[Jostrowski]

Hey guys. So right out of college I started doing private accounting while studying for the exam. Wasn’t a super fun job, but the hours were good (40 a week) and I really liked the people I worked with. Only problem was there was no room for growth. After I passed the exam, I started a public accounting job. I’m only a few months in and starting during busy season which obviously isn’t helping my cause, but I am finding myself very unhappy in this job. Not sure if it’s just me or because of the size of my firm (med size), but I really don’t like the lack of supervision. I feel like I am constantly wondering if the work I’m doing is actually correct, and the supervisors are even more busy than me so they have very minimal time to review my work. Sometimes it takes a full couple of weeks for them to correct my errors, and at this point I have already forgotten what I did which makes learning from my mistakes very difficult. I also don’t get along with the people the same as I did in my previous job. All of this really has me second guessing whether public accounting is right for me. I know this job experience is excellent and will look great on a resume and will help me in the long run of my career, but I am honestly wondering if I will even be able to get through over a year here. I know things will be better once busy season ends, but right now I am feeling very frustrated. Has anyone else ever felt like this at their jobs?

AUD: 62 [2/27/15], 87 [5/29/15]
REG: 76 [5/1/15]
BEC: 86 [7/20/15]
FAR: 76 [8/28/15]

DONE!

Becker self-study, Illinois candidate

[danner]

I'm in my second tax season, and I'm starting to wonder how much longer I want to stay in public before seeing what else is out there. I actually don't mind the work itself, but it's becoming more and more apparent to me that I just don't fit into the “culture” all that much. The people I work with are nice enough, but I just don't have much in common with them. I'm fine with just going to work and doing my job, but I'm starting to wonder if there's a role for me in private that would be a better fit.

I can totally relate to working through projects without much feedback and wondering if what I'm doing is correct. My firm's training and supervision really leaves a lot to be desired. Last season, I felt like I worked through a dozen tax returns before getting my first reviewed one back.

FAR - 74 (7/20/15), 81 (10/12/15)
AUD - 72 (11/30/15), 81 (1/18/16)
BEC - 87 (6/6/16)
REG - 8/8/16

[klmc]

I guess public accounting is hit or miss depending on the culture. The work and topics will click after working for a solid year. You will start enjoying it alot more. However, like I said the culture has a lot to do with it. If I was you I'd give it a year and try to learn as much as you can then jump ship if you are still unhappy.

|FAR| - 72, 83
|AUD| - 73, 76
|REG| - 76
|BEC| - 73, 82

ALL DONE!!

[jessica8926]

I can agree with klmc. I spent 2 years at a big 4. I was on a large client where management micromanaged everything so I always knew what was wrong. That being said, if you feel you are not receiving any feedback/comments, feel free to go to your manager in person, set up a phone call, or send them an email and ask. At least that way you know you tried and I am sure most managers would appreciate the effort. That being said busy season will always keep people away from giving feedback and or being the nicest they can be. It was tough for me to keep a happy go lucky attitude during my 3 busy seasons and countless quarterly reviews. So I would wait it out until after busy season.

In terms of if it is a fit for you guys that really depends. I just left public accounting after 2 years. I interned with the firm and started right out of college so I could get that experience. After about a year though I knew it was not for me but I stuck it out until I could get some senior experience on a busy season. That being said, I would HIGHLY recommend you stay until you get a busy season under your belt as a senior. You are ten times more marketable after that. I had so many recruiters and interviewers ask me if I had senior experience so I know it is something people are really looking for. That is if you want to keep your seniority or get a pay raise once you leave public accounting.

If you can stay until you make senior, do it. If you hate your team and or client talk to HR and try to get onto something different. I know that can be hard, I was stuck on the same client for my 2 years and I hated the team. I think if you spin your story right though and you perform in accordance with the firm's standards you should be able to have that talk with HR and express you want to move to see other things and gain more exposure. It happens all the time so its nothing they haven't heard.

Otherwise, I would say good luck to you all and I hope it all works out. I hope this helped somewhat!

AUD - 69, 77
REG - 74, 81
FAR - 75!
BEC - 71, 82

IL candidate!

Finally done (5/24/16)!! Yahooooooo!

[Author]

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