[Tono23]

Hello All,

I am reaching out to the forum because I would like to inquire about public accounting. That said, I recently found a posting with a tier-two accounting firm in Chicago, and I am on the fence about applying.

A little about me: I am currently a staff accountant (entry-level) with a small not-for-profit community college. I have been employed with this institution for two years and I am currently studying for the CPA Exam.

Further, I am hesitant about entering public accounting because of the horror stories of how these firms have no work/life balance. All that said, could those of you in public accounting please give your .02. I too would like to hear from those in industry.

Thank you.

[Ntw6817]

The whole no work/life balance depends on the firm. I hear that a lot about big 4 firms but the firm I'm at now is really nice. I joined in July and it's been 8 hour days since I started with half days on Fridays. It's going to change starting next week with it being tax season and all but with such a nice schedule the rest of the year, I don't mind working a little extra.

[Ntw6817]

The whole no work/life balance depends on the firm. I hear that a lot about big 4 firms but the firm I'm at now is really nice. I joined in July and it's been 8 hour days since I started with half days on Fridays. It's going to change starting next week with it being tax season and all but with such a nice schedule the rest of the year, I don't mind working a little extra.

[Study Monk]

I worked at a firm out of college that probably averaged 42 hours during busy season. A lot of people don't even talk about the small boutique firms that don't have enough clients to rack up crazy hours but still charge an arm and a leg to pay their accountants well.

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 worked at a firm out of college that probably averaged 42 hours during busy season. A lot of people don't even talk about the small boutique firms that don't have enough clients to rack up crazy hours but still charge an arm and a leg to pay their accountants well.

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"

[Anonymous]

I work at a regional public accounting firm and I really like working there (most days). My company has about 500 people total. We have 10 or so offices and where I work is about 100 people. I'm a staff accountant; this January marks a year full-time for me. I would say that I average between 70-80 hours a week during busy season. That said, I also have my hands on a lot of different areas – I do audits, reviews, compilations, and the tax returns for almost all of the engagements I am on.

I interned with the same company for a year prior to starting full-time, and truthfully I was hooked from day 1. A few aspects that I love about my job – I learn something new DAILY. I have been exposed to so many different areas of accounting & tax that I would venture a guess and say that I've learned more the past year than I did collectively in 4 years of college (and I learned a lot in college!). I enjoy the team atmosphere and the different groups of people that I work with. I'm not limited to working with one group of people. In one year, I've worked with probably 85% of the people in my office. I get hands on experience with clients. Perhaps my favorite part of my job is the direct interaction I get with all of the partners. Being able to work and learn from seasoned professionals who are where I want to be in 10 years has been instrumental to helping me grow as a professional.

Yes, busy season hours are tough, but that comes with a career in public accounting. Do I work more than 40 hours/week outside of busy season? Sure I do. Is there pressure involved to meet deadlines year-round? It seems there is ALWAYS a deadline to meet at some point.

I like the size of the my company because of the options it provides me with. For example – I've never been a fan of auditing, so after of year of getting audit experience I made that known and I no longer have to go out on audits. I'm now getting more involved in the tax practice, and I was also able to join the SALT group. I think that is one of the biggest benefits of regional firms – you're not just stuck to one area of practice like I hear so often from big 4 folk. I like having that flexibility especially at the beginning of my career.

When all is said and done it really comes down to this – I enjoy the work that I'm doing, and I enjoy working with the people around me. If you find a nice company with a great work environment, a career in public accounting isn't half bad!

[Anonymous]

I work at a regional public accounting firm and I really like working there (most days). My company has about 500 people total. We have 10 or so offices and where I work is about 100 people. I'm a staff accountant; this January marks a year full-time for me. I would say that I average between 70-80 hours a week during busy season. That said, I also have my hands on a lot of different areas – I do audits, reviews, compilations, and the tax returns for almost all of the engagements I am on.

I interned with the same company for a year prior to starting full-time, and truthfully I was hooked from day 1. A few aspects that I love about my job – I learn something new DAILY. I have been exposed to so many different areas of accounting & tax that I would venture a guess and say that I've learned more the past year than I did collectively in 4 years of college (and I learned a lot in college!). I enjoy the team atmosphere and the different groups of people that I work with. I'm not limited to working with one group of people. In one year, I've worked with probably 85% of the people in my office. I get hands on experience with clients. Perhaps my favorite part of my job is the direct interaction I get with all of the partners. Being able to work and learn from seasoned professionals who are where I want to be in 10 years has been instrumental to helping me grow as a professional.

Yes, busy season hours are tough, but that comes with a career in public accounting. Do I work more than 40 hours/week outside of busy season? Sure I do. Is there pressure involved to meet deadlines year-round? It seems there is ALWAYS a deadline to meet at some point.

I like the size of the my company because of the options it provides me with. For example – I've never been a fan of auditing, so after of year of getting audit experience I made that known and I no longer have to go out on audits. I'm now getting more involved in the tax practice, and I was also able to join the SALT group. I think that is one of the biggest benefits of regional firms – you're not just stuck to one area of practice like I hear so often from big 4 folk. I like having that flexibility especially at the beginning of my career.

When all is said and done it really comes down to this – I enjoy the work that I'm doing, and I enjoy working with the people around me. If you find a nice company with a great work environment, a career in public accounting isn't half bad!

[Travis]

I work at a small firm of <50 over 6 offices. Last busy season I did about 50/week and during the other parts of the year I always had plenty of work to get in 40 hours or a little more.

This season I expect to work 6 days/week and put in more hours than last. But I'm oddly looking forward to it this year. I must be nuts? 🙂

[Travis]

I work at a small firm of <50 over 6 offices. Last busy season I did about 50/week and during the other parts of the year I always had plenty of work to get in 40 hours or a little more.

This season I expect to work 6 days/week and put in more hours than last. But I'm oddly looking forward to it this year. I must be nuts? 🙂

[Lindrobe]

@Tono23 – I work at a large private college in Indiana as a Staff Tax Accountant. Curious if your pay is as lousy as mine? 😉

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

@Tono23 – I work at a large private college in Indiana as a Staff Tax Accountant. Curious if your pay is as lousy as mine? 😉

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Tono23]

I would like to thank everyone for their insight!

@Lindrobe- my current salary is 38.5K before taxes. Additionally, I was told by a “higher-up” that there is no room for growth since we are such a small department. Hence, these are the two main reasons I am actively seeking.

[Tono23]

I would like to thank everyone for their insight!

@Lindrobe- my current salary is 38.5K before taxes. Additionally, I was told by a “higher-up” that there is no room for growth since we are such a small department. Hence, these are the two main reasons I am actively seeking.

[Lindrobe]

@Tono23 – probably not quite as bad as mine. I graduated with my B.S. in Accounting in 2004 and got my MBA in 2012. I am at 43.5 and have 9 years experience. I am told that we make less at the University because it is non-profit – UGGGH. There is not much room for me to advance in Tax, but a lot of opportunity to move to other accounting related jobs on campus since it is a large school. Hope to stay at the University because of the stability and good benefits that it provides. I also hope to move to a higher paying job after I finish CPA exam.

I do think that public accounting provides very good experience. I have always regretted the fact that I have never worked in Public Accounting, so go for it if you are not happy where you are at!! 🙂

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Lindrobe]

@Tono23 – probably not quite as bad as mine. I graduated with my B.S. in Accounting in 2004 and got my MBA in 2012. I am at 43.5 and have 9 years experience. I am told that we make less at the University because it is non-profit – UGGGH. There is not much room for me to advance in Tax, but a lot of opportunity to move to other accounting related jobs on campus since it is a large school. Hope to stay at the University because of the stability and good benefits that it provides. I also hope to move to a higher paying job after I finish CPA exam.

I do think that public accounting provides very good experience. I have always regretted the fact that I have never worked in Public Accounting, so go for it if you are not happy where you are at!! 🙂

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Author]

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