re: Accountants

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Dusty Bottoms

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The plusses you pointed out are pretty much what my friend (CPA) has told me. I have another friend who worked two years at a CPA firm and is now in real estate accounting and she said it was the best thing she did. She's not a CPA but she said the experience and having it on the resume helps a lot with future jobs.

I know it will be a definite change going from private/industry to public. Currently work 40-45 hours now but it's pretty flexible. I'm a pretty determined person and I think I can handle the challenges of public. Thanks again!

The flexibility is a big part of what you lose. We get a ton of paid off time, because it just piles up during busy season. So in that respect, you get plenty of flexibility. At the same time, during busy season, you have to be here when other people need you to be here. You're at the whim of your managers. If they've been out of town on an audit all week and are coming on on Saturday (and Sunday) to handle up, expect to be here both days, regardless of whether you already worked 7-9 M-F.

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I hate public accounting but I don't think I'd like private any better

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Oh yes you will. I felt the same way as you once. I worked for 1.5 yrs in public for a local NOLA firm. Great experience, but overall not for me. Too much stress and not enough recognition had me thinking of a career change. I switched to industry 4 yrs ago, get paid more, work less hours, eventually got promoted, nice pay increase, bonuses, etc. One of the best decisions I ever made & I won't ever look back.

EDIT: Making the switch also gave me valuable time to be able to study & eventually pass the CPA exam.

I <3 spreadsheets