[Yazzari10]

Hello,

I’ve been working for a year at a large public firm as a tax associate and just submitted my application for the issuance of my CPA license. The time I’ve spent at this firm has been good. I’ve learned a few things and really like the people I work with. The issue is that our tax group is overpopulated. We’ve gotten a lot of new people but not many have left, so there isn’t enough work to do for everyone. We have an annual billiable hour goal that we must achive, but I don’t think is very realistic (due to not having enough work). I don’t like the pressure I feel about not meeting the goal. I’ve had a lot of down time, and while some would be happy to get paid to do nothing, I just get stressed and bored out of my mind. I’ve asked my coworkers and others for work to do, but no luck. I don’t know what else to do.

So thats why I’m thinking about quitting after busy season. Do you think I have a chance of getting into Big 4 with 1.5 years of experience? Maybe try small public firm? Should I try to go to private instead ? Also, should I just quit or wait until they fire me?

I’ll appreciate any word of advice. This is my first professional/big job and that’s why I’m not sure what to do. Let me know what would you do if you were in my shoes.

[Small4]

In any situation you want to be in, don’t wait to get fired…unless you’re kidding of course. You don’t want that blemish at all.

As for quitting, I suggest staying to at least get promoted to a senior level? Maybe you will like some delegating vs associate grunt work. And if you still hate it/hate billable hours/hate that kind of work, then that is where you evaluate if “private” is the way to go.

Private/work for a company isn’t the most exciting either (granted CPA Firms aren’t exciting either but you get what I mean). Usually, the younger the person is the more energy they usually have so that’s why I feel like staying in “public” is good when you still have that freedom to “stay late” , less life responsibilities to figure out who you truly want to become in the future as a professional. Some treat public accounting as grad school to eventually “put their time”

So long story short, maybe try a small public firm and see if you like how they operate…and if you really hate it still, evaluate the pros and cons of private (i.e. hours great usually, get to learn the company from within…..upward mobility could be limited, raises are industry standard like 3%, make sure the “TAX DEPARTMENT” has a history…since typically companies outsource work so you want to come in knowing it’s a company standard to keep tax work in-house and not fluctuate each time the VP or Director quits)…also one thing to note is private, you are kind of stuck with the people you work with and they tend to be older…so usually that gets “boring” too. Maybe the free time you have NOW isn’t going to be there when you are older so enjoy it/use it wisely.

Lastly, don’t get fired…in any circumstances. Even if you don’t care anymore.
I’m a little older and had Big4 and private industry experience so obviously above is just my opinion. Hopefully it helps.

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Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[Yazzari10]

@small4
Thanks for your reply! I'll analyze my situation again after busy season. I'm not trying to turn into a workaholic, but I need more work so I can become better. Maybe a smaller firm will give me that. So I'll make sure to do my research about other public and private firms in the meantime.

[Son]

Yazzari10, I would definitely give Big4s a shot if you want to stay in public. 1.5 years of experience is solid and they might just be looking to hire more experienced staffs (or seniors if you make the move after the busy season). You might regret saying you want more work if you go a Big4 firm though:)

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[Yazzari10]

@Son Do you work at a Big4? If so, how's the work like? Would you happen to know if they hire right after busy season? I guess it'll depend on their needs for Fall,right. Oh, it looks like I'll have to do more research. Thanks for your help.

[Son]

Yep, I work as a manager in international tax. Work is challenging and interesting, I mostly deal with Fortune 500s, so lots of big projects and demanding deadlines. Really depends on what you're looking for in a career, but if at this point your goal is to get the experience (maybe even at the cost of your personal life) Big4 will likely keep you very busy.

Hiring needs really depend on the office you'll be applying to. Big offices might be hiring almost year-round, and for experienced hires there's no cycle as such (you're right though that most new hires are interviewed and offered an internship/entry level job in the fall). But as our managing partner often says, if we know someone good he always has time for an interview.

I'd start making connections even now. If you aren't busy during busy season the changes are they might ask you to leave right after (or worse, yet, mid-season). Much easier to find a job while you still have one, as absurd as that sounds.

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[Missy]

You can start applying to both, wait until you have an offer in hand to consider then ask this question again. So many variables to consider that its spinning your wheels to ask hypothetically.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Yazzari10]

@son, thanks for your input. I'll try to get involved in networking events and see if I can make a connection with a Big4 firm and others. It sounds like the workload at B4 is no joke, but I'll rather have a solid amount of work to keep me busy that not having anything and just waste time.

@MLa, thanks for the advice. I think you're right and I'm spinning my wheels too early. I'm going to wait until after busy season to apply for new positions. Hopefully I'll find something better for me.

[Author]

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