[wannabeCPA123]

I got hired as a Staff 1 and I started last year as a 31 year old.

I just don’t feel like I fit in. There are definitely people that are older than me in my start class, but I just feel like people look at me differently. I am a young person at heart, and I act immaturely, but I just worry about my appearance as an older person.

I got my ratings back and I exceeded expectations (Got 4 out of 5), which is cool I guess. But sometimes, I wonder if people are giving me good marks because I am URA (Under represented Age). All my teams are great and all my bosses are cool too.

On multiple occasions people automatically assume that I am a manager.

I don’t have any other problems with the job. Before becoming a staff 1 I made 35K as a retail Manager. Now, with my rating and subsequent raise, I will have doubled my income in a year. So I don’t have a problem with the Pay, and I don’t have a problem with the hours. I may work more hours in a given day than before, but I now have a consistent schedule, and I normally have weekends and holidays off, which is something that didn’t have for the last 10 years.

I have great reputation in the firm now, and I actually love this job, but I just feel too old.

I feel like leaving the firm already. What are my options?

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

[teeteenounouche]

SUCK IT UP! That's what I am doing lmao…would you rather be the youngest person in a dead end job? Maybe try and see what you can learn from the people around you. No matter the age, there is plenty to learn from others' experiences. There is a reason you didn't get into public accounting at their age.

Be at one with that fact and move on 🙂

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[Anonymous]

don't quit! big four on the resume is so valuable and a lot of people would kill to have the same opportunity… spend 2 years and all the doors open just my .02

[Pandarama]

Lolllll you're feeling old so you want to quit so you can go hang out w/ other old people. This is definitely one of the most odd reasons I've heard for wanting to quit a job.

Maybe I should quit my job too… I'm the youngest…. but my co-workers are nice and my boss is nice and I like my job, but I just feel young. However, my salary isn't anything to brag about. Sooo, maybe we should just trade jobs?

BEC - 80
AUD - 64, 75 - credit lost, 90!!
REG - 73, 74, 83
FAR - 61, 72, 85

Feels good finishing on my best note. Time to watch the mailbox.

[mla1169]

You're old enough not to play the “I bet they think I am…” game anymore. That's a flawed internal dialogue not a reflection of what is. You can change the scenery all you want, but if your internal dialogue is flawed you are doomed never to feel accepted. Don't project your insecurities onto those around you because there's a better than not chance they don't know or care your age.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[vjr7653]

I switched careers at age 45 and got an internship with Big 4 last year. I have to say that I was treated very well and was well liked by other interns, seniors, and managers. There were instances when others would come up to me trying to impress me because they thought I was a partner. I was hired at the end of the internship for a start date this fall. In the interim I got a job at a small/midsize local firm as an audit staff and studied for my CPA exams while waiting for the Big 4 gig.

In June we received our reviews and I got a 20% bump in salary and was promoted. I had a tough decision to make, but ultimately decided to withdraw my Big 4 offer and stay where I am. I did this not because I felt uncomfortable working with many people much younger than me, but because I get better practical experience in the smaller firm. I participate in an audit from planning to report issuance (we have several mid-size public clients) and every now and then I get some tax work. In fact, I had developed many close relationships with my Big 4 colleagues, but for me I just felt that I would become a more well-rounded professional at my current firm. If I decide to leave in the future, I have SEC, non-public, SOX 404, tax, and employee benefit plan experience on my resume.

My point in all this is that you should never let age get between you and your goals. Do not worry how others perceive you, but as many forum members have said, do a good job and take pride in your work. You apparently have the skills needed to succeed as reflected in your ratings. And whatever your decision, let it be based on what is best for YOU. Good luck.

REG - 77 (8/27/13)
FAR - 83 (12/2/13)
AUD - 87 (5/13/14)
BEC -

[Anonymous]

Brah you wear vnecks, you definitely don't belong here

[fuzyfro89]

I get that it makes you feel insecure… after all, you are one of very few people in your situation. Most of the people at your level are 23 year old nitwits.

Learn to be okay with age differences.

If you leave for another firm, or especially in industry, you'll be the young gun with a lot of people in the 40's. It's something we all have to deal with. Part of succeeding in the business profession is learning how to find a way to relate to anyone. It doesn't mean you have to take tequila shots every Thursday with the 24 yo d-bags, but just be able to feel comfortable and relate to them in a professional setting (in the office and when you're out on a team event). Same goes for seniors, managers, and partners.

If you can learn to connect with all different types of people, then you are 10x farther ahead of most people in a successful career.

Should you leave? If you can't learn to deal with the age differences, then yes. Beware, you will run into this problem (either as the old fart or the baby face anywhere you go afterwards).

[teeteenounouche]

Well said fuzyfro89

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[Anonymous]

“I feel like leaving the firm already. What are my options?”

Your post is sort of odd but this line is the most important part of it. If you wanna leave, then leave.

Your options are whatever you are open to. Definitely work with 2-3 recruiters from different recruiting agencies/companies in your area and see what they have for you. A lot of people who leave at this time end up leaving for a staff accounting or financial analyst gig in industry and then get promoted to senior 1-3 years later.

[UHC2005]

@errday – I lol'd

Using Ninja MCQ, NINJA Notes, Audio, Flashcards and BLITZ, and 2014 Wiley Text

FAR - (61,63)
AUD - (68)

Keep Calm and RTMFQ

Accountant, what is best in life? To crush your MCQs, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of their SIMS!

[Tripp11]

You said you “don't fit in” and you say people look at you differently, and perhaps that's because those younger than you think you act immature for your age. After all, you admitted to acting immaturely.

Frankly, I wouldn't want to be around anyone who acts in an immature manner – especially so if that person is older and supposed to be more mature. If you're older than all of your peers, they probably expect you to act in a more mature and professional manner – especially when compared to the new staff fresh out of college.

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[Author]

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