It’s been a year since I’ve been in public and I hate it… I don’t feel like I fit in, and there’s no work life balance like they promised during my internship. How do I explain to future employers that ask why I’m leaving so early? I feel like it’s quite hard for me to come up with a reasonable answer without looking like im not able to handle the hours required during busy season esp since I’ve only been here for a year.

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

Why don’t you feel like you fit in? Is it your team, firm culture, job role, etc.?

My 2 cents - try to make PA work for at least 2 - 3 years. It’ll greatly improve your career trajectory and earning potential. However, that doesn’t mean to stay put. You could switch teams, roles, firms, etc. Lot of options. Don’t let one bad team screw your career without exploring other PA options.

likefunny

I was at B4 for a year before switching to a mid size firm. Work life balance has been much better and it doesn’t get as crazy. I just explained that the culture and work life balance wasn’t a fit. They were very understanding and didn’t really question too much.

like

Are you looking for another job in public? You could be honest and say that the work/life balance didn’t align with your idea of what work/life balance is. How many hours are you willing to work on a weekly basis? If you’re looking for 40-45 hours a week that’s probably not going to happen in public. I think 55-60 is the max hours I’ll work during busy season and I tell recruiters I’m not open to working 80+ hours like I used to at Big 4 but 55-60 is what I’m looking for and I still got the job at my new firm.

like

That’s the typical business model in public accounting. You get recognized for the extra hours for the CPA since you only need 2 years of experience instead of 4 years in internal audit. You do learn a lot since you work so much, but the long hours in my opinion are not worth it after you get your CPA. I would look at a public firm that has more reasonable busy season hours so you can get your CPA experience and then either look for an industry/government job if your driven by hours or if you like the flexibility and learning opportunities of public accounting then I would explore smaller firms that are also Top 100.

You can say public accounting doesn’t provide the work life balance I’m looking for. Most people in industry either come from public or at least know of the ridiculous working conditions. I’ve not had a negative response when I said that.

like

I'm sorry you're not happy and you should definitely do whatever is best for you, but just to offer up my perspective- I worked in public 1.5 years before we went remote, and during that time I LOVED this job. I definitely had my problems with the hours/pay but I loved working with my teams and clients every day, and loved the social aspects and the perks like happy hours, expensed meals, travel, etc. Over this past year during WFH, i've honestly hated my job- it's all the hours/work and none of the fun/perks. But, I'm not going to quit while we're remote because I know the reason I'm unhappy is because of remote work, and I think I'd be just as unhappy at any other job with full time work from home. So I'd consider sticking it out until we get back to some sense of normalcy/office work (only a few more weeks/months at this point and leaves plenty of time to make an informed decision and still leave before busy season)- you don't even know what this job is truly like and I don't think other jobs would be much different while remote (it's hard to connect with anyone over video and work life balance lines are blurred across the board with remote work).

like

Related Posts

I have an offer for EY LLP for Dell project, someone plz help me , how is the wlb on this project. I had a call with project manager, he told all fairytale things.

Hi all,

Does DXC technologies have good work life balance? In Australian project for Oracle Apps DBA.

If anyone knows please suggest.

Thanks in advance

I finally did it. I quit and turned in my resignation in June. I’m now have been working from home for United Health Care. I wished I would have done this years ago. I started teaching right out of college 20 years ago and thought all jobs were as bad as teaching I was so wrong. My new job is not stressful I now have a normal life and look forward to going to work.

likeuplifting

Rising junior interning in deals advisory (consulting). If I intern in trading at a bulge bracket bank for next summer, will I still have a shot at mbb recruiting for full time? Or should I stick to trading and then lateral after 1-2 years? Thanks. I’m an engineering major w a 3.6-3.7 gpa, top 10 engineering school, some leadership

like

Need review on Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India (RNTBCI) .
how is company work culture , WLB and annual hike ?

hired for Java profile, exp : 7.2 yrs

like

Hi everyone, I'm comparing two offers from Accenture and Cognizant. Could you help me figure out some of these questions: 1. At 5 YOE, what kind of package can I expect? Current offers: Accenture (12LPA fixed, 2.5L variable), Cognizant (14.3LPA fixed, 45K variable) 2. Nature of work - What kind of work can I expect from these companies? 3. would I get the opp to use any authoring Tools? 4. Work life balance - which is better? 5. Increments - avg % hike? 6. Culture - which is better?

like

Anyone open to giving referral at Amazon on for an MBA internship.

like

Hello Everyone,

How's the work culture in Accenture Canada in Technology domain? What's the salary range for a Senior developer and how's the work life balance? I hear from many people that during on-site, the work pressure is pathetic. Is that true? Please share your experience!

Thanks!!

like

Im a 2L currently going through the OCI process, would really love if I could get some insight as I am getting offers and it’s very difficult to make a decision just from the callbacks. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck vs Fennemore Law/Fennemore Craig. And then Lane Powell in Seattle and Downey Brand in Sacremento. I know the last two are smaller firms but what im most concerned with is work-life balance and having good firm culture and quality work product. Any help would be appreciated.

like

Hey guys… I’m a case worker in child safety and I’m someone who loves being outdoors/dies at a desk all day. I’m hoping to organise that at least once a week I can go to a cafe and catch up on all my case notes that need to go into the system.
So far the only reason I’ve been told no is that “if you do then everyone will want to and then no one will be in the office” … how can I convince them that I work better out of the office and get this freedom & mental break for myself?

like

Anyone interview at HBOMax for an internship before that can give me some tips? I’m always searching Glassdoor.

like

Having a hard time justifying wanting time off for mental health reasons while others on my team are full time parenting & teaching their children in addition to working. Anyone else?

like

Anyone here have two kids under two? Looks like it’s impossible to ‘balance’ work life. Mrs is expecting our second in a few months. First kid is 1. Is there any hope?

like

Lookimg out for job openings for my brother, he is having one year of experience as intern pentester, any openings in cyber security please help me out with this. Thanks in advance

like

Advice requested: When you were a legal intern or a summer, what type of projects did you like best? What was most helpful to you when you received a new assignment? Anything you wish your mentor did/didn’t do? I’m working with my first ever intern and trying to structure projects so they know that the work is important and relevant to the business, and why, and to provide enough background info on the area of law so they don’t spin wheels on the basics. What else should I be doing?

likehelpful

Is WLB better at S& than MBB/Tier2 or worse?

I feel like it’s probably the latter because of Utilization/PwC culture, but want to validate.

like

My cousin is looking for an internship in the GA area. UGA senior. He'd be an account person. Let me know if anything is available 🙏🏼

like

Hi Fishes,

Received offer from PWC india. Let me know how's the WLB, Bonus and Hikes over here.
Any suggestions ...

Thanks,

like

Are MBA investment banking internship salaries negotiable?

likefunny

More Posts

Any guidance on how to switch career from bpo to IT is very appreciated.
My wife has 7 years of experience in Hexaware and Accenture in operations(bpo backend/QA/ Data processing etc.)

We need 1 break, however companies are not willing to give single chance and no one is waiting 60days NP.

Please guide.

Anyone who works at Apple? Wanted to know how referral works there.
Do we first need to apply and then get referred or get referred first and then apply?

like

Soba Noodle Salad with Yuzu Miso Dressing

Post Photo
like

If you’re in the middle of your summer internship and you’ve been working hard and doing your best work, how to do you help yourself get an offer extended to you?

like

Hey! I just finished up an internship at GT and am going back into the recruiting process for full time. What do opportunities look like in cyber for an undergraduate at Deloitte?

I have an interview scheduled for Backline Technical Support Engineer- L2. Can someone help me with the salary range for the position. I have 5years of experience

like

How is consulting team in EY Gds? I have to work in One of the Automation projects? Any one know then kindly share feedback

Need 💙 11 likes to unlock DM.

Can you please help😊

like

Hi Account friends! It’s the start of a new year and I was hoping you all could share any book / newsletter / blog / course recommendations that help keep you up to snuff. Feeling a bit stale and like the last year has been a tactical grind. I want to brush up on modern thinking for our industry - the latest and greatest marketing books, strategy perspectives, creative self help, etc. to feel more alive as we start 2022.

Comment your favs and THANK YOU in advance!

like

Thoughts on JETS puts with the pop from the stim bill?

like
like

Hello Folks, I’m looking for entry level jobs and recommendations for biomedical engineering. I’m graduating in May 2022 with masters degree. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

like

Virtual graduation for our med students...poor guys. We'll celebrate on the other side of all this!

like

How do you separate work from your personal life? I struggle with being the perfect advisor to my clients and then having time to enjoy my life.

like

Desi fish, looking for some easy, no mess (preferably owen or single pan) healthy cooking recipes of chicken/ fish that I can include in my diet plan. M with kids and family here.

like

Dickinson Wright salary scale?

like

Hi All,

Does anyone working for 2 or more companies..?? Have some doubts..pls DM me your number ASAP..!


Thanks in Advance..!

like
like

Additional Posts in Accounting

How much of PTO RSM employees gets? Also, what is the Paternity time policy?

like

Has anyone here had any experience with Eisner’s Outsourced Services department? I’m looking for some insight.

like

Colleague is intelligent and hard working. Also comes in a very attractive package which is a bonus. But it's the person I am drawn to. Has anyone dated a work friend and had success. I hear all the

like

Has anyone gone from public accounting to FBI? Curious about how the transition has been, looks interesting.

like

If you are starting as an Audit Associate some time from now with Deloitte or any of the big 4, do they expect you to have passed/completed all 4 parts by the time you start? Received the Becker Reimbursement email from the recruiter not too long ago but have yet to start. I’ve seen plenty of people get to Senior at a big 4 firm without the CPA so I am a bit confused in that aspect. Any helpful feedback will be very much appreciated.

likehelpful

How to improve efficiently/productivity in the office?

like

What's the typical raise from A2 tax to S1?

like

Does anyone work at Protiviti? What is it like working there? How is the IA department?

like

Question is the accounting n consulting fishbowl app the same

like

need advice about how to grow a thicker skin. I feel I'm easy to stress out whenever I get complaints from the client or criticism from my manager

like

Advice on how to carry busy season supplies into the office? (Water bottles, cans of pop, etc) I'm supposed to bring them in, but I'm a 5'1 girl about 100 pounds soaking wet.

like

Heading into busy season like

Post Photo
like

Shoutout to all the newly promoted Partners, Managers and Seniors. Hard work pays off, if you are determined and willing to focus on your career goals.

like

Redoing selections <<<<

like

Question: does anyone know if the new hires starting in October in the Dallas market are actually starting at $60k?

like

Do any of guys use the Robin hood app?Can we even do that?

like

How does one handle a manager/performance coach that is a micromanager that calls/IMs you every 5 seconds to come to his/her cubicle for every fart sitting crossways?

like

Hey FB, I'm writing a research paper on the new CEIV certification. What are your thoughts on it? Do you see it as beneficial, do you think it will affect PA significantly? Any thoughts appreciated!

like

What other big 4 call these advisory/consulting service lines: consumer finance, finance effectiveness, credit risk advisory and strategy consulting? Trying to transfer to one of those service lines.

like

Do partners usually work the most hours? That seems to be the case with our office. I’m not sure I want to try and be partner if I get rewarded with more work.

like

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