[titoav15]

Can some share their experience in the private industry. I am a heavy staff accountant at a startup. Our department is super lean. 3 people on a team but Controller and I do the heavy lifting. I feel like I barely have any down time witch is making me exhausted. I work from 9-6 m-f, missing lunch most days just to keep up with the work flow. I’m starting to feel the Sunday blues because I don’t get enough rest. I would understand the load if I was a controller or someone that is paid well, but I feal like since this company is $ sensitive I feel like they squeeze everything out of me. Any thoughts?

BEC: 5/21/14 82! PASSED HALF WAY THERE!
FAR: 4/2/15 80! Almost there!
AUD: 69, 74, 4/3/14 81! PASSED
REG: TBD

[Missy]

Depends in a smaller lean company you're right about average. I work m-f 8a-6p and don't take lunch because I'd be here later if I did, often come in on the weekends and am expected to check my emails when I'm not here. 45-50 hours a week is very common in private unless you're super entry level and have the luxury of running out the door right at 5. If 45 hours a week is exhausting you I'd see a doctor because you may have a vitamin deficiency or a health issue. For the record I'm old as dirt LOL and do my 50 hours here then go home and do my side bookkeeping business.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[jeff]

The grass isn't greener anywhere … public, private, self-employed …

[noclady]

From my experience, and from what my network of accounting friends tell me, it seems to be different everywhere. I worked for large, public companies in staff accountant positions, and worked 10-12 hrs a day. I also worked for start-ups as a staff accountant and worked 40 hrs a week and never worked OT. I'm a controller now at a large, public company, but the staff accountants here usually only put in 40-45 hrs a week, except during month-end, where it's more like 50-60 hrs/wk. But we have a short close, so it's only for a week. Yeah, I agree with Jeff…I've come to realize that the grass really is not greener anywhere. You just have to pick and choose the crap you're willing to put up with.

[Author]

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