[Anonymous]

Hey There

I would like to know, if you had the opportunity to choose between audit or tax, What would you choose and why? Can you switch between the two in the the Big 4 or in regional firm? For those that work in the big 4 or regional please share your experiences. Thank You.

[Anonymous]

I would pick tax…because from what I've heard, it sounds like as an entry-level auditor, all you do is really boring work (“If the total on page A matches the figure on page B, then mark this as OK”). In tax, I worked in a small firm, so I at least had a lot of contact with the clients…and clients always break things up, because people are crazy. 😉

However, if I was planning to have my whole career in one or the other, I would pick audit, because I like the problem-solving of higher-level audit work. I'd have fun being in the senior or partner position, where I was the one investigating the problems, making the plans and judgment calls, etc. In comparing the 15-years-into-a-career level of things, audit seems much more interesting. 🙂

But, since I think I would prefer a career in private, I was more interest in the entry-level work than the long-term work.

One other consideration: Some states require attest experience to be a CPA. So, if you live in one of those or would think it's likely you'd move to one of those, then the attest experience may become important!

[Anonymous]

I would pick tax…because from what I've heard, it sounds like as an entry-level auditor, all you do is really boring work (“If the total on page A matches the figure on page B, then mark this as OK”). In tax, I worked in a small firm, so I at least had a lot of contact with the clients…and clients always break things up, because people are crazy. 😉

However, if I was planning to have my whole career in one or the other, I would pick audit, because I like the problem-solving of higher-level audit work. I'd have fun being in the senior or partner position, where I was the one investigating the problems, making the plans and judgment calls, etc. In comparing the 15-years-into-a-career level of things, audit seems much more interesting. 🙂

But, since I think I would prefer a career in private, I was more interest in the entry-level work than the long-term work.

One other consideration: Some states require attest experience to be a CPA. So, if you live in one of those or would think it's likely you'd move to one of those, then the attest experience may become important!

[Jennifer241]

@cpaexamstress

I don't think it's possible for us to tell you which one you would enjoy doing more. That being said, often times a firm will have you do both, as well as a multitude of different types of clients to find out what you like to do and what you are good at.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Jennifer241]

@cpaexamstress

I don't think it's possible for us to tell you which one you would enjoy doing more. That being said, often times a firm will have you do both, as well as a multitude of different types of clients to find out what you like to do and what you are good at.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Ntw6817]

I was wondering if anyone else had anything to add here. I'm in tax right now and we have pretty nice hours and it's comfortable but I think as far as a long term career. I would prefer audit because I want to become a controller one day.

[Ntw6817]

I was wondering if anyone else had anything to add here. I'm in tax right now and we have pretty nice hours and it's comfortable but I think as far as a long term career. I would prefer audit because I want to become a controller one day.

[vanadium3]

nice hours in tax? really..where? oh by nice you mean the typical 55 hr busy season that happens 2x a year?

i'll add. from tax you can either work in public forever or find corporate job. maybe teaching.

audit is more flexible except it's awkward and requires travel.

another option is ask if Jeff is hiring on this forum.

CPA

[vanadium3]

nice hours in tax? really..where? oh by nice you mean the typical 55 hr busy season that happens 2x a year?

i'll add. from tax you can either work in public forever or find corporate job. maybe teaching.

audit is more flexible except it's awkward and requires travel.

another option is ask if Jeff is hiring on this forum.

CPA

[Ntw6817]

@Vanadium3 I have a really nice firm when it comes to hours. I haven't been here for the real busy season but from last July til the end of the year (including the 9/15 and 10/15 deadlines), we work a half day on Fridays for 36 hours a week. Granted, I'm sure busy season is going to be crazy but right now, it's pretty nice.

[Ntw6817]

@Vanadium3 I have a really nice firm when it comes to hours. I haven't been here for the real busy season but from last July til the end of the year (including the 9/15 and 10/15 deadlines), we work a half day on Fridays for 36 hours a week. Granted, I'm sure busy season is going to be crazy but right now, it's pretty nice.

[mena je twa]

I am almost approaching a year in audit, its been very busy. Jan – April is just a myth, which is called busy season.

I am working like a dog ever since i joined, there were some down times but very few. You have to juggle your hours, which ones are billable to clients, and what not. Also, once you are done with year end clients, than you handle Interim work Q1 – 4, etc for the same clients or others. have to travel as well

I am not hating it at the moment, but lets see what the future holds.

Also, it helps to become a controller if you have public and CPA combined, but other factors too can result in you being a controller, if you dont have public experience.

But CPA is mandatory, i have not seen a single Manager or controller who is not a CPA. You are looked down upon!!!

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[mena je twa]

I am almost approaching a year in audit, its been very busy. Jan – April is just a myth, which is called busy season.

I am working like a dog ever since i joined, there were some down times but very few. You have to juggle your hours, which ones are billable to clients, and what not. Also, once you are done with year end clients, than you handle Interim work Q1 – 4, etc for the same clients or others. have to travel as well

I am not hating it at the moment, but lets see what the future holds.

Also, it helps to become a controller if you have public and CPA combined, but other factors too can result in you being a controller, if you dont have public experience.

But CPA is mandatory, i have not seen a single Manager or controller who is not a CPA. You are looked down upon!!!

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[mena je twa]

Also some of the big- mid size, publicly listed companies require even a Senior accountant to be a CPA.

I have done some walkthroughs and notice lot of them being CPA's or working towards it.

Private clients are not that strict, in my opinion, i have audited some few and they are sitting there doing JE's for the last 10 years…

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[mena je twa]

Also some of the big- mid size, publicly listed companies require even a Senior accountant to be a CPA.

I have done some walkthroughs and notice lot of them being CPA's or working towards it.

Private clients are not that strict, in my opinion, i have audited some few and they are sitting there doing JE's for the last 10 years…

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[Ntw6817]

@mena je twa I noticed that you say you work like a dog but is that only during regular business hours or do you put in extra time too?

[Author]

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