[Jriver]

Mind-numbing month-end close data entry. There can be interesting issues, but the bulk of accounting is just recording and reconciling. Does anybody find this fulfilling? How long do people stay in accounting before the mid-life crisis?

[mad max]

The money.

[Ndom1]

Sounds like you are coming from a Private mindset.

Public audit is where the real action is. Never a boring day.

[Anonymous]

It's a job-a means to an end:)

[Anonymous]

It's a stepping stone. You earn your stripes and move on to executive level positions or greener fields if you know what you're doing and play your cards right. Otherwise you get stuck doing the same mundane tasks day in and out and settle for becoming a mindless drone accountant overworked and underpaid slaving away for the establishment.

[Anonymous]

I like numbers! Especially when the numbers mean something. 🙂

There is a cure to accounting boredom – if you can't move up the corporate ladder immediately, focus on improving processes and developing new ones.

[jenpen]

I work in public and do something different almost every day. I get a broad exposure to very different accounting items, which has helped me figure out where I'd like to end up in my career. I have never worked in private accounting, but that is my worry – that it's mundane and boring. I really don't know if I will ever leave public, especially since tax is where I'd like to specialize.

AUD - 56 - 68 - 61 - 9/8/16
REG - 75
FAR - 7/15/16
BEC - TBD

Wiley CPAexcel and NINJA 10 Point Combo

[Ana]

For $$$, never liked it.

[AccountingisMagic]

Money. I get bored at work too, that's why I'm on another71.com.

FAR - 76!
REG - 84!
AUD - 88!
BEC - 74 (ouch), 77!

[RyonT]

I discovered I understood it in college. I like numbers, but accounting is still kinda boring. When I worked in public, it was definitely a lot less mundane, but now I'm a pseudo controller for a mid sized private company. Aside from year end, I can get most of my work done in about 10 days after month end close. The rest of my time is spent trying to look busy.

[Tncincy]

I just read this article about the new tax reform and robots, the future of the accountant/CPA is looking dim. I'm still taking the exam with the hopes of a more prominent future. Mind numbing or not, still a good challenging career.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Ivy]

I started this exam process because the mid-life crisis, not sure if it will be better or worse after wrapped up, go back to accounting or not.

Knowing the number and knowing how everything measured by number(at least on paper) is a very useful tool though.

[Jriver]

Thanks for your response. Do the hours get better along the way in public? That's the concern.

My most recent experience, as you may have guessed, is in corporate/GL accounting and that's most of the job offers I get. I have public tax experience briefly in the past but left. From what I read, tax can be a fulfilling career down the road? I've recently taken some online programming classes and find it pretty interesting and challenging, like solving a puzzle. I'm at a crossroad: career change to programming nearing my mid-30's thru self study and bootcamp, go back to tax, or into other interesting analyst positions but don't have the network/solid experience to get into one?! Doing accounting work for a single company is not my thing, as it might not be for many others considering I get so many phone calls for them with seemingly good pay.

[Ana]

if you like tax and have aspirations to have your own practice it can be very lucrative and fulfilling to be self employed

[Jriver]

Another thing: from my experience and just browsing through LinkedIn, women seem to dominate the accounting profession more than men from a general viewpoint. I'm always around women in corporate accounting and it has been awkward because, to be straight, I am straight. I think in this specific area of accounting, the cultural fit would be women or feminine men. I'm not- more of a gamer, logical thinker type. That is why I'm thinking of getting into programming.

[Ivy]

Because there are many more women than men in accounting field, smile! You have the advantage climb the ladder quicker and higher.

As of career choice, think where you want to be in 10 years.
If you enjoy programming, try starting work on some small apps relate to accounting or tax at your spare time.

[Author]

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