[IPASS]

Happy New Years everyone!

It’s my first busy season so can some of you just talk about a typical day in audit or tax is like especially during busy season. and also possibly some tips to do my best so I can keep my offer, i am a little nervous about the stories I hear about what happens to some after the end of busy season. Thanks! 🙂

[Recked]

Wake up, walk or run on treadmill or hit the gym, go to work, come home, eat, go to sleep, get up and do it all again the next day.
That's pretty much it from Feb 1st to April 15th.
You need something in there to keep your sanity.
Also, don't be surprised if the end of busy season is sort of anti climactic.
You don't really know what to do with yourself after your primary drive and focus is suddenly gone.

Memento Mori - Kingston NY CPA & EA (SUNY Albany 2002)

FAR-93 11/9/17 (10wks, 250 hrs, Roger 1800+ MCQs, Gleim TB 600+MCQs, SIMs)
AUD-88 12/7/17 (3 wks, 85 hrs, Roger 1000 MCQs no SIMs hail mary)
REG-96 1/18/18 (6 wks, 110 hrs, 1400 MCQs, no SIMs)
BEC-91 2/16/18 (4wks, 90 hrs, 1240 MCQs)

[Bourne]

Ask questions and don't be afraid to work too much. When something is explained to you, write it down so you do not forget. Both of these show an eagerness to learn and a proactive approach to not asking the same question numerous times.

AUD- 82
REG- 86
FAR- 86
BEC- 88

[ellejay]

In my experience (tax, small firm), get to the office early – check emails, return calls, go over to-do list for the day. Talk to my manager/supervisor about game plan for the day (if that seems to be norm for the firm, which it is for mine). Then dig in and work on returns for a few hours. Then eat lunch quickly, then return to my desk and check emails, return calls, go over the to-do list to make sure I am on track (make room for unexpected items). Then continue working on returns until I leave for the day. At the end of the day I usually also talk to my manager and tell her where I am at with all my deadlines. Usually the end of the day is pretty late. Then I go home, spend a few minutes with my family and the next day get up and repeat. Sometimes I get lucky and we have a slow week so I get to leave earlier than usual. This happens at my firm from late Jan to mid-April and like someone else said, it just drops off and can be hard to deal with the sudden stop of work flow. My manager says she gets a little bit depressed (but I certainly don't, lol).

As far as tips, make a to-do list everyday but be flexible for the unexpected tasks that might come up. Know your supervisors' expectations as far as reporting to them goes (my manager likes me to come to her at the end of the day and talk about what is still pending, some may prefer emails and even others may not even want a report at all). Schedule times to check and respond to emails and voicemails – during other times, do not look at your email or take calls. Also, when you have questions, write them down on a notebook. Go to your manager at a designated time when they may not be as busy (maybe after lunch, etc.) and ask all of the questions at one time. This makes it easier on them instead of being interrupted every 20 mins with questions. You can ask all at once. Also like someone else said exercise, and make sure to eat healthy so you feel your best. Keep in mind it's only for 2.5 mos, so it's not THAT bad in my opinion (but then again I work for a small firm, experience may be different at a larger firm or big 4).

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - 63
REG - NINJA in Training

FAR - 63, rematch February 2018

[Small4]

-do your best always (but ask questions so you don't waste your own time and valuable hours)
-try your best to get sleep (its tough, but its very much of a requirement for you to not get burned out). Hrs can go 60-70 hrs per week (but thats just to scare folks, its more 50-60). With tax reform just passing, lots of work too in tax planning etc.. that may increase workload. In short, force yourself to sleep at a certain time.
-dont forget to have some relaxation time, even if its just getting coffee and reading your book for 20-30 min…it matters to leave the office once in a while
-scary stories are normal (Sadly) but just know its a temporary pain for a long-term gain (experience) so you can get a less crazy job after a few years
-make your calendar be your best friend, if you are working on 4 clients; break your day up with client A 10-12; cilent B 1-3 etc… so you get things done without distractions. Distractions though is inevitable .
-Learn to say no (without being rude). For instance, a senior may ask for your help and you are really really swamped. Its OK to say know when your utilization is like 150% already (unless its insanely urgent etc..). That senior is just panicking too to fill his/her time with help but if you apportion your time appropriately, you will never come off as “oh staff X never helps”. You can always say “i would like to, however, i have client X for Senior/Mgr Y to work on …so if you would like, we can discuss it together to see if there is a workable solution”. Meaning it makes them harder to dump you work unrealistically. I've lived this alot and i wished i could say no alot more
-drink alot of water
-When it comes to flooded emails, really do your best judgment to divide very important ones vs those you can push for a day or two. It takes away distractions and pointless use of your time. For example, a senior/manager may ask “what is the status of my tax workpaper?”. when you see that email, you may panic, but the best thing to do is assess WHEN the manager truly needs it. They will always say ASAP but really ask professionally something like “i am in the process of working on it. When will you need this workpaper for review?”…so you get a better sense when they really need it. Its a scare tactic people use when emailing blank/no date requests for status….ive done it and its been done to me.
-lastly, do what is best for you. All these are just my two cents and nothing “guaranteed”. I like reading stories here of folks trying hard and doing well. Good luck!

(worked in big4 tax 6 yrs)

AUD - 77
BEC - 75
FAR - 82
REG - 77

-Becker (do all mcq, period),
-Buy NINJA mcq (68% trend), and
-PRINT trouble topics.

-Also Used WTB mcq (68% trend).
-Do 40-50 SIMs and read answers/try to learn from solutions like its a book example.
-Lastly, when having trouble with same topic, go big picture and watch trouble lecture

BEC - 68,70,72,75 5/15
AUD - 78(expired), 77 8/15
REG - 29,58,65,77 1/16
FAR - 56,68,73 - retake October hopefully (last shot)

Been doing this since 2007 on and off...

[MIsconnie]

Tip 1 of 1: Do your best, try to move on from mistakes and don't work yourself to death… no job is worth working yourself to death.

AUD - 79
BEC - 92
FAR - 82
REG - 90

Don't get nervous, you suck when you're nervous

 

[Want2BeCPAsoBad]

I work in tax:

1. 3:45am- 4 am Wake up, drive to gym (about 25 min), drink lemon, do a 30 min run or super quick workout, shower and (all in gym) then walk to work.
2. Get to work as early as they allow you to. For me is 6 am. I check emails and review my lists and start tackling it.
3. Take a coffee break at 9 am (15 min), come and keep working, Get lunch at 12 , but eat it on my desk. Keep working
4. Take second break at 3pm. (usually a walk around the block approx 15 min.) Keep working
5. Start wrapping up my day and make tomorrow's list around 5:45. Leave the office by 6pm
6. On Thursday I do a game plan for Friday and Saturday. and If I don't finish by Saturday 5pm. then I plan to work briefly on Sunday but try not to.

I average 68-72 hrs at work with 55-60 billable, if you can't wake up this early then your day will finish around anywhere from 8-9pm. to me that's my bed time. It is tough by its only couple months. then reward yourself at the after busy season party. Thank God I am not in Audit. that department doesn't leave office until midnight and the group controls your schedule. In tax you are responsible for your schedule.

Tips: ask questions early in the season when people have time to explain, take short breaks, get up get water, bathroom and a schedule 10-15 min break. Be ready to work long hours on weekends too. Don't beat yourself about review points. Don't drink on Sundays it will make you lousy on Monday. Best of Luck!

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - 82
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - 82

Your intelligence has nothing to do with your score!  It's a matter of dedication, study habit and how well you test.

AUD- 64 (Retake 1/2)-Waiting on score

BEC- 82 (2x)

FAR-May 2018

Reg- 82 (1x)

[IPASS]

Great, thank you everyone! I really appreciate all the responses. Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, and Successful New Years! 🙂

[Author]

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