Certified Public Accountants are known for working some long hours. This is typically a consequence of having to serve clients with deadlines imposed by third parties, such as the IRS or the SEC. Nevertheless, accountants have plenty of time for life outside of work. However, an almost complete dedication to accounting alone is essential during the period of studying for the CPA exam and starting a career in the profession. Eventually obtaining balance between home and work depends upon specific conditions that vary among employers.
Every accounting firm has some unique operational features. Finding a firm that shares your values results in a smooth process for completing a CPA review course while becoming acclimated to a new job. The assistance you receive from an employer to help you pass CPA exam sections on your initial attempts is indicative of the support you can expect on work projects.
While acknowledging the expectation of long hours, ask a prospective employer about the firm’s priority for balanced work and personal life. A young single person with no family responsibilities has different objectives than a married individual with the likelihood of arising personal matters. If your lifestyle had some important family commitments, make sure that your employer permits somewhat elastic work schedules. The right job fit will make CPA exam study proceed efficiently and position you for long-term success with the firm.
When you’re working at a firm that matches your personality, you can expect to rise within the ranks. However, this requires patience. In the beginning, you are exposed to many new and complicated processes. You really do need to rely upon the knowledge you collected from CPA study material. In addition, showing a positive attitude toward hard work ultimately brings benefits. Asking for difficult assignments leads to rewarding job satisfaction.
Busy season of January to May is the most demanding on new accountants. The urge to bail out of public accounting for work with a company as a management accountant is often overwhelming. At that point, a reassessment of both the good and bad features of public accounting is useful. For example, offsetting the long hours of busy season is the long breaks usually allowed during other periods. Four to six weeks of annual vacation outside of the busy season is not unusual for senior accountants at public accounting firms.
The benefits of advancement and time off at a public accounting practice start with completing CPA preparation courses, and passing the examination. A CPA license sets you on the path to eventually reaching a position where you manage your own schedule and workload. Paying your dues at the firm is necessary along the way. By establishing yourself as a valuable employee, you are granted a better balance of work and personal life. Leaders in public accounting earn flexible schedule arrangements that accommodate family obligations. Attaining that situation begins with selecting the employer most suitable to recognizing your human side as well as your CPA expertise.
IRS Circular 230 Disclosure
Pursuant to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service Circular 230, we inform you that, to the extent any advice relating to a Federal tax issue is contained in this communication, including in any attachments, it was not written or intended to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (a) avoiding any tax related penalties that may be imposed on you or any other person under the Internal Revenue Code, or (b) promoting, marketing or recommending to another person any transaction or matter addressed in this communication.
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