[Lari Sa]

How long does it take to get used to a new job? To catch up on company specific situations? To figure out the software, the expectations, the deliverables? How long before it starts feeling right? feeling comfortable?

AUD 85 (11.10 - expired), 0 (2.13), 82* (5.13)
BEC 49 (5.09), 38 (5.11), 75* (10.11)
REG 65 (2.11), 74 (11.11), 0 (2.12), 81* (4.12)
FAR 67 (5.12), 73 (12.12), 78* (2.13)

[Anonymous]

If you have experience, I'd say 6-8 weeks before you feel a noticeable comfort in what you're doing. Simply navigating the firm culture and admin process is what causes the lag. I'm about to start my 3rd firm in 3 years so hopefully that's true on my new transition.

[Anonymous]

Like everything in accounting “it depends”. If you're fresh out of school, you'll get acclimated to the firm in about 6 months, but won't start really getting it until after your first full year on the job. Seriously. Think about it – if you start in the summer, you begin to understand the firm, the culture, the equipment, etc. and have it down cold in 6 months. Then tax season comes along, and everything gets thrown at you. You thought you understood accounting, but you get taken down about 12 rungs on the ladder. By the end of tax season, you're hanging on by your nails and a cup of coffee. Then summer comes around again, and you've seen this work before. Now, you can begin to understand exactly what it was you did last year, and why. And by the time the next tax season comes around, you're ready.

As for a senior/management roll – it depends. For the firm, policies, etc. you get accustomed to it in 6 weeks or so. However, until you see each client once, you just don't know what you're up against. So, again it can easily take a year to be fully integrated.

Fear not, you build upon what you know, grow in your knowledge, and then you are the superstar!

[mla1169]

Depends on what your job entails. If you're responsible for month end I'd say it takes a full year to get used to it. You have to go through the entire cycle including a year end at least once. If you're doing tasks that repeat more frequently (like billing, vouchering) maybe 4-6 months.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Lari Sa]

Sigh, a whole year sounds like a long time. I'm not fresh out of college, but I did spend the last four years with one company. And now I'm in a new/different company, and I feel scared/nervous. What if I made the wrong decision? What if I should have gone somewhere else? I mean, I don't regret leaving my old position, it was time to go….there was nothing left there for me, but I'm just nervous being here 🙁 trying to be patient

AUD 85 (11.10 - expired), 0 (2.13), 82* (5.13)
BEC 49 (5.09), 38 (5.11), 75* (10.11)
REG 65 (2.11), 74 (11.11), 0 (2.12), 81* (4.12)
FAR 67 (5.12), 73 (12.12), 78* (2.13)

[fuzyfro89]

Not sure about you, but when I start getting “comfortable” I also start getting nervous.

I feel as though my development has slowed down… although it's nice to feel like you know what's going on.Depending on what you want to do (medium to long term) I'd try and get used to being uncomfortable and get excited about it. There's a big difference between being slightly uncomfortable and learning new things VS being totally and helplessly lost (this is not a good thing if it persists).

[Lari Sa]

@fuzy, what a different way of looking at it….I like the concept but I still like having days when I can come in, I know what I have to do and I can power through it and feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day/week. But I will try to adjust my thinking in the meantime, at least until I get to that point. Thank you

AUD 85 (11.10 - expired), 0 (2.13), 82* (5.13)
BEC 49 (5.09), 38 (5.11), 75* (10.11)
REG 65 (2.11), 74 (11.11), 0 (2.12), 81* (4.12)
FAR 67 (5.12), 73 (12.12), 78* (2.13)

[fuzyfro89]

Nothing wrong with liking routine.

Just be sure that more often than not you're on the better side of the line between “challenged” and “lost”. I've seen on multiple occasions people who have stagnated in their positions (i.e. senior analyst in XYZ accounting group) only to find their skills aren't all that marketable if they were to get a pay cut, laid off, etc.

We can't live every day fearing the worst, but if the past 5 years taught us anything, it's to make sure we are constantly staying relevant in our field(s) of choice… no one else is looking out for it.

In any case, not trying to scare you or tell you to get over it, just offering a different perspective.

[LongShot]

I've been at my new job for about 5 months and am just now starting to get the hang of it, for the most part (staff accountant for bank holding company) I had about 3 yrs experience coming in, but that was in state government doing very different things. Plus, my boss is throwing pretty much throwing everything at me so I feel completely overwhelmed most of the time.

The bright side though is I'll soon by the only non-management person in accounting with a CPA and I'll know everything about my boss' job. Even though she wants me to be able to do her job simply so she doesn't have to do everything all the time, it's basically just inadvertently grooming me for a sweet promotion when everyone starts retiring within about 5 years.

It sucks being new and feeling stupid, but just have to keep reminding myself I haven't even been here 6 months when almost everyone else here is at, or pushing, 20 to 30+ years.

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[Tripp11]

I've been in the game since 1996, and I still don't feel “comfortable” every single day. With every client, engagement, marketing opportunity, client development meeting, etc… comes some sort of unknown or some sort of variable which makes me feel not 100% confident. I personally think that's a good thing, because it keeps me on my toes.

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[tomq04]

Everything you described is a result of personality traits. Studying Meyer-Brigs and Keirsey would likely be interesting to you guys.

https://www.keirsey.com/4temps/overview_temperaments.asp

I'm ~90% certain that ~90% of folks that want to be CPA's are what Keirsey calls “guardians” they like order, and establishing rules for how things are to be done. Looking for “routine” clearly falls in that line of thinking, then there are folks that are idealists (me) who just throw a wrench in everyone's plans.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[LongShot]

Based on my experience, I'd say you're probably right, tomq04. I took a version of that test about a year ago or so and was split right along border between rational and artisan. I care about rules only enough to keep me out of jail, not cost my (almost) CPA license, and keep the financial statements materially correct:)

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[Author]

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