[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!

[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!

[Never_Give_Up1]

@Almost – I am wanting to get back in because I miss the work. Auditing fits my personality to a T. Seriously 60 hours auditing goes by faster than 40 at my current one. Plus in public accounting you know you are going to move up the ladder if you stay in. Where in industry there is no guarantee for advancement. Plus in audit you are learning such a valuable skill that you can pretty much write your ticket. Any job posting you see pretty much says, “audit experience preferred” then for the 100k+ positions comes the, “big 4 preferred.”

But when it comes down to it you need to be happy with what you do. And now that I am done with the exam I would rather spend my free time working at what I enjoy making good money with nothing but a bright future if I am willing to work as hard as I did to pass this exam. Than to sit in a cube doing the same monotonous thing for 40 hours a week and collect a decent paycheck. Yeah the lower tier employees make crap in auditing… but the ones who stick it out… 100k+ EASY. My neighbor works at a big 4 and makes 140k as a manager and once busy season is over. He takes 3 weeks to travel and another week to take his family to disneyland.

I would rather work like a dog at 70+ hours a week and then take good time off and spend it with my family doing things, than to work 40 and come home and sit and watch T.V. like the people I work with.

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

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Never_Give_Up1]

@Almost – I am wanting to get back in because I miss the work. Auditing fits my personality to a T. Seriously 60 hours auditing goes by faster than 40 at my current one. Plus in public accounting you know you are going to move up the ladder if you stay in. Where in industry there is no guarantee for advancement. Plus in audit you are learning such a valuable skill that you can pretty much write your ticket. Any job posting you see pretty much says, “audit experience preferred” then for the 100k+ positions comes the, “big 4 preferred.”

But when it comes down to it you need to be happy with what you do. And now that I am done with the exam I would rather spend my free time working at what I enjoy making good money with nothing but a bright future if I am willing to work as hard as I did to pass this exam. Than to sit in a cube doing the same monotonous thing for 40 hours a week and collect a decent paycheck. Yeah the lower tier employees make crap in auditing… but the ones who stick it out… 100k+ EASY. My neighbor works at a big 4 and makes 140k as a manager and once busy season is over. He takes 3 weeks to travel and another week to take his family to disneyland.

I would rather work like a dog at 70+ hours a week and then take good time off and spend it with my family doing things, than to work 40 and come home and sit and watch T.V. like the people I work with.

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

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Mayo]

“My neighbor works at a big 4 and makes 140k as a manager”

Is this true? Or is it a typo?

I'm pretty sure Managers get paid around the 80k-90k range. 140k sounds way too high to me. Maybe Senior Mgr.?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

“My neighbor works at a big 4 and makes 140k as a manager”

Is this true? Or is it a typo?

I'm pretty sure Managers get paid around the 80k-90k range. 140k sounds way too high to me. Maybe Senior Mgr.?

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Never_Give_Up1]

@mayo you are correct he is a Sr. Manager. He has like 10+ years in to KPMG right now.

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

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Never_Give_Up1]

@mayo you are correct he is a Sr. Manager. He has like 10+ years in to KPMG right now.

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

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Mayo]

Oh ok. Yah, that makes more sense.

Still, for a Manager 85kish, isn't bad after only 5 years out of college. 3 or 4 of those years being in a supervisory position.

I'd say if you think you can hack it, go back to public, put a few years in, get out and get a better exit opportunity than what you have now.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Oh ok. Yah, that makes more sense.

Still, for a Manager 85kish, isn't bad after only 5 years out of college. 3 or 4 of those years being in a supervisory position.

I'd say if you think you can hack it, go back to public, put a few years in, get out and get a better exit opportunity than what you have now.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone for the great advice – I am so glad I wrote this post! It helped me confirm what I think I already knew deep down inside – that I need to go back to Public.

I am not looking forward to the hours but I am looking forward to being satisfied after a hard day's work and knowing that the sacrifices I am making today (i.e., no work-life balance) will reap great benefits in the future.

For those that are currently on the fence about leaving public, I would definitely say to take my experience as an example. Ultimately do what is best for you because that is what is important but I would recommend to ensure that you have weighed all your pros and cons before making a haste decision to leave public. The grass is most definitely not always greener on the other side!

Now to figure out which Big 4 firm to contact……. 😉

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone for the great advice – I am so glad I wrote this post! It helped me confirm what I think I already knew deep down inside – that I need to go back to Public.

I am not looking forward to the hours but I am looking forward to being satisfied after a hard day's work and knowing that the sacrifices I am making today (i.e., no work-life balance) will reap great benefits in the future.

For those that are currently on the fence about leaving public, I would definitely say to take my experience as an example. Ultimately do what is best for you because that is what is important but I would recommend to ensure that you have weighed all your pros and cons before making a haste decision to leave public. The grass is most definitely not always greener on the other side!

Now to figure out which Big 4 firm to contact……. 😉

[tough_kitty]

Contact all of them and accept the best offer 😉

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

[tough_kitty]

Contact all of them and accept the best offer 😉

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

[Mayo]

Almost.There, if you don't mind posting your email, I might be able to get you in touch with a recruiter directly at my Big 4.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Almost.There, if you don't mind posting your email, I might be able to get you in touch with a recruiter directly at my Big 4.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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