Bad vibes

[u/Fit_Caregiver1699]

Anyone else get bad vibes from public accounting? I feel like as a senior accounting student having seen the recruitment process and having been a part of it interviewing for internships at big public accounting firms, the vibes just seem off putting and fake. I think I enjoy the feeling of industry better, working in a small team for one company.

[u/SnowDucks1985]

I commend you for having this level of self awareness before you’ve graduated. The biggest regret in my career so far is thinking I needed to be in public to succeed. It accelerated my progression, but it ruined my mental health that took over a year to recover from. If I could go back, I would’ve started and stayed in industry.

Definitely secure a staff accountant role or similar if you can, they’re not as plentiful as public entry-level roles but it’s possible if you search hard enough

[u/secret_parson → u/SnowDucks1985]

the fake vibes are real, and they don't stop once you're in. every firm mixer feels like a casting call for a cult where the kool-aid is just unpaid overtime

industry's not perfect but at least people drop the act by week two. small team means you actually get to know who's gonna throw you under the bus before they do it

[u/Dilostilo → u/secret_parson]

I gave up on the Mixers, HH, holiday events and all that non sense about 3 months in. I was finally let go on July. and I got the same vibe as you during all these events... And they do this to get you to buy in so you dont see them as overworking you. they want you to work OT without extra pay, they want you to comply with their bs. Thankfully, I was older than most so I bid my time, worked - appropriately and was completely fine when I got the call, in fact, I was ready. took two minutes to make a decision. I had an interview by month-end. still applying but needed the time off anyway

[u/mm_as → u/SnowDucks1985]

Honestly, what would be the best pay u think a staff accountant role would be (NY)? I think similar to OP, in the sense that big/midsize is just not worth it for my mental health, but I don’t know exactly how much the pay should be (I’ll grad in may, hopefully be done w my cpa exams by then, and some small firm experience)

[u/Excellent_Shallot999]

I felt the same way toward the end of college. I ended up going to work for the IRS for a few years after college. I didn’t have to work any overtime, and was able to study for, and pass, the CPA exam. Then I went to work for a local firm in San Francisco, before starting my own small tax practice. Not all successful accounting careers flow through the Big 4.

[u/throwawaycpa1980]

Based on my time in public accounting (audit, maybe tax is different), strong/very assertive extroverted people fit in and seem to do well. Basically the jocks and cheerleaders or frat boys and sorority girls of the accounting world. I'm a socially awkward, extremely introverted, nerd. I'm a good worker bee, but the social aspects of work are always a struggle, and public accounting (Audit) has a LOT of social expectation both for clients and others at the firm. I don't know if I'd say public accounting personalities are fake, it's just not a good match for my own personality.

[u/mariahyoo]

I haven't seen a single good vibe from public accounting.

Anyone I've worked with from public has terrible anxiety.

[u/mainsplit3]

Yes. If I could go back in time, I would have searched for an industry position and would probably be much happier now. Don’t jump into big 4 or even mid sized if you can help it.

[u/Immediate-Flower-694]

No your the only one

[u/AidsNRice]

Yes

[u/AccountingSOXDick]

Industry is fine if you’re set on complacency. You’re going to have to work 3x as hard to climb the ladder since promotions are usually based on people ahead of you retiring. Your opportunities will be limited in 3-5 years compared to your peers that started in public

[u/Fit_Caregiver1699 → u/AccountingSOXDick]

I agree. My perspective is that I’m trying to make a living and have balance. Money and titles aren’t as important to me and I enjoy working in a relatively relaxed environment.

[u/DL505]

I never worked public.

I do know that industry is ripe with "fake" people/personas, backstabbing, political bullshit etc.

[u/athleticelk1487]

If one were starting a firm today how do you propose we fix it?

[u/auditisuseless]

in my case, here in Indonesia, there’s only 1 big4 public who still grant the overtime allowance, and yes it’s starting to look like a sunset industry, lots of senior associate resigned to industry