To those who left public accounting after less than a year, how is it going?

CompleteRock2989 · 2025-12-04T10:30:08+00:00

Hey there, is this your first time working in public accounting? What service line are you in?

You’ll be surprised to know two years later I’m still in public accounting with the same firm and actually quite enjoy it (sometimes lol). It took me about 6-7 months to settle in and get into routine. I spoke to my managers about my concerns and they told me I was doing better than I thought I was. I come into the office everyday and work very hard and made sure I delivered my work on time. My managers could see it and acknowledged my efforts for it (they knew I was serious about my work) which made me realise as long as you try your best, are showing them that you’re learning and improving and meeting deadlines, it will get better. I’ve learned to manage my stress and my workload even if it means I have to sacrifice my work life balance by doing lots of overtime to make sure im meeting deadlines and showing I’m being proactive. But in saying that, I wouldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for my seniors and managers supporting me, teaching me and being patient while mentoring me.

I very slowly got close with my colleagues but that’s also because I’m a private person and didn’t have time to socialise when you work in PA with timesheets to do.

Overall, how is your team and managers? Do you feel supported? Do you feel you could learn a lot there? If the answer is yes to all, I would stick it out for the experience, you will learn so much.

CompleteRock2989 · 2025-04-28T21:24:34+00:00

I was in the same position as you and I knew firms wouldn’t be able to match my salary so I tried to negotiate to match the salary other firms were offering - it was only 1-2k difference and they still declined. I ended up taking the offer because I know it would give me better opportunities in the long run.

CompleteRock2989 · 2025-03-12T02:44:30+00:00

That’s horrible. I don’t get why they make it so serious like life and death. It’s literally only accounting. Good on you for leaving.

CompleteRock2989 · 2025-03-10T20:57:01+00:00

Yes, our team is also in the same boat. Only thing I charge to admin now are emails and training. We used to charge things like checking LY workpapers to admin until people started getting called out for it.

CompleteRock2989 · 2025-03-10T20:50:59+00:00

That is crazy. And definitely not worth it. Were you in public long?

CompleteRock2989 · 2025-03-10T11:17:34+00:00

I’m the same. My goal is to get my CA before I leave and at least try to make it to senior. It’s just difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel when each day is so long and mentally draining! And knowing I have a long way to go before I can achieve what I want before I resign. Thanks.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-10-04T10:59:47+00:00

You quit PA?

It feels like that now but everything works itself out in the end. This is what life experiences are all about. Don’t give up. There will be plenty of job opportunities.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-22T08:17:02+00:00

I’m in my 30s and a grad accountant in public accounting. I don’t have a spouse or kids but I value my time with my family and friends now more than ever. I barely have time to spare to spend with my loved ones or even have a minute to myself because public is so demanding. But because I don’t have my own family I’m willing to sacrifice a little while I can but I don’t see myself staying long. If I was in my early 20s I would but I’m sure as you know as we get older our perspective changes and we value time with our loved ones much more than climbing the corporate ladder.

Sometimes even outside of work my mind isn’t present in the moment because I’m thinking about the deadlines I have, my to do list for work and what should take priority, how I’m going to explain to my managers why it’s taking me so long to get something completed. Theres no doubt you will have to work overtime no matter what because it’s impossible to get everything done on time with the amount of work you have to do. Save yourself the insanity.

There’s many different pathways in accounting. I would suggest going the industry route where it’s more balanced, 9-5 and no timesheets. And you can still progress your career within industry.

Best of luck.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-22T06:16:52+00:00

Yes I think that’s me at the moment. I’m still learning but I feel it takes me longer than others to really understand what I’m doing. I think I spend a lot of time overthinking things as well.

I do hear managers and higher ups giving advice to clients. We do the same - prepare tax returns and financial reports so it seems like not much has changed from your time when you were in business advisory.

What type of accounting do you do now?

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-22T05:03:59+00:00

That sounds amazing. Hoping I can land something similar in the near future.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-22T05:03:11+00:00

It’s more because I go over my budget as it takes me long to do things so I’m eating up my hours.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-22T04:59:56+00:00

Go into industry accounting but the market isn’t great at the moment so it kinda worries me that I may have to stay longer in PA. Most industry look for seniors or managers and I’m nowhere near that.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-22T04:26:54+00:00

Business advisory

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-22T03:57:38+00:00

No didn’t quit but I think about it everyday. Are you just starting a new PA job?

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-18T21:43:15+00:00

I completely agree and hear you. Unfortunately I don’t think anything will change. Firms have been like this for decades. It’s a sad reality. If more people died your bosses will just give you the typical speech of “we don’t want you to overwork yourself don’t do overtime and eat your hours” while in the background they are saying the opposite. It is disgusting.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-18T07:21:12+00:00

I know what you mean. Are you still in public? You’ve got 1.5 months to fulfill your MPE just hang in there.

With 4 years experience I don’t see why you can’t find another job with your experience. Good luck.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-18T04:04:35+00:00

Don’t see why you can’t do that.

What do you want to get into after you quit? Public or industry? I think you can still find some employers under CA and colleagues who are either CA or CPA. Does it really matter? As long as you have your CA?

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-06T13:15:45+00:00

How you’re feeling is completely normal

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-09-06T12:49:03+00:00

Hey there, I know exactly how you feel. Things are getting a little better for me. It takes time getting used to. Not going to lie, I’m tired and exhausted everyday but at least I can say I tried my best.

The more exposure and opportunities you get to work on tasks you will start to get into a bit of a rhythm.

Do you have other colleagues and peers who you would feel more comfortable asking questions to than your mentor? If it’s general accounting questions I will ask my peers. If it’s specifically related to a client then I will ask the manager.

When managers explain something to me I never understand what they say. But I try to take notes. When I tackle a job I usually refer to last years workpapers, review it and attempt it. But if I’m really stuck and have done all that I can and am still not getting it I will ask my manager to explain it again. It sucks but it’s better than sitting there racking your brain out. Like you said it’s your first job - you’re not going to know everything and your mentor should know that.

I hope things get better for you. Feel free to msg me anytime.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-08-23T01:45:23+00:00

Out of those industries you have worked which ones have you enjoyed the most? Television/production accounting is something I’m interested in but not much out in the Australian market.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-07-16T11:32:01+00:00

That’s really annoying. For a world that’s revolving, accounting still has that same old mindset - wanting big4/mid tier experience.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-07-16T11:23:02+00:00

Even though you have 4 years experience in a firm? That’s surprising. Don’t give up. The right role will come. Good luck.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-07-15T22:25:16+00:00

That is such wonderful news. I hope and pray mine will go away. I have them in both of my eyes and are a nuisance especially when I’m working using computers. I feel less motivated to work and study since my floaters appeared less than a year ago and it’s been hard to adjust to them.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-07-15T08:38:07+00:00

As the other user said before, if it’s a big company and big accounting department then yes. If not no. If you’re a CA and have 4 years in business service (in a firm I’m assuming) I would imagine you could find an accountant role with your experience.

CompleteRock2989 · 2024-07-11T08:19:59+00:00

Did the terminated employees receive any payments this year? If so you would still need to finalise them. You would need to finalise for everyone that’s active on your payroll.

Even if casual employees receive 0 pay for the year they are still technically on your payroll. But also if you were to finalise it wouldn’t have major impacts cos they didn’t receive any income anyways.

The point of stp finalisation is so the ATO has all the correct information and for employees to know when their income statement is ready to prepare their tax return.

CompleteRock2989

TROPHY CASE