[Anonymous]

For those of you that have gone through a few busy seasons, how would you say the training changes once the busy season is over?

If you were hired on just before the busy season, you might have a week or two formal training, then up until April you’ll be thrown on a number of engagements and expected to ask a lot of questions, etc., and a Senior or Supervisor might just briefly run through things with you (since they are super busy themselves) and expect you to pick things up quickly and see if you are capable of handling it.

When the busy season is over, how would you describe your experience with how the training changes once the firm and professional staff have more time to help?

I’m sure all firms may be different depending on culture and size, but I’m curious to hear personal experiences and ways to get more out of the people with experience during the down time.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

I work in a very, very, very small office, meaning one CPA and me. We don't have a “busy season”. Every season is busy. We go from taxes, to audits, to finishing up financials getting them ready for taxes, and then it starts all over again. The best part of being in such a small office is that I do get to see EVERYTHING. I'm not confined to one particular area, like tax or audit. I (We) do it all. I really dislike taxes so my boss pretty much leaves me to the financial statements and audits.

[Anonymous]

Hi Kricket! How is your CPA going? I remember reading your posts a couple of month ago, you were very stressed 🙂

Are you satisfied with your pay working in the small office? I am currently in a Big 4 firm but very unhappy (see the next discussion).

[Anonymous]

Yes I also work for a small firm here in South Florida (15-20 employees) but have experience working for a top 15 firm as well. But we are a high profile niche firm, of which we do have a number of clients in other industries as well.

Kricket, I've been doing all the same things and it's amazing how much I've learned in just the past few months starting at this firm. Everything from the planning and fieldwork of an audit from start to completion, preparing the financials, e-mailing and corresponding with clients, preparing tax returns (which I hated at first, but the more you do, the easier and more interesting it gets).

I am lucky to be in an office where any question I ask is answered with enthusiasm and everyone at the firm is able to provide concise/sharp explanations. I really am impressed with this firm I'm with now.

But I also have to give credit to myself (and anyone who makes it through their first busy season without losing their mind) for being able to keep up with their work, fit in with the group, and in a sense earn your keep.

So I am just wondering, while I am getting the brief/concise type of training overview as we go along in the busy season, should I expect to get more detailed training when things aren't so hectic? Or should I expect to learn most details on my own.

Again, I'm sure all firms are different, but in general I'd like to hear others opinions and experience with what they've encountered in their public accounting career.

[Anonymous]

@Accountant_Ant – I'm learning what is important at this point in my life. I have three credits and I'm praying for a pass on FAR that I took 2/23. I think it would be more like a miracle at this point, but it is what it is. I've got enough going on health-wise, that I don't need to add stress to it. That just makes everything worse. So my new mantra is “It is what it is”!

@brickell cpa – I came from a Gov agency to public accounting, which is like walking out of a cave into the sunlight! For me, at the time, it felt like I was being thrown to the wolves. Now I realize that too much wasn't being asked of me. Actually, now looking back on it, at the time I was nothing more than a glorified data entry clerk! Luckily I have a very smart, very understanding boss. I've learned more from him than Wiley, Yaeger, and Gleim combined. Of course, once, he learned something from Jeff! I think the details of what I do have come through practice and making mistakes. Nothing leaves our office without both of us looking it over. My boss catches my mistakes in coding things and the occasional forgotten entry, and I catch his grammar, spelling, and typo's! He leaves me notes on things that need to be corrected and I just correct his typos and keep my mouth shut! I have kept every one of his notes in my bottom desk drawer. I have all of the post it notes, pink message pad slips and e-mails that he has sent. My goals is to never make the same mistake twice and so far I've managed to do that. But to answer your question, for me the details just came over time. I don't remember a time when my boss sat me down and said “Ok, this is X and this is Y.” You just learn as you go. Kind of like learning to walk, you've got to take it one step at a time!

[Author]

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