[MoeA71]

I know it’s really bad for the team for any key team member to leave just before busy season, but I am so unhappy with my current firm. I dread going to work everyday and my family and friends have given notice to it (cause I can’t help but vent to them about it). I am currently a senior associate, but at least I’m not the in-charge senior at my team – that would be worst. I also feel bad because I was promoted early to senior associate, and it’s like disappointing everyone…. Should I feel bad? How to tell them the news? Advice? Thoughts?

[mhueycpa]

1) do what is best for YOU. However, if you are leaving, leave now, they will have enough time to replace you before busy season starts.

2) what about ur job do you dislike, is it something solely attributable to this firm or industry, will you find it if u were to leave and go to a different firm?

3) while the grass may be greener on the other side, it's also easier dealing with the devil you know then the one u don't.

4) Going somewhere everyday and hating it before you get in the door isn't healthy. Jump ship while you can. Good luck!

THE 300 CLUB WILL DO JUST FINE!

[Son]

Do not leave your current job simply because you dislike it until you have an offer in hand. You will hear a lot of people say “follow your dream” and “if you hate your job don't put up with it”. Don't buy into that BS, the most solid plan is to suck it up until you have already signed an offer letter with another firm, and not a day earlier. As an interviewer I would hold it against you if you left your job weeks before a busy season started for no good reason and exited into nothing. It would be easier to understand if you had a better offer and disliked you current job, but this would make me think you're not serious about your career.

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[Anonymous]

Most people leave the firm around this time. You don't want to leave come mid January.

[Missy]

Why not attempt a job search first before worrying about the impact of accepting an offer. Having an offer worth considering is when you worry about the timing. Also be clear on what exactly you're looking for, which will make a decision much easier.

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Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[PublicGuy]

Don't leave until you have another offer. Other than that, leave when you gotta leave. firms are used to this and are very good at reallocating resources. And who cares if people are disappointed, you do what's right for you.

[MoeA71]

Thank you for the responses and advice. I don't plan to leave without an offer on the table. I am waiting to hear from a couple of firms and will notify them soon after I receive offers, if I do.

mhueycpa – thank you for the advice. I work for a big4 right now, and I think what's it is that I don't like is the culture of the firm and the lack of work/life balance. The latter not being the main reason (fyi). The main reason can be addressed if I go to a different firm.

[MoeA71]

Has anyone here left a big4 to go to a regional firm? If so, how did that work for you?

[fuzyfro89]

I'll just add that you can't generalize about firms larger than 100 total employees. The larger a firm gets, the more difficult it gets to keep a culture consistent.

You need to interview and see for yourself. Even if I say that big 4 to GT, BDO, or some other firm was fantastic for me, that's not the case for any type of majority of people given almost as many people do the exact opposite (GT/BDO to big 4) for the same reasons.

Find a way to cope until you find a good offer. Remember that you are in a GREAT place already! Most people are in denial or refuse to believe that their firm is not the right fit for them because they've been drinking the kool aid for too long.

Feelings of disappointing others? Get over it. You are less important to co-workers than you seem to think. If you are unhappy, you don't owe anyone at work to put up with it. If anything, they would owe you the option to make things better, but that hasn't happened, right?

I promise I'm not being cynical, but don't fall into the trap of making career (and personal/life) decisions to appease others. You HAVE to look out for yourself. In the process, be respectful and honest, and things will fall as they should. Trust me, no one wants to work with someone who does not want to be there… public accouting is hard enough as it is.

Take some time to reflect on what is truly unbearable, and what you would want/need in the next job/company to make you more satisfied. Then, start looking.

[MoeA71]

fuzyfro89 – I appreciate the thoughtful response. I've had some interviews and have some in the coming week. I am hoping I find what I'm looking for.

[Anonymous]

do not leave now; leave after busy season.

[Author]

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