[Teddybear91]

I recently made the shift from a Big 4 to a small-30 person CPA firm as a tax accountant. Everyone at my new firm is really nice and there is alot of flexibility such as early office closings on Fridays and no one really makes a big deal if you want to take a day off here and there; not to mention, I finally get to do the tax work I was initially interested in before starting at a big 4. Despite all these benefits, however, I’ve been feeling like I’m not really developing myself professionally: everyday I come to work in the morning and 9 times out of 10 there is NOTHING for me to do. Since I started a month ago I got my hands into a few returns here and there but literally I sit around and study for the CPA everyday. I realize study time is valuable but I do that at home too; I want to come to work to you know do work. Our tax team is 2 partners, 1 director, 1 manager (on maternity leave) and another staff person who started a year before me. They are all very nice people but they always have work to do whereas I don’t.

I feel like when I was hired they told me our firm is growing and thats why we want to hire another tax accountant but since joining it seems like there’s only enough work to go around for the people who are already here. It’s nice to get paid my full salary for not doing anything all day but I want to work and be able to learn everyday. I don’t like complaining because my job now is 1000x less stressful than when I worked at a Big 4 yet sometimes I feel like I’m not utilized here at all until of course when busy season will arrive in the winter.

I tell myself that I can’t just cop out of another job but im not so sure. I have time to study for my CPA thats true and I get flexibility here which is a big plus but I’m not getting the opportunity to really learn anything. I hate the feeling of being bored (which is something I was warned about by my colleagues in big 4).

The other issue is I’m not entirely happy with where my husband and I live; we’ve talked about relocating closer to where our families are but he just started a new job too that he loves. I feel like I’m stuck and everyday I hear myself saying the same thing “do you need anything do you need anything is there anything I can do.”‘ Did I make the wrong choice? Help.

[Anonymous]

Bring up the issue with your supervisor and see what he or she suggests. Hopefully he or she will help fill your plate.

Having too little to do is a lot worse than having too much to do in my opinion. I can totally understand how you feel.

[Gatorbates]

Just wait until January when tax season starts. You'll be drinking from a fire hose. It should pick up a little with S-corp and 1040 extensions ending in Sept/Oct.

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

It's finally freaking over.

[Anonymous]

I feel like I get more exposure in small to mid-size firms since I am given tax returns with all levels of difficulty & not just stuck in a certain level/type of return based on my position. Summers can be harder, as I also do best when I have a lot to do, but it does usually get better. Please understand that at smaller firms, it is hard for the other staff to recognize & utilize new associates since they aren't used to having the help. You said you recently made the change, so my guess is that it will get better. I learn something every day since I am given complex returns that I don't believe I would have been able to do at a large firm as a staff or senior associate. If being bored ends up being an issue at all times other than tax season, I would consider changing firms, but I'd give it a little time to work out first.

[Teddybear91]

Thank you for your responses. I just feel like everytime I ask for work I get the response “I'm all set for now thank you for asking!” and when the other associate I work with who I guess has been here longer than me asks for work he gets a pile of things to do. How am I going to gain experience without work?

[garciarb]

I wish I could do nothing but study at work. I currently have to fit in 10 question testlets when I can. I work in industry though.

BEC - 81
AUD - 79
REG - June 2016 (Thanks Nasba!)
FAR - ugh

[Jim Deal]

Let's switch. I'll get paid to study and you deal with my family and the demands of Big 4!

[Author]

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