[panic]

Hi guys, I currently work in public accounting. Growing up, I didn’t say “I want to be an accountant, or cpa.” It all just kind of happened so fast after hs. I chose acct, interned, graduated, got a job, now I am sitting for the exam. I don’t regret my decision, I think I am well off, but still I feel like i don’t know what I want to do. I am about to enter my 1st busy season in public acct, & although I love my job- working with people my age, all the diff industries you get to work on, the family culture, the travel, the pay, there are still some cons about public. Sometimes, I don’t like working at the client’s office weeks on end. I miss my cube, my privacy, the same drive to the office and no unpredictability. I like that I get so much exposure in public acct, but is it bad to want to just work 9-5, M-F? No evenings, no weekends, no busy season, no deadlines, no traveling, no stupid chargeable and nonchargeable time sheet (hate this!). Also, the pressure from all the partners on the exam is not helpful either.

TL;DR – I have audited diff clients in healthcare and banking. Which do you guys think would be a better exit from public. I feel like “internal auditor” might get boring in one company, but there are other positions at a bank or in a hospital; I have a few friends who have become accountants for HCA & enjoy the schedule and the work very much. I also know several people who’ve left to work at one of the banking clients as compliance officers or financial analysts. Some, just for a resume bump. Granted, they might not get raises like in public, but I wouldn’t mind, considering the new type and timing of the work.

I am not looking right now. I am going to work through this busy season first. But it’s still in the back of my mind. Which industry do most people leave for? And do you like it better or do you regret it?