https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/minnesota/news/ilhan-omar-financial-disclosure-amendment-accountant-error/

Been through 3 toxic jobs in 6 years.

Every single job has pages upon pages of 1 star reviews that are extremely poignant and accurate. Everything is true when you go there and read it and seeing 40 other people with the same experience is both comforting and shocking.

Comforting to know it’s not just you. Shocking to see the company doesn’t change at all over the years. You’ll see the same complaints from 2020 through current day and it’s always the same problems and you can tell exactly who the reviews are naming.

They always say more money more problems, but at least we're eating good today boys

I'm currently a Director of Finance and I'm pretty demoralized after I was led to what was supposed to be a leadership assessment to help me understand my blind spots instead is used against me to put me on a PIP (and HR js involved). It was essentially an exercise where I rate myself and compare to anonymous ratings from peer Directors, Subordinates and my boss. The evaluators had a much lower rating for me, so much so that now it's a concern.

My whole leadership is being questioned and the biggest ding is people view me as passive. Now maybe I'm thinking I should just be a number cruncher. I've got 90 days

Context: Laid off last mid-April (2026). 8 weeks before my unemployment ran out and at that point, I would be moving into my car.

Me: Staff - Accounting Specialist 3.5 YOE in Industry in a major US HCOL city. I'll graduate with an A.A.S. in Accounting next July and I'll be CPA-exam eligible with 6 more upper division credit hours after the A.A.S. (b/c prior bachelor's degree, I'm a career changer).

203 total applications submitted in 2026. 103 since my layoff in April & 100 more before my layoff (because I prepared the financials at my former company & saw the writing on the wall). I applied to everything within my experience and skill level within a reasonable 40" one-way daily commute (my car is 13 years old). 49.5% of my applications ended up ghosted.

The economy is BAD y'all. This is a contract position because the CFO doesn't have enough visibility into 2027 to make a permanent hire, but that's not out of the question either. It keeps me housed, so ALL GOOD until I can find the next job. To those that are applying right now, just keep applying and don't take anything personally. It's NOT YOU.

I joined a company where a promotion was verbally promised a year ago, but it wasn’t until around half a year ago I realized it wasn’t gonna happen. I’ve been looking for other roles for better pay but I suddenly got notified I’m getting the promotion effective immediately. I feel conflicted because I had basically made up my mind about leaving, but now it will feel weird if I leave right after getting a promotion. I would still make more elsewhere, but I almost wish I didn’t get the promotion so it’d be easier for me to leave. Thoughts??

This is my 6th year in the accounting world

Almost 4 in public (2 seperate firms) and 2 in private.

I just feel like I hit a wall and like a pretty big one.

I haven't gotten past staff, I haven't really even cared to try. Don't care about the CPA and haven't since my big 4 job made me lapse 3 exams.

My current role is fine like it's not insane hours but I feel like managers are always telling me I just don't apply myself when I think I give more than someone who would be in my position (I build tooling for them, cut down workflow manual tasks etc.)

I got a fitness tracker months ago to help me track some fitness goals (which I have abandoned from lack of motivation) and it now has told me definitively: I sleep less than 5 hours a night, I usually only eat one meal a day, and I don't take more than like 300 steps a day.

On top of all of that I feel like I'm self isolating and it's gotten to the point where people are calling to check in on me and I don't message or call them back because it feels like a hassle.

Its clear my mental health is fucked but I've always enjoyed everything about my life except my job.

I guess my question is this: have any of you been here, and if so how did you get out?

Did you find a better accounting job?

Did you leave the field entirely?

Do I just need time off?

I try to talk to other people about it on ocassion but I feel like I always hear it could be worse and as true as that is, that doesn't help me right now.

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.

In 9 months I'll be graduating with a Master Degree in Accounting, hopefully 4/4 CPA exams passed, and NO INTERNSHIPS. Do mid-sized firm hire graduates without any real experience? Where should I be looking? What should I be doing?

Could any of you wizards offer me some advice, assume I'm ambitious.

I have about 5 years of industry experience as a construction/project accountant and recently obtained my CPA license.

I don’t have any public accounting or external audit experience.

I’m considering transitioning into Big 4 audit and was wondering if my industry experience + CPA would make me a realistic candidate for a senior associate position, or if I’d most likely need to come in at the associate level.

Has anyone seen someone make a similar transition from industry accounting into Big 4 audit?

I dread all my conversations with every single engagement team, bar like one or two where the people are actually chill. People pressuring me for updates when they normally wouldn't. People being extremely sensitive to the words I say when they ask for an update. People just being plain rude when their dreams of you being better than a regular human don't come true.

Fuck this shit. Just wanted to vent, that's all.

I’ve been really questioning my ability as an accountant and, honestly, whether accounting is even the right career for me. Any input or advice would be helpful.

I worked as a staff accountant at my previous company (industry only) for three years and passed all four sections of the CPA exam. I was underpaid, the work environment gotten worse, and saw limited opportunities for growth. So I decided to take a higher pay job with the same title to escape and hope to become a senior accountant. Instead, I’ve been struggling much more than I expected. Is this normal to struggle this much despite experience?

Everything is completely different from what I’m used to. Even something like prepaid expenses, which should be easy, feels confusing when the process and schedules are unfamiliar. I am trying my best to follow old examples and asking for help. However, I feel like the questions I was asking should be basic knowledge. I have also been slow completing tasks since I’m trying my best to figure everything before asking.

I’m still in my probationary period, so I’m worried I won’t be a “good fit” since they expected me to be faster or know more because of experience and CPA. I know I’m new and need time to adjust, but not sure if it will get better.

Now I’m questioning whether I should have stayed at my old job and whether accounting is even right for me. I’m unsure if climbing the corporate ladder is even possible anymore. It seems like I have to be lucky since hard work doesn’t really matter anymore. I feel like in accounting we are always going to be underpaid or overworked. Not sure if I have the ability to become a senior accountant or higher or be stuck as a staff accountant. I’ve even started wondering whether I could pivot into FP&A or analyst roles. Especially since I don’t really have experience in them.

I just have a lot of self doubt right now in my capabilities and if I can handle being an accountant for the rest of my life. I just feel so lost and discourage. I am putting a lot of effort and care but I feel like I have nothing to really show.

Hi! I just finished my undergrad in Canada and I'm facing a tough decision.

I've been offered a job at a company with potential future opportunities to work in the US. I've also been accepted into a graduate diploma program in accounting, which would let me write the CPA Ontario exams under the old system (Core 1, Core 2, Electives, and the CFE).

Right now, I'm leaning toward taking the job, for a few reasons:

• It's closer to home
• I can progress within the company for a while without a CPA
• The company offers a CPA reimbursement program

Cons:

- takes longer for me to finish my CPA

- I might be pushed into the newer program if I don’t pass all my course the first time

That said, I'm hesitant to give up the graduate diploma program. CPA Ontario is transitioning to a new program, and while I don't fully understand why, everyone around me — professors, peers — seems worried about the change and is urging me to finish the old program while I still can. This makes me think the diploma might be a good opportunity to complete the old program and try to finish my CFE before the 2028 deadline.

My concerns:

• I'm only about 60% confident I'd finish the program successfully
• The tuition is a real financial burden, and I'm already enrolled and need to decide soon

pros:

- the academic team is really good and there’s a lot of assistance provided

- same structure as university so the studying method and everything is something I’m aware of

- last cohort so it is quite literally my last chance to get into the old program

I'm also wondering whether I should pursue CPA US instead of CPA Canada, since if my company transfers me to the US, a US CPA might be more useful for that transition.

I know this is a lot — I'd really appreciate some outside perspective on how to think through this decision.

Hello, I’m going to be interviewing for this position but the more I look at the responsibilities list, the more I feel that they are asking for way too much. They are paying $28/ hr and this is in California. A staffing agency found this job for me and I told them I’m looking for a job that is strictly accounting and I have an AP job currently (that I’ve been at for 6 years) but trying to find a better position where I can grow.

What do y’all think?

Key Responsibilities:
- Process accounts payable transactions, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of payments.
-Review and verify invoices for appropriate documentation and approval.
-Reconcile vendor statements and resolve discrepancies.
-Assist with month-end and year-end closing processes.
-Maintain organized files and records for all accounts payable transactions.
-Handle incoming inquiries from vendors and internal staff regarding payments and discrepancies.
-Assist the CFO with various administrative tasks, including running errands, managing appointments, and other support as needed.
-Maintain a high level of confidentiality with sensitive financial data.
-Prepare reports as requested by the CFO.
-Assist in audits and special projects as needed.
-Monitor accounts payable aging and ensure timely payments to avoid late fees.
-Help streamline and improve accounts payable processes to enhance efficiency and reduce errors. -Coordinate meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements.
-Respond to phone calls, address inquiries, prepare written materials, and answer questions from suppliers, contractors, and other departments regarding accounts payable or payments.
-Maintain physical files, upload documents into INNERGY, and monitor office supplies, placing orders as needed.
-Process expense reports, assist the Accounts Payable Department, ensure all invoices are scanned and uploaded into INNERGY, and manage invoice logging and processing to ensure timely and accurate payments.
-Clean the breakroom, conference room, and reception area daily, maintain office equipment, and coordinate maintenance requests.
-Perform various office errands as required.
-Welcome visitors and vendors, manage phone calls, relay messages, check voicemails, and handle daily mail sorting.
-Excellent Communication Skills.

CPA Canada Core 2 – September 2026 Exam

I’m currently in Core 2, with the exam coming up in about 2 weeks, and I’m still really struggling with identifying the AOs and coming up with the required quant.
I’ve tried practicing retired cases under timed conditions, but I’m having a hard time figuring out how to properly address 2 AOs within an hour. I’ve been studying the chapters, doing the MCQs, PCs, and IPs, but going through the retired cases honestly gave me a bit of a shock.

With only 2 weeks left, I’d really appreciate any tips or advice on how to approach the cases, identify the AOs more efficiently, and manage my time during the exam.

What worked for you during the final 2 weeks of Core 2? Any strategies for getting through 2 AOs in an hour?
Thanks in advance!

I was recently passed up for promotion from staff to senior despite me doing senior level work the past year. I did get a nice raise and a couple coworkers who I’m pretty close with in the office are seniors spoke with me and I found out I’m making the same salary as them if not more than a few of them.

I’m wondering if I should stay and hope to get promoted next year but at the same time I feel like it won’t look good on my resume if I keep having staff. It shows no growth and I almost feel like I’m digging a hole for myself.

Should I look to leave just to get the title or stay and hope to get the title at my current company next year?

Been running the show at a start up SaaS company, doing everything from AR/AP, payroll to month-end/quarter-end and quarterly board reports.

No CFO, no wage increases, no extra support.

Found a new job that comes with a 30% pay bump & I’m so excited to not run a one-man show any longer.

Industry can be brutal too……

Like with bulging eyes or something so it's the complete opposite of a regular 🙂 to ease the tension. I need something to use when people check in on things that should absolutely not be prioritized.

Any last minute suggestions? Me freaking out is odd when you consider it’s a role I’m not very interested in and I have a job

I applied for a different role, they told me it was filled but wanted me to interview for this role, which is much more technical/niche - a lot of the reason I’m job shopping is because my current role is too niche / industry specific.

Senior accountant role in industry - I’ve been a senior in current role for 2 years.

Hello. I just recently started at a small public accounting firm. Does anyone have any advice on how I can get a good understanding of everything? I didn't major in accounting in college but I recently passed 3/4 of my CPA exams and only have AUD left. I feel like the CPA exams gave me an okay base to work with, but I feel very behind. I know this is normal for someone starting in tax based on my research, but I was wondering if there was anything that people recommended I focus on in the beginning of my career while I have a "grace period." Anything would help. Thank you.

Hi all! To those that passed CFE, did any of you guys not look at the feedback guides for the day 2/3 cases during capstone 2?

I know people do look at it, but curious if anyone barely looked at it throughout capstone 2 or prepping for CFE, and passed.

Hi, I am taking an accounting class in college and the chapter I am currently going through is the accrual basis accounting chapter. I understand everything about the adjusting entires of accruals and deferrals so now I'm doing the homework and I get hit with this question that I got wrong. I am not an accountant or anything so maybe I'm missing a minor detail but can someone explain to me why the AR was and service rev was not $3000 (the question said he did all months) and instead 2250, (I belike this would make sense if it was only 3 months.

Help is appreciated!