[abacus]

I am working on eating healthier foods and getting in shape. I have finally broken myself of eating so much fast food and am loving fresh fruits and veggies. I’ll be starting big 4 audit in 2 weeks and of course, I’m not sure how much I will be traveling because “it really depends on the clients” (standard answer for any question asked during recruiting!). But I know I’ll be out of town for training for 10 days. I was thinking I could bring some healthy staples and hit up the local store for some fresh fruit, veggies, etc if there is a mini fridge in my room, but it occured to me that the per diem may only be for restaurants vs. stores otherwise people could just use up the per diem on booze and cigarettes haha. I’m sure it varies from firm to firm and I will probably learn the specifics during orientation, but any insight from those that work in public accounting?

BEC 81
AUD 76
FAR 70, 76
REG 58, 78! DONE!

"I am not my intentions. I am my actions."

[Anonymous]

Per diem is awesome!

I just make sure to hit the gym everyday when I'm out of town or in town. Fast food and restaurants all day errday 😀

[Anonymous]

A per diem is exactly what it says – you get that amount of money per day no matter what. It's basically an “allowance” for you to be out of town. If your employer does per diems you can spend the money in any way you like and spend however much you like and you will get that money back simply for being out of town.

However, most organizations work on a cost reimbursement base where they will reimburse you for meals up to a certain amount of money. This will most likely be the case for you (but I'm not positive). I would contact HR and ask them what exactly the situation is on the road.

[Anonymous]

When I traveled, I started gaining weight, so I started eating Subway. I'd buy a footlong for dinner and eat half for dinner one night and half for dinner the next.

Also, a lot of restaurants have healthy options. Get the grilled chicken sandwich, don't put cheese on things, salad dressing on the side, etc. Sometimes you don't get a choice of where to eat if you are traveling with others, but you can control your portions and take leftovers back to the hotel.

If you are going back to the same place week after week and want to buy some non-refrigerator staples, the hotel may hold a bag of stuff for you over the weekend or you can take it to the office that you are working at.

[Author]

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