Hello everyone,
I’m looking for some advice and want to hear you thoughts on this.
A little about myself:
I had an audit internship during my last semester of undergrad and I’ve been working full time at a small public accounting firm right before my masters program started (late 2021). I finished my masters but still currently pursuing the CPA exam.
Since i am working at a smaller firm I am able to get my hands on tax, audit and also general monthly ledgers work as well. I initially like aud

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You’re just trying to get your hands on too much and at a firm that will let you, which is wrong. Go to a mid-size or large firm where you have one subject area.

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I initially like audit a lot better because I had an awesome audit professor. But since I started working, I came to like tax as well. I like the fast pace environment in public accounting and learning new things. However, I don’t like the constant deadline too much. Like I’m perfectly fine working overtime during busy season, but right after busy season ended, we then have assurance engagements, then 9/15 and 10/15, then we have year end works. It feels like to me that busy season never really end. I want to get out of public accounting, but I don’t know if it’s too soon to get out or if it is the right decision to do so. If I were to start working in the industry, would I still need the CPA license to advance further in my career? Beside tax and audit, what other area is there that seem to be interesting?

you can leverage your experience and try to get into big4 or little3 (gt bdo rsm), where you'll be able to pick audit or tax (or advisory). get your cpa asap, it gets progressively harder to find time to study. learn from my mistake. cpa will open doors and put you ahead of other candidates for roles in the future

Lol I’ve never heard of GT/BDO/RSM referred to as the little 3. That’s cute.

Agree with both replies. If you can get into a different public firm, or tell your current one you want to focus on one subject area, you shouldn’t feel like you’re in constant busy season. It sounds to me like you may prefer Tax, as audit deadlines can be fluid depending on the client. (Correct me if I’m wrong, I only have an audit background).
It’s great that you’ve gotten exposure to both sides, many people don’t get to and have to blindly choose what area they might like to get into after college. If you gave that a shot and still don’t like it, you may like industry. Public isn’t the end all be all.
Also, if you’ve got the will to complete your CPA exam, DO IT! CPA is not strictly attached to public accounting. It’ll open many doors for you, and while not always required for industry jobs, you’ll be far more marketable and a stronger candidate.

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