Sometimes I hate public accounting.

An example - the expectation that people are always available outside reasonable work hours for non-urgent items. Just all the little things that can be managed on their own but also quickly add up to a toxic environment that seemingly you as the person doing the grunt are expected to set boundaries for to create your own healthy environment in the absence of the company creating one. That’s the rant, I’m sure others can relate.

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

You set up your own boundaries, like not responding until the next business day’s business hours, saying no and you push back. Protecting your boundaries is important and unfortunately the industry is like that.

like

It’s not that hard to do though. I’m Director and I set my phone up so that after 6:30 pm all teams and outlook notifications are nonexistent. I don’t get notified until 7 am the next day. It’s never been an issue.

like

I’ve been in PA for nearly 8 years and have never responded to non-urgent things outside of regular working hours and never had any issues. Maybe it’s a specific issue with your supervisor(s)?

like

In that case I would just respond the next day during your regular working hours. I would think its more understandable when there are different timezones in the mix

like

I think it depends on the people you work with. Not necessarily public accounting thing. I had a manager who used to send long emails that often sounded passive aggressive. She often did it after normal business hours and weekends, and if you have outlook app on your phone, you can imagine how I felt seeing those emails. Glad not be working with her anymore. Some people say about setting up your boundaries, but it may hurt your feedback reviews sometimes (esp. when your supervisor is working at odd hours and expects you to do the same or just wants you work non-stop for whatever reason). I would say try networking, asking people about their experiences, find another team/firm to work for.

like

Are they conveying it as urgent and you just feel like it isn’t? If they’re not saying it’s urgent, I think it’s fair for them to send and you to ignore until your working hours. With people who work on teams across time zones I’ve seen people put their work hours in their email signature. Maybe that could help clarify your time.

like

Yes I have a message in my signature that states it’s not necessary to respond outside of working hours.

It’s just the requests for late meetings, etc that get tiring sometimes, whether conveyed as urgent - necessarily so or not

Unless the person is saying it’s urgent, I would assume it is not. I like to send out assignments in the evening. It’s so that my team isn’t waiting for me to tell them what to do the next morning. I don’t expect them to do it when I send it unless I’ve communicated to them that it needs to be done immediately. Maybe just turn notifications off on Teams and Outlook after a certain time.

like

Is it from your superiors or your clients? Put your phone on "do not disturb" - if it's family, they probably have another method of contacting you. Also, set an "out of office" message that says you'll be back in the office tomorrow morning. My wife has it the other way - constant texts from underlings of a non-important nature in the evening.

I have it like your wife, with underlings constantly sending messages. But also a client in a timezone behind me. Everything is on DND but it just gets tiring at tomes

I hate everything being “my responsibility“.

Too much work to reasonably fit into a week? My responsibility to find time to do it. Other team members not doing their piece? My responsibility to manage them and make sure they understand expectations. Junior team members with the technical knowledge? My responsibility to teach and upskill them. Overwhelmed by the unrealistic expectations? My responsibility to set boundaries.

Any complaints seem to be twisted to blame the victim

Welcome to the real world. Everything in your life is your responsibility

Related Posts

FYI If your name doesn’t match exactly you can’t combine.

And when I called SPG they said the account maintenance wasn’t ready so to call back

Favorite office chair?

like

My partner and I are in the process of buying a PHEV that qualifies for the full non-refundable federal tax credit. We will both owe taxes in excess of the current $7,500 cap (will see if that increases with the new budget bill). If we both own the car (i.e. both names on the title), how do we manage filing for the tax credit when filing separately? Do we just pick one of us to file? Is there guidance on splitting the credit across owners? Does it matter what order our names are on the title?

like

Uhhhh 🤔🤔🤔🤔 this guy's tone is just off putting
Cont'd in the comments.

Post Photo
funnylike

Will there be a market correction at Standard Chartered in near future ?

like

Any Capgemini H1B US employees here…
What is the standard procedure to resign? The recommended notice period is 2 weeks but any indirect penalty if you don’t do so?
Capgemini

like

What is the expected range for comp at L7 ? Have an offer and want to make sure what to expect in terms of negotiation.

like

How long did your in-house job give you before you had to start? Was able to take 6 weeks in-between both big law jobs but I don’t think that’s the norm or acceptable for in-house. Thoughts?

like

I'm a software engineer, and I've been working remotely for my entire career. I love the flexibility and autonomy that remote work gives me, but there have definitely been times when it's been hard to feel like I'm on an even playing field with my colleagues in the office.

like

What’s the best way to handle situational questions in behavioral interviews (e.g., what would you do if you are faced with XYZ situation at work?). What are the expectations from the answer?

likesmart

What kind of questions can one expect in interviews with the A&M PEPI practice?

like

If something is filed with the court, and service is provided automatically thru the portal, why does OC’s office send a separate e-service email? I understand with a PFS and Roggs — but for regular filings such as notices and motions I don’t need the document twice. I got it thru the portal. Am I wrong? Am I getting annoyed for no reason?

like

Any any insight on Greenberg Traurig?

like

I am defending an eviction for a client who has given possession of the property (as of Nov. 30). Plaintiff’s complaint has one claim – possession. They did request relief for attorney’s fees. NJT/Final Hearing commenced 10/27, was only 30 min and was therefore continued to 12/20. Plaintiff had counsel at that time but they are no longer represented.  I want to file something notifying Court that Plaintiff claim is now moot, making sure that judgment is not entered that hurts (cont'd)..

like

Anyone have good recommendations for a recruiter in Tampa Florida? 2 year attorney already feel trapped in ID but don’t know what else to do. Every recruiter that reaches out to me is for an ID role.

like

Best elder law treatise or practice guide for Florida?

like

Any fish still awake and working? 😀

like

Has optum called employees back mandatorily?

Civility thread!

Don't mention/hint at who you're voting for. Let's try to find some common ground.

How's your day going fellow politically-minded 🐠?

funnylike

How much does a Manager makes in the Janitorial Service field

Additional Posts in Accounting

Anyone know of any short online ethics courses I can take for credits in Illinois?

like

Leaving PA for my dream school next year for a career pivot. However still have awhile before I can leave (there’s no reason to forgo a paycheck for even longer than I already have to…). I have no idea how I’ll make it through busy season without quitting on the spot 😩

like

Shot in the dark- has anyone obtained their CFF? How did you study?

like

How long did it take before you learned to just embrace the craziness?

like

It's refreshing to see RBC's committment to no 2020 layoffs. Anyone know if any other banks are following suit?

like

One of my senior managers is a boomerang and told me she was laid off when she was 7 months pregnant about 10 years ago. I think she was a senior or manager. She was in a specific group and everybody was laid off. It wasn’t performance based.

Would you work at your company again if you were laid off?

like

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

like

DC advice request. Just moved. How's the dating environment here?

like

I want to break my lease. Do you think it will be hard to find someone to take over the lease with all that is going on?

like

When traveling for the week, does EY strongly adhere to the no expensing lunch policy or is more of a keeping the amount per day under a threshold?

like

currently in tax, thinking about trying to switch to advisory. anyone done this and have any advice? would i get a pay cut and/or lose my senior associate title?

like

Would PwC reimburse me if I study for my CFE and it is not required for my current job?

like

Has anyone transitioned from working in a company to being an independent contractor? How long did the transition take and what are the pros or cons from working solo?

like

Hey can anyone shed light on the Technical Accounting Consulting group at RSM compared to Big 4 (EY FAAS) with regards to work life balance / middle market client demands / flexibility?

likehelpful

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

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

Is CMA worth getting after getting the CPA? Or is it better to get the CFA. Also don’t have much finance background so I don’t know if I can pass the CFA will require a lot of hard work. Interesting in hearing people’s thoughts.

I have no plans in leaving PA anytime soon but I figure maybe I should look into another certification that holds value and makes me more marketable compared to my peers. Appreciate any thoughts and advice.

- Also considering going to a t14 MBA in future.

like

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

like

What level do I need to be before I can block off time in my calendar to watch the Champions League with impunity?

like

If I'm forced to use my vacation, floater, etc. towards my study leave for CFE but I have vacation booked for right after CFE, will PwC still let me take that vacation as a "leave of absence"?

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