[Anonymous]

I left Public Accounting a little over 6 months ago. While I enjoyed the challenges that came with the work I was getting sick of working long hours even during non-busy season months.

I finally decided to take the leap and see what all the hype about industry was. Though I make more money and work less hours, I do not enjoy what I do. Even though I was hired as an accountant, I get no accounting-related tasks and really feel like I am just doing data entry type projects. Some days they don’t even have work for me to do. I know most people think you shouldn’t complain about a job where you have nothing to do but it really makes passing the day a very difficult task. Plus, I have my Masters, CPA, and public accounting experience so I do not really think this position is a good use of my time or ability and it also is not contributing to my personal development in any way.

I know I have only been at this position for 6 months but I knew around 3 weeks that I did not like it. To make sure that I was not just experiencing “new-job-syndrome”, I decided to stick with it for some time and give it the benefit of the doubt. Now, over 6 months since starting, my dislike for the job has increasingly gotten worse.

So my question is – is it absolutely crazy to return to public accounting? Has anyone done this? If so, what was your experience like – were you happy or regretful with the decision to go back? Also, if I do go back – any insight on if I would have to go back before busy season starts so I don’t get held back a year for promotions (For the Big 4 Firm I worked at, promotions were determined by the number of busy seasons you worked but I am not sure if working in industry would count as “experience” towards a promotion)

Finally, would it be a good idea to go back to the Big 4 firm I quit or to seek another Big 4 firm? Anyone change Big 4 firms and what was your experience?

Thanks in advance for any insight! This has been driving me crazy for the past 6 months!

[fuzyfro89]

Not really. It's the best decision for many people in public to leave, however, I think some people are so caught up in their haste to leave public that they don't really take the time to find something that they will really enjoy. Accounting is accounting, and whether you are auditing or actually preparing, it's not apples and oranges… so it's a little ambitious to expect it to be completely different.

In any case, not unusual. I've seen it before, but before jumping back into Big 4 right away, you should definitely take time to think about what it is that you really want to do in the next 2-4 years (assuming you're not going back to stick around until partner). 🙂 Do you see yourself in industry but just at a different company/role/higher level? Do you see yourself in accounting at all? Will additional time in Big 4 help you achieve those goals?

From what you suggest, it's tough to say. What is it exactly that is important to you? You mentioned personal development, but you also left to get away from the crazy schedules at Big 4… so perhaps a different role in your current company may be better? Perhaps the same role at a different company? Culture matters too.. since it seems you need to be at a place where you can stay busy and feel like you're developing.

Only you can really judge, but before trying to get back to Big 4 you should really take time to think about your goals and how your next move can help you go in that direction. Otherwise, you may spend another 3-5 years in public and get tired of it again, only to still be as lost as you are today.

if you decide to return to the dark side Which Big 4 you go to shouldn't matter too much in terms of your actual career move. Did you leave on fantastic terms? Likely you could get a job there again, but why settle for familiarity? Seems like you wanted a new experience when you decided to leave, so maybe a new firm would be better? Maybe another firm is willing to pay an extra 10%, would that matter to you? Most likely you would need to get in before busy season, but you also should realize that taking a full year off isn't really all that much… and even if you still decide that you hate industry and want back in public, then at least you thought about it extensively and don't have to wonder any more… but of course, decision is up to you. To me, it sounds fast at this point to get back and interview with the firms and get an offer to start by December.. you would probably need to start getting in contact in the next few weeks.

Lots to think about, but also try and find out if returning to Big 4 would make you happy (whatever that means to you). It would feel pretty awful if you left this job for Big 4, and in another 1 year you started feeling the burnout again and then feel stuck. In any case, nothing is perfect and will require time to adjust, but just be sure to think through your own personal pros/cons and make the right choice for you!

Don't let anyone convince you to stay anywhere for at least a year… that's a load of horse crap!! It's almost 2014, tenure means nothing. Any company would lay you off just to cut costs, so leaving to pursue your career/life goals hardly seems like it isn't good enough of a reason.

Good luck!

[fuzyfro89]

Not really. It's the best decision for many people in public to leave, however, I think some people are so caught up in their haste to leave public that they don't really take the time to find something that they will really enjoy. Accounting is accounting, and whether you are auditing or actually preparing, it's not apples and oranges… so it's a little ambitious to expect it to be completely different.

In any case, not unusual. I've seen it before, but before jumping back into Big 4 right away, you should definitely take time to think about what it is that you really want to do in the next 2-4 years (assuming you're not going back to stick around until partner). 🙂 Do you see yourself in industry but just at a different company/role/higher level? Do you see yourself in accounting at all? Will additional time in Big 4 help you achieve those goals?

From what you suggest, it's tough to say. What is it exactly that is important to you? You mentioned personal development, but you also left to get away from the crazy schedules at Big 4… so perhaps a different role in your current company may be better? Perhaps the same role at a different company? Culture matters too.. since it seems you need to be at a place where you can stay busy and feel like you're developing.

Only you can really judge, but before trying to get back to Big 4 you should really take time to think about your goals and how your next move can help you go in that direction. Otherwise, you may spend another 3-5 years in public and get tired of it again, only to still be as lost as you are today.

if you decide to return to the dark side Which Big 4 you go to shouldn't matter too much in terms of your actual career move. Did you leave on fantastic terms? Likely you could get a job there again, but why settle for familiarity? Seems like you wanted a new experience when you decided to leave, so maybe a new firm would be better? Maybe another firm is willing to pay an extra 10%, would that matter to you? Most likely you would need to get in before busy season, but you also should realize that taking a full year off isn't really all that much… and even if you still decide that you hate industry and want back in public, then at least you thought about it extensively and don't have to wonder any more… but of course, decision is up to you. To me, it sounds fast at this point to get back and interview with the firms and get an offer to start by December.. you would probably need to start getting in contact in the next few weeks.

Lots to think about, but also try and find out if returning to Big 4 would make you happy (whatever that means to you). It would feel pretty awful if you left this job for Big 4, and in another 1 year you started feeling the burnout again and then feel stuck. In any case, nothing is perfect and will require time to adjust, but just be sure to think through your own personal pros/cons and make the right choice for you!

Don't let anyone convince you to stay anywhere for at least a year… that's a load of horse crap!! It's almost 2014, tenure means nothing. Any company would lay you off just to cut costs, so leaving to pursue your career/life goals hardly seems like it isn't good enough of a reason.

Good luck!

[tough_kitty]

I like fuzyfro's advice! I'll have to ask you for one myself 😉

Just wanted to add that I know a guy who left one big 4 firm to pursue career in real estate but I guess it didn't work out for some reasons because several months later he was back with another big 4 firm. Unfortunately, I don't know the details but this example just shows you that these things happen…

I have a career dilemma myself… Had to change careers, got MS in Accy & General MBA and got hired with the state. Now, about 2.5 years later I'm almost done with the CPA exam and trying to decide what to do next…. Even if I decide to go to public/industry, assuming they offer me a job, I'm not sure it would make sense, if let's say 6-8 yrs from now I decide to have kids and then I'd want to go back to a state job. What's the point in leaving then?? And what's my ultimate goal?? I really wish I knew… So, yeah, I get your dilemma! Hope we can figure it out.

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

[tough_kitty]

I like fuzyfro's advice! I'll have to ask you for one myself 😉

Just wanted to add that I know a guy who left one big 4 firm to pursue career in real estate but I guess it didn't work out for some reasons because several months later he was back with another big 4 firm. Unfortunately, I don't know the details but this example just shows you that these things happen…

I have a career dilemma myself… Had to change careers, got MS in Accy & General MBA and got hired with the state. Now, about 2.5 years later I'm almost done with the CPA exam and trying to decide what to do next…. Even if I decide to go to public/industry, assuming they offer me a job, I'm not sure it would make sense, if let's say 6-8 yrs from now I decide to have kids and then I'd want to go back to a state job. What's the point in leaving then?? And what's my ultimate goal?? I really wish I knew… So, yeah, I get your dilemma! Hope we can figure it out.

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

[Never_Give_Up1]

Well if it is then I'm loco… I have been out of the game for 1.5 years and I miss it bad. Has an interview with e&y today and I'm willing to take a pay cut to get back in.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Never_Give_Up1]

Well if it is then I'm loco… I have been out of the game for 1.5 years and I miss it bad. Has an interview with e&y today and I'm willing to take a pay cut to get back in.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the great advice!

In terms of my goals, I would like to be in a management position in the next 5 years and ultimately in the future making it to a controller-type position. I know the climb up the corporate ladder in industry is a lot slower but I think it is the unknown that makes me uneasy. I have no idea if I will ever be promoted here or if I am even gaining the skills necessary in my current position to be worthy of a future promotion here or externally. I think that the main thing that is attracting me to public again is the rigid path – i.e., if I go back for 3 years I would definitely make manager (my ratings were well above average the 3 years I was in public so, unless something catastrophic occurs, I could see myself getting promoted to manager at the expected time)

I left on GREAT terms (worked late up until the last day I was there to ensure that my responsibilities were transferred over and that the team had everything they needed before I left) so I do not see a problem with my old firm accepting me back.

Honestly I think I made a haste decision in leaving public. I had been on the same large client ever since I started and was to the point where I needed a change. In the back of mind I keep asking myself “what if I would’ve stayed longer to see other clients”

I know it is probably wise to stick around in my current position for a longer period of time to see how the position evolves but my main concern is being held back a year if I don’t make it in before busy season. I know a year is not the end of the world BUT I don’t want to end up wasting an entire year here in industry only to be held back an entire year when I go back to public. I currently do not have a family but things could easily change in the future so, from my perspective, an entire year in terms of public accounting can be quite important.

Never_Give_Up1 – what made you finally want to go back?

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the great advice!

In terms of my goals, I would like to be in a management position in the next 5 years and ultimately in the future making it to a controller-type position. I know the climb up the corporate ladder in industry is a lot slower but I think it is the unknown that makes me uneasy. I have no idea if I will ever be promoted here or if I am even gaining the skills necessary in my current position to be worthy of a future promotion here or externally. I think that the main thing that is attracting me to public again is the rigid path – i.e., if I go back for 3 years I would definitely make manager (my ratings were well above average the 3 years I was in public so, unless something catastrophic occurs, I could see myself getting promoted to manager at the expected time)

I left on GREAT terms (worked late up until the last day I was there to ensure that my responsibilities were transferred over and that the team had everything they needed before I left) so I do not see a problem with my old firm accepting me back.

Honestly I think I made a haste decision in leaving public. I had been on the same large client ever since I started and was to the point where I needed a change. In the back of mind I keep asking myself “what if I would’ve stayed longer to see other clients”

I know it is probably wise to stick around in my current position for a longer period of time to see how the position evolves but my main concern is being held back a year if I don’t make it in before busy season. I know a year is not the end of the world BUT I don’t want to end up wasting an entire year here in industry only to be held back an entire year when I go back to public. I currently do not have a family but things could easily change in the future so, from my perspective, an entire year in terms of public accounting can be quite important.

Never_Give_Up1 – what made you finally want to go back?

[vanadium3]

coming out of public were suppose to give you a management position. maybe that's why you are not satisfied. I really think you can't get everything. it's either work less hrs and have a low position job. or work long hrs and hope the hrs are not as long as public.

if anyone figure it out… I know you can try to get into teaching, but it's hard to get in.

CPA

[vanadium3]

coming out of public were suppose to give you a management position. maybe that's why you are not satisfied. I really think you can't get everything. it's either work less hrs and have a low position job. or work long hrs and hope the hrs are not as long as public.

if anyone figure it out… I know you can try to get into teaching, but it's hard to get in.

CPA

[P or F.. I think Im gonna BARF]

It's called the boomerang effect… tons of people do it.

B - (08/29/2013) Passed
A - (07/02/2013) Passed
R - (10/17/2013) 73 - Rematch
F - (05/29/2013) Passed

[P or F.. I think Im gonna BARF]

It's called the boomerang effect… tons of people do it.

B - (08/29/2013) Passed
A - (07/02/2013) Passed
R - (10/17/2013) 73 - Rematch
F - (05/29/2013) Passed

[Anonymous]

I had an internship in public right out of college and haven't been able to get into a firm full time since then. I really liked the challenge of public accounting and I really want to be in public accounting as well.

[Anonymous]

I had an internship in public right out of college and haven't been able to get into a firm full time since then. I really liked the challenge of public accounting and I really want to be in public accounting as well.

[LoveEventing]

I have been throwing around the idea of going back to public, too. I really hate the job I took out of public, which I've been at for over a year. I have GREAT work/life balance, but working there is like watching paint dry. Or when something interesting does come about, the red tape and hierarchical atmosphere inhibits anyone from getting anything valuable done.

I am really afraid that I can't have work/life balance AND a job I enjoy at this point. I miss my job in public, but not the lifestyle. Not sure what to do…

BEC - 68, 76
AUD - 90, 91
FAR - 63, 83
REG - 55, 79

FINALLY DONE!

[Author]

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