[Never_Give_Up1]

So I use to be in public accounting as an auditor. Our firm shut down because the 6 partners couldn’t get along and when they announced the firm was dissolving our largest client with with another firm so everyone had to find work else where. Looking back at that experience I miss it and can’t wait for the exam to be over with so I can get back into public accounting.

One of the biggest things that drive me up the wall right now with where I am at is that if there is something that was done incorrectly, the person who notices it will spend time creating this big old thing to let you know it was coded to the wrong GL account, or that something didn’t bill because a box didn’t get checked and do a print screen and circle it and then email you what they have found, instead of taking the time to point out something, JUST FIX the stupid problem!!! I just received an email saying my descriptions were wrong on some items and was sent to all the managers saying how they fixed it… when I got the descriptions from one of that managers employees. It takes more time to do what they do pointing it out than it does just to fix it. I miss that about auditing… unless something was missed in the APG or that you did an incorrect procedure as a first year… for the most part, a manager would fix any conclusions you would come to if they didn’t like your explanation.

I swear my managers point that crap out to me just to piss me off… I believe it stems from them not being able to pass the exam while I am, and me pointing out inefficiencies we are currently doing to the CFO making them look bad because they didn’t catch it. Not that I am trying to make them look bad, just wanting to eliminate work that does not need to be done or can be done faster and more accurate for the most part.

Anyone else have crap like that happen?

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Anonymous]

@Never_give_up I am not sure how to approach this but I want to make a switch to audit from tax. I am currently working in banking industry and have 4 years of experience in tax. My bank has audit division and I spoke with a recruiter to make a transition. But they indicated they typically hire people who has no audit experience directly out of college instead of looking anywhere else, once in a while there is exceptions. But there isn't even any entry level audit position open for me to apply to. But I have been contemplating switching to public anyways. However I was told its tough to switch from tax to audit. The only way big 4 recruits is either experienced or college. And I don't know how to approach this, should I go ahead and apply as a college grad for their entry level position or experienced? When I did apply for an experienced position at EY I got a rejection letter. And the position only required a 1 year experience in audit or similar experience. I've been told by colleagues who is in public to apply for experienced. I would be in a junior position if I get hired on. Everywhere I look I am seeing audit positions with at least 2 years of public experience. So I'm stuck.

Summary: everywhere I look public accounting firms wants public accounting experience. Even in a entry level they want internship experience in similar field. Well how am I going to get public accounting experience when I can't even go for an entry level position

[Mayo]

@mla1169

“It was hard to sort out between all of the whining”

Are we seriously resorting to name calling at this point? :/

Anyhow, I think the OP was referring to the unique culture of Public Accounting audit. At least in my firm, every engagement presents new challenges and new procedures for me to understand and get used to. Which basically means a lot of what I do, although familiar to me, is many times being done for the very first time by me. And if you're doing it right, PY workpapers can be leveraged but should not be copied just for the sake of copying it.

In that situation, the review process is meant as a learning tool, and smaller items (like what specific font the reviewer would like, etc.) SHOULD be a simple matter of the reviewer simply changing it themselves.

After all, audits have budgets and “Aint nobody got time…” to make a big deal over little and insignificant crap.

Obviously, if you keep making the same silly mistakes, it looks poorly on you and takes away any confidence the reviewer has in your work. Even then, simply reminding that person of those errors and pointing them out in person is a lot more effective/efficient than drafting an email with ever tiny thing listed.

At the end of the day though, the culture of some of our clients (particularly with large accounting departments and/or older employees) does not seem to be one of taking responsibility of mistakes or taking the initiative. That's why you might see people making big deals over what I consider small potatoes.

So OP, I totally get what you're trying to say. I only hope that when I leave public I can find a culture that doesn't frustrate me with its pettiness.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Never_Give_Up1]

@CPAorNOT If I were you and you really want to be an auditor, go to a smaller firm once you are a CPA and look there. They will always be interested in a CPA. You may have to take a pay cut to get in the door, and I don't know your situation so you will have to determine if you can do it. Especially if you have good tax experience they could utilize you for both, get you the experience you need and then jump to big 4.

I plan on going back to a smaller regional firm and then big 4, unless I get the offer from one of them first. Just to get back in it.

@Mayo Yeah… when when I saw the whole “whining” comment I knew we had a troll on our hands… name calling… real professional. And the rest of your comment is spot on how the professional world “should” operate.

FAR - 81
REG - 81
AUD - 82
BEC - 81

Ethics - Done
State License Exam - Done

License - Licensed CPA in Utah

[Anonymous]

When I was at Big 4 as a senior, the managers and senior managers I worked with always point out small mistakes I made. It was annoying at the time but if someone doesnt point out your mistakes, how would you ever learn? Now looking back, I am glad I had picky managers and senior managers, it was a great learning experience.

When I am reviewing newer staff's work, I would point out a missing period, mis-coloring, wrong font, every little thing I find. So next time they will look out for those little mistakes. I rather have people tell me what I need to improve on during the engagements, rather than getting a crappy review in the end. I used to tell my associates, I dont mind you make mistakes but just dont make the same mistake twice. At the end of the day, I am the reviewer, it is my responsibility.

Now I am working at a large public company and responsible for the 10Q and 10K, i still use the same approach. Because missing periods and formatting mistakes is an embarrassment to the whole company.

[Anonymous]

I think that we are all taking this stuff way too seriously. After you complete your work in public accounting and the opinion is issued, your workpapers get put into a box. You then reference them next year (if necessary). After that they sit in a dark, dusty room for years until the retention period is over, and then Mr. Shredder gets to nom them.

However, if someone likes to point out that you missed a period or made a cell dark blue rather than light blue, just thank them for their input and move on with your day. 🙂

Cheers!

[Author]

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