[Abcd6789]

I’m struggling with this guys. I don’t think I have what it takes to work full time at a Public firm and try to pass the Exam. I have heard too many horror stories and do not want to burn out. I am networked and have a good GPA, so I could get a job after graduation.

Is anyone else just trying to pass the Exam and earn their 150 credits, then worry about getting a full time job in public? I can also work for a very small tax firm through a family friend to earn my hours.

Does this sound like a decent plan even though it will take longer? There’s a lot less risk of burnout and successfully passing the Exam if I don’t immediately start working. I refuse to do the whole 4am-10pm routine others are doing. But, I give u the upmost respect for following that routine and doing public and the exam at the same time.

Thanks for any advice

[B2RAD]

yea i am starting to regret my decision to not stay working at a restaurant, keep trying CPA, and get more of my MAC done. my small CPA firm gets worse everyday. getting talked to about not working enough when i am getting projects done faster than the review process can handle, working about 52-55 each week, the partners already acting weird about me adjusting my summer schedule to fit in a night class or a CPA class one night a week. needless to say i am evaluating my options cuz i am making ehh money and not worth it to me to hate coming into my job everyday. i never had that feeling before of waking up and being like “lets go again”. this is my 4th tax season and i think i am just starting to get burnt out lol this was fun at 20-22 years old but now as my life progresses and there is no overtime anymore since i am not interning its just doesnt seem worth it and i cant see the career progression at this firm. i dont really have a mentor or goals to work toward. i may try a different firm or go private and get all my degrees and certifications done and re evaluate.

i am usually a super positive guy and love coming into work everyday but seems like this firm just sucks it right out of me. plus being 23 and all the other employees having 30 years on me makes it hard too.

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[Josh1216]

@B2RAD That's sucks that you work with difficult people. I'm on my 5th week in my internship and don't have anything to do currently. Yet I'm still wondering if I will last in public. Everyone but the interns are working a little overtime, and I know that getting paid overtime doesn't last.

I'm already thinking about joining my brothers startup financial investigative firm. Always cool to work on a project and see it grow as opposed to working your way up the ranks. Hard to know what to do with your career when you are 23 ( I'm 23 btw lol).

anyways, I just hope one thing leads in to another. I'm just gonna take it slow.

FAR- 69, 81
REG- 78
BEC- 78
AUD- 82

[B2RAD]

@Josh1216 thats a good call. i am already trying to work some networks i made during my undergrad. i have interned all over so just trying to firgure it out now. (6 internships on my resume). i had an offer revoked due to my GPA being too low at 3.0 so i kinda was low on money going into the recruiting season and i really didnt want to intern again but i should have taken the intern offers over the full time offer i am now realizing. i mean it all usually works out but i hate having a weird blimp on my resume now of wanting to leave after a couple months. luckily all my other jobs show longevity and consistency cuz i always worked at the same companies.

we all have a plan, just figuring that plan out sucks lol and being 23 doesnt help. we are supposed ot have it all figured out and not at the same time it seems lol

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[Josh1216]

@B2RAD I know a lot of people who go into auditing just because it can lead to other careers besides accounting. Personally, I chose tax because I don't want to be shipped all over the place, living out of a suitcase for a living. Or even having to drive to a different place locally. I like stability, just not 60 hours a week stability.

At least busy season isn't in the summer! That would be absolutely insane.

But it's really good that you're using your networking. I try to keep as many options open as possible. I don't think I could have just taken a job and run with it. Better to get a feel for things first. At least that way you can make an educated/experienced decision.

Hopefully everything will work out for you!

FAR- 69, 81
REG- 78
BEC- 78
AUD- 82

[B2RAD]

@Josh1216 thanks!!! yea couple my buddies all took jobs and ran with it and its only working out for one of us. i am not getting the audit work i wanted or was told i would get in the interview. been all tax so far. and i hear it doesnt slow down come spring summer either, 45-50 hour work weeks then so i am like yea this is not worth it for a small firm. i will go to a larger firm and have a better base of work experience lol probably stay here through tax season and explore my options then. might just go back to managing my local restaurant that i have worked at since High school and try and knock the CPA out and a good chunk of my MAC. have to see what some of my professors think i should do as they have guided me throughout the process.

Brad

AUD - 69 (1/6/16) 69 (10-4-15)
FAR - Spring 2016
BEC - 73 (11-23-15) Retake plan Spring 2016
REG - Summer 2016

[Author]

Replies