[vanadium3]

Hi my friends at another71,

I’ve worked at my current local firm doing tax/accounting (no audit work here) for 6 months. During 9/15-10/15 busy season, I had a lot to do and being 80%+ chargeable wasn’t a problem.

Now winter is here.. I’m having a hard time find things to do. My time sheet doesn’t look very good with my “filler” time to study for enrolled agent exam. I’m doing this in the first place to find things to do (and polish on basic tax rules). I wouldn’t be studying if there’s always work. I’ve completed CPA exam.

Right now I’m at maybe 10% chargeable. My boss knows I’m studying, and I did ask around for work in the past. Sometime when my boss think I can do something, it will be handed to me. It’s just not often.

I don’t want to be constantly asking my boss/co-works for work. It’s annoying both ways. I know everyone is slow at this point, but I just feel really insecure. Can’t take a vacation as I’m new. Don’t have enough experience to be doing what my co-worker does.

Ugh. Help! Any tips?

CPA

[littlenumberrobot]

I am just like you. My firm is super small. I only have a few year end planning projects. My boss knows I am slow, it's just the time of the year. I am not studying anymore and I also ask if there are any free projects around the office. It is normal. Come January you will be off rushing to get Corporate returns out the or at least paid up/extended by 3/15. Enjoy this time.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[littlenumberrobot]

I am just like you. My firm is super small. I only have a few year end planning projects. My boss knows I am slow, it's just the time of the year. I am not studying anymore and I also ask if there are any free projects around the office. It is normal. Come January you will be off rushing to get Corporate returns out the or at least paid up/extended by 3/15. Enjoy this time.

CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

(Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

Ethics 90%

[acamp]

How big is your firm?I had a Summer non-public engagement scheduled that kept getting pushed, and every time it got pushed, I ran around hitting up various managers I know asking for work. “Will work for Work” sign haha

I think bothering people into finding you work is better than being underutilized. If your office is very small, you might send an email to all the managers asking for work, at least this way people see that you are proactively trying to bill some hours, even if they have nothing for you.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

How big is your firm?I had a Summer non-public engagement scheduled that kept getting pushed, and every time it got pushed, I ran around hitting up various managers I know asking for work. “Will work for Work” sign haha

I think bothering people into finding you work is better than being underutilized. If your office is very small, you might send an email to all the managers asking for work, at least this way people see that you are proactively trying to bill some hours, even if they have nothing for you.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[TXgurl]

Hi, guys,

I remember having this problem and feeling very insecure about it. But it is not your problem – it has to be addressed by your managers. As long as you have communicated the fact that you are very low on work, and open to any/all new assignments, then it is perfectly acceptable to be studying for the CPA or CPE. Or pull out some prior years' workpapers and learn something new that you can use. Especially if there are projects in the office that you cannot tackle yet.

Be sure to document and communicate in writing via email that you are ready and willing to take on any projects.

REG 75
FAR 88
AUDIT 82
BEC 74, 12/4/2013 84 Thank You Lord Jesus !!!

[TXgurl]

Hi, guys,

I remember having this problem and feeling very insecure about it. But it is not your problem – it has to be addressed by your managers. As long as you have communicated the fact that you are very low on work, and open to any/all new assignments, then it is perfectly acceptable to be studying for the CPA or CPE. Or pull out some prior years' workpapers and learn something new that you can use. Especially if there are projects in the office that you cannot tackle yet.

Be sure to document and communicate in writing via email that you are ready and willing to take on any projects.

REG 75
FAR 88
AUDIT 82
BEC 74, 12/4/2013 84 Thank You Lord Jesus !!!

[ymmit]

The reason I am posting right now at 9 am is for the exact reason lol. The majority of the year was crazy busy but the last few weeks work has been sparce. let the managers know you are available for anything and idk what else there is to do. All audits are finished for me just waiting on 12/31/13 year end audits to start piling up right in the midst of tax season. I have been billing only like 3-4 hours a day the last few weeks but will be billing 11+ come february. I guess it all evens out just don't get caught Christmas shopping online or doing something dumb.

Licensed CPA!

[ymmit]

The reason I am posting right now at 9 am is for the exact reason lol. The majority of the year was crazy busy but the last few weeks work has been sparce. let the managers know you are available for anything and idk what else there is to do. All audits are finished for me just waiting on 12/31/13 year end audits to start piling up right in the midst of tax season. I have been billing only like 3-4 hours a day the last few weeks but will be billing 11+ come february. I guess it all evens out just don't get caught Christmas shopping online or doing something dumb.

Licensed CPA!

[vanadium3]

I like the key word “don't get caught.” 😉

Don't you guys notice work tends to come all at once? seriously.. it's like no work no work.. then bam!! happened to me 1 hr before 5pm.

so I guess this is normal, but more tips are welcome! thanks all!

CPA

[vanadium3]

I like the key word “don't get caught.” 😉

Don't you guys notice work tends to come all at once? seriously.. it's like no work no work.. then bam!! happened to me 1 hr before 5pm.

so I guess this is normal, but more tips are welcome! thanks all!

CPA

[Author]

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