Putting in my two weeks notice today.

For the first time in my 10-year career, I will be doing something other than public accounting. I have known nothing else.

I’m nervous about meeting with the department head and maybe a little scared to leave.

However, I’m also excited for the new beginnings in industry—a true fresh start.

Congrats! … everyone who I know that has left PA has never regretted their decision. PA is great place to start a career, but definitely not a long term place to stay for majority of accountants!

I just left PA after 6 years. Giving notice and the next 2 weeks of dirty looks and comments while I tried to wrap things up in a way thay left my clients in a good place were among the most stressful in my life and I broke down (thankfulky not in the office) a couple times. That was 2 months ago and I am so much happier and less stressed today than I ever was during my time in PA. I couldn't recommend leaving more, it feels like I left an abusive relationship. When I gave notice i actually was told they couldnt believe i was leaving after all they had done for me and I'd never find anyplace better. Congratulations!!!

Manager was my ceiling and it took me awhile to get here, but I’m through with this stuff.

Maybe, I’m leaving a little too late (priced myself out of some roles), but better late than never.

PA has taken its toll on mentally and physically. My heart isn’t in it anymore. So, I’m ready to move on to the industry life.

Good luck, same boat been doing the PA grind for ten years as well and feel the same way, if it’s any consolation you are not alone.

I left EY audit after 10 years as well and moved into consulting. Not a huge change, but I feel you!! You got this! I actually found myself having SO much more time to enjoy life. No more busy seasons.. only busy periods.

Good luck! Trust me, you wont miss Public Accounting. Be open minded, adaptable and seek out challenges. A year down, you'll discover that Public Accounting is overrated.

You got this. When I left PA, It was fun and exciting. I got to work on projects and untangle messes, and no one cared how long I spent. I did not have to account (Bill) for every minute of the day. It was weird and fun. I was able to build something I was proud of, and meet people who were not like me at all.
Picture it like taking a plunge in a cold pool. It is unfamiliar, and a little scary. But you warm up to it, and soon you are doing laps.

Congrats! Change is hard, but it opens up new opportunities. As someone who also has gone down this path…heed the lessons you learned along the way. You can make any job stressful and mentally taxing. Set boundaries early.

…also maybe start by giving 90%. Then after 6 months bump it up to 91 or 92%. They will think wow look at you grow. You then still more you could give.

I'm considering the same thing. Actually considering a pay reduction. Would love to know what you're looking at

Congratulations! I am in the same boat, excited to start fresh in industry.
Curious if you don‘t mind sharing.. do you take a pay cut or have a bump? I had to take pay cut so wondering about your experience

Good for you! A new role, a new challenge. Never give up the opportunity to grow yourself.

I recently left my position of 18 years! My new position is definitely not what I thought I would be doing. However, I am learning a new industry.

After 2 months, I feel acclimated and at times I wish I never left my old position. But, the thought of going back does not enthuse me in the least.

I work harder, more pressure and I am part of a team that is younger, more educated than at my previous position. It feels good and my role feels necessary.

Time will be a factor. It takes time to fit in and adjust to a different environment.

Stay focused and be glad that you are marketable!
Good luck and please let us know how things !

A job is a job. Be kind to all (superiors and subordinates). Get to know really know people well and what they like outside work. Do the tasks assigned to you with excellence. Go home and care for yourself and your family.

Good for you for doing what is best for you. I am sure this new adventure is both scary and exciting but a fresh start wll be good. Best of luck to you in your new adventure.

Day 3: Coming into the day, I had 3 audit engagements and 5 review engagements left.

I was able to get 1 audit issued and 1 review issued.

I have another audit and review that are both at the one-yard line (to borrow a corporate jargon-y phrase), and only will require a couple hours of my time, tops.

That leaves me with the 4 projects mentioned yesterday. They’re all going to be a grind to get through and I just don’t know if I have the energy for the “one final push”. I’ll do what I can, but I haven’t promised any miracles to the partners either.

I also got a bit of an annoying request from admin (on the partners behalf) to create project budgets for jobs I’m not scheduled to be on. That’s certainly going to take up the rest of my night tonight, but I’ll have a cold beer and some playoff hockey in the background.

Last but not least, the news is starting to spread. Two people emailed me asking where I’m going. For the sake of severing ties with this firm (I need it for my mental health), I spouted off some BS about deciding between two offers.

I’ll probably stick to that story as the news breaks around the office. Like I mentioned earlier, I want to distance myself as far away from this place as possible.

What role are you moving into? Congrats!

Asked ChatGPT out of curiosity:
The percentage of associates who ultimately make Partner at a Big 4 firm is very low — typically around 1% to 2%. Time to partner: It takes around 12–15 years, and the path is highly selective.

How did you get your new role? I’m looking to transition from public as well (no cpa) and I have no clue where to start

I’ve decided to do some daily updates during my notice period.

I guess I’m just wanting to document and memorialize my final days.

Day 0 (Friday): Broke the news to the regional head first then the department head. The conversation with the regional head was downright uncomfortable and I just wanted it to end. They had some strong criticisms of me in the past, so I took any final praises they had with a grain of salt. The conversation with the department head was far more comforting (the bar was low), yet formal and succinct.

Day 1 (Yesterday): The Partner-in-Charge at my local office was the first of the partners to reach out. The conversation was fairly casual and he at least mentioned that working with me was a positive—so there’s that. Still working late into the evenings (usually 10pm), but I feel motivated by the light at the end of the tunnel. Also, I cancelled a project planning meeting yesterday, but said it was due to a scheduling change.

Day 2 (Today): I have a bunch of small projects on my plate that I’m trying to clear in time, but I got sidetracked by a couple of “emergencies” that were not going to be easily delegated without me answering questions later on.

One of the reasons why I’m glad to be leaving is things like this that pop up and derail my day. I know as professionals, we just make up the time during the back end of the evening or early the following morning, but it gets annoying to drop everything once I have a good amount of momentum going.

Fortunately, I got a couple of other projects to a great spot for handing off to the partner to finalize. Just 4 more to go.

Lastly, I handed off another project to another manager under the pretense that my schedule is too booked, while theirs is looking a little light.

Though I get the feeling the news will break soon with the other managers, seniors, and staff.

Day 4: Word has gotten out to one of the managers in the scheduling group. I’m still keeping things close to the vest, thought. I’ll wait on the department head to make the announcement.

Over the past 2 days I’ve had far fewer phone calls than usual and have actually been able to get some quality work done without being distracted. It’s been nice to be honest.

I guess that’s one thing I’m looking forward to about the new job. Being in a senior role and learning the ins and outs of a financial reporting process with a clean set of controls will be a welcome change.

On another note, a bit of an awkward moment happened during a project planning meeting. I went off about some spiel exercising due diligence all throughout the project. The senior then mentioned I sounded like a partner. Made me chuckle a bit—if only he knew.

6 working days left. The big push still needs to happen, but I’m also so burned out. I may need to just take a night off tomorrow and start fresh on Saturday morning. I’ll get there one way or the other.