My first busy season is coming soon. my goal is max 55hrs/wk. Is it possible? B4

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

Yes but it’s not up to you. You’ll work what your team works and if you try and draw a line at 55 when your team is working 60, people will notice and you will not be rated favorably.

like

I was on a chill client for 4 years, never rotated off during the summer, never worked more than 60, and was at 55 most of busy season except maybe the week or two before filing.

We were able to do this because I was the senior for three of those years, i knew the client forwards and backwards, and could plan the summer and fall work so that busy season wasn’t terrible.

Most clients you will work on will not have a senior or staff memeber with more than 2 years on the client, so my case is not applicable

like

Yes just eat the other 25.

likefunny

Lol. Honestly it depends on your team, but it is difficult especially getting close to a deadline.

Probably billable hours at 55 plus admin/not billable - like logging time, trainings, meetings not related to clients, random emails effing around, you will probably be closer to 60 - 65. Unless you are waiting for client to deliver you support, then you will be 45 for a couple of weeks then 85+ the last week because no matter what, everything has to be done by a specific date.
My helpful tips:
1) Keep up on your client support early on, don't wait for anyone else to tell you what you need.
2) If it is slow, try to do as much up front work as you can.
3) There are a preallocated amount of hours per audit, if you are not working on something, you will have to adjust those hours to a different time of the audit, they don't disappear if you don't use them so let your senior/manager know if you are not busy. They cannot remember everything so you have to communicate.

likesmart

Agree with all of this! Great advice

Depends your office

Good luck

I'm able to do this a lot. But promotions in my group are also slower the normal. So there are tradeoffs.

It's up to you and your team. I wouldn't work a staff 1 on any of my jobs more than 55 hours a week.

I am usually good at keeping boundaries. However, there are many clients I’m willing to bend over backwards for and will do what is needed for those clients.

It was until you said B4. But I've heard some offices are better than others, so maybe? Also depends on your efficiency

This is true. When we would have national trainings and meet staff from other offices, it was always the offices like Buffalo that didn’t have super crazy hours. But if you are in a major city, this is probably not feasible.

Many years I worked 55s in three different offices and never opened my laptop on a weekend. Many years I have also had 80 hour weeks. It kind of depends on your client and the firm staffing levels. Firm has enough people right now, so it might be possible.

Is it a big team or small team? Chances are if it’s a small team you definitely will be working more than 55 hours.

Related Posts

Hi fishes,
I just got an offer from a startup in India putting my total comp to 40LPA(incl. vested stocks work 8kUSD and I also have an offer from a big 4 in the London for 65250GBP + benefits.

Any thoughts on comparing the two options?

like

Hi guys :) Glad to join fishbowl and this community. Guys I have an offer of 14.41 ctc from a big 4 (11 is fixed).
Technology-Microsoft Dynamics 365(I am a functional consultant in SCM and HR; Relevant exp: 3 yrs & Total exp: 4 yrs).
My interviews in
IBM are done and I am waiting for the salary discussion with HR.
What is the likely offer that I am going to get? Any idea? (My expectation is 16.5 lpa ctc). I will adjust my expectations as per replies here.
Any response is highly appreciated :)

like

Partners, At IBM we have Band 8, 9, 10 (AP). If the three banded people were to apply for an opportunity in BIG 4, what levels will they typically be slotted?

like

What are the rankings for top consulting firms in the human capital space? (Big 3, big 4, +++)

Currently at Deloitte at looking to apply to Amazon. Know anyone who is ex-big 4 who would be open to giving advice on application&interviews?

like

Anyone willing to give me an EY-P referral? Im a junior w/ non-strat b4 consulting gig on my resume from this summer & am interested in making the switch for next summer.

Laterals to Deloitte Cyber from other B4: Can you describe your interview process and what each one entailed? TIA!

like
like

Guys - What is L3 senior manager in tech consulting and how does it compare to Sr manager in other big 4? The job levels are confusing

Boutique or big 4?

I'm currently an ops manager at a big 4 in London and received an offer from a small boutique firm with 25-30% pay rise.

I'm also in the process with Accenture but I feel like I'm not sure if I'd jump just for the money but also change in environment.
What type of things would you be asking yourself if you were in my shoes and debating to jump ship?

like

Can anyone offer insight on Human Capital M&A interviews from the Big 4? What’s the process like? Case or behavioral?

like

Does anyone know of experience of persons from big 4 us international tax working in UK?

What is the max base salary ask for SM level in B4?

I’m a senior in advisory at a B4 firm. I’m aiming for partner, but secretly would like to be part of firm leadership. Is there anything I should do differently on my way up the ladder?

funnylikeuplifting

Would love referral for B4 or PA in Chicago? Industry and Internal Audit exp here, CPA.

like

Hi folks, currently an M - soon to be a SM in a B4 consulting - getting an offer for principal CSAM in Microsoft - 190K base, 25K joining bonus, 100K RSU
Two questions:
- what level does this equate to in B4 consulting?
- am I being lowballed, can I Negotiate more?

like

Any raise freezes at other B4? Deloitte has remained silent thus far.

like
like

Hi Fishes,

Can anyone help me with a referral in Bain & Co. For the role of Associate/Senior Associate?

I have 3.2 years of experience as a Business Analyst/Consultant in a Big 4 firm.

Thanks

like

More Posts

My company is offering to pay for external learning (ie conferences, certifications, training etc) and I’m interested in growing my knowledge in branding. Are there any courses out there that y’all recommend?

like

The weathers nice and my review que is low.

Post Photo
likefunny

How easy is it to work in account management in a foreign country? which countries are the easiest to go to? what agencies are likely to transfer you abroad?

Most sweatshop agencies?

like

Anyone know when new comp for FAAS will be communicated?

like

What is project specific BGC in TCS?

like

Do all these recruiters sound like car salesman? Any advice finding someone who will actually help you? Or am I better finding exit opportunities myself

like

How is persistent for women employees?

like

How does Google whiteboard on video interviews? I'd like to practice with whatever app they use.

like

Is hiring going strong these days in MBB? I will be interviewing soon with Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company

Any ME fish willing to share insights?

like

Advice on which Greek islands to visit in September? Santorini is in the list, but I can’t decide on others. Which are your favorite and why?

like

$2k into XLV or VHT?

like

What is a suitable Junior Brand Designer salary in NYC? I told company that I wanted 75-78k in my first interview but wondering if I low-balled it. Heading into 2nd interview next week. If I make it all the way, is it weird to change the range?

like

People who are bullish on crypto: why are you bullish on it? Do you think it will achieve mass adoption and fiat currencies will collapse? What do you see as the value proposition behind it?

like

I still get really nervous before doing telehealth video calls! I'm never this way face to face.

like

Before how many should I inform the onboarding HR if I want to postpone the joining date from Friday to next Monday ( from 26th Aug to 29th Aug )
Is it an easy process or can also be declined ?

Anyone have luck getting a Z06 allocation?

like

Is anyone interested in taking over the lease for a top floor 3 bed 2 bath, 1500 SQ ft apartment in a newly built complex in Plaza Midwood? The lease runs through Sept 2023. It's one of the nicest complexes in the city, has close proximity to Uptown, and has excellent amenities (e.g. CrossFit style gym, two pools, dog park, on site complimentary cafe, etc.). My unit has an ideal layout for work from home and a huge patio.

Edit: $3,196/mo including valet trash pickup ($35) and pest control ($4)

like

Any Walmart ASM(Assistant Store Manager) here? Current or ex? Want to move forward but feels stuck in retail.

Looking for a recommended software to scrape data from ZoomInfo.

Thoughts?

like

Additional Posts in Accounting

Passed the CIA. 🍾 I'm rolling deep in the letters... CPA, CFE too. What should I do next?

like

At what point do you folks just give up on working through an excel problem? I swear I could have saved time adding everything individually, but it would be a blow to my excel ego.

like

Anybody interested in these billion dollar cuts to HUD? How will that effect the audit industry for LIH?

like

What is the M&A FDD group called in each of the big four? What should I search in the career portal?

like

Im a senior and got a new associate replacing another one that quit, she’s been amazing and anticipates needs and finishes quickly so that i can offload my work for her. So do i chill with freed up time or go steal the managers job now?

like

On Fridays we wear black to mourn the death of our social lives

like
likehelpful

How do i see my utilization?

like

"My wife" and "my husband" .... I don't get it. If we work together everyday, just call them by their actual name when you speak about them 🤔

like

Tax senior with CPA at small firm. Best way to get to Big 4 audit? (LA or OC) Went to non-target so little to no alumni at B4. I don’t mind the switch to a lower title since audit was always my preference and was never a fan of tax (stayed local for family).

like

Are Bush, Clinton, Bush, and Obama really skipping the inauguration? 😂

like

Found that pwc reimburses Becker for CPA review course but I used Roger. Will i still get reimbursed?

like

My friend was on the price is right today. Productivity gone.

like

Good morning to all those who are still in busy season for another few weeks. Go get'em!!

like

Anyone that has taken the audit portion of the CPA exam: did you encounter any simulations requiring you review a document and either keep, delete, or change a comment left in a memo? Awful

like

When a client sends you a support document that "materially ties". That means you pulled the number on your tax return out of your ass and have no idea how you calculated it.

like

Hey guys!!! I have an interview with BDO for an audit role in the DC area. Any suggestions/ advice/ things to work on specifically? Wish me luck!

like

Started eating healthy and going to the gym two days ago and already lost 5 lbs. was this the secret to being skinny all along?

like

Does anyone have any good books or podcasts about how to develop leadership/ managing skills?

like

Hoping for help w/ studying. TRANSACTION CYCLES?? I see inconsistent lists online and in books: (Revenue, Purchasing, Inventory, Payroll) vs (Sales, Purchasing, Payroll, Financing) vs....

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