[Loxjox]

Hi guys,

I am currently in decompression mode after passing the CPA exam. I passed at an Interesting time, right in the middle of busy season for taxes. I got my last score on March 7, a pass on AUD at 76. I would be looking for a job right now, but no firm will talk to me while they’re in the middle of doing taxes. This gives me some well needed downtime and a chance to think about what I want to do with my CPA.

My question for anyone who can answer it, is given my career goals, what path should I take in accounting to get there? I would definitely like to hang my own shingle one day and practice solo. Then perhaps grow and hire staff, or partner with other CPA’s. That is my highest goal.

Work life balance is of tantamount importance to me as I am a married man and a father of a six-month old baby girl. My career in accounting is there to support my family. Being present for my family is more important to me than anything in my career be it money or prestige. I just want to make that clear.

So I have the choice to make, where do I start my career? And how will what I choose affect my goal of opening my own practice one day?

Big 4

or

Mid size firm

or

Small firm

or

Government

or

Non-Profit

Please give me some tips, it would be greatly appreciated from people who are already working.

[jeff]

Gotcha. Most small tax firms are mandatory 6-7 days a week mid-January through April 15, so I was wondering if yours was different.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[Anonymous]

I've got to weigh in on this one!

1st – Anyone can live however they want IF they are willing to go into enough debt. They can have a fancy car and a huge house at a price. I prefer my paid for Saturn and mortgage free house.

2nd – It is 10:30pm and I've been home 15 minutes. Alarm is set for 4:30am. It is a myth that small firms only work unGodly hours during tax season. January is bust a$$ to get W2's out the door, preferably correct the first time. Then Feb – April it's tax returns until you are sick of them. May – June is bust a$$ to get audits done for 12/31 year end. July – October is catch up on the write ups that got put on the back burner and finish extended returns (my own was dead last for 2012 & 2013 ain't looking any better). November – December are a mad scramble to finish 6/30 year end audits. And it goes on and on…

3rd – I just snagged a client from a Big 4 firm and they are quite pleased so far. MYTH BUSTED!!!!

But this is what I wanted. I work my a$$ off, get to help out a worthy non-profit for free from time to time and I never feel like every day is Groundhog Day. I do ask myself from time to time “What is a weekend?” But I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything else.

There are no days off no matter how sick I am. Last year I did write ups from home while I was radioactive and in quarantine. This year I'm planning on working from home 2 days after surgery. I wont be able to drive but I can sit at my desk as easily as I can sit in a recliner. Actually I can work from my recliner!

[Anonymous]

I've got to weigh in on this one!

1st – Anyone can live however they want IF they are willing to go into enough debt. They can have a fancy car and a huge house at a price. I prefer my paid for Saturn and mortgage free house.

2nd – It is 10:30pm and I've been home 15 minutes. Alarm is set for 4:30am. It is a myth that small firms only work unGodly hours during tax season. January is bust a$$ to get W2's out the door, preferably correct the first time. Then Feb – April it's tax returns until you are sick of them. May – June is bust a$$ to get audits done for 12/31 year end. July – October is catch up on the write ups that got put on the back burner and finish extended returns (my own was dead last for 2012 & 2013 ain't looking any better). November – December are a mad scramble to finish 6/30 year end audits. And it goes on and on…

3rd – I just snagged a client from a Big 4 firm and they are quite pleased so far. MYTH BUSTED!!!!

But this is what I wanted. I work my a$$ off, get to help out a worthy non-profit for free from time to time and I never feel like every day is Groundhog Day. I do ask myself from time to time “What is a weekend?” But I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything else.

There are no days off no matter how sick I am. Last year I did write ups from home while I was radioactive and in quarantine. This year I'm planning on working from home 2 days after surgery. I wont be able to drive but I can sit at my desk as easily as I can sit in a recliner. Actually I can work from my recliner!

[Study Monk]

I ate way to much reeses puffs cereal today 🙁

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

I ate way to much reeses puffs cereal today 🙁

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Author]

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