[quid_pro_quo]

Hi all,

I am starting at a B4 in audit in a major NE city. I’m a very laid back person generally. I work when I need to, but I enjoy my free time. Am I realistically going to have to work weekends?

I need someone to be honest with me about how hard I am expected to work. I can’t get a straight story from anyone on the inside the firm is letting me talk to.

[rp 12]

Be prepared to grind. Depending on the team you get. If you in a good team and having a good exp staff or senior to guide you that can go a long way if you get to rough start things might be difficult. Things spread like fire in big4 (work quality, nature of staff…). If you're just trying to get your experience and quit to go to an industry make sure you get decent ratings in all team/clients that you're assigned, and very important thing is to have a CAN DO attitude. I hope this helps.

"Success in life comes when you simply refuse to give up, with goals so strong that obstacles, failure, and loss act only as motivation"

AUD: 68, 62, 77✔ (expires 10/31/16)
FAR: 53, 48, XX (retake 6/16)
REG:
BEC: 53

[monikernc]

My prediction? 22 months, 8 days, 5 hours. Just a hunch. It will be the hardest job you ever loved. You will work with people you enjoy spending long days with and your bosses and clients will love you. Then the right opportunity will come along at the right time to lure you away.
Enjoy!!

FAR 7/25/15 76!
AUD 10/30/15 93
BEC 2/27/16 82
REG 5/23/16 88!
Ninja Book and MCQ and the forum - all the way!!!
and a little thing i like to call, time and effort!
if you want things to change, you have to do something different

[waffle_house]

Learn what you can, don't over stress on things you can't control. If you start pulling a lot of hours, just get your work done and ask lots of questions and you will be fine.

[EuroAddict]

I didn't go with a big 4 b/c I have the same attitude as you. I enjoy my free time to travel etc. I am also older (mid 30s) so I have diff priorities as well.

I am at a small firm now and while it isn't as structured as a larger firm, I get to touch a lot more diff. types of companies and asking for time off isn't ever an issue (unless it's a deadline date).

-----------------------------
BEC - 77, 03/2015 (first try)
FAR - 79, 05/2015 (second try)
REG - 83, 12/2015 (first try)
AUD - 84, 03/2015 (first try)

I got 99 problems but the CPA ain't one.

[MaLoTu]

My friend is at a big 4 here in SF. They are currently working 70 hours a week and bringing home stuff to work on beyond that. The grind is real.
You do your best and if it isn't for you then you will have a skill set to try something new after. Good luck!

[PublicGuy]

You'll last as long as you're content. That may be 3 days or 3 years. Who knows. I didn't see you say if you are doing tax or audit, but I know that in tax, one staffs experience can be wildly different than another's. My experience has not been the 70 hour work week horror stories of some but it will vary on your service line and office. Go in with a good attitude, learn as much as you can, and just see how far it takes you.

[Author]

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