[pscweb34]

Working and living in New York City has been an amazing experience over the last few years. I moved here fresh out of college from the South and have worked in both public accounting and private industry. One thing is for sure, for most in their 20’s in NYC, work is life. Working until at least 8 is normal during the year, and during busy season most teams I was on worked minimum until 10pm Monday thru Thursday with shorter hours on Friday and Saturday.

While this seems to be the norm across the accounting profession around the country, the thing that seems different is the attitude surrounding work/life balance. Even the thought of mentioning you have a commitment early one evening or if you bring up the idea of leaving a little early seems to warrant odd looks and a reputation of being lazy and not committed.

Do you guys find that this is common in our profession across the country or do you think some regions are more conscious of having a life/work balance?

Good luck studying all.

AUD (JAN 13) - 82
FAR (MAY 13) - 79
BEC (AUG 13) - 81
REG (NOV 13) - 83

Used Becker Self Study

[LSNYC]

I am going to say I agree with this being the norm in NYC. While I have found it to be less of an issue in private, it is still there, we may leave at 6:30 have dinner with our family and then we all get online and calls at 8 or 9. Plus on the weekends. When we aren't working on year end or quarter end its not as bed but its very rare someone ever leaves before 6, or doesn't do something at night or on a weekend. I crave a better work life balance but I don't see myself leaving the area.

Also my FIL is a partner at a firm, and he works just as many hours if not more then I do, so I am not sure it even gets better as you get more senior.

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[LSNYC]

I am going to say I agree with this being the norm in NYC. While I have found it to be less of an issue in private, it is still there, we may leave at 6:30 have dinner with our family and then we all get online and calls at 8 or 9. Plus on the weekends. When we aren't working on year end or quarter end its not as bed but its very rare someone ever leaves before 6, or doesn't do something at night or on a weekend. I crave a better work life balance but I don't see myself leaving the area.

Also my FIL is a partner at a firm, and he works just as many hours if not more then I do, so I am not sure it even gets better as you get more senior.

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[tonic588]

I work in Seattle and the minimum is 60 hours a week, but it up to you how you do it. I am in at six out at 5:30 during the week in for 3-5 hours on Saturday. That might change a bit this tax season as I am now reviewing. I do work in public.

[tonic588]

I work in Seattle and the minimum is 60 hours a week, but it up to you how you do it. I am in at six out at 5:30 during the week in for 3-5 hours on Saturday. That might change a bit this tax season as I am now reviewing. I do work in public.

[Gatorbates]

50+ hour weeks is why I got out of public. But I am so glad I “did my time” in public

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

It's finally freaking over.

[Gatorbates]

50+ hour weeks is why I got out of public. But I am so glad I “did my time” in public

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

It's finally freaking over.

[Anonymous]

I think the bigger the city, the bigger the work-hours expectations. I live in a very rural area and the expectations are much lower. Work-life balance is very important, and the life side is emphasized more if anything. Like, my boss makes a BIG point of not disturbing people if they're out of the office unless it is absolutely necessary. If she found out that any of us were staying past our hours without pay (we're all hourly), or working on things from home, or even worrying about and planning for work when we're off, she'd honestly be a little bit pissed and tell us to make the most of our time off! Whereas the bigger city mindset seems to be more often that the bosses are happy to take all they can get, and expect that even if you only officially work 40 hours a week, you better be doing everything you can when you're off to be contributing to your job still! (That's a bit extreme, I'm sure, but trying to make a contrasting point. 😉 )

So, I would definitely say that the NYC work-life balance expectations are probably tilted strongly towards work. But I expect that somewhere like, say, Los Angeles would probably be similar.

[Anonymous]

I think the bigger the city, the bigger the work-hours expectations. I live in a very rural area and the expectations are much lower. Work-life balance is very important, and the life side is emphasized more if anything. Like, my boss makes a BIG point of not disturbing people if they're out of the office unless it is absolutely necessary. If she found out that any of us were staying past our hours without pay (we're all hourly), or working on things from home, or even worrying about and planning for work when we're off, she'd honestly be a little bit pissed and tell us to make the most of our time off! Whereas the bigger city mindset seems to be more often that the bosses are happy to take all they can get, and expect that even if you only officially work 40 hours a week, you better be doing everything you can when you're off to be contributing to your job still! (That's a bit extreme, I'm sure, but trying to make a contrasting point. 😉 )

So, I would definitely say that the NYC work-life balance expectations are probably tilted strongly towards work. But I expect that somewhere like, say, Los Angeles would probably be similar.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the firm, local partners, and to some point big city vs rural. I switched jobs from a local firm with 50 employees who treat their employees like slaves during tax season because the partners are old school to a large 800+ regional firm. The main office has given us min. hours but my local boss fully believes in work/life/family balance. I'm seeing more and more flex time for moms & dads. I'm leaving at 4:30 T/Tr to go to yoga but I just come in early or work some over the weekend.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the firm, local partners, and to some point big city vs rural. I switched jobs from a local firm with 50 employees who treat their employees like slaves during tax season because the partners are old school to a large 800+ regional firm. The main office has given us min. hours but my local boss fully believes in work/life/family balance. I'm seeing more and more flex time for moms & dads. I'm leaving at 4:30 T/Tr to go to yoga but I just come in early or work some over the weekend.

[Anonymous]

I started in Big 4 in NYC 5 months ago and I would agree with this. NYC even seems bad compared to what friends in other major cities like Chicago and LA tell me about. Working late is the expectation, I don't even bother making plans Monday – Thursday because I never know exactly when I'll be getting out of work.

Your hours in public accounting here can vary vastly depending on what clients you're on though, some people just get lucky and others don't. I know a few people who stay till 2am+ and also work Saturdays and Sundays during their busy hours. Others such as myself haven't had to work at all on the weekends yet. But you're spot on with the attitude toward work/life balance, it seems to me that whenever you have a deadline, you're expected to meet it regardless of how crappy your hours end up being. On the other hand, I think people choosing to work here know what they're getting themselves into. At least it's nothing compared to banker hours 🙂

[Anonymous]

I started in Big 4 in NYC 5 months ago and I would agree with this. NYC even seems bad compared to what friends in other major cities like Chicago and LA tell me about. Working late is the expectation, I don't even bother making plans Monday – Thursday because I never know exactly when I'll be getting out of work.

Your hours in public accounting here can vary vastly depending on what clients you're on though, some people just get lucky and others don't. I know a few people who stay till 2am+ and also work Saturdays and Sundays during their busy hours. Others such as myself haven't had to work at all on the weekends yet. But you're spot on with the attitude toward work/life balance, it seems to me that whenever you have a deadline, you're expected to meet it regardless of how crappy your hours end up being. On the other hand, I think people choosing to work here know what they're getting themselves into. At least it's nothing compared to banker hours 🙂

[megasaurus]

I work in the bay area in CA and what you describe is the norm here as well. I don't bother making plans, period because no time is off limits when it comes to work demands. I'm just as likely to be in the office until midnight on a Tuesday as I am on Friday or Saturday. You just never know, but the expectation is that you're available no matter what to ensure that client or internal deadlines are met.

I don't want to work like this forever, which is why I will likely leave public, but as a pp mentioned, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work in public for a few years.

[megasaurus]

I work in the bay area in CA and what you describe is the norm here as well. I don't bother making plans, period because no time is off limits when it comes to work demands. I'm just as likely to be in the office until midnight on a Tuesday as I am on Friday or Saturday. You just never know, but the expectation is that you're available no matter what to ensure that client or internal deadlines are met.

I don't want to work like this forever, which is why I will likely leave public, but as a pp mentioned, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work in public for a few years.

[Author]

Replies