[Anonymous]

I just started my new Accounting job a few weeks ago that will help me fulfill the work experience. I’m pretty surprised at the long hours I need to work. My work hours are normally 9am-7pm, but occasionally we get out at 6pm if work is slow sometimes. A few of my friends that worked at the Big 4 tell me that I have it easy because their hours were insane. Some people who worked at non-Big 4 firms also complain that the hours were long.

In the Work Experience form, it says that the requirement is to work a minimum of 35-40 hours a week… at least, here in NY, that’s the requirement. So, the long hours are not required in order to meet the work experience requirement. But it seems like most jobs require overtime.

So, I’m just curious. Are there any jobs out that that are strictly 9am-5pm that will fulfill the work experience requirement? If so, how hard is it to get one?

[primgirl]

Welcome to Accounting! jk

I work at a small local CPA firm and during tax season I do work 60+ hours a week. The rest of the year it is rare to work over 40.

FAR 78
AUD 85
BEC 79
REG 83

[Anonymous]

Look into Corporate Accounting. I do Corporate Accounting and my boss is a CPA. I work around 40-45 hrs a week. Not exactly 9-5, but still very reasonable in my opinion.

[abacus]

Unfortunately, accounting is often a demanding field. If you are paid well and treated fairly, I would advise you to stay where you are and learn as much as possible until you are certified. 9-7 is great compared to my previous corp accounting job. Could you possibly go in earlier so that you work the same number of hours, but have more time in the evenings?

BEC 81
AUD 76
FAR 70, 76
REG 58, 78! DONE!

"I am not my intentions. I am my actions."

[Anonymous]

@abacus- No, I can't. It's a small company and we need to be at work together, so since everyone comes in at 9 and stays until 7, I'm required to do the same. And no, the pay is bad (i.e. less than $50k). I'm only putting up with it to get the experience and finally get certified.

[Anonymous]

Find another job. That's less than $20 per hour, no thanks.

I work to live, I don't live to work.

[Anonymous]

I will find another job once they certify me and they refuse to up the salary to something more reasonable….

[Whatdidyou]

“And no, the pay is bad (i.e. less than $50k).

9am-7pm

Find another job. That's less than $20 per hour, no thanks.”

Gosh, now you are gonna make me feel bad when I did not before. I both work more than that and make less than that. I don't think $50K is a bad salary at all.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[acamp]

Thou Shall Not Break Down One's Salary Into a Hourly Figure.

–Public Accounting 1:2

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[musicamor]

$50k per year for an accountant is highway robbery!!

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Anonymous]

@Whatdidyou- Yeah, I thought CPAPending's comment was a bit strong. And just to be exact, I make $42,000, plus a 10% bonus (possibly more, depending on performance).

I'm glad the recession isn't affecting some of you and and you guys can just leave jobs because they aren't paying enough per hour. I passed all 4 parts last March and it took me 8 months just to find a job that fulfills the work experience requirement. Even though this ain't no Big 4 job or a CPA firm and is only a private firm, I report directly to a Controller who is a CPA and that Controller reports to the CFO, who is also a CPA. So, this job can certify me in one year and for now, that makes me happy. Obviously, once I get my CPA, it should be easier to find another job or demand more money at my current job. But for now, I will just accept the small salary they offer me and just be glad that in one year, I will have those three letters after my name!

[Whatdidyou]

“Thou Shall Not Break Down One's Salary Into a Hourly Figure.

–Public Accounting 1:2 “

Haha. This is funny.

But seriously $50K is NOT a bad salary in and of itself. Most big 4 entry level positions start around that (in most parts of the country). But you're right, it's not much if you consider the hours you are working for it.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[RedskinsCPA]

I work for the Big 4 and for the past two years have rarely worked over 40 hours a week

BEC - Pass
REG - Pass
AUD - Pass
FAR - Pass

[Anonymous]

@RedskinsCPA- That's the first time I've heard someone say that.

[Whatdidyou]

I have a hard time believing it. What part of the country are you working out of?

Usually if that is the case, they'd just fire and/or not hire as many people so people so that people are working more hours. Hours usually get tracked at a National level and the specific managing partners will get their orders from the national office.

If you have extreeme busy seasons and dead summers, then sure, they'll still want to keep you around, but it's hard to imagine the normal grunt working 40's all year long.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[Anonymous]

Two words: Governmental Accounting.

Do you get paid a heck of a lot less? Sure (I make a hair over 40K starting), but in many cases, particularly in mine, the fringes make up for it. I am not allowed to work over 40 hours a week. I get 15 days annual leave, 15 paid sick days, and 15 paid holidays throughout the year; plus if you consider the insurance and retirement benefits that aren't coming out of your wallet.. it has been a blessing for a guy like me, who needs the time off to study for the CPA.

[Author]

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