[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]

Candlemass get a linkedin or something

Pretty sure you can find some accounting clerk jobs for at least 10 dollars an hr, 8 dollars is minimum wage especially in nyc

And how do you know op isn't a girl 😉

[Anonymous]

Candlemass get a linkedin or something

Pretty sure you can find some accounting clerk jobs for at least 10 dollars an hr, 8 dollars is minimum wage especially in nyc

And how do you know op isn't a girl 😉

[Anonymous]

I've tried everything and nothing works. People won't hire me as an accounting clerk because 1 I don't understand what that means and 2 I have a masters degree so they get scared off.

I'm desperate for money if I could get hired doing something accounting I would have by now. Between student loans, rent and food my 2 retail jobs aren't cutting it. I might have to go back to school and get another degree honestly and switch careers all together. I'm so lost with accounting at this point because I've never had hands on experience so I don't really know what it even is hardly.

[Anonymous]

I've tried everything and nothing works. People won't hire me as an accounting clerk because 1 I don't understand what that means and 2 I have a masters degree so they get scared off.

I'm desperate for money if I could get hired doing something accounting I would have by now. Between student loans, rent and food my 2 retail jobs aren't cutting it. I might have to go back to school and get another degree honestly and switch careers all together. I'm so lost with accounting at this point because I've never had hands on experience so I don't really know what it even is hardly.

[Anonymous]

I've tried everything and nothing works. People won't hire me as an accounting clerk because 1 I don't understand what that means and 2 I have a masters degree so they get scared off.

I'm desperate for money if I could get hired doing something accounting I would have by now. Between student loans, rent and food my 2 retail jobs aren't cutting it. I might have to go back to school and get another degree honestly and switch careers all together. I'm so lost with accounting at this point because I've never had hands on experience so I don't really know what it even is hardly.

[Anonymous]

I've tried everything and nothing works. People won't hire me as an accounting clerk because 1 I don't understand what that means and 2 I have a masters degree so they get scared off.

I'm desperate for money if I could get hired doing something accounting I would have by now. Between student loans, rent and food my 2 retail jobs aren't cutting it. I might have to go back to school and get another degree honestly and switch careers all together. I'm so lost with accounting at this point because I've never had hands on experience so I don't really know what it even is hardly.

[Tncincy]

@candle,

Sorry your experience has not been a pleasant one. But you have to start somewhere, and since you don't have any experience, try the university maybe they can help you find an entry level position and work your way up. Your education shows that you are teachable so try using the school placement if they have it.Or you could sign up for account-temps, Robert half or a staffing agency to get started. Unfortunately, you are going to have to know what an accounting clerk is and other accounting positions. You have to get a clue…….that's probably why you can't find an accounting job, you don't know what's going on…..

Anyway, you could try your local bank and local utility companies for entry level positions. You could also try networking functions that will get you an accounting interview or increase your opportunities. The job market is rough, and it is going to take some persistence on your part, but if Accounting is what you want to do, then you have to keep looking. Getting another degree is simply spending more money and wasting more time.

Hope this helps and good luck.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Tncincy]

@candle,

Sorry your experience has not been a pleasant one. But you have to start somewhere, and since you don't have any experience, try the university maybe they can help you find an entry level position and work your way up. Your education shows that you are teachable so try using the school placement if they have it.Or you could sign up for account-temps, Robert half or a staffing agency to get started. Unfortunately, you are going to have to know what an accounting clerk is and other accounting positions. You have to get a clue…….that's probably why you can't find an accounting job, you don't know what's going on…..

Anyway, you could try your local bank and local utility companies for entry level positions. You could also try networking functions that will get you an accounting interview or increase your opportunities. The job market is rough, and it is going to take some persistence on your part, but if Accounting is what you want to do, then you have to keep looking. Getting another degree is simply spending more money and wasting more time.

Hope this helps and good luck.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[tough_kitty]

If you got your master's from a different university, you don't have to list it on your resume when applying for lower paying jobs. But honestly, I don't think it's the main issue. I got my master's and I was enrolled in the MBA program still when I was hired by a state agency for a position which only requires 19 units of accounting.

The job paid more than my previous non-accounting position so I was happy. And I was able to double my salary within 2 years of my graduation.

Have you tried government positions? County, state, federal – all of them have different audit/accounting related jobs.

Worst case, you should expand your search to other areas if you don't have any luck in your city.

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

[tough_kitty]

If you got your master's from a different university, you don't have to list it on your resume when applying for lower paying jobs. But honestly, I don't think it's the main issue. I got my master's and I was enrolled in the MBA program still when I was hired by a state agency for a position which only requires 19 units of accounting.

The job paid more than my previous non-accounting position so I was happy. And I was able to double my salary within 2 years of my graduation.

Have you tried government positions? County, state, federal – all of them have different audit/accounting related jobs.

Worst case, you should expand your search to other areas if you don't have any luck in your city.

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

[Anonymous]

I say do it. At the end of the day, this is just a job. You are early in your career and will undoubtedly rebound from any backlash this might cause. It's not worth the distress and anxiety it's causing you. Work should never come at the expense of your mental, emotional, or physical health.

I don't mean this in a mean or negative way, but some people truly aren't cut out for the public accounting life. It's an unforgiving, cruel, mean-spirited mistress who spits in your eye and kicks you in the teeth. She'll cut you with one hand and rub lemon in the wound with the other. Yes, big 4 experience looks good on your resume, but not at the expense of your health. Screw it. Find a job that makes you happy. I say hit the wanted ads tomorrow. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I say do it. At the end of the day, this is just a job. You are early in your career and will undoubtedly rebound from any backlash this might cause. It's not worth the distress and anxiety it's causing you. Work should never come at the expense of your mental, emotional, or physical health.

I don't mean this in a mean or negative way, but some people truly aren't cut out for the public accounting life. It's an unforgiving, cruel, mean-spirited mistress who spits in your eye and kicks you in the teeth. She'll cut you with one hand and rub lemon in the wound with the other. Yes, big 4 experience looks good on your resume, but not at the expense of your health. Screw it. Find a job that makes you happy. I say hit the wanted ads tomorrow. Good luck!

[KiwiCPA]

@ Lifo

With your screen name for this site – i would say that you like accounting.

In your position, jumping shiop may be too soon, as employers may be looking at work history. A short period of time may be a bad thing.

However if you dont like it you will not do well at your current job.

I would change and look for a smaller firm. I work for a small firm (35 staff) in norhtern MA. We work 50-60 hours during tax season and 4 day a week during the summer. Most jobs are small – personal returns, business returns, non profits, compilations, reviews and some do audit. Audits can take a few weeks, the other any where from a couple of hours to a week or so. There is plenty of variety.

We get a MA CPA magazine that has jobs advertised with hours, benfits etc. I suggest keeping your job and look for something at a smaller firm. In your interview you cold mention lack of variety, you may want tax rather than big audit jobs….

Look for a job that you think you would like… not one that pays the big bucks, good things will come in the long run.

Reg 82; FAR 75; AUD 91; BEC 11/9/13; result due - 11/22/13

[KiwiCPA]

@ Lifo

With your screen name for this site – i would say that you like accounting.

In your position, jumping shiop may be too soon, as employers may be looking at work history. A short period of time may be a bad thing.

However if you dont like it you will not do well at your current job.

I would change and look for a smaller firm. I work for a small firm (35 staff) in norhtern MA. We work 50-60 hours during tax season and 4 day a week during the summer. Most jobs are small – personal returns, business returns, non profits, compilations, reviews and some do audit. Audits can take a few weeks, the other any where from a couple of hours to a week or so. There is plenty of variety.

We get a MA CPA magazine that has jobs advertised with hours, benfits etc. I suggest keeping your job and look for something at a smaller firm. In your interview you cold mention lack of variety, you may want tax rather than big audit jobs….

Look for a job that you think you would like… not one that pays the big bucks, good things will come in the long run.

Reg 82; FAR 75; AUD 91; BEC 11/9/13; result due - 11/22/13

[mla1169]

I would never quit a job until I had another lined up. Even if you're not dependant on the income, a gap in employment on a resume is far more troublesome to an employer than a 3 month stint at a Big 4. Anybody whose not completely clueless understands what BobRoss said above, not everybody is cut out for big 4. As a hiring manager if I saw 3 mos at Big 4 IMMEDIATELY followed by another position I wouldn't give it a second thought.

You don't know how long it will take to find another job. I've been looking for about 6 months while I am working full time.

I'd start getting my resume out, but hold off on giving my resignation.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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