[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,

It sounds like people over time become jaded with public accounting. My parents have spent about 50 years combined in it; its an industry I’ve come to my own conclusion that as far as what it can do for you – is a great one.

I’ve worked genuine long hours prior, the work doesn’t bore me (I interned), etc.

Do you have value-adding advice on avoiding burn out? And also performing well while trying to fix it.

Could be as simple as venting, to staying irrationally positive, etc. could be complex…any is fine

[payfields]

My advice is to learn all you possibly can. As long as you're learning new things it's hard to get burnt out.
Once you find the specific subject or portion of accounting that really calls to you, go for it.

[Mayo]

After a divorce due to Big 4 audit I will say this advice:

1. Date an auditor

That;s it. Good luck. Seems like you wanna be in for the long haul. I was the opposite, so I have nothing else of value to add.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

You decide how happy you are with the work you do. You just have to decide that's what you want to do and you will make the decisions necessary to make the rest of it fall in place. I've decided that I want things in life that aren't compatible with the Big 4 lifestyle, from what I've heard of it, so I've decided not to go that route…but I've decided to be happy with the route I've gone. I really really think that attitude is the biggest part of contentness with any job. You can be happy cleaning stables, working fast-food, auditing F500 companies, or counting beans, all depending on your attitude and the choices you make.

So, my advice would be to realize that you control your happiness (not necessarily what happens to you, but definitely your responses, and therefore your happiness), so if you want a long-term career in public accounting, then realize that you're choice and decide to be happy with it. Don't listen to the people grumping around you. Know what you want and why you're there, and ignore all the grumps that say otherwise. Every job I've had I've loved, and every job I've had, I've worked around people who thought the job was terrible. Have you seen the ad on TV for a job search site (I think it's Indeed, but not 100% sure) that shows a guy whose job is to give massages to sexy models all day, and he's complaining about it? People can complain about any job.

Don't let the fact that someone else doesn't like your job make you not like your job. Love your job if you want to love it. Then make life choices that will allow you to continue loving it. (For example, having 8 kids that are all heavily involved in sports with spring seasons might not be the right choice if you're in tax and audit, since you'd never get to go to their games. So, you might make a life choice to not have kids or not have as many or to homeschool them and have them travel with you or etc. etc. etc., point is to make life choices that all fit together. If one life choice is to work in public accounting, then make other compatible life choices. You can't make a life choice to live at the equator and in the Antarctic at the same time.)

[ruggercpa2b]

Lilla could not have said it any better. My switched from industry back to public and I have never been happier. I am close to being burned out but busy season is almost over. I also make a point not to get sucked into the constant complaining. Y

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[SomedayCPA2015]

I agree with @ruggercpa2b and @lilla.

I started in public, went industry for almost 2 years and am back in public (in tax) and couldn't be happier. The firm I'm with now encourages balance. We are all working hard, of course, but people go out and run together for lunches, we take 15 minute walks to get out of the office (they actually bought all of us Fitbits to promote being active) etc. All this to say, my first piece of advice would be to try and stay active, if possible. I can't survive life in general without working out 3 times per week minimum; busy season or not.With busy season in particular, it helps prevent the burn-out.

It can be challenging to not get sucked into the negativity, but I have really focused this year on what I am grateful for and it's done wonders. I have two little kids, and while I'm not spending as much time as I would like with them, I still get to go to their swim lessons, soccer practices etc. without having to “run it by someone.” The flexibility of public has been unmatched for me, both in my career prior to accounting and between industry vs. public accounting. I focus on this a lot, when I start feeling bummed out.

REG - Passed
BEC - Passed
AUD - Passed
FAR - Passed!!!! I have my life back.

[Author]

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