[Focus662]

HI Guys,

I am considering making a move to private industry and need advice about what the typical hours per week a senior accountant in private industry works? I am considering a senior accounting job at a mid-sized publically traded pharmaceutical company. I currently work as an assistant controller at a small non-profit and have a very stead 40 hour work week with tons of downtime. I am trying to advance my career and earning potential, but am also looking forward to marrying my fiancé and starting a family with her, so some sort of work/life balance is ideal. Previously, I did 4 years at a small public auditing firm, but that was basically 40 hours per week as well. Any insights as to thoughts or personal experiences working in private industry would be extremely helpful.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

It truly depends on the company and the manager. I have had jobs in corporate accounting that range from 70 hour work weeks where no one left before the CFO to easy 40 hour weeks. Can you ask the hiring manager what a typical week is like? Public companies usually have frequent audits so you may work a lot during that time. My last job was with a public biotech company and we had frequent non-financial audits as well.

On a side note, pay attention to what the office is like when you interview. I once had an interview that started at 5:30 pm and lasted for two hours. When I walked out of the office, the employees were still working. It was a giant hint as to what I could expect.

[Anonymous]

It truly depends on the company and the manager. I have had jobs in corporate accounting that range from 70 hour work weeks where no one left before the CFO to easy 40 hour weeks. Can you ask the hiring manager what a typical week is like? Public companies usually have frequent audits so you may work a lot during that time. My last job was with a public biotech company and we had frequent non-financial audits as well.

On a side note, pay attention to what the office is like when you interview. I once had an interview that started at 5:30 pm and lasted for two hours. When I walked out of the office, the employees were still working. It was a giant hint as to what I could expect.

[StephAV]

I work for a NPO as a Senior Accountant also… We have a 35 hour work week that is ofter more like 40 (I'm not complaining). I thought about leaving, I looked around and talked to some recruiters. I think the average is probably 50-60? Or at least that is what the recruiters were telling me. My plan is to sit tight, get licensed then reassess my career if my current organization doesn't give me the promotion I want. They've said I'd get a promotion but no specific talk of what that would ACTUALLY be. Also I think once I'm licensed I could be an NPO Controller. I'm thinking possibly a smaller or similar sized organization.

Are you licensed yet? I think Non-profit is a good industry because there is generally good work/life balance and benefits. I've decided to stick with this industry after looking around. I think I can work my way up using the knowledge I'm getting.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[StephAV]

I work for a NPO as a Senior Accountant also… We have a 35 hour work week that is ofter more like 40 (I'm not complaining). I thought about leaving, I looked around and talked to some recruiters. I think the average is probably 50-60? Or at least that is what the recruiters were telling me. My plan is to sit tight, get licensed then reassess my career if my current organization doesn't give me the promotion I want. They've said I'd get a promotion but no specific talk of what that would ACTUALLY be. Also I think once I'm licensed I could be an NPO Controller. I'm thinking possibly a smaller or similar sized organization.

Are you licensed yet? I think Non-profit is a good industry because there is generally good work/life balance and benefits. I've decided to stick with this industry after looking around. I think I can work my way up using the knowledge I'm getting.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[Anonymous]

Goodness I didn't realize that NPO was such low hours! The only thing that I somewhat regret about my career choice is that it seemed like any accounting position beyond clerks required a lot of overtime and I didn't know if I'd really want to be work 70-80 hour weeks in 30 years 😐 but I didn't realize that NPO was a lower-hours option. I knew government was, but that's a fairly small group – it's nice to at least have two options! (Though I always hated Govt and NFP accounting… -.- )

[Anonymous]

Goodness I didn't realize that NPO was such low hours! The only thing that I somewhat regret about my career choice is that it seemed like any accounting position beyond clerks required a lot of overtime and I didn't know if I'd really want to be work 70-80 hour weeks in 30 years 😐 but I didn't realize that NPO was a lower-hours option. I knew government was, but that's a fairly small group – it's nice to at least have two options! (Though I always hated Govt and NFP accounting… -.- )

[tough_kitty]

Just randomly found this job opening which proves the point about NFP:

Position: Director of Finance

37.5 hours per week, FT. (Negotiable)

Exempt Employee

Salary: Competitive with benefits. (Negotiable)

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/acc/4269106697.html

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

[tough_kitty]

Just randomly found this job opening which proves the point about NFP:

Position: Director of Finance

37.5 hours per week, FT. (Negotiable)

Exempt Employee

Salary: Competitive with benefits. (Negotiable)

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/acc/4269106697.html

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

[tough_kitty]

And apparently, you can have a big title without a degree… 🙂

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/acc/4270320886.html

Accounting Manager (Yosemite National Park)

Qualifications

• Must have a degree or minimum of three years experience in a related field, or relevant experience, including demonstrated knowledge of basic accounting.

• Previous supervisory experience required.

• Proficiency in Springer Miller System and Microsoft Excel preferred.

• Ability to make an effective and efficient work environment through creative problem solving and process improvements.

• Must be organized, possess excellent communication skills and operate a keyboard by touch.

• Must have the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities effectively.

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

[tough_kitty]

And apparently, you can have a big title without a degree… 🙂

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/acc/4270320886.html

Accounting Manager (Yosemite National Park)

Qualifications

• Must have a degree or minimum of three years experience in a related field, or relevant experience, including demonstrated knowledge of basic accounting.

• Previous supervisory experience required.

• Proficiency in Springer Miller System and Microsoft Excel preferred.

• Ability to make an effective and efficient work environment through creative problem solving and process improvements.

• Must be organized, possess excellent communication skills and operate a keyboard by touch.

• Must have the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities effectively.

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

[Anonymous]

im at NPO as well, 40 hrs a week, lots of PTO. downside is the pay tho

[Anonymous]

im at NPO as well, 40 hrs a week, lots of PTO. downside is the pay tho

[Anonymous]

A little late, but hopefully I can help. I am currently working at a large public traded pharma company as part of the financial reporting group. Right now at year end, we are working until probably 10-11pm 3 days a week. During the qtr end, we have about 6 days that we work until 10-11pm. However, during the downtime, we have a good summer hour policy and generally its 10-5.

[Anonymous]

A little late, but hopefully I can help. I am currently working at a large public traded pharma company as part of the financial reporting group. Right now at year end, we are working until probably 10-11pm 3 days a week. During the qtr end, we have about 6 days that we work until 10-11pm. However, during the downtime, we have a good summer hour policy and generally its 10-5.

[samdiegoCPA]

ugh, I refuse to work a job with long ass hours. I'd rather make less money than be rich and have nothing to spend it on.

I'm down for working busy season long hours and having shorter hours in the summer like @Anwell…

AUD: 84
REG: 84
BEC: 79
FAR: 83

[Author]

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