My first busy season in public accounting

[krunchykrome]

I'm working my first busy season in public accounting (audit). We work 60 hour work weeks. I get up, go to work, come home around 10pm. And by the time I get my clothes ready for the next day, make my lunch, take care of a few misc things, it's already 1am. And classes start on Wednesday. Thank god I'm only taking one class this semester; I did that because I knew I'd be working long hours.

That was a weak rant, but I tried.

 

[vital]

which big 4 do you work for?

 

[xeemzor]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
I'm working my first busy season in public accounting (audit). We work 60 hour work weeks. I get up, go to work, come home around 10pm. And by the time I get my clothes ready for the next day, make my lunch, take care of a few misc things, it's already 1am. And classes start on Wednesday. Thank god I'm only taking one class this semester; I did that because I knew I'd be working long hours.

That was a weak rant, but I tried.

As a future accounting major, I sympathize with you. As an added plus, with a 60hr work week and classes you don't really have to worry about be bored

 

[Orsorum]

It will be much harder in five weeks. I've been through a tax busy season and I will say that it is much more difficult after 3 to 4 months of it. Then you crash, take three weeks of vacation, and throw yourself back into it.

 

[Playmaker]

Originally posted by: xeemzor

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
I'm working my first busy season in public accounting (audit). We work 60 hour work weeks. I get up, go to work, come home around 10pm. And by the time I get my clothes ready for the next day, make my lunch, take care of a few misc things, it's already 1am. And classes start on Wednesday. Thank god I'm only taking one class this semester; I did that because I knew I'd be working long hours.

That was a weak rant, but I tried.

As a future accounting major, I sympathize with you. As an added plus, with a 60hr work week and classes you don't really have to worry about be bored

You must not be familiar with what a big 4 auditor does.

 

[Evadman]

Sorry, but 60 weeks is normal, especially salaried. Try 80+. I once worked 30 something hours straight with 3, 1 hour breaks for naps. I want to say 32 hours, but I am not 100% sure, it was a while ago at a previous position. My average now is probably 80, spikes over 100. One of my recent checks (last 6 months I want to say) was for 192 hours for 2 weeks.

<--- currently on vacation. Woot!

 

[vital]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Sorry, but 60 weeks is normal, especially salaried. Try 80+. I once worked 30 something hours straight with 3, 1 hour breaks for naps. I want to say 32 hours, but I am not 100% sure, it was a while ago at a previous position. My average now is probably 80, spikes over 100. One of my recent checks (last 6 months I want to say) was for 192 hours for 2 weeks.

<--- currently on vacation. Woot!

There is more to life than just work... I don't understand why anyone would put themself through that much work and torture to their own health?

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: vital
There is more to life than just work... I don't understand why anyone would put themself through that much work and torture to their own health?

Money.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I'm on year 8, 5yrs Big 4, almost 3 now at a smaller but still top 100 firm.

Currently a senior manager in audit.

60hrs I can do standing on my head. We worked 14's Mon - Thurs. 10hrs on Friday. 12hrs on Saturday and averaged 8 on Sundays. 75-80 was routine at the Big 4.

I've done 100+hrs a few times. Sleep around 2am, up at 8am, into work by 9 while averaging 15hr days 7-days a week for a good 2-weeks straight in order to get to press-release day. First year SOX implementation was the worst year ever.

Now, 50-55hrs is a long week. Big 4 is the only way to go for the first 4-6yrs. Then a local/regional firm will be more like a normal job as I average 45-50 almost year-around.


Best of luck!!!

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

For all those working so long, what are your salaries like?

 

[pray4mojo]

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: vital
There is more to life than just work... I don't understand why anyone would put themself through that much work and torture to their own health?

Money.

is it really worth it though?

 

[Svnla]

Been there, done that....60-80 hrs per week as Finance Analyst/IT Admin (no freaking OT..darn salaried)....plus MBA class.

<<<----- is happy with 8-5 job now.

 

[Gibson486]

My gf used to work for one of the big 4. 60 hours would be a good week for them....

She vowed to never work for the big 4 and she stuck to a private company.

My cousin, she does finance at a competing big 4 firm and they just keep throwing money at her everytime she shows signs of wanting to quit. She works aroun 65 hours a week all year around. The only reason she is still there is because they are paying for her masters (full time, not part time).

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Sorry, but 60 weeks is normal, especially salaried. Try 80+. I once worked 30 something hours straight with 3, 1 hour breaks for naps. I want to say 32 hours, but I am not 100% sure, it was a while ago at a previous position. My average now is probably 80, spikes over 100. One of my recent checks (last 6 months I want to say) was for 192 hours for 2 weeks.

<--- currently on vacation. Woot!

Originally posted by: Evadman

Originally posted by: vital
There is more to life than just work... I don't understand why anyone would put themself through that much work and torture to their own health?

Money.

you're not getting any extra money if you're salaried. Now, if you get paid hourly, I'm all for OT!

 

[KeithTalent]

My ex was working from 6:00AM to Midnight 6 days a week last busy season and it almost killed her. A good part of that was due to poor management, so hopefully it will be better this year. She is also a manager now, so she should be able to delegate a little more than last year.

KT

 

[IceBergSLiM]

you won't catch me working 40+ hour weeks unless I am hourly.

 

[BHeemsoth]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
you won't catch me working 40+ hour weeks unless I am hourly.

Well, that's an attitude that will have you sitting on the low levels of the corporate world for your entire career. That is, unless you work at McDonalds.

 

[Pugnax]

Hmm...I've never understood the "look at me I worked 100 hours this week" bragging rights. Just because your amount of hours served is "high" does not directly equate to the value you provide to your company. Work smarter, not harder.

 

[Queasy]

I have a friend who works as an accountant for Russell Athletics. We basically know not to bother to expect to see him at the end of every month. At one point, he was doing his job and his boss' job when she was out on pregnancy leave or something. Poor guy could really get a better job elsewhere.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: Pugnax
Hmm...I've never understood the "look at me I worked 100 hours this week" bragging rights. Just because your amount of hours served is "high" does not directly equate to the value you provide to your company. Work smarter, not harder.

It is also not always a case of just "working smarter". In my last job I worked as smart as I could, but if the President called at me at 6:00 PM on a Friday night, saying he needed a presentation ready for 5:00AM (my time) Monday morning, well then, there is not much I could do about that; I worked all weekend until it was done.

Sometimes you are handcuffed by those you work for and you either work the hours or you move on.

KT

 

[Svnla]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: Pugnax
Hmm...I've never understood the "look at me I worked 100 hours this week" bragging rights. Just because your amount of hours served is "high" does not directly equate to the value you provide to your company. Work smarter, not harder.

It is also not always a case of just "working smarter". In my last job I worked as smart as I could, but if the President called at me at 6:00 PM on a Friday night, saying he needed a presentation ready for 5:00AM (my time) Monday morning, well then, there is not much I could do about that; I worked all weekend until it was done.

Sometimes you are handcuffed by those you work for and you either work the hours or you move on.

KT

Agree. Sometimes the amount of work are overwhelming. I am talking about the whole department were working long hours. My manager didn't get out of work until midnight or later.

Needless to say, I didn't stay at that job too long (no OT either).

 

[DangerAardvark]

Unless you work 80 hours a week you're lazy and shiftless. Do your duty as an American and PRODUCE.

 

[shocksyde]

I only work 45 and hate it.

I'd give you all props for being so dedicated, but 80 hrs a week is just plain STUPID.

 

[dquan97]

Working as an auditor as well (for the gov't), 40hr/week max. Can't imagine putting in more time than that w/o additional compensation or evidence that it'll make a difference.

 

[Phokus]

What the hell is the point of working that many hours if you're not going to enjoy the money you earn? Hell, it's absolutely retarded to be working those long hours and really not making THAT much more than private accountants... If you're going to work those long ass hours, you're better off doing so in finance (investment banker, stock trader, etc.) and making REAL money.