accountants come in

[Gibson486]

Would it be accurate to say that accountants who work for a public company are not as happy as accountants who work for a private company? Do public companies work their accountants harder?

 

[Phokus]

public companies work their accountants 60+ hours a week. Not fun.

 

[Ns1]

you don't do it for the money, you do it for the experience (I assume you mean big4 or mid majors). You can't get that level of experience anywhere else.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
you don't do it for the money, you do it for the experience (I assume you mean big4 or mid majors). You can't get that level of experience anywhere else.

no no....I am talking public companies, but not something like Deloitte.

The reason I ask is because my gf is looking for a job now and she seems to not like public companies. Today, she had an interview with a big public retailer, but she said everyone looks so sad and tired. The benefits are top notch (pretty close to wow) though. She has interned at places like Deloitte and she said she is never going back. Are accountants sad and tried at all public companies?

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
Would it be accurate to say that accountants who work for a public company are not as happy as accountants who work for a private company? Do public companies work their accountants harder?

I've worked in corporate internal accounting, and I currently work in public accounting. The hour will usually be longer and more stressfull in public accounting, and 60 hours is not an stretch at times. In corporate accounting, the hours are shorter. I would say I enjoyed corporate accounting much more than public. It's a lot more laid back.

So yes, corporate accounting employees are generally happier than public. I actually want to get back into corporate internal accounting. The pay is less, but the better quality of life makes up for it.

I will say though, any "accountant" should have some public accounting on their resume, and many people say that unless you earn your CPA, you're just a glorified bookkeeper. No offense to those of you who arent pursuing one or never earned one.

EDIT: Just read the OP's clarification.

I dont think it makes much of a difference whether you work in corporate accounting for a private company or a publicly traded company. Internal accounting is internal accounting. Although, if you work for a "private" company in accounting, the position may be more of a bookkeeping position, rather than a staff accounting position.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
you don't do it for the money, you do it for the experience (I assume you mean big4 or mid majors). You can't get that level of experience anywhere else.

no no....I am talking public companies, but not something like Deloitte.

The reason I ask is because my gf is looking for a job now and she seems to not like public companies. Today, she had an interview with a big public retailer, but she said everyone looks so sad and tired. The benefits are top notch (pretty close to wow) though. She has interned at places like Deloitte and she said she is never going back. Are accountants sad and tried at all public companies?

oh, my bad. I will say this then: the benefits at a smaller private firm blow. I want corporate benefits damnit.

 

[dquan97]

Just work for gov't accounting

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: dquan97
Just work for gov't accounting

no, she actually wants to get paid well.....

 

[dquan97]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: dquan97
Just work for gov't accounting

no, she actually wants to get paid well.....

but, but, but....

you're right



starting is around 40K and supervisory staff makes about 80K...which is pretty sad.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: dquan97

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: dquan97
Just work for gov't accounting

no, she actually wants to get paid well.....

but, but, but....

you're right



starting is around 40K and supervisory staff makes about 80K...which is pretty sad.

isn't that how much the private sector would make?

 

[dquan97]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: dquan97

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: dquan97
Just work for gov't accounting

no, she actually wants to get paid well.....

but, but, but....

you're right



starting is around 40K and supervisory staff makes about 80K...which is pretty sad.

isn't that how much the private sector would make?

private sector starts about that much, but pay accelerates much faster than gov't. I don't think someone w/ 20yrs experience is making $80K in the private sector.

 

[JS80]

I work for a company that was private but recently bought by a public company (and now a subsidiary) - so best of both worlds.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: dquan97

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: dquan97

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: dquan97
Just work for gov't accounting

no, she actually wants to get paid well.....

but, but, but....

you're right



starting is around 40K and supervisory staff makes about 80K...which is pretty sad.

isn't that how much the private sector would make?

private sector starts about that much, but pay accelerates much faster than gov't. I don't think someone w/ 20yrs experience is making $80K in the private sector.

I make more than that with 2-3 years exp because of bonuses. And I have a nice nest egg cashing in on my stock options. But YMMV.

 

[mooglemania85]

Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
you don't do it for the money, you do it for the experience (I assume you mean big4 or mid majors). You can't get that level of experience anywhere else.

I thought you did it for fame and glory.

Peyton Manning: "Tommy, you're my favorite accountant! You're on my fantasy team!"