[LT-P]

Hi all, I know this topic has been discussed before but I am literally at my wits end and I don’t know what to do …

I’m about 6 months in as an audit associate at a Big 4 accounting firm and I hate it. I hate everything about it. My current Senior is absolutely unbearable. She literally yelled at me on my second day at the client. She basically tells me to look at what was done last year which is usually ok but this client is very difficult so thats not always useful. I’m by myself for most of the week and because I don’t really understand what’s going on I end up staring at the computer screen all day and making a lot of mistakes. I’ve tried asking her questions but she either sighs/frowns or gives me some really high-level explanation. One time she even said “I thought you were an associate, you should know that answer already.” I’ve never felt so stupid in my life!

I don’t know what to do but work has made me very depressed and this depression is affecting my attitude and relationships. I know I need to stay for at least a year because I don’t want to have to pay back my CPA bonus. I originally was going to stay for 2 years but now Second Year associates are expected to act as Seniors and I really can’t do that because I’m not learning enough.

Is it realistic to think I’ll get a decent job with only 1 year of public accounting experience? Does anyone else feel the same way I do or am I being dramatic? I’m willing to take a pay cut if it means I can take back my sanity. I know a lot of people don’t love their jobs but being miserable everyday of your life isn’t acceptable either.

Any constructive advice is appreciated!! Thank you.

- passed all 4 exams on my first try using Becker!

Ethics: TBD

[MustPass1988]

I had the exact same experience that you did. I hated the manager I worked for all the time..she literally made my life awful. I would cry at night, lost a bunch of weight, and was absolutely MISERABLE. I made the decision to leave after a year and three months in…it wasn't worth it to sacrifice my health, my friendships, and my life for public accounting. The partner I worked for begged me not to leave (I was like the 10th person in 6 months to leave) and promised me a promotion to senior in the summer, but I left anyways. I joined the internal audit department at a public company and my life has completely changed. I'm happy, I look healthy again, I have hobbies, and I'm not a pessimistic person anymore. Sure, there are things that I dislike about my job but they are nothing in comparison to the hell that is public accounting.

A lot of people would say to suck it up and get through it, but not me…I know what you're going through and I can tell you that you're going to be much happier in the long run if you get out.

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[MustPass1988]

I had the exact same experience that you did. I hated the manager I worked for all the time..she literally made my life awful. I would cry at night, lost a bunch of weight, and was absolutely MISERABLE. I made the decision to leave after a year and three months in…it wasn't worth it to sacrifice my health, my friendships, and my life for public accounting. The partner I worked for begged me not to leave (I was like the 10th person in 6 months to leave) and promised me a promotion to senior in the summer, but I left anyways. I joined the internal audit department at a public company and my life has completely changed. I'm happy, I look healthy again, I have hobbies, and I'm not a pessimistic person anymore. Sure, there are things that I dislike about my job but they are nothing in comparison to the hell that is public accounting.

A lot of people would say to suck it up and get through it, but not me…I know what you're going through and I can tell you that you're going to be much happier in the long run if you get out.

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[Anonymous]

You're a CPA, do your math.

How much is the CPA bonus? Let's say $5k. Is it worth the depression you have to deal with for another year?

Life is all about health and happiness.

Only you can answer if it's really worth it.

[Anonymous]

You're a CPA, do your math.

How much is the CPA bonus? Let's say $5k. Is it worth the depression you have to deal with for another year?

Life is all about health and happiness.

Only you can answer if it's really worth it.

[nicole2035]

it's not worth it. I think the biggest mistakes people make is not finding a balance between ‘sucking it up' and making yourself happy. I don't see you staying there is being beneficial to you, you have everything you need. You passed your parts of the CPA, i think another firm will be very happy to take you. The CPA bonus isn't worth it, honestly. Then again, 6 months isn't that long of a time, but it's an awkward hiring time. Most places hire either right before the new year, new summer or at the end of summer.

[nicole2035]

it's not worth it. I think the biggest mistakes people make is not finding a balance between ‘sucking it up' and making yourself happy. I don't see you staying there is being beneficial to you, you have everything you need. You passed your parts of the CPA, i think another firm will be very happy to take you. The CPA bonus isn't worth it, honestly. Then again, 6 months isn't that long of a time, but it's an awkward hiring time. Most places hire either right before the new year, new summer or at the end of summer.

[fuzyfro89]

Honestly, it's the team you are on that will determine whether or not you're happy. That goes for bug 4, small firm, industry, or really any job.

Try and get onto another client. Having a bad senior really makes your life miserable. If that doesn't work once this part of the engagement is done, then switch to another firm. Bad teams stink, and there's not always a lot you can do about it except to deal with it until you can move to a new client or new firm.

This isn't the first time a shitty senior has ruined someone's life, nor will it be the last. Good luck!

[fuzyfro89]

Honestly, it's the team you are on that will determine whether or not you're happy. That goes for bug 4, small firm, industry, or really any job.

Try and get onto another client. Having a bad senior really makes your life miserable. If that doesn't work once this part of the engagement is done, then switch to another firm. Bad teams stink, and there's not always a lot you can do about it except to deal with it until you can move to a new client or new firm.

This isn't the first time a shitty senior has ruined someone's life, nor will it be the last. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Very sorry to hear your frustration. BTW, I have never worked in Public but have trained Public Auditors in Industry and I am a CPA with over 20 years experience. Experience helps, but the industry lacks Mentors to help teach and grow CPA's. I have heard similar stories. I like Industry and have also done Governmental Accounting. Very sorry.

[Anonymous]

Very sorry to hear your frustration. BTW, I have never worked in Public but have trained Public Auditors in Industry and I am a CPA with over 20 years experience. Experience helps, but the industry lacks Mentors to help teach and grow CPA's. I have heard similar stories. I like Industry and have also done Governmental Accounting. Very sorry.

[Anonymous]

First you are a CPA and your are not stupid. Can you give a more explicit example? What is difficult? Are you verifying balance sheet accounts to an Audit Program? Problems with the Cash Flow Statement? Owner Equity transactions? Not trying to be difficult. Paint a picture of what your day is like and what is difficult.

Many clients have poor software and GL coding. Makes classification difficult. Not easy to verify anything because not enough GL accounts to easily breakout items to do say a Cash Flow Statement.

What frustrates you about the work? What accounts, Balance Sheet or Income Statement? What account is hard and why? And yes, they can all be hard based on client books and poor records. Don't name client nor audit firm. Just trying to get a picture which will help others I am sure.

Audit program says this and I do that looking at what? Sort of thing. I am sure others here will help too. Don't be afraid to post more specifics.

Maybe we here can help you in the short term. Make it better, give advice, point in a direction. Change is slow and for you I am sure it seems like the end of the world and weekends are painful because all you think about is Monday. I have been there too!

Feel free to PM me if that helps. Just remember, you are a CPA. Yes, you have much to learn but you have the ability to learn. You don't need idiot supervisors. No excuse.

[Anonymous]

First you are a CPA and your are not stupid. Can you give a more explicit example? What is difficult? Are you verifying balance sheet accounts to an Audit Program? Problems with the Cash Flow Statement? Owner Equity transactions? Not trying to be difficult. Paint a picture of what your day is like and what is difficult.

Many clients have poor software and GL coding. Makes classification difficult. Not easy to verify anything because not enough GL accounts to easily breakout items to do say a Cash Flow Statement.

What frustrates you about the work? What accounts, Balance Sheet or Income Statement? What account is hard and why? And yes, they can all be hard based on client books and poor records. Don't name client nor audit firm. Just trying to get a picture which will help others I am sure.

Audit program says this and I do that looking at what? Sort of thing. I am sure others here will help too. Don't be afraid to post more specifics.

Maybe we here can help you in the short term. Make it better, give advice, point in a direction. Change is slow and for you I am sure it seems like the end of the world and weekends are painful because all you think about is Monday. I have been there too!

Feel free to PM me if that helps. Just remember, you are a CPA. Yes, you have much to learn but you have the ability to learn. You don't need idiot supervisors. No excuse.

[vanadium3]

look, if you passed all your exams in 1st try, 1. you are not stupid and you shouldn't feel it 2. your senior method of training you is just making everything worse. don't take it personally. 3. see if you can do rotation in tax and may like it. or just meet the 1 yr mark and switch to regional/smaller firm.

the most important thing is not mess up your mental and physical health. if you can't do it anymore I'd rather be unemployed (which is not likely) than sticking it out and put a dent in my personal life.

hanging there, things will get better!

CPA

[vanadium3]

look, if you passed all your exams in 1st try, 1. you are not stupid and you shouldn't feel it 2. your senior method of training you is just making everything worse. don't take it personally. 3. see if you can do rotation in tax and may like it. or just meet the 1 yr mark and switch to regional/smaller firm.

the most important thing is not mess up your mental and physical health. if you can't do it anymore I'd rather be unemployed (which is not likely) than sticking it out and put a dent in my personal life.

hanging there, things will get better!

CPA

[GSU-CPA]

Me personally, i would not go out without a fight.

My first course of action would be to sit down with her for 20 minutes and explain the situation. Say that even though you passed your CPA you need her help to get the hang of things since this is your first real accounting job. Tell her you understand she is busy but you need her help , tell her you will try your absolutely best but you cant do it on your own.

In addition to that try to befriend some other new associates or maybe some other seniors. When you run into a issue and shes not helping much give them a call and see if they can guide you in the right direction.

Lastly, if she is still rude to you i would go to the HR or the manager and explain the situation. She is getting paid senior money , and part of that is because she is suppose to be a leader. Brushing you off is not acceptable and not what a leader should be doing.

The easiest thing would be to throw in the towel and resign… in that case she wins. You have passsed extremely hard exam you have been hired by big 4 something many accountants dream of so you are a smart person. You are clearly not the problem.

REG-77
BEC -Waiting on score May 5th
AUD - May 30
FAR - Q3 depending on if i pass above two in Q2

[Author]

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