Deep question on Work & Life

[Flambeur]

I know plenty of accountants who live a rockstar life. It's a good place to pay your dues initially, good pay and job security and so on. Not a bad place to be especially before an MBA or JD.

 

[Johnny_5]

I am in the same boat as longskate....Pretty depressing situation to be in if you ask me. I really dislike my work at the moment but I have an obligation to it, and it allows me to get through school with absolutely no debt. I am interested in accounting/finance. Want a good pay, enjoyable career, job security, and a life. It does not seem, from my point a view realistic to be able to have all of those rolled into one luxuries..

 

[longskate88]

Johnny, what are you doing right now?

When I visited the CPA firm, one of the partners said the only way to do it is to "work hard, play hard." I think it will be really easy to let work takeover your life. My cousin who is the CPA said though work is relatively satisfying, she gets most of her enjoyment from helping her church with it's taxes, her kids, etc...she doesn't get everything from the job, it's just pays the bills and allows her to do other things in her time off that DO give her the satisfaction.

On the plus side, if you have the secure, well-paying job, that should remove some stress from life, right? And on your days off, however rare they may be, you'll have the funds to enjoy them.

I think = / LOL

 

[Johnny_5]

Right now I am in my junior year of college looking to intern at a Big 4 accounting firm if I can land an internship. My college is pretty well respected when it comes to business and their accounting program is supposed to be excellent and have a program that prepares you for the CPA exam while still in school.

From what I have read working in a Big 4 firm you dont usually work on weekends. Maybe tax season, which is understandable. I am more concerned about money than time off, but definitely wouldnt complain about a 5 day work week.

 

[bluemagic]

To turboman: What was working in Appreciation like? Were the girls exploited?

 

[longskate88]

Originally Posted by Johnny_5

Right now I am in my junior year of college looking to intern at a Big 4 accounting firm if I can land an internship. My college is pretty well respected when it comes to business and their accounting program is supposed to be excellent and have a program that prepares you for the CPA exam while still in school.

From what I have read working in a Big 4 firm you dont usually work on weekends. Maybe tax season, which is understandable. I am more concerned about money than time off, but definitely wouldnt complain about a 5 day work week.

Sounds good, at least it sounds like your school background will get you started on the right foot. I'm at a state school, with at least a relatively well respected business program.

Are you planning on doing the couple years at the Big 4, then moving to a smaller firm? I doubt I'll get into a B4, but I'll probably go with the biggest firm I get accepted at, then move to a small CPA firm in a couple years. My cousin works at one with only 12 CPA's, and it seems like a nice atmosphere. I think It'll help to walk in in the morning and know everyone by name, greet them, etc. as opposed to the the corporate machine

 

[Johnny_5]

What I like about the Big 4 is the fact that their CPA training unmatched and it looks like fuckin gold on your resume. I plan on taking the path that will offer me the most money. In the end, this is the reason why I am still undecided because I am not sure if finance will be better in that respect. I dont want to sound like a douche but a good salary is very important to me. BUT given the current financial crisis I dont know if I will get a good job, let alone an internship since I dont go to an Ivy league school.