Does going to a smaller firm mean less hours? i know it depends ofc but there’s no billable hour count and it’s just a “get the work done” environment. averages to 2100 hours which is 52*40. Can anyone comment on this

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

No, not really. And they are cheap like, they watch you like a hawk and ur basically busy all year. Big 4 u do get down time

like

I agree with PwC1. I started at Crowe and moved to small firm, >30 people, and my experience is very similar. No metrics and my top week during busy season is >60 hours and we have half day fridays Memorial Day to Labor Day. It’s the best move I’ve ever made

like

I worked about the same amount (at midsize) the spread was just different. More even split between spring and fall as opposed to working a ton over the summer/fall. I miss things like summer fridays etc but 1) SM 1 is right - I eat my time way less now and 2) I have more flexibility now- big 4 are way more comfortable and supportive of wfh etc

helpful

I think with COVID midsize firms have been pushed to being more comfortable with working from home. We have summer Fridays, but I have hardly used because of work. I do have flexibility but I think that happens as you move up, and isn’t as applicable to staff since they don’t control their schedules. As background I started midsize, then went bigger, then back to midsize and I’m happy with that.

like

I have no idea how small you are talking but I have worked for top 10-20 firms and honestly the top 10 firm I worked for was less flexibility than the top 20 firm I work for now. I’ve always had hour budgets that ranged from 2300-2400 yearly and never felt like I had to eat my time

like

Ohh well yes then I see what you are saying

In my case it has been more hours but a huge increase in pay. I wasn’t big four previously, but still big international firm and most people in our office left for that reason.

The eat time is very common in smaller firms as well because of budget limits, that said I only worked 60 hour weeks twice last tax season, but I consistently work over 40 to get my 40. I received over 30% increase in pay by moving. Another thing I noticed is there is more stress because you are dealing with more clients, but hours aren’t crazy. Also depends on office culture and which firm you end up at

I think it really depends. I worked for a local firm and it was great not having billable hour goals, but I worked 70ish hours during most of busy season and a little OT into summer. No flexibility either. I just moved to a top 20 last year and so far hours are better, although no doubt my 2nd busy season here will be busier. We have more flexibility though and pay is better (moved to larger city with this job so that’s part of it).

Related Posts

I’m a senior associate and received an offer to join a very profitable client as general counsel that would open lots of doors professionally and financially. Problem is I’m super burned out on law and was planning on quitting law firm in the next few weeks and doing something else with my life. Someone kick some sense into me before I decline the offer.

like

Is there anything similar to Vista Consulting Group for other PE funds? Heard KKR has its own unit of internal consulting - is that true? What other examples are out there?

like

Taking my parents out for dinner. Any restaurant recommendations? Looking for a good steak place or some kind of Argentinian or Brazilian restaurant.

like

Looking for recommendations. My budget is 15k. Basic Nissan versa(new) 15 k vs 2017 accord/camry 50 or 60 k miles ?

Looking to make a move to the US. As a Muslim consultant, what is the best city to call home considering you will be away from your wife and kids all week?

Got an offer from Mastercard for L6 level,DOJ in December end.How safe is mastercard offer in current scenario ?Did mastercard ever revoked offers?how is internal situation in mastercard?

like

Anyone else just sitting around waiting for the ax to drop? I'm a soon to be 2nd year corporate associate who has seen work completely dry up. My utilization held pretty steady around 50% immediately after shutdown, but August was below 15 billables with no appreciable work in the pipeline. Aside from letting people know I'm available and doing pro-bono/CLE, it's starting to feel like a serious "covidcation" leading to termination.

like
like

does audit ever get challenging? not in a i’m stressed and i have a lot to do way but like actual problem solving and brain stimulating work?

like

Big 4 Directors (or equivalent): what are typical hours you’re working these days? Currently at mid-tier and contemplating a switch, but generally working 45-55 a week, which isn’t too bad.

like

Hello, I am a new grad with a doctorate in OT. I just got an offer for a job working at a private school. The offer is 58K with benefits. 15 days PTO. Do you guys think I can negotiate the salary to 70K, which based on my research is the average pay for my level of experience and education? Or is that too much to ask?

like

Looking to relocate to the Denver area and need to be able to access the airport, downtown 6th street, and ski resorts (in that order of importance). What areas should I be looking at with a house budget of $500k? School district is another consideration

like

Good book recommendations on the basics behind M&A deals and the DD process? Asking for a friend who is looking to start a search fund and has operational experience but no finance.

like

Hi, I am selected for the Content Developer role in TechM, but they are just offering me a 30% hike and I even need to shift to Pune. Is it good or are there other ways to increase the offer? HR told me that this salary is auto generated from the system and can't be increased.

How do you deal with feeling guilty for leaving your current job in the middle of a project?

like

Anyone going to be in Silicon Valley this week?

“I’m down for trick or treating, guys” -50 year old media planner with other planners around the same age. They’re having an actual serious conversation about which neighborhoods to hit up.

likefunnyuplifting

Anyone received an offer from BT recently, been waiting for a while after confirmation of an offer. British Telecom BT

like

Hooked up with a guy a while back and we had a really great connection, talked for hours after. We’ve made plans to hang out a again and he’s cancelled twice, busy with school. Cont:

like

Can someone review M&G Investments? Wlb, job security, culture?

like

Additional Posts in Tax Bowl

I am a Manager at a big 4 international tax considering switch to M&A Tax in another big 4 or a prestigious firm International Tax group but with more structure work. Which one is better for a long-term plan (~2 years) of going to private with a mid/upper management position that is not compliance oriented? As for me, I was heavy on compliance until recent and wanted to focus on getting planning experience and management skills forward. I am a CPA and an attorney, but not a JD.

like

Anyone ever been blacklisted by a firm but can’t prove it? I found out an ex girlfriends best friend is high up at a National firm in tax and I swear, each time I talk to them the tax recruiters are extremely interested and then I get ghosted. I finally realized today that she’s there

like

Anyone ever go work at the state - department of revenue ?

like

I just found out that my CPA failed to file my returns and submit payment on time even though they confirmed on the 18th that it was going to be filed that day. I do corporate taxes and have extremely limited experience in personal taxes. What should I be concerned about here other than the penalty and late fees for their negligence?

like

Is anyone with Trust or Estate Tax experience looking to move to EY? We are hiring!

likefunny

Looking for 100% remote roles for an operations VP with 40 hour work weeks and at least 180k total comp. Any suggestions? (12 years experience)

like

Does anyone work a compressed/ 4 day schedule? Any tips on making it work? Are there things you didn’t expect that you wish you had known about? How did you set boundaries?

like

Does anyone else with severe ADD/ADHD have any tips for getting focused in on work?

Getting to the point where it takes me pulling all-nighters just to get 12-15 hours of actual work done even though I legitimately like the work I do and the people I work with.

likesmart

Is my situation normal or am I getting taken advantage of? Manager promotion goes info effect now. Over the past month I’ve been getting introduced to my new clients I’ll be managing. BUT none of my senior work falls off my schedule until after 10/15. Of which normally Aug-Oct was/is my busiest time of year as a senior. I’m getting really worried about how to manage my new ‘manager’ clients while still my entire old senior load

like

Is it me or does the newer generation value more intangible things that aren’t easily measured like work-life balance, fulfillment and purpose in work. Which makes it difficult for firms because that’s not something that is easily measured. Also, this is why there is “value” in crypto, NFTs and the metaverse. It’s a clash of the generations that value tangible things like money, houses, cars and one that values time, experiences, personal online image. Thoughts?

likesmart

Is there a “The logic of subchapter K” equivalent book for c-corporations?

like

R&D Tax vs Fixed Assets Tax, which is better in terms of exit and growth opportunities?

like

Staff/seniors that wish they went the computer science route instead of accounting. What made you decide to get your accounting degree instead of a computer science degree, since both are 4-year degrees. What were your expectations from the accounting profession that were not met?

like

Anyone make the move from a core corporate tax group to an M&A tax group? What was your experience like, would you do it again?

like

Can anyone share any experiences with the tax team at CFGI/Carlyle? Thanks :-)

like

For my tax folks - if someone did not live in a state in 2015 but they have been notified of a levy saying they owe taxes in that year and have had their license suspended, does the TP have any..contd

Has anyone made the switch from tax to private client and if so what has your experience been?

like

Anyone know what the culture and hours is like for Expedia international tax group? I’m currently working in public and want more WLB and wondering if Expedia would be the right place for that. Thank you!

like

I decided to come home to CA from NYC at the end of April 2020. How should I go about with filing my taxes since my work is technically in NYC and I didn’t change any payroll address. Do I file part-time resident for NY?

like

KPMG reached out to me earlier this week and I’m interviewing for a tax position tomorrow morning. JD working on CPA. Working for a regional firm right now making $79k. I like it, but the benefits aren’t great.

Would anyone working in tax at KPMG recommend making the switch? What do your hours look like? Are you satisfied with the benefits?

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Send download link to your phone

OR

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Messaging rates may apply

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal