Effect of public accounting on love life

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #184190
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    This is primarily a therapeutic post.

    A girl told me recently that she didn’t want to go out with me again because I told her I decided to stay in public accounting (audit). She was former Big4 and knows how audit is with hours, stress, etc.

    This gets me wondering…why am I doing this? I don’t intend to someday be a partner who makes lots of money but also works 7 days a week. I don’t want to be a GL accountant, controller, or internal auditor. I got this job to open doors, but there are few doors I would want to walk through. And why stay in public any longer when it’s not sustainable (i.e. destroys chances of forming a relationship)?

    Any one else have similar thoughts/experience?

    Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 36 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #523823
    mla1169
    Participant

    I've got news for you–she used that as a copout not to get involved with you. I don't buy this garbage that careers destroy relationships. Bad relationships might end for such things but good relationships endure any obstacle.

    Choose a career that you WANT and the right person will be behind you 150%..

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #523860
    mla1169
    Participant

    I've got news for you–she used that as a copout not to get involved with you. I don't buy this garbage that careers destroy relationships. Bad relationships might end for such things but good relationships endure any obstacle.

    Choose a career that you WANT and the right person will be behind you 150%..

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #523825
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thanks mla. You're probably right, which kinda makes it sting a little more. Women…

    #523862
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thanks mla. You're probably right, which kinda makes it sting a little more. Women…

    #523827
    Gatorbates
    Participant

    Best post/question I've seen in a while. I immediately got out of public accounting when I got engaged. I figured I wanted my wife to stick around, so I shunned the 80-90 hr weeks to focus on the upcoming marriage/fiancée (this was in 2003-2004). Best decision I ever made. But as far as the “pre-engagement” and dating scene where you seem to be, my advice is this: know yourself. Know what you want, whether it be a marriage and/or family or a career. Or both. The right woman for you will understand your schedule and responsibilities. And respect them, and you. As long as they know that they are ultimately #1. This girl didn't seem like she cared much based on the limited info. If she was that into YOU, she'd accept your current responsibilities, and only expect them to change if/when a ring, family, baby arrived. Do your own thing, focus on your life and your career. The rest will fall in place. It did for me. If a woman loves you, she loves you for who you are, career included. If there are caveats, she's not worth it. Just my 2 (or 10) cents.

    Licensed Florida CPA:
    B: 71, 73, 79
    A: 83
    R: 78 (expired), 77
    F: 74, 74, 80

    It's finally freaking over.

    #523864
    Gatorbates
    Participant

    Best post/question I've seen in a while. I immediately got out of public accounting when I got engaged. I figured I wanted my wife to stick around, so I shunned the 80-90 hr weeks to focus on the upcoming marriage/fiancée (this was in 2003-2004). Best decision I ever made. But as far as the “pre-engagement” and dating scene where you seem to be, my advice is this: know yourself. Know what you want, whether it be a marriage and/or family or a career. Or both. The right woman for you will understand your schedule and responsibilities. And respect them, and you. As long as they know that they are ultimately #1. This girl didn't seem like she cared much based on the limited info. If she was that into YOU, she'd accept your current responsibilities, and only expect them to change if/when a ring, family, baby arrived. Do your own thing, focus on your life and your career. The rest will fall in place. It did for me. If a woman loves you, she loves you for who you are, career included. If there are caveats, she's not worth it. Just my 2 (or 10) cents.

    Licensed Florida CPA:
    B: 71, 73, 79
    A: 83
    R: 78 (expired), 77
    F: 74, 74, 80

    It's finally freaking over.

    #523829
    mla1169
    Participant

    hey hey hey there.

    Women rock.

    My hubby who I've been with since 1987 is a total blue collar machine shop guy. I know I could be with a CPA or Lawyer or Brad Pitt (hey, let it go!) but HE is THE ONE and I wouldn't care if he was flipping burgers or sitting in the White House. He's my one and only.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #523866
    mla1169
    Participant

    hey hey hey there.

    Women rock.

    My hubby who I've been with since 1987 is a total blue collar machine shop guy. I know I could be with a CPA or Lawyer or Brad Pitt (hey, let it go!) but HE is THE ONE and I wouldn't care if he was flipping burgers or sitting in the White House. He's my one and only.

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #523831
    mla1169
    Participant

    Gator your situation is different, doesn't sound like mrs gator asked you to switch, sounded like you genuinely WANTED to spend more time with her and that is respectable!

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #523868
    mla1169
    Participant

    Gator your situation is different, doesn't sound like mrs gator asked you to switch, sounded like you genuinely WANTED to spend more time with her and that is respectable!

    FAR- 77
    AUD -49, 71, 84
    REG -56,75!
    BEC -75

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #523833
    Gatorbates
    Participant

    You are right. But it's only because I knew what I wanted at that point in my life that I did that. My point was to focus on your own life. Be selfish and know what you want out of life first. You're allowed to.

    Licensed Florida CPA:
    B: 71, 73, 79
    A: 83
    R: 78 (expired), 77
    F: 74, 74, 80

    It's finally freaking over.

    #523870
    Gatorbates
    Participant

    You are right. But it's only because I knew what I wanted at that point in my life that I did that. My point was to focus on your own life. Be selfish and know what you want out of life first. You're allowed to.

    Licensed Florida CPA:
    B: 71, 73, 79
    A: 83
    R: 78 (expired), 77
    F: 74, 74, 80

    It's finally freaking over.

    #523835
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    mla: Awesome! That's how I feel about Mr. Baxter. Although I jokingly tell him he is my favorite husband so far. =)

    AZ: Awww…that was mean. I am so sorry. Concentrate on building the life you want and you will find the perfect girl when the time is right. I know it sounds like a cliche but it is true.

    #523872
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    mla: Awesome! That's how I feel about Mr. Baxter. Although I jokingly tell him he is my favorite husband so far. =)

    AZ: Awww…that was mean. I am so sorry. Concentrate on building the life you want and you will find the perfect girl when the time is right. I know it sounds like a cliche but it is true.

    #523837
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    az – Move on and count your blessings! She sounds high maintenance to me and that isn't a good quality in a woman or a man! My hubby is an electrician, blue collar all the way, but he stood by me through going back to college, the CPA exam and now cancer. There were lots of times that I'm sure he secretly wished I'd give up the CPA dream, but he never said it. He just pushed me out of bed at 4am and said “go study so I can retire at 50” then went back to sleep for an hour.

    You can do soooo much better!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 36 total)
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