned to a new client for about 3 weeks now, and everything I’ve done has been a train wreck. From control wlakthroughs to substantive testing, I’m not getting it at all. Aside from the client being new and not having PY workpapers to go off of, I don’t feel like the team likes me. It takes me a very long time to do everything and I’ve had to work this weekend to get caught up (it’s only interim, and not busy season)

I don’t know who to turn to for advice, as no one in my immediate family has worked in the field. I feel horrible about myself,

I hit the snooze button everyday and dread waking up, and I usually don’t get home until 9 (commute is long and having to stay late doesn’t help). I have anxiety attacks thinking about going into work tomorrow. To be honest, I want to cry when I get home at night, but I don’t want my parents to be upset.

I did well in college, graduated with honors from a good business school, interned with the big 4 firm I work with now, got inducted into the business honors society, the whole nine. Since I’ve been on this client, I feel like an idiot most of the time and question everything I worked so hard for in school.

I really want to put in my two weeks notice and go back to college and do an MS in accounting or something business, and finish up the cpa. I really don’t think public accounting or auditing is for me, but I don’t have the experience to land a job in industry right now. My parents tell me to stick out until a job offer comes my way, but at this rate I don’t think I can make it, I feel like I’m losing touch with who I am as a person, I haven’t felt like me since I started.

Any advice? Will quitting only 3 months in come back to bite me later on in my career? Is there a way I can tell HR I wanted to go back to school without it making it look like I hate the job?

I would never be open in this forum about my life, but I really don’t know who to go to.

[Anonymous]

@Accounting is my LIFO, I am in the same boat as you (also in the 3rd month). I feel that everyone here is giving really sound advice. At the end of the day, make sure to stick to whatever your decision is and do not regret it in the future. I am still thinking about what my next course of action is, but in the mean time, I am just trying to stay positive. I actually do feel like I am getting an anxiety attack right now thinking about going to work tomorrow.

[neika822]

I felt the same way about public accounting. It's worse when you're on a team that you hate. I had a senior on a couple clients that I just couldn't stand. She was so condescending (and honestly not that intelligent). Some teams made me comfortable with being in public accounting, and other teams made me want to just walk out and never look back.

I quit after 9 months without a job lined up. I didn't even have the excuse to go back to school, as I was already CPA eligible and had a master's degree. I completely rethought accounting. My parents were (hesitantly) supportive and said they'd help me with money if needed, but I was able to temp for a few months to get by. They were a stressful few months, trying to pay those bills and going to a job that people didn't know my name. But I ended up getting an accounting position at a college and I really like it. My drive came back to study for the CPA and now I have a goal in mind.

I don't think quitting after 3 months is a good idea. Looking back, I wish I had waited a year so that I could say that I had a year of experience. Things somewhat worked out for me in the end, but it was a very stressful few months. After a year, you can pack up and quit. Things will be easier.

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 felt the same way about public accounting. It's worse when you're on a team that you hate. I had a senior on a couple clients that I just couldn't stand. She was so condescending (and honestly not that intelligent). Some teams made me comfortable with being in public accounting, and other teams made me want to just walk out and never look back.

I quit after 9 months without a job lined up. I didn't even have the excuse to go back to school, as I was already CPA eligible and had a master's degree. I completely rethought accounting. My parents were (hesitantly) supportive and said they'd help me with money if needed, but I was able to temp for a few months to get by. They were a stressful few months, trying to pay those bills and going to a job that people didn't know my name. But I ended up getting an accounting position at a college and I really like it. My drive came back to study for the CPA and now I have a goal in mind.

I don't think quitting after 3 months is a good idea. Looking back, I wish I had waited a year so that I could say that I had a year of experience. Things somewhat worked out for me in the end, but it was a very stressful few months. After a year, you can pack up and quit. Things will be easier.

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

[MintsRGood]

@LIFO As much as it sucks to hear…you need to stick this one out for a few more months. You said so yourself, you won't be able to land another job easily if you quit! If you stick it out for a few more months can you move into tax or assurance? Personally, I would rather stick my hand down my kitchen sink and turn the garbage disposal on than work in audit! 😉 Maybe you just don't like auditing? There are SO many different markets within public accounting.

I 100% agree with @Wolfchicken. They hired you for a good reason and it's time to show them why! If your team members don't like you it's because you intimidate them or they are just assholes. Either way, be polite and professional and ask questions when you get stuck. Everyone who worked there was once in your shoes too!

Good luck and keep your head up!!!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[MintsRGood]

@LIFO As much as it sucks to hear…you need to stick this one out for a few more months. You said so yourself, you won't be able to land another job easily if you quit! If you stick it out for a few more months can you move into tax or assurance? Personally, I would rather stick my hand down my kitchen sink and turn the garbage disposal on than work in audit! 😉 Maybe you just don't like auditing? There are SO many different markets within public accounting.

I 100% agree with @Wolfchicken. They hired you for a good reason and it's time to show them why! If your team members don't like you it's because you intimidate them or they are just assholes. Either way, be polite and professional and ask questions when you get stuck. Everyone who worked there was once in your shoes too!

Good luck and keep your head up!!!

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[Anonymous]

@Accounting is my LIFO

I was in the exact same situation as you about a year ago. I started at a Big 4 firm right out of college and my experience was a roller coaster ride. I started off auditing a college, and it wasn't too bad. Then I got switched to a large, public manufacturing client, and that's where it all went down hill. I wasn't understanding anything, I felt that I was being micromanaged, my seniors didn't provide me any guidance or any sort of help, and I felt completely stupid. I swear, there was one senior in particular whose goal was to make me miserable. My performance reviews from that senior indicated that I was below average. I was completely miserable, I hated going to work everyday, and I questioned my whole career path. In mid-January, I got pulled from that client to work on a special project with auditors from another office, and I did really well there. They actually labeled me a “high performer” in my evaluation. When I was finished with that project, I was put back on that manufacturing client, despite my wish to be put in a different industry. I knew that by going back to that client/industry I was only hurting myself and stunting my career progression. I have a lot of friends who also work in public accounting (Big 4, regional, and local firms), and their experiences seemed so much better than mine. I knew that I shouldn't have been feeling this way. So after about 10 months of working with a Big 4, I left.

I've been working for large national firm for the last 6 months where I audit banks (the industry I tried to get into at the Big 4). Working with the national firm is like night and day compared to the Big 4. I love the people I work with, I actually like what I do, and everything has clicked since day one. I recently got promoted to an experienced associate position where I supervise new associates and act as a senior on some clients and audit areas.

In comparing my two experiences, I learned that the quality of one's experience in public accounting is a function of (1) the people you work with, and (2) the industry that you work in. Some people just aren't good auditing certain industries. I found out that manufacturing wasn't for me, but I've excelled in banking. Also, if the people you work with aren't helpful or are downright miserable, then the quality of your experience won't be that great.

Take it from somebody who left the Big 4 after less than a year – do what makes you happy. Nobody can fault you for that. You can find happiness in this profession. You just need to go out and find it!

[Anonymous]

@Accounting is my LIFO

I was in the exact same situation as you about a year ago. I started at a Big 4 firm right out of college and my experience was a roller coaster ride. I started off auditing a college, and it wasn't too bad. Then I got switched to a large, public manufacturing client, and that's where it all went down hill. I wasn't understanding anything, I felt that I was being micromanaged, my seniors didn't provide me any guidance or any sort of help, and I felt completely stupid. I swear, there was one senior in particular whose goal was to make me miserable. My performance reviews from that senior indicated that I was below average. I was completely miserable, I hated going to work everyday, and I questioned my whole career path. In mid-January, I got pulled from that client to work on a special project with auditors from another office, and I did really well there. They actually labeled me a “high performer” in my evaluation. When I was finished with that project, I was put back on that manufacturing client, despite my wish to be put in a different industry. I knew that by going back to that client/industry I was only hurting myself and stunting my career progression. I have a lot of friends who also work in public accounting (Big 4, regional, and local firms), and their experiences seemed so much better than mine. I knew that I shouldn't have been feeling this way. So after about 10 months of working with a Big 4, I left.

I've been working for large national firm for the last 6 months where I audit banks (the industry I tried to get into at the Big 4). Working with the national firm is like night and day compared to the Big 4. I love the people I work with, I actually like what I do, and everything has clicked since day one. I recently got promoted to an experienced associate position where I supervise new associates and act as a senior on some clients and audit areas.

In comparing my two experiences, I learned that the quality of one's experience in public accounting is a function of (1) the people you work with, and (2) the industry that you work in. Some people just aren't good auditing certain industries. I found out that manufacturing wasn't for me, but I've excelled in banking. Also, if the people you work with aren't helpful or are downright miserable, then the quality of your experience won't be that great.

Take it from somebody who left the Big 4 after less than a year – do what makes you happy. Nobody can fault you for that. You can find happiness in this profession. You just need to go out and find it!

[Anonymous]

I didn't say masters entitled me to a job but it really gets my britches in a nilly that I put in all the time and took the Gmat and stuff to work for 8 dollars an hour

Also Accounting is my Lifo there aren't any attractive girls at your office? That would give me motivation to stay around.

[Anonymous]

I didn't say masters entitled me to a job but it really gets my britches in a nilly that I put in all the time and took the Gmat and stuff to work for 8 dollars an hour

Also Accounting is my Lifo there aren't any attractive girls at your office? That would give me motivation to stay around.

[stephk919]

@candlemassisawesome – Just to clarify…Yes, you need 150 credits in NY now but maybe I'm just old and since I graduated in 2009, I got grandfathered in with 120 credits. So not everyone needs 150 credits to be eligible to be a CPA.. So it really does depend on when you graduated. I only say this because I don't want my pre – 2009 graduates to be worried 🙂

Back to the main topic —-

Big 4 is great experience and will pay dividends in the long run (no pun intended)… If you can I would say stick with it. Ask for help, I know it's intimating especially at a Big 4 but it's better you ask how to work on something or how long it's suppose to take you then sit around spinning your wheels. Since it's a first year client – ask your peers for any templates on jobs they're working on.. maybe that will help. My biggest advice is simply just asking for help whether it's your team, mentor or fellow new hires. I say at least try through busy season.. once you ask for help and things start making sense maybe you will feel better about it.

Good Luck and do what feels right!! At the end of the day you're the one that has to go through with it not anyone else 🙂

AUD - 83!! July 2012 (Expired), July 8 2014... waiting and waiting...
REG - October/November 2014
FAR - Late August 2014
BEC - 82 !!! Nov. 2013

Using Becker Self Study and Wiley Test Bank

[stephk919]

@candlemassisawesome – Just to clarify…Yes, you need 150 credits in NY now but maybe I'm just old and since I graduated in 2009, I got grandfathered in with 120 credits. So not everyone needs 150 credits to be eligible to be a CPA.. So it really does depend on when you graduated. I only say this because I don't want my pre – 2009 graduates to be worried 🙂

Back to the main topic —-

Big 4 is great experience and will pay dividends in the long run (no pun intended)… If you can I would say stick with it. Ask for help, I know it's intimating especially at a Big 4 but it's better you ask how to work on something or how long it's suppose to take you then sit around spinning your wheels. Since it's a first year client – ask your peers for any templates on jobs they're working on.. maybe that will help. My biggest advice is simply just asking for help whether it's your team, mentor or fellow new hires. I say at least try through busy season.. once you ask for help and things start making sense maybe you will feel better about it.

Good Luck and do what feels right!! At the end of the day you're the one that has to go through with it not anyone else 🙂

AUD - 83!! July 2012 (Expired), July 8 2014... waiting and waiting...
REG - October/November 2014
FAR - Late August 2014
BEC - 82 !!! Nov. 2013

Using Becker Self Study and Wiley Test Bank

[tough_kitty]

@ candle…

It's more than just your master's… something must be off if you cannot find a better paying job. I was making $14 an hour at admissions office as staff while getting my accounting degree…

Saying stuff like: “@ CPA followed by a bunch of seemingly random numbers” was pretty disrespectful in my opinion. I'm sure those numbers mean something to the person who chose them.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

@ candle…

It's more than just your master's… something must be off if you cannot find a better paying job. I was making $14 an hour at admissions office as staff while getting my accounting degree…

Saying stuff like: “@ CPA followed by a bunch of seemingly random numbers” was pretty disrespectful in my opinion. I'm sure those numbers mean something to the person who chose them.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Back to the original post: if you put 3 month at big 4 on your resume, the potential employers would be asking you what was the reason you left and it would not help you get another job unless you have a really good reason. If you really want to quit, at least start applying for other jobs and have something lined up which is less stressful perhaps.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

Back to the original post: if you put 3 month at big 4 on your resume, the potential employers would be asking you what was the reason you left and it would not help you get another job unless you have a really good reason. If you really want to quit, at least start applying for other jobs and have something lined up which is less stressful perhaps.

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Author]

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