[Anonymous]

I’ve noticed a few of my professors and a number of people on this forum say something like “of course, you don’t want to work in public accounting too long….” Sometimes they’re referring to the Big 4 specifically, sometimes to public accounting more generally.

I’ve yet to work my first day as an accountant, so I’m unsure what this means. Is there some dark secret I should know about public accounting as career?

[abacus]

I have not started yet, but from what I have heard the hours can be very demanding. Coming from industry, I feel like it is probably accounting, in general, rather than specifically public. But the client facing nature of the work combined with high expectation to meet billable hour goals and perform a lot of work within a short timeframe can take its toll.

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

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

[mla1169]

I've never worked in public but have dealt with our external auditors for years. The hours can be grueling, and many times there's a lot of travel involved. Impossible if you have a family. And unless you have aspirations and opportunity to become a partner, there's only so far you can go.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I work in public and, yes, the hours can be long from time to time. I think it depends on the size of the firm and the types of clients you have. We do just about everything and I love it. Not every company is the size of GM and even the Mom & Pop store on the corner needs financial statements.

[SeePeeAyy]

You work long and many hours. But boo hoo, welcome to accounting.

Put in your time and reap the benefits.

[Mayo]

I'll just say ditto on the hours. But keep in mind that the public accounting model is designed for people to leave. It's not meant to retain everyone who is hired, or the firm would become too top heavy with Semior Managers and Managers.

The's also a sweet spot (more accurately a few sweet spots) in terms of staying in public accounting. Some people say leaving after Semior I year is ideal…other say stay till manager. Shoot, some people find great jobs after two years.

Point is, public accounting is viewed as a training ground for future Senior Accountants, Assistant Controllers, Financial Analysts, Controllers, etc. This is because the experience you get in public is very attractive to employers. That said, that type of life style is not sustainablefor most.

Some people stay far longe than Manager though. A select few make partner, but the percentage is very low.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

I'm Big 4 and the hours can be rough. That's the biggest complaint. Work-life balance isn't always the easiest.

[mrwills12]

It all just depends on the size of firm you get with and the types of clients you work on. Generally the bigger the firm the more hours you will work. However, the better it looks on a resume and the better compensated you are compared to smaller accounting firms. Usually the bigger accounting firms have higher turnover because of the hours. Dont get me wrong all public accounting busy season hours suck but i think some are longer then others.

FAR - 88 (Jul 2012)
AUD - 85 (Oct 2012)
BEC - 82 (Nov 2012)
REG - 92 (Jan 2013) DONE!

Using Becker Self Study 2012

[musicamor]

I agree with all the posts here–the other component that makes public accounting (more specifically Big 4) harsh is the pressure one receives to produce billable hours. You were grilled for any time spent as unbillable and you were also made to feel inadequate against peers who had better “billable performance” than you.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[TaffTax]

How does one have a better billable performance? Is it just by asking for more work or ?

I work at a small, local firm and just do what is available, however long it takes me, but am moving to a bigger

firm and am worried about this issue.

[How bout now]

its not just public accounting that has long hours. at my company we regularly work 60 hour weeks and we work more than 60 during certain times of the month and times of the year. welcome to the leaness of America!

[Mayo]

At big 4, you get a range of hours you're supposed to hit in terms of utilization.

Once you hit the top end of that range, most people eat hours if there's still work being done. Otherwise you appear to be inefficient in realtion to your peers

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

Not sure why people say that the experience in public accounting is attractive. My neighbor, who is a CPA, used to work in Pricewaterhouse after she graduated. She said all she did was file and make copies. Nothing more. And the hours were so extreme that she used to be so exhausted and she lost so much weight because there was no time to eat.

[Anonymous]

You work long hours and are expected to be there all the time. Lots of travel. Lots of time away from family and friends. You don't have a life for 3 months out of the year and in some peoples cases even 6+ months out of the year.

If you want a family/personal life, spend 5 years there and then get recruited out.

[RedskinsCPA]

I have been working for the Big 4 for the past two years. I was studying for my exam and passed all while working there. Just like any other firm your hours all depend on many factors including; client, management, and team.

Don't have expectation based on others experience. I rarely work over 40 client hours a week and there have only been a few stressful days since starting here but I have met others within the firm that have had the exact opposite experience. Outside of client work they emphasize other firm activities such as professional associations, volunteering, proposals, and networking events which are also beneficial to your career as a whole.

If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend working for the Big 4.

BEC - Pass
REG - Pass
AUD - Pass
FAR - Pass

[jelly]

Other than many who are self-employed accountants/CPAs, this profession basically chews you up and spits you out.

Couldn't pass again!

[Author]

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