Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
September 26, 2023

Going overbudget

Hello everyone,

I wanted to get your opinion/experience on job budget and going overbudget. I have been working at a CPA firm for a year now as an associate. It's my first public accounting job. I don't have a lot of experience under my belt, only 5 years working in various small business settings before this job.

My department provides small business bookkeeping/accounting/compilation services. I feel that I always go over budget. Some weird thing that the clients do that needs more analysis than expected. When complication happens, I always spend time trying to figure things out before asking for help. It's not that easy asking questions in my department. There are monthly jobs that I'm improving on now. However, I feel that I'm still going way over budget on new jobs, even when I have gained 1 year of experience! There are no other people in my team that I can come to for suggestions/coaching so I don't know how to get out of this situation. I get really depressed when it comes to billing and the partners ask me to explain the overbudget.

How was your experience when you started out in public accounting? If you went over budget, how long did it take you to be on budget? What did you do that helped?

Thanks for sharing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest Accounting Jobs--Apply Now:

Have something to add to this story? Give us a shout by email, Twitter, or text/call the tipline at 202-505-8885. As always, all tips are anonymous.

Comments are closed.

Related articles

Advice: Leave Big 4 then come back?

Ready to get berated for this, but I want some constructive criticism. I graduated with a degree in finance and accounting, interned in audit with Big 4, and received an offer. The offer would start this August, and I’ve already taken 2 sections of the CPA exam. However, I’ve always considered pursuing medicine and I […]

Advice: Stay mid-market or try to get big 4?

Currently, I just finished my junior year of college and I have an internship with a mid market firm for next spring. I will be graduating that same spring with my bachelors in accountancy and will have my 150 credits to take the CPA exam. Assuming that I receive a full time offer after my […]