[wannabeCPA123]

I got hired as a Staff 1 and I started last year as a 31 year old.

I just don’t feel like I fit in. There are definitely people that are older than me in my start class, but I just feel like people look at me differently. I am a young person at heart, and I act immaturely, but I just worry about my appearance as an older person.

I got my ratings back and I exceeded expectations (Got 4 out of 5), which is cool I guess. But sometimes, I wonder if people are giving me good marks because I am URA (Under represented Age). All my teams are great and all my bosses are cool too.

On multiple occasions people automatically assume that I am a manager.

I don’t have any other problems with the job. Before becoming a staff 1 I made 35K as a retail Manager. Now, with my rating and subsequent raise, I will have doubled my income in a year. So I don’t have a problem with the Pay, and I don’t have a problem with the hours. I may work more hours in a given day than before, but I now have a consistent schedule, and I normally have weekends and holidays off, which is something that didn’t have for the last 10 years.

I have great reputation in the firm now, and I actually love this job, but I just feel too old.

I feel like leaving the firm already. What are my options?

FAR 78
REG 87
BEC 78
AUD 78
Passed all exams on first try! Good luck to everyone!

[stag]

you should quit.

FAR - Aug 2013 Passed
REG - DEC 2013 Passed
BEC - FEB 2014 Passed
AUD - MAY 2014 Passed

BSEE = who needs accounting degree to pass CPA exams?

[Lindrobe]

wannabeCPA123, I don't think you should let your age bother you. If it really bothers you that much though, maybe you should consider applying at some of the small firms. There probably wouldn't be quite as many 22 years old around (if any) and you would still be getting public accounting experience. Just an idea 😉

FAR 12/3/14, 87
AUD 2/3/14, 90
BEC 4/1/14, 88
REG 5/27/14, 94

Licensed CPA, Indiana

"Successful people do things that unsuccessful people don't want to do"

[Tux]

IMO – you listed only great things – you like the people, you like your bosses, you like the hours, you like the pay –

Are you kidding? This sounds like your dream job and you're considering leaving! You should be counting your blessings!

Beauty is only skin deep, and age is just a number.

I believe that you should focus more on the quality of your work (I'm not saying that you're not. You're already getting good reviews, but take pride in that —- Don't think that you got a high score from sympathy. Believe me – The Big 4 does not have a reputation for sympathy)

Take pride in your work and before long, people won't be mistaking you for a manager, cuz you'll actually be one.

You're in a great place – Don't be concerned with superficial things.

PLEASE remember how hard it is to find ALL those things in one job before you even consider leaving – good hours, good pay, good people, good boss, great reputation?

This question almost seems un-real. Is this a test?

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[AScott89]

Don't quit if you love the job. Being in your 30s does not make you old. In fact, you should feel pretty good about being able to start a new career and double your income. That's quite an accomplishment. As for those 20-somethings who make you feel old and might look at you funny? Screw those kids. You shouldn't quit doing something you love just because of what age you are. My Great-Aunt is 80 and still works in her garden even if other family members tell her she's too old to be working on it.

--
B - 65, 74, 2/26/18
A - 72, 68, 84
R - 72, 82
F - 55, 79

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Juliemiddle]

I read: you love your work, you're happy with the pay, you like your teammates/bosses, and you have a good reputation at the firm. I'm not sure where the problem is? It doesn't sound like anyone is being negative toward you about your age, except yourself. Don't let your own expectations ruin a good thing, if you like it.

AUD: 84 - Oct. 2013
BEC: 83 - Feb. 2014
REG: 91 - May, 2014
FAR: 68, 96 - Oct. 2014...DONE

CPAExcel, Ninja Audio (all sections)

[hvansaders]

I don't think you should quit. If you love your job, are getting great reviews and feel like you are developing a good reputation, then stay. Nothing about your post would lead me to believe you aren't fitting in. Plus you dont want to fit in with the 22 year olds. Most of them will move on to different jobs in the next few years. You want to fit in with the managers and partners. If the age issue is really bothering you then I like Lindrobe's idea of finding a smaller firm but still getting the public experience.

[Mayo]

guys in his 30s in big 4. Started at 28. I feel you on not fitting in for the reasons you mentioned. Ditto on getting good ratings.

Put your time in (based on your career goals) and get out. It's a job. Nothing more; nothing less. There's no rule saying you have to be best friends with your coworkers or that partners need to love your personality.

Do a good job, build a good reputation, hone your skills, and leave when you're ready.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[jpowell31]

the fact that you love your job in public accounting….don't go anywhere. everyone else can eff off.

-__-

[Tncincy]

It's amazing how so many people are out looking for a job…regardless of age, but you would leave a job because the co-workers is too young? Well, do what you will but leaving for that reason is not a good one. You took this God awful exam, landed a job you like and now the question is to leave because the co-workers are too young? Definitely insecure. Work on that self-esteem. They will grow up and hopefully you will be there to watch.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[stoleway]

I think you're finding it hard to comprehend that you moved from a managerial role in retail and accepted an entry level position, so maybe you want these kids to bow to you just like others did when you were in retail (please don't take it personal, just my opinion).

If you love your job, then there is absolutely no issue here, lots of people are dying to have the kind of working environment you have right now and I don't think 30 is old, you will start feeling old when you're 40.

REG -63│ 84!!
BEC- 59│70│ 71 │78!
AUD- 75!
FAR- 87!

Mass-CPA

[mena je twa]

Dude –

You are making 70K as a level I staff ? Your post mentioned you doubled it from 35k.

I would say not more than 50K for a level 1 staff.

Licensed CPA, Texas - 2012

[rfc63]

I'm a 31 year old who changed to the accounting profession as well. If you're quitting, can I take your spot?

[klink24]

I was in the same boat when I did my internship at BMW Manufacturing. I was a full-time MBA student, 28 years old, wife and 2 kids. Most other interns were undergrads, around 21 years old. I even hung out with them one night and it was the most boring Friday night of my life. I was doing the internship for myself though so I could care less about the demographic make-up of the cohort. Kind of felt the same thing in the MBA program because most of those students were younger too. For me, MBA program, internship, etc. was a job, and that's how I treated it. In any job there will be people older and younger, so I didn't trip on it. Kept it cordial and kept my eyes on the prize.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[ahugemistake]

IMO – you listed only great things – you like the people, you like your bosses, you like the hours, you like the pay –

Are you kidding? This sounds like your dream job and you're considering leaving! You should be counting your blessings!

THIS so much.

of all things mentioned above, I hate all of them at my firm. I'll trade you places.

FAR: 78*, 75
REG: 76*, 85
BEC: 79*, 76
AUD: 79*, 93

All scores expired, let's try this again.

FAR - 78*
AUD - 66, 79
REG - 73, 76
BEC - 79

[klink24]

@rfc63, I know right!!! I'm 34 and transitioning with indirect accounting experience. I have a lot of other experience though so I'm trying to wiggle my way into the position I want.

FAR: 4/19/2014 - 85!
AUD: 5/27/2014 - 90!
REG: 7/18/2014 - 81!
BEC: 8/13/2014 - 84!

4 up, 4 down, in 4 months.

Licensed 9/22 in NC.

[Author]

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