[Anonymous]

Hey everyone,

I’m a first year working in external audit in Big 4 in the greater nyc area, and to put it frankly, I hate it. I’ve been assigned to a new client for about 3 weeks now, and everything I’ve done has been a train wreck. From control wlakthroughs to substantive testing, I’m not getting it at all. Aside from the client being new and not having PY workpapers to go off of, I don’t feel like the team likes me. It takes me a very long time to do everything and I’ve had to work this weekend to get caught up (it’s only interim, and not busy season)

I don’t know who to turn to for advice, as no one in my immediate family has worked in the field. I feel horrible about myself,

I hit the snooze button everyday and dread waking up, and I usually don’t get home until 9 (commute is long and having to stay late doesn’t help). I have anxiety attacks thinking about going into work tomorrow. To be honest, I want to cry when I get home at night, but I don’t want my parents to be upset.

I did well in college, graduated with honors from a good business school, interned with the big 4 firm I work with now, got inducted into the business honors society, the whole nine. Since I’ve been on this client, I feel like an idiot most of the time and question everything I worked so hard for in school.

I really want to put in my two weeks notice and go back to college and do an MS in accounting or something business, and finish up the cpa. I really don’t think public accounting or auditing is for me, but I don’t have the experience to land a job in industry right now. My parents tell me to stick out until a job offer comes my way, but at this rate I don’t think I can make it, I feel like I’m losing touch with who I am as a person, I haven’t felt like me since I started.

Any advice? Will quitting only 3 months in come back to bite me later on in my career? Is there a way I can tell HR I wanted to go back to school without it making it look like I hate the job?

I would never be open in this forum about my life, but I really don’t know who to go to.

[Anonymous]

@accounting is my LIFO , i felt you. I thought big four was my career. But I hated it! There's no life in my group. The utilization rate they use is just throwing me off.I had anxiety attacks when I went to work. I didn't like most of the people in my group, and I quit from big four. Life is much better now. I think if you are sure that public accounting/audit is not your thing, you can definitely try do a MS accounting and finish your CPA. Thats'a big plus for you to go to industry later on!

[TTTZZZ]

You should stick it out:

1. A new job is always hard, just because you dont understand something does not mean you can not understand it eventually

2. Big 4 is a great experience

3. Every entry level job sucks, it gets better once you have been there longer.

4. Staying there for a full year will lead you to a great job

5. I mean this is the nicest way possible…you sound really pathetic to me. Cant handle the real world and want to go back to college…come on man (or miss). If you got hired by the big 4 you know you are better than giving up after only 3 months

I work at a T-10 firm in the NY area FYI

B-Nov 25
A-Jan
R-78
F-86

[TTTZZZ]

You should stick it out:

1. A new job is always hard, just because you dont understand something does not mean you can not understand it eventually

2. Big 4 is a great experience

3. Every entry level job sucks, it gets better once you have been there longer.

4. Staying there for a full year will lead you to a great job

5. I mean this is the nicest way possible…you sound really pathetic to me. Cant handle the real world and want to go back to college…come on man (or miss). If you got hired by the big 4 you know you are better than giving up after only 3 months

I work at a T-10 firm in the NY area FYI

B-Nov 25
A-Jan
R-78
F-86

[Anonymous]

I have 154 total credit hours from my undergrad degree. How long ago did you graduate/where did you graduate? Some things are not adding up about you candlemassisawesome.

[Anonymous]

I have 154 total credit hours from my undergrad degree. How long ago did you graduate/where did you graduate? Some things are not adding up about you candlemassisawesome.

[Anonymous]

To clear things up, I did graduate college with the 150 credit hours.

[Anonymous]

To clear things up, I did graduate college with the 150 credit hours.

[Anonymous]

@candlemass

150 credits is different than a masters, you could simply take additional courses or double major. theres also classes out there that prepare you for the cpa exam while simultaneously offering credits

[Anonymous]

@candlemass

150 credits is different than a masters, you could simply take additional courses or double major. theres also classes out there that prepare you for the cpa exam while simultaneously offering credits

[tough_kitty]

I think he just wanted to do a master's for himself. Nothing to do with number of units. Trust me, you are better off gaining experience on the job!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[tough_kitty]

I think he just wanted to do a master's for himself. Nothing to do with number of units. Trust me, you are better off gaining experience on the job!

FAR: 81 (May 2013)
BEC: 81 (July 2013)
REG: 83 (August 2013)
AUD: 82 (November 2013)
California CPA since 1/30/14

[Anonymous]

i actually think big 4 hires more bachelors grads than masters grads/those with 150 credits. i went to a job fair few months ago and most of them were looking for either current students or those about to graduate. as opposed to candidates like me with 2 years work experience and 150 credits

[Anonymous]

i actually think big 4 hires more bachelors grads than masters grads/those with 150 credits. i went to a job fair few months ago and most of them were looking for either current students or those about to graduate. as opposed to candidates like me with 2 years work experience and 150 credits

[Anonymous]

@ CPA followed by a bunch of seemingly random numbers

I graduated 2 years ago and can't get a job because I never had an internship. I graduated from SUNY Binghamton with my masters.

And my point is that if he hates public accounting then why go get a masters in accounting? And if your CPA eligible and passing the exam the masters degree does little more for you. I learn more from the CPA exam then graduate school because graduate school is bought down by the fact some people in it have no clue what's going on an no hope of ever being a CPA.

[Anonymous]

@ CPA followed by a bunch of seemingly random numbers

I graduated 2 years ago and can't get a job because I never had an internship. I graduated from SUNY Binghamton with my masters.

And my point is that if he hates public accounting then why go get a masters in accounting? And if your CPA eligible and passing the exam the masters degree does little more for you. I learn more from the CPA exam then graduate school because graduate school is bought down by the fact some people in it have no clue what's going on an no hope of ever being a CPA.

[Author]

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