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common staff one mistakes?
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I interned at a small firm (approx 100). The small firm was more like a family but I also had less training and exposure, and in some ways I think I was expected to have expertise over more things without anyone really teaching me much. The firm gives you SO MUCH training and support and you learn so quickly. I personally think a big firm is the way to start out, but a smaller firm or industry is good when you have a fam.
I just left big 4 and started at a 20ish person audit firm
Currently at a firm where there were 6 employees when I started (excluding me) and there are 3 employees now 3.5 years later (including me). After 2 seasons with the 3.5 model (.5 being a temporary office person during tax season to answer calls), I am exhausted and at my witts end.
Pm if you want a referral to CBIZ Marks Paneth, I was previously at Big 4 and 2nd tier, and I’ve been very happy here! Our local office is less than 100 people but we also have national resources
I started at a small firm. By default you need to cover more ground but don’t get a chance to get too deep in any particular area. To a certain degree I avoided just sending cash confirms and observing inventories in my first two years so I was a bit more well rounded when I moved up to B4. Also I knew a bit about taxes since I worked on returns when not working on audits. But at the same time I missed out on training at a smaller firm that was not on the job training.
I spent my first two busy seasons with a thirty person firm. Great team but it was single industry with limited exits.
I’ve worked at a small firm for around 8 years. We’ve got under 50 total employees spread out over 4 offices in 2 states.
We specialize in a specific industry. A typical engagement is 1-2 days at the client office to perform fieldwork and then preparing reviewed financial statements and tax returns. We also prepare 1040’s for the business owners, but not just any random person. Somewhat selective in the clients we take on.
My experience and opinion:
I really like my job and the company.
I work way more busy season hours now than when I first started - I probably averaged 80/week for 1/15 - 3/15 and then averaged 50ish for 3/15 - 4/15. To be fair though, no one was telling me I needed to work that much. I’m just hungry for $$/Advancement, etc.
Outside of tax season I probably work 30-45 hours a week, typically just 36 hours a week though.
One downside is we are much much slower on promotions. I started as a staff in Sept 2014, was promoted to senior in July 2019. Trying to make manager now but am having to wait until we can hire more staff (My office is just a partner and myself atm, though we’ve got a new hire starting soon - so I’m still doing staff work without as much time to focus on business development and finding new clients)
Actually had someone from a large regional firm reach out last week and ask me to come interview for them but I declined. I would probably get a decent pay raise if I jumped, but not sure it would be the best long term decision.
In relation to not leaving - since it is so small the path to partner is pretty clear. I’ve worked under the same partner my whole career so he has made it clear that the plan is for me to make partner before he retires and then take over our office. (Hoping to make partner in 5-7 years)
What questions do you have?
@Deloitte 3 - Correct, structure is set up with nothing between Manager & Partner. So yes 8-10 years in those 2 roles would be the goal
Small firms always say they are a family. Then they pay lower and no 4 month maternity leave, no long PTO like big 4, no good bonus, but they have partners who “care”, gossip coworker who want to know everything about you and your family, birthday applause, recognition meeting, and high utilization goal based on bill amount which is unreachable because of frequently write off. Is this called family or big 4 is more family?
Everyone has a fit. I am making more here than Big 4 they wanted me back but wouldn’t match my new employer? SMH I wanted to go back too but why would I accept less $$ for the “promise of MD” in near future? Ummmm no thanks