[HtownCPA]

Hi all,

I start at a Big 4 firm in Houston doing audit in this summer. I did my internship during busy season at the same firm last year and was working at a minimum 75 hours a week, so I know what to expect during busy season. What about non-busy season hours on average at a Big 4 firm in a big city like Houston? I know the clients make a huge difference, just wondering in general what y’all have experienced?

Can’t seem to find anything about that on this forum or anywhere online.

Thanks!

AUD: 10/22/15 - 79
FAR: 11/30/15 - 79
BEC: 01/20/16 - 79
REG: 02/29/16 - 77

[Son]

I've seen my buddies from audit leave before 5 during the summer, I'd say typically it's a 40-hour week. That being said, you're right – if you're put on a IPO project or something during the summer you're looking at over 60 hours again.

AUD - passed
REG - passed
BEC - passed
FAR - passed

[jessica8926]

Definitely depends on your client. I was on the same client for two years and after busy season we would still be working between 60-70 hours. That is because we had quarterly reviews with quick turnaround deadlines and a lot of international coordination. My client went through a very large acquisition, G/L system change, and change in management thus tacking on additional hours to our already overloaded work week. Also did not help that our team was always understaffed so too much work for one person can easily get you to 60 hours.

I think the whole understaffed thing is a common issue I have heard among all of the big 4 teams so that being said it is tough to say 40 hours when alls I have seen and heard is 60. If you get on a good client where things are well staffed and run I would still expect 50-55 a week. That is just my experience though 🙂

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

IL candidate!

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

[Author]

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