[garnerr2]

In college I didn’t know what I wanted to do. My friends and father all said to just get an accounting degree. There will be good jobs available. So I got a bachelor’s and master’s degree in it. HUGE mistake.

After serving tables for 7 years, I got my first auditing job. I was so excited to get my first “real” job as everyone called it. After a few months, I started to realize how pointless auditing really is. We nitpick stupid little things to make it look like we actually did something during the audit. Half of the time, we have no idea what the hell we are doing. We are really learning the process as we audit. We aren’t helping anything and nobody wants us there. All they want is for the auditors to sign off so other people can think things are working correctly.

Another thing, the arrogance of the Accounting profession is crazy. You would think the office is full of world renowned surgeons or people that are finding cures/solutions to actual problems in the world. I think everyone is told they have to act like their job matters and not to mention how pointless the audit actually is. The people that speak up are looked down on and won’t survive. So everyone goes around smiling acting like their job matters and they are super smart.

I recently passed the REG section and I am not any smarter nor do I even remember 95% of what I studied. The only thing different is everyone at work thinks I am a step closer to be included in the “club”. It’s all a big joke.

Funny how I wanted a “real” job when I was serving tables but it turns out that job was more real than my auditing job ever was. I actually affected people’s days in a positive way. I worked with people that weren’t arrogant just because they had some stupid Accounting degree or certification.

I feel that most are scared to admit their job/career sucks because most people tie their self worth to their careers.

Anyway, that is my rant. I could go on for hours. I just feel like the whole profession is just a big made up sham because of pointless regulations. We aren’t actually doing anything of importance.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

AUD - 76
REG - 78
FAR - Aug 2016
BEC - 79

[Anonymous]

Anyone watch the Groundhog Day lately – that whole movie makes the point that while every day is the same, what makes your life meaningful is how you treat people. In fact when Bill Murray's character finds out there are no consequences to his actions is when he ends up completely hopeless about life.

Anyway, sorry for getting so philosophical, but I refuse to believe that because I get up and do a job I'm not enamored with that somehow makes me a failure. Or that anyone else who does that is either. Doing what you have to do to support yourself and your family, and then living your life after work does not mean you blew it – not by any stretch.

I don't love accounting, but I can say it has grown on me. I make a nice living and am looking forward to a secure retirement.

I've known people who walked away from what they see as all the BS of having a regular job and you know where they are right now – look at trying to live on $800 bucks a month in social security. Or trying to payback 100K in school loans for thier humanities PHD.

[Tncincy]

If you don't love what you do, you won't be doing it for long. Love doesn't mean I'm happy and on top of the world everyday, but it is something I want to to. So many people are doing things for money, impressing friends and family and are miserable. Life is too short to be miserable, so find what you like and do it. The hard part is knowing what you like or what you want more then just money, retirement, or pats on the back.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[Anonymous]

Op u r way off. U should be so lucky to live in a world where youI can do auditing and make a good living all while being viewed as a pillar in your community. I am glad u don't have any real problems u are complaining about. If u think waiting tables is better u have a lot of life lessons yet to learn. If u don't like audit pursue tax or maybe gl private accounting. Give me a break complainer.

[Dage]

I studied accounting for the same reasons. Audit work is not stimulating. I have found, with the very little experience that I have, working with good people makes everything worth it. I chose a smaller firm for this reason. Most jobs in accounting will require you staring at spreadsheets all day, but when you find a good team to do this with, it makes it worth it.

FAR: 90 October 2015
REG: 89 January 2016
AUD: 94 April 2016
BEC: 86 May 2016

Ethics: 93

Wiley CPAexcel
NINJA MCQ

[friendlyhelper]

I feel the same way, I have a undergrad in accounting and I wanted to be a pilot. I am still mid 20s but worried it is too late. If I were to go into government jobs then after successful year they will most likely promote you. at GS 12 -13 you can make sweet 80-100k in 3 years if you start at GS7.
However, what if someone wanted to work abroad? Government jobs are as two edged sword.

Pilot school takes about 8 months in 2020, and almost 80k, but they would get you a trainer job and make 40k after few months. Later, when you complete 1500 hours you can work for large airlines who get sweet 50k+ just signing bonus. I don't know if someone want to take a adventure risk. It would have been better if I had joined air force after high school.

[Skynet]

Lots of Hot and Beautiful women in accounting!

So ABSOLUTELY NO! I don't regret it.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[mvhoover]

This is an interesting thread. Accounting has been an interesting ride for me. Within myself, I feel that desire most feel to be an entrepreneur, and go change the world. But, considering I took an early marriage and children path, entrepreneurship is just not on the plate for me at the moment (Or honestly anytime in the next 5 years). Am I writing this while I should be preparing a tax return? yep. I get distracted and sometimes feel dissatisfied with my work. However, I see this whole CPA and Accounting path as a long term investment. I see business in a completely different way than I used to. I understand the numbers and I understand the books. While it has been tough (and extremely boring at times), I am hoping that good dividends will be paid for sticking it out to the end. Do I recommend it to everyone? Definitely not. It's not for everyone. Work each day is like a day in school. There is very little excitement in the day to day, but name me one CPA who doesn't have a successful career after 10 years? They all do. They all do. Once you have a thorough understanding of how money works, you will always be needed somewhere and the opportunities are endless.

AUD - 76
BEC - 87
FAR - 75
REG - 84

Licensed CPA, Utah

[Nate]

Auditing at the associate level really is the worst, I've done it before, it's tedious boring work that anyone can do and it makes you feel like your degree is worthless. However later on at the manager and partner level it's way more interesting, as they actually get into the details of the financial and managerial accounting and actually apply what you learn with your accounting degree. I have never met anyone who enjoyed being an auditor at the associate level where you just check boxes, ask dumb questions people get offended by, and do boring tedious tasks like looking over 100 checks to make sure they have the appropriate signatures. If you really like financial accounting, just wait it out, or do what I did, and go to a smaller firm that does tax and F/S reviews. I'm the only staff that does reviews so I get to do them all, and it's quite enjoyable to me to do the review and tax return and see how it all flows together and work through all of the tax/book adjustments. Plus, you feel like you're actually helping people at a smaller firm doing tax, cause not everyone are rich and just trying to avoid taxes. Don't lump all accounting into the worst job in the accounting field, auditor at the associate level. There's way better accounting jobs than that. And regarding the arrogance, nobody at my firm is like that, the partners are fun and humble and practice what they preach most which is “family first”.

Another possible area that you may like is forensic accounting for the FBI, they're the ones that actually catch financial fraud that the Big 4 firms are oblivious to.

AUD: 54 (10/31/15); 83 (12/02/17)
BEC: 70 (01/31/16); 90 (07/02/17)
FAR: 73 (10/03/15); 88 (02/17/18)
REG: 83 (06/09/18)
AICPA Ethics: 91 (06/28/18)
Licensed: 08/16/18

[Author]

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