[Ganondorf]

I have an interview this coming week with a very very tiny public accounting firm. There are only six employees working there. They have a posting on Facebook that said they are hiring, so I sent my resume in to them. I hope I get the job.

I am a little nervous because I haven’t had a job in accounting. This will be my first “professional” job.

Anyway, what is it like working at such a tiny firm? My biggest concern is if they will have good training. I am scared I will be in over my head and not know what I am supposed to be doing.

[Anonymous]

I work for a small firm. You get trained by dropping directly into work, and running with it. Ask lots of questions. You have to be a self-starter and take care of your own learning. Ask for opportunities. Read up on subjects that are useful in your job specifically. If you wait to be trained, you are hurting your own growth. I know this from experience.

If it is more than tax prep you can get some great opportunities that would take years to get into at a big firm.

[jstay]

agreed with the post above. a partner at my firm said when he was leaving his first position (a while ago) he said that people were going to the big 8 but the experience he had gained was a lot more hands on then at any of the big firms could have offered. He said he doesn't regret it

[taxgeek83]

By my understanding (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), in a large firm, you're essentially a cog in the wheel. In a micro firm (haha I may have just made that up!), Bellevue's right – it's sink or swim. That's not necessarily a bad thing though if you're willing to work! Your firm will likely train you on the basics (software, office policies/procedures, etc.) and you're on your own from there. If you're a self-starter and ambitious, it's a really great place to be. You'll see projects from start to finish, rather than pieces here and there. And since you're one of less than 10 people, you will likely come across many more random projects than you would in a larger, more organized firm, which will just add to your knowledge and experience.

[Ganondorf]

Thanks guy. I guess with the less formalized training at a small firm, I just worry that I won't be able to hack it. I wasn't a great student, so I worry I won't be able to handle a job either without a lot of training. I don't know. Maybe I am just worrying for nothing.

I do know that I don't want to work at a large firm. Having a good work/life balance is very important to me, so the crazy amount of hours required at a large firm is absolutely not for me.

[KBinMN]

Lot of generalizations being thrown out without actually knowing what it will be like at your specific firm.

I'm at a firm with 12 accountants used to be closer to 8 when I started. I got quite a bit of training and asked tons of questions. I've also done training myself. I believe a firm that doesn't offer a good training program are setting new hires up for failure.

Also I've averaged 60 hrs/wk during tax season so I don't know what exactly work/life balance is for you…maybe this is fine for you maybe it isn't.

I have worked on just about everything, individuals, businesses, bookkeeping, payroll, audits, answer phones when needed, replace the freaking fluorescent lights on occasion. We don't have specific teams assigned to specific categories, like a small business “team” or individual “team”.

[Ganondorf]

I don't mind 60 hours a week as long as it is only during tax season. I do not want to work 60 hours a week year round. I have heard stories about large firms doing 80 hours a week. That is what I really want to avoid. I am fine with 50-60 hours, but anymore than that is a big NO!

Yeah, I know that working at a large firm has more “prestige” and pays more, but I don't really care. Work/life balance is by far the most important thing to me.

[KBinMN]

And usually at the interview # of hours will come up. You could ask about what they do for training.

I've also heard about 70-80 hour week norms. At a certain point I think that is not a good idea. My eyes start to hurt if I am working 10 hours or more staring at a monitor all day. Not sure how people can concentrate and be efficient at 80 hrs a week. I also stop caring as much, which I think is natural when you are over tired. And I need some down time after work otherwise I dream about doing taxes and then my entire life becomes one big nightmare.

[Peterman25]

Always take a stab at whatever you are working on. Research it and have a reasonable thought process for arriving at what you did. Don't ever go into your boss and be like “uh, how do you do this?” Making them do your work.

Keep your CPA study books handy if you purchased a course. My boss has his 15 year old Becker books handy and uses them a couple times a year.

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