[misanthrope87]

Holy Crap, This Really Sucks

This is what it’s like. Recruiters make it seem really glamorous at university functions and such, but it’s not like that at all. There are pros to public accounting, but there are many many cons.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[Anonymous]

that's why you go into advisory! 🙂

[kandisjoy]

So true! Auditing sucks!

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[yankeeaccountant]

sounds awful. but it makes me wonder how many of the firms suffer in the work life balance category??

[Herbieherb]

It's worth it to the very ambitious. They will enjoy better future job prospects

NEW YORK- DONE

[Anonymous]

This was written about Canadians.

USA has the same work-life imbalance problem?

I was thinking of going into forensic accounting – and I thought I'd need some auditing experience to get into that field.

[misanthrope87]

@bobkorz USA also has a major work life balance problem. We're nothing but dogs to the public accounting firms.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[misanthrope87]

@Herbieherb

That's the only reason I'm doing this. I just finished up my first year in public. Although I audit mostly government entities. As much as I hate it I'm thinking of going into a Big 4 or another big firm after my 2nd year for the reason you stated.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[goodluck2everyone]

work 80 hours a week for 2 years at a Big 4, earning 60k a year with no OT

get managerial job paying $100,000 a year working 40 hours a week at another firm after

sounds like a worthwhile investment of time

BEC- 80
REG- 68, 71, July
AUD- 61 , 84
FAR- -- 75 🙂

[Anonymous]

@goodluck2everyone – that assumes that such a job is available and one qualifies after 2 years of terrible suffering. With tons of junior auditors who complete their 2 years and then quit competing against you….

The suffering is guaranteed, the outcome has zero guarantee and low likelihood of success in today's economy.

Hence, the cost benefit analysis is incorrect.

[misanthrope87]

@goodluck that 100k is not a very likely salary after just 2 years.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[kandisjoy]

I hated my life when I worked in public accounting. Nothing is worth that kind of misery to me… Life is too short.

Ok, I'm going to go work now so that I can keep my job… :0)

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

[Anonymous]

In the end it all depends on what the accountant decides is more valuable to him/ her. One thing is for sure, if it is not stated on a contract do not expect a “promise” to become true. Probabilities are that in the end you will be disillusioned.

The way I see it benefits should be > than costs.

[Anonymous]

Ditto what kandisjoy said. I'll share with you what happened to me when I worked at a Big 4 (then Big 5)…

I was in my first busy season and had been averaging about 12 hours a day for a few weeks. Not too bad until it was time to wrap up the audit of the large client I was on. The partner was coming into town on Thursday, so I worked 16 hours on Monday and Tuesday and 20 hours on Wednesday (didn't get home til 3 in the morning b/c the client was a 30 minute drive from my house). Got up on Thursday and was on my way into work and FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL which obviously resulted in an accident. When I went back to work, I turned in my 2 week notice. I had to pay back my $5k signing bonus which hurt like hell, but it was so worth it – best decision I ever made.

[misanthrope87]

@apbandj That's crazy! Glad you got out of that. I guess the experience is the same..I wonder if top 100 CPA firms would be a better alternative.

B 2/12 87
A 11/11 90
R 8/11 86
F 5/12 88

[valueofnothing]

1. very poorly written piece. person probably is a low-performer based on their inability to write….

2. if you go into big 4 thinking you'll be working 40 hour weeks, you're dumb. and if you can't work a 50 hour week without wanting to complain to every creature that has ears, you're a baby.

REG - 81
BEC - 88
AUD - 85
FAR - 81

[Author]

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