[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]

I would try to stick it out for a year or two. You can do stuff even if you hate it short term. I know 2 years doesn't really seem short term at times, but once you've worked for 20 years, 2 years really isn't too bad. Having the big 4 accounting experience will open a ton of doors for you later.

[Anonymous]

I would try to stick it out for a year or two. You can do stuff even if you hate it short term. I know 2 years doesn't really seem short term at times, but once you've worked for 20 years, 2 years really isn't too bad. Having the big 4 accounting experience will open a ton of doors for you later.

[wannabeCPA123]

I am new to the Big 4, and my experience couldn't be any different. At first I didn't like it because I felt I wasn't given enough work to do. However, I have gone through multiple engagements and many different teams before I rolled onto my main clients for interim, 404 and busy season. I really like my job so far. I have already gone through a busy season because I was assigned (last minute) to a 6/30 filer.

What I think I am doing right:

1) I always ask questions. Additionally, I keep a log of questions so I don't ask questions every 5 minutes.

2) I am always working on trying to be more efficient. I work on my typing speed everyday, and I make sure to practice excel shortcuts every night. I also practice at home by either recreating my workbooks from scratch at home, or trying to manipulate some sort of data table that relates to something that I am interested in. Futhermore, I am always searching google for ways to be more efficient in Excel, or looking for new ways to navigate, or learn new functions and formulas.

3) I always have a good attitude at work.

4) I always take notes whenever I receive instructions from my senior or manager.

5) I volunteer to work on days that people don't normally want to work on.

6) I come to work early and I try to always be the last one to leave. ( my senior sent me home early one day because I was done with everything one time)

7) I never go online, and I never use the company chatline for anything other than urgent business related communications.

8) I keep an on-going open items listing that I am always updating. I have it organized by team and by assignor.

9) My email is always organized.

Overall, I think I will get a 3 like most people, but I hear what the seniors, managers have said behind my backs, and it's always positive. I feel excited to get to work now. For the last ten years, I worked at a job where I hated getting up every morning. I feel great.

FAR 78
REG 87
BEC 78
AUD 78
Passed all exams on first try! Good luck to everyone!

[wannabeCPA123]

I am new to the Big 4, and my experience couldn't be any different. At first I didn't like it because I felt I wasn't given enough work to do. However, I have gone through multiple engagements and many different teams before I rolled onto my main clients for interim, 404 and busy season. I really like my job so far. I have already gone through a busy season because I was assigned (last minute) to a 6/30 filer.

What I think I am doing right:

1) I always ask questions. Additionally, I keep a log of questions so I don't ask questions every 5 minutes.

2) I am always working on trying to be more efficient. I work on my typing speed everyday, and I make sure to practice excel shortcuts every night. I also practice at home by either recreating my workbooks from scratch at home, or trying to manipulate some sort of data table that relates to something that I am interested in. Futhermore, I am always searching google for ways to be more efficient in Excel, or looking for new ways to navigate, or learn new functions and formulas.

3) I always have a good attitude at work.

4) I always take notes whenever I receive instructions from my senior or manager.

5) I volunteer to work on days that people don't normally want to work on.

6) I come to work early and I try to always be the last one to leave. ( my senior sent me home early one day because I was done with everything one time)

7) I never go online, and I never use the company chatline for anything other than urgent business related communications.

8) I keep an on-going open items listing that I am always updating. I have it organized by team and by assignor.

9) My email is always organized.

Overall, I think I will get a 3 like most people, but I hear what the seniors, managers have said behind my backs, and it's always positive. I feel excited to get to work now. For the last ten years, I worked at a job where I hated getting up every morning. I feel great.

FAR 78
REG 87
BEC 78
AUD 78
Passed all exams on first try! Good luck to everyone!

[Tncincy]

@Wannabe,

That's great….sounds like you found a way to adjust. Sometimes I think we have the wrong picture about working for big 4. It takes time to learn the system.

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

[Tncincy]

@Wannabe,

That's great….sounds like you found a way to adjust. Sometimes I think we have the wrong picture about working for big 4. It takes time to learn the system.

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

[Anonymous]

I can kind of see where Wannabe is coming from, sure it's not any ones dream job but I've worked 60-80 hour weeks in retail hell holes (I had 3 jobs Kmart, Walmart, Mcdonalds) so compared to that it would be like being on vacation for me.

[Anonymous]

I can kind of see where Wannabe is coming from, sure it's not any ones dream job but I've worked 60-80 hour weeks in retail hell holes (I had 3 jobs Kmart, Walmart, Mcdonalds) so compared to that it would be like being on vacation for me.

[impska]

Here's my two cents: I suggest sticking it out and hoping your next engagement is better. You interned and did fine. You've only hated it since getting on this client. I don't do audit, but is it possible to talk to some people and see if you can just get assigned to a different team?

Rent a room closer to work. Renting a room is cheap and cuts your commute. Plus you can go home to your parents' when you have time. If you hate commuting, then it can cast a huge shadow over your life. Don't sign a lease though – your stay there may be temporary.

Look for a different job. You don't need loads of experience or more education to find a different job in accounting. Just start looking now. When they ask you why you're leaving Big 4 so early, just tell them it's not a good fit. The worst that's going to happen is that you don't get offered a new job. Which is no worse than not looking at all. Plenty of people get jobs in industry (or government) straight out of college with no experience.

Last, but not least, if cutting the commute and gleaning hope from looking for new opportunities doesn't alleviate your stress and anxiety attacks, then quit. Finish up your CPA and scout for new jobs while not working. Don't rush back to school though – it's probably not a net benefit. If anything, enroll only part time in a class to get access to your university's career services. If you have your CPA hours, you probably don't need a whole new degree to get the job you want.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[impska]

Here's my two cents: I suggest sticking it out and hoping your next engagement is better. You interned and did fine. You've only hated it since getting on this client. I don't do audit, but is it possible to talk to some people and see if you can just get assigned to a different team?

Rent a room closer to work. Renting a room is cheap and cuts your commute. Plus you can go home to your parents' when you have time. If you hate commuting, then it can cast a huge shadow over your life. Don't sign a lease though – your stay there may be temporary.

Look for a different job. You don't need loads of experience or more education to find a different job in accounting. Just start looking now. When they ask you why you're leaving Big 4 so early, just tell them it's not a good fit. The worst that's going to happen is that you don't get offered a new job. Which is no worse than not looking at all. Plenty of people get jobs in industry (or government) straight out of college with no experience.

Last, but not least, if cutting the commute and gleaning hope from looking for new opportunities doesn't alleviate your stress and anxiety attacks, then quit. Finish up your CPA and scout for new jobs while not working. Don't rush back to school though – it's probably not a net benefit. If anything, enroll only part time in a class to get access to your university's career services. If you have your CPA hours, you probably don't need a whole new degree to get the job you want.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[Jasper]

Do not think you are alone in your job plight. There are some nice guys/gals you will meet in the office, with others being dysfunctional, neurotic, and insecure. This is what I have found in my job experience.

Ignore them. Put up a shield of apathy. Ask for help if you need it from the right people.

And if this still does not work then get the hell out of there! No job or career is worth ruining your physical or mental health regardless.

FAR 82
BEC 82
AUD 93
REG 87

[Jasper]

Do not think you are alone in your job plight. There are some nice guys/gals you will meet in the office, with others being dysfunctional, neurotic, and insecure. This is what I have found in my job experience.

Ignore them. Put up a shield of apathy. Ask for help if you need it from the right people.

And if this still does not work then get the hell out of there! No job or career is worth ruining your physical or mental health regardless.

FAR 82
BEC 82
AUD 93
REG 87

[tough_kitty]

Some updates: My friend worked for Big 4 for 2.5 years, got his CPA license, and just changed jobs. His new title – Accounting Manager.

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

[tough_kitty]

Some updates: My friend worked for Big 4 for 2.5 years, got his CPA license, and just changed jobs. His new title – Accounting Manager.

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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