Looking for advice. I'm two months into a new accounting role with a standard 5-day week. I always complete my work on time, but a senior is suggesting I need to be available on weekends just in case, even though there's no extra pay or time off. He's implied that saying no could negatively affect my reviews. Has anyone else dealt with this kind of expectation, and how did you handle it? I'd kind of like to have a life.

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

I think it’s important to consider the why before choosing how to respond. As a senior manager I personally hate asking my teams to work the weekend and don’t think it should ever be assumed that everyone is always available.. but if there’s a deadline or due date coming up sometimes there’s just no way around it. There are absolutely times where I need you to do something Saturday so that I can look at it Sunday so that I can in turn send it to my boss by Monday. But If your senior isn’t able to help you understand the reasoning behind it and is just going with the “well that’s just accounting culture” then that would be a nope from me. Sorry I have a previous engagement.

like

Good luck, that's the been the story of most of my career. I will say that if you go with it it is near impossible to pull back in the future at the same place. You have to decide what is more important to you, the best chance (not guarantee by any stretch) of a promotion or raise or having a life. This place is making it pretty clear already that you won't have both. Pick your priority and make peace with it.

like

I think it can be expected of many accounting roles including very low-paying positions. I am not a CPA but have worked in many accounting roles where you are expected to be available to work overtime with no extra pay or additional compensation of any kind.

I dealt with the same thing and ended up burning out fast. If I could go back, I’d set firmer boundaries. You completing your work on time should speak louder than "just in case” hours.

Almost 9 years in big 4 and I basically don't work weekends. I let people know I can be available if something big is pressing. But with planning ahead that basically doesn't happen.

Related Posts

Any newly licensed attorneys looking to learn/practice family law?

like

Would like to organize events/speaker panels throughout the year, to highlight and empower the latinx group at my agency, are there any ideas or groups I should reach out to to help kick this off?

likehelpful

Hi Fishes,
Can anyone refer me
JPMorgan Chase for associate profile I have the job id with me

like

Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India Hello fishes. Can someone please refer me to job id MER0001M1A in Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India

like

Hi fishes, Any openings for functional BAs? Looking for Solution and Strategy related positions. Yoe. 6+yrs Trying to transition into a Solution and Strategy Consultant, any suggestions or reference appreciated? PwC Accenture Morgan Stanley Deloitte EY Infosys

like

Hiii fishes looking for a referal.please help me I really need a switch working as an data scientist.any referal related to data scientist accepted.thank you in advance
#datascientist #referal

like

How is Christmas like your job? You do all the work but some fat guy in a suit takes all the credit.

like
like

Gary Dahl got everyone whipped into a frenzy with "Pet Rocks" and TBH that makes me believe that marketing is like a form of wizardry

like

Anyone who exited to PE ops able to speak to how their experience has compared with consulting?

like

Interviewing to crossover from plaintiff to defense work, wondering what a competitive salary offer would be from a firm in the V20-30 range, 5th year, antitrust practice. NY/DC scale. Thanks in advance

like

Hey all! I went through the interviewing process with a company and we had a verbal agreement on X amount of salary per year. They liked me and extended an offer but the offer was for $15K less than what we agreed bc that’s what HR approved for. I was desperate so I took it. Accepting this offer meant that I had to relocate to the other side of the country. Omw that was 2500 miles, I received a call that they rescinded the offer. Is there anything legal that I can do to sue them?

like

How do you invest and save for your children? I’m thinking about setting them up with custodial brokerage accounts but don’t want them to have a heyday at 18. Did you create irrevocable trusts or?? They are too young for earned income and I don’t own a business so no IRA investing opportunities here.

like

This was a recent trip and thought this picture came out pretty nice.

Post Photo
like

Hi friends, I have attached tcs interview on April 7th. In the discussion itself manager told HR will contact me. But HR didn't contact me yet. Before interview I uploaded all my documents in ibegin portal. But still it is not verified by the HR recruiter. Today date is 16 what to do now!??

like

Is there a limit to HRA declaration for non-metro residents?

like

Is it mandatory to work from office in Virtusa? Or they are calling employees on hybrid model?

Is there permanent WFH?

like

Hi all!
Would love some insight on how you went from an HR assistant/coordinator to an HR Generalist. I’ve been in the HR world for 8 years, and only in the last 2-3 have I really done real HR work. The first company I was at didn’t have a solid HR team so I don’t really count that. I feel like I’m ready to take on more responsibility and learn more. And of course make more money.

I have looked into getting SHRM certification. But should I go back to school and get my masters in Hr?

like

Market was up 5% today, but now down 2% in after hours. Looks like tmrw might be another bloodbath

like

Additional Posts in Accounting

There's a ton of self help and leadership books out there to help people in their careers. If there was one that was written front the lense of a public accounting, would you read it?

likehelpful

Thinking joining Deloitte New Jersey office… any thoughts/reviews from anyone that works there on culture/people/workload/etc?? Deloitte

like

I feel like I've been listening to Lookin Exotic all day today....such a good jam

like

26 y/o JD, CPA, CFP --- what are my odds landing a career with the FBI?

like

Advice for someone having to audit in an arm sling the next three weeks?

like

When is the best time to leave and go to another big4? I am at PwC and I knew the reputation they had and Some people said It may not be for me because of it. Ive been here a year and I feel as there right. My busy season is starting and I want to leave (not just because of my team) but as some of you may know getting along with the people you work with is a big part of wanting to stay at your job. I want to try to quit end of December and hoping to start a new position February.

like

What % of your gross income do you all put into savings?? I have my 401k at 6% (or whatever the min to match is) and then immediate put about 20% straight to savings. Young, but worried for future!

like

What’s a good resource for refreshing internal audit and accounting concepts? (Preferably free)

like

Does your coach see when you get a real time recognition award?

like

I am WAY TOO nice to be in public accounting….

likefunnyhelpful

Which offer should I accept? Currently staff 2 at big 4 in Tax with CPA license. I want to leave tax ASAP. Both are public companies +1B in revenue and same salary. Offer 1 - staff revenue accountant so reading contracts, speaking with the sales team and legal team, a lot of work at the end of the months to close books and reconcile transactions to make sure we are ASC 606 compliant. This track usually leads to director of revenue. Offer 2 - internal audit staff so SOX and compliance projects.

likefunny

Anyone want to sell me their CFE books ?

like

Historically, how similar have the Sims on the AICPA practice exam for FAR been to the actual exam?

like

Are all Big 4 firms equally tone deaf, or is it just EY? I feel like they don’t address the fact that people are leaving in droves and the ones left behind are burnt out - we continue to have these big growth targets, but fewer and fewer people to actually do the work.

like

Constantly bugging partner to sign off my CPA experience... what's the point of incentivizing the license to get promoted if I have to keep nagging you to sign off

like

True or false?

Post Photo
likefunny

Anyone interview at Apple before? What’s the interview process like?

like

Anyone hear talks of layoffs in Advisory? I know my office is laying off Assurance and BTS (Tax) staff but haven't heard much of Advisory yet.

like

Can you negotiate PTO at annual review?

like

Anyone have any good book recommendations around building passive income sources/building wealth?

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

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

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