[strawker]

Hi all,

I am going to be starting Big 4 audit this September. I know it can vary, but what are you looking at when it comes to time commitment during busy season? I mean, is 80 hours a week to be expected? They say that you have to work a minimum of 55 billable hours during busy season…but is it more?

Also, what is the real time that this occurs? January to May? February to April?

Thanks for any responses in advance.

[Jennifer241]

Every office is going to be different on what they expect your hours to be based on each of their own clientele base. Also, clients don't always come in at the same time each year, so some weeks you will be swamped and others might be a little less hectic.

I work at a small-medium size firm. 15-20 accountants. We are swamped this year, I am working 11 hours a day, 6 days a week right now and not able to keep up. In the past we have had enough employees to cover the workload but we lost 2 experienced employees last year (over 70 years of experience between the two).

You might want to ask your boss what hours are expected, billable and total so that you are aware of what is expected of you. If they know you are studying for the exam they should expect you to ask since your spare time is taken up studying.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[SoCalCPA]

+1 with Jennifer's statement.

I worked 45 straight days at one point. Some people worked around 60 hours on average. Just expect the worst, so that you can be pleasantly surprised 🙂

B - (4/2012)
A - (5/2012)
R - (1/2012) Done!
F - (10/2011) Done!

[fsu9er24]

I work at a Big 4 – Third week of January thru the end of February were about 70 hours a week (not including the hour commute to the client). March was a joke for me.

It all depends on what clients you get put on. You could have a 12/31 year-end followed by a 3/31 followed with a 5/31 all in a row – so three busy seasons. Even if you have a bunch of year-end clients in a row the hours should not be nearly as bad as January & February (staffing is much better).

Just expect the worst and you will be fine. Personally, I was so busy and stressed during busy season that the time just flew by, and next thing I knew it was filing day 🙂

BEC 86
REG 78
FAR 77
AUD 95

[Anonymous]

I work for a small CPA firm and I'm averaging 65-70 billable hours a week and close to 80 for the week before the deadlines.

[Author]

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