I’ve been in a national/mid-sized public firm for 2.5 years now and have been a senior 6 months. I desperately want to leave public accounting, but I’m afraid with the pending economic doom that it’ll be hard to do so. Any advice? Trying to find an industry job. I’m sure finding a job now will be harder than it was a year ago…

I had planned to do my taxes today. However, after feeling beat down with 60 hour weeks I decided I didn’t want to look at another tax return, including my own. Eff it I’ll do it next weekend. Anyone else in the same boat 😂

Hey, just thought I’d start a Canadian salary thread since it’s been a while since one has been done! If you’re in Canada could you post your title, service line, yoe, pay, bonus and avg hours worked?

I’ll start: 45k, core audit, EY, A1, Atlantic region

• Helped assist company through a PE sale
• Implemented new ERP in <6 months
• Close out 2024 while boss is out on leave

all of this for a 4% raise? Feels like why not go to an established company that isn't PE owned and not have to deal with all the hassle here.. like what's the benefit? Insurance isn't amazing - 401k match is pretty mediocre. Best part is really that it's remote and reasonable hours.. I think there's potential for me still at this company to move up but I'm discouraged. What feedback is there other than just "quit"?

I'm Asst Controller - without a controller above - just a director.

What pains my heart is that I don't have a more creative solution than accumulating the necessary capital to launch my firm and lead by example and attract other good leaders that don't mind going above and beyond for their direct supports because they actually care.

The truth is that organizations understand that good leadership is rare, so they spend a tremendous amount of resources looking for A+ players at the lower end of the talent pyramid because that's easier than finding (and paying) A+ leadership that can turn C players into A- players.

I can’t explain the stress this is causing me. I moved from a small town to a large city, with no family around me to support me, in the hopes of advancing my career. My transfer was an internal one, and I went from a small office of three auditors (myself included) to our headquarters. I feel like I took a big risk coming out here and it didn’t pay off. The work we do here is more difficult than the work I did in my small office.

Note that I didn’t have any bad reviews given to me until the partner blindsided me with them. I’ve requested feedback before but received none, except for two seniors who said I reached expectations (I’m Staff II). I feel like this should’ve been brought up during interim when we did testing, since I did everything the same way.

As the title says, I have been placed on PIP. I have a meeting with HR in two weeks, and my manager says it will last a month. I don’t have any jobs scheduled for the period of my PIP or onward. I have imposter syndrome now — am I not cut out for the big city? Am I a bad employee?

I’ve been the controller at a startup for about 9 months (series A) back when we had <50 employees and we have 100+ now. I was the first finance hire and now have a manager and some outsourced teams reporting under me. I’ve kicked off some projects and implementations with pre approval from the CoS and CEO that I would get another head. We need it desperately, my team has been over worked.

Now, we have a VP of People join, and she’s (I am a woman too btw, of a select few in leadership) definitely the type to step on people to get a leg up. She nixed my hire with zero context on her second week here. The pipeline was already open. We’ve already been interviewing. I NEED another person to keep my timelines I proposed for the projects we are working on, and general things like audit and reducing time to close. I’ve already looked at jobs but I don’t want to look like a job hopper, and I’ve already invested so much in creating this accounting dept.

I have a weekly meeting with the CEO. What do I do?

Thanks!

I have seen some posts that say "Tax Season" is now almost year round but how long is it SUPPOSED to be? lol

The title probably over explains it, but I'm slated to start WGU in May with 30 classes to take. I have about 20k saved, and plan on paying out of pocket instead of loans for whatever grants and scholarships don't get me. The program is 4k for 6 months and I work at a dead end job as a telecommunications subcontractor full time.

I know the economy is in the shitter, but what do you think is the best choice?

As the title says anyone who went from PA tax to wealth management how was the transition and how do you like your job(hours, pay, PTO, etc.)

Controller (CPA) here with 13 YOE. I’ve been at my fully remote company for two years but was recently laid off. 1. They offered ONE week of severance but said that it’s negotiable. What is the norm people have seen? 2. They offered for me to stay on part time. Should I even do that or just find a new job.

Would love any advice or input!!

Is anyone else in school right now that isn’t interested in becoming a CPA? EVERY SINGLE PERSON I’ve interacted with in my major says they want to be a CPA. Statistically speaking not everyone is going to become a CPA. I just feel like an outsider for wanting to grow in my career without the degree. For people that are well established in the field, is there no hope for us that don’t have a CPA? Is having the CPA license the ONLY way to make good money?

Hi everyone, I’m 25 and recently made the decision to go back to school to pursue an accounting degree. I enjoyed accounting in high school, and I’ve been putting in a lot of effort to prepare myself—especially working on my writing, which I’ve always found challenging. I even reached out to a tutor I had after high school to help me get ready for the upcoming academic year. I got accepted already.

In our most recent class, she mentioned that she sees me in a career that involves working with my hands. I didn’t think much of it in the moment, but it stuck with me. Later on, I messaged her to ask if she thought I wasn’t cut out for accounting or university.

My Message:

HI,

I want to start off by saying I really appreciate your help and guidance. I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier in class about seeing me in a career that involves working with my hands. I’m feeling unsure and worried that you might think I’m not cut out for an accounting degree or a career as an accountant because of my writing challenges.

Do you still think accounting is something I could succeed in?

Her Reply:

"My comment had absolutely nothing to do with your ability/being cut out for accounting. In fact, I’d argue that an “accountant” doesn’t need highly academic writing skills. It’s down to logic, problem solving and math.

It was more a comment related to not picturing you in an “office” environment, stuck behind a screen 5 days a week.

You can succeed in anything you put your mind to and want. You may find that through the business courses, you don’t even like accounting. Don’t put yourself in a box. It’s the way our Tamil parents make it.

Also - if you recall last week I did tell you that I didn’t think the grade 12 assessment was fair. I wouldn’t have made a comment as such and then turn around and say something related to your writing challenges.

That being said , let me know if I can clarify further. To ensure you feel comfortable. It’s important that your “tutor” believes in your skill set or there’s no point."

I’m looking for some advice or perspective. Has anyone else gone back to school later in life and struggled with self-doubt or comments from people they trust?

I promise to take interest in ur conversation for as long as I could..........dont know wtf am I doing right now. But I feeling really fucked!!! Anyone willing to indulge is welcome

Hi Everyone, I’m located in Colorado and have to do the extra 30 credit hours on top of my undergraduate degree to be eligible for the cpa exam. How long did it take you guys to get through it?

Hey guys, I’m currently a junior in college and majoring in Accounting. I switched to accounting last spring, and I truly love the field and am passionate about it. I’ve gotten A’s in my accounting classes up to date and understand the material well. However this year is different, I’m taking federal income tax accounting, and man I’m struggling. The requirement to pass and move on to other classes is a C. I’m worried I’m not gonna pass it. I’ve been trying extremely hard to grasp the concepts, but it feels like a foreign language to me. Is this normal for tax classes? Ever since I switched to accounting I know I tend to put a load of pressure on myself to succeed, based on the fact I actually like what I’m doing and want to succeed in this career. I’m just wrestling with this class, and higher level classes in general. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated, God bless!

I've been volunteering for VITA since January. It was really slow in the beginning so I had barely any clients. I'm getting more returns now that require extra steps. I feel like some people have questions that I can't answer and looking through the PUB 4012 is really slow and it doesn't provide enough information for me to confidently answer their questions. I always have to double check with the managers to make sure I'm getting things right or ask clarifying questions. It seems like people know what they're doing which is embarrassing since I'm an accounting student and I've taken tax class. We covered individual taxes for a week but it's more theory. I've only done 15 returns.

I'm not sure if I'm just inexperienced or I'm not cut out for tax.

Any advice? I feel like there’s no way I can pass this exam…. feeling so overwhelmed.

Is there an average person who actually passed this? Or do only genuises pass :(

CPA requirements: how am I supposed to work for 1-2 years in accounting if every job requires experience?

I am 37, worked 15 years in cpg sales. Started a (late in life) MBA program during covid and about to graduate with a dual concentration in accounting and finance. Thinking about a career path change towards public accounting. Eventual goal is self employment.

have enough credits between undergrad business school and mba. The exam will suck, but I’ll make it. But the required 1-2 years of working under a CPA seems tough to do if I have no real accounting experience. I make $140k currently. Any recs of jobs to look for? Thanks for the help

Someone is set to purchase a corporate bond from Kristy Caal corporation. The bond states it will pay $100,000 ten years from now. It also states it will pay interest quarterly at a 12% annual rate twice per year. She can earn interest of 8% on other investments of similar risk. If she chooses to purchase the Caal Corporate bond, how much will she pay for it based on the information provided?

I’ve spent a couple hours on it and I don’t know if I’m just burnt out or just stupid but any help would be awesome