[teatime]

I graduated in May 2011, worked part time in AP for a nonprofit my senior year of college and was told by my supervisor I should reconsider if I wanted to pursue accounting. I landed a full-time job at a start-up where the Controller grilled and molded me into a revenue specialist, I did everything from billing to reporting to the C-execs. A year and a half later I left the company for a smaller marketing company I am in right now, where I am doing contract review and invoicing… where the culture and work is just mind-numbingly boring. Last week I received a written warning that I was under performing. In summary I was not taking my job seriously and kept making mistakes. Completely my fault, but it makes me question staying in accounting or this company. My current supervisor is making effort to my suggestions, I suggested different processes that I think would be useful, and identified problems I had with the current system. She set up a department meeting to discuss ideas, and so there is progress here but I don’t feel right staying. I took the job for more time to study for my exams, but because everyone here sits in their own cubes and there is minimal communication, it drives me absolutely nuts. Everyone is at least 30 (I am 22) and overall there is just a complete disconnect, as they do not educate their employees on products. Overall I am not satisfied with the culture, the only thing appealing would be the location and the flexible work hours (8am-4pm), no OT. I have some leads on getting back into the start-up world. Or thinking if I should just stay the next 6 months and get all my testing done, and signed off. Thank you for listening to my rants, please let me know your thoughts!

AUD: 78
BEC: 70; 77
REG: 7/20/13
FAR: 10/05/13

[mla1169]

If you dislike accounting, find a new career path. However you seem to be conceding that your performance isn't quite up to par, and if that is the case you'll struggle in any field. Have you taken any exams yet? If you've passed even one, you're definately capable of achieving in accounting.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[MustPass1988]

I think everyone goes through this- did I choose the right path for myself? After a few months in public accounting I had a “quarter life crisis” where I semi-freaked out and thought that I had chosen the wrong career path because I hated public accounting. I was certain that I taken a marketing job (my other degree), I would have been a lot happier. But then I looked at 80% of the people I graduated with who still don't have jobs or are working retail while trying to find a marketing job and the other 20% who do have marketing jobs but probably make 40% less than me, it's put in perspective a little more. I know that I have a really hard time with being happy with where I'm at, I always want to move on to the next stage of my life and figure out my passion. If you want to leave, leave but anywhere you go, there will always be things that aren't perfect at any job. Sometimes I look back on public accounting and miss certain things. But you should also probably figure out whether its the company or accounting you hate because if you truly hate accounting, going to a different company won't make it any better.

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[neika822]

I, as well, had a “quarter-life” crisis. I quit public accounting and temped for several months. During that time I was considering teaching or finding a different “creative” career path.

And then I realized I did enjoy accounting, just not public accounting. I've been at my current job for a year now and I really like it. I think everyone does go through that phase, whether it's legitimate or not. It might be that you don't like the accounting career path, or it could be just a minor freak-out. It sounds to me like you want more challenging work. My current job can be very boring (I also work with middle-aged people, and I am 24, so it can get QUITE boring) but most times I do feel motivated and want to gain a lot from this experience.

I find that at this job, I may have to approach my boss and initiate the conversation to be given more responsibilities. Your career is in your own hands.

Good luck!

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[Author]

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