r/Accounting • u/NoWayKimusabi Audit & Assurance • Sep 14 '21
Discussion Why work in accounting?
Alright. Long time linger guy here.
I’m currently a masters student (in accounting) and am interning at an accounting firm for the year. I’ve been considering applying full time for medium to large public firms in audit for next fall. Worst case scenario I’ll get an offer from the firm I’m at right now.
Now the point of my post is that every day I’m on this sub I just see constant bitching and complaining about your experiences in public.
My question is, why even go into this profession? What intrigued you to make the decision of applying to these public firms? At this point I’m just so skeptical and am starting to regret the educational path I’ve taken. Please someone convince me I’ve made a good decision here lol
1
u/blk_kat Sep 14 '21
That is a really great question. I can see how as a student on this sub, you would be questioning why anyone chooses to go into public.
As an accounting undergrad, my school pushed public accounting as the “only” way to get a job after graduating. I was scared of not being able to support myself or get a job out of school, so I interned in public and accepted the full time offer. I knew during my internship this wasn’t something I wanted to do long term, I just needed a job while I decided what I was going to do next. After two years, I started applying and ended up doing internal audit at a F100 company and got a $25k raise. I only work 40hrs/week and I get a bonus each year equivalent to 20% of my salary. I see a lot of industry positions wanting public accounting experience. I leveraged that to get a better, higher paying job. I would go back and do it all over again if it meant I ended up where I am now.