Let’s Say Theoretically You Crap Your Pants Your First Week at a Big 4 Firm, What Should You Do?
Saw this on r/big4 over the weekend and while it’s obviously completely made up (despite being posted on the internet where absolutely nothing is fake ever), much like an account man getting his foot run over by a riding lawnmower by a secretary at an advertising firm, surely this has happened somewhere at a Big […]
Ask GC: Is It OK to Renege on a Previously Accepted Offer For an Offer From a Bigger Firm?
Back in the day, advice emails were our bread and butter. Well, more like my esteemed former colleague Caleb Newquist’s bread and butter. He loved cranking them out while I really had to be in the right mood otherwise I’d end up telling some poor intern to go fuck themselves just because I could. The […]
Here Comes the Stupid Advice For Employers on How to Attract ‘Zoomers’
Well, we knew this day would come. I mean, it was inevitable what with the oldest millennials (myself included, depending on who you ask) turning 40 soon. There was only so long The Olds could continue speaking about millennials as if they are some baffling force fueled by Cap’n Crunch and cellphone radiation, but now […]
Here Is Everything You Need to Know About Meet the Firms
Welp, it’s about that time of year to dust off your big brother’s hand-me-down blazer and practice your handshake for Meet the Firms. As you’re polishing up your personal elevator pitch, now is a good time to go over some basics, lest you make an absolute fool of yourself. What Is Meet the Firms? As […]
Why Working at San Diego-Based Gatto, Pope & Walwick Is a No-Brainer
When Sheena Barnes moved to San Diego, she spoke to every tax firm in the area. She says choosing Gatto, Pope & Walwick was a no-brainer. Yes, a tax accounting job can be fun Even for those of you who get legitimately excited about tax accounting, we know the business can be a bit of […]
Love Technology & Accounting? This Company Wants to Hire You.
A software company that makes apps for accountants by accountants? It’s for real, and they’re looking to hire now. If your world is one where technology and accounting collide, you should check them out. FloQast is a startup in the conventional sense, and they’re growing rapidly. They just raised $25 million in series B funding, […]
How to Get Ahead: Embrace Office Politics
Ed. note: This post originally appeared on the Accountingfly blog. I think most people fall into one of two camps when it comes to office politics. There are those people who think it shouldn’t matter much when it comes to getting ahead. And then there are those people who think that it’s the only thing […]
Accountants Suffer from Choice Overload
Job security isn’t something most accountants worry about. Everyone needs an accountant. Even with technology doing more of the grunt work, someone needs to be able to turn that garbled mess of numbers into decision-useful information. Yay, go us. We don’t need to worry about paying rent. But, having more choices does not equal greater […]
Accounting: Is Our Client Experience Future-Ready?
Earlier this year I read an article in CFO that brought pause. Actually, it brought a lot of pause and for two distinct reasons. Not because I didn’t agree, but because I so definitively did agree. First, what struck me was that this major influencer, among our profession’s key stakeholders (CFOs and Controllers), was telling […]
While Climbing the Career Ladder, Know When Steps Are Missing
Recently, Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse wrote a book entitled The Vanishing American Adult. All the talk about generational differences prompted me to read some of the reviews. What was his point of view? An example Sasse gave really resonated. Here’s a summary from the Chicago Tribune: His advice is rooted in his experience as both a […]
How to Get Ahead: Whatever It Takes, Learn to Network
Ed. note: Don’t worry, I’m not working on my vacation. I wrote this ages ago for Accountingfly’s old blog and we’re re-running here. Let’s get something straight: I hate networking. I suck at small talk. The idea of “working a room” makes me wanna hurl. The word “schmoozing” disgusts me and you will never hear […]
Ask Yourself These Questions to See If You’re Really in the Right Job
You like your job and want to stay, but you aren’t sure whether staying is the best decision. It’s quite the conundrum. As an accountant, you probably are making a pretty good salary, but that’s not the only thing—and maybe not even the main thing—motivating you. It’s easy to get lost in your day-to-day obligations […]
Promotion Games: When Your Responsibilities Don’t Match Your Title
It’s performance review season, and promotion announcements are starting to trickle in. PwC just announced their new partners last week. As exciting as this time of year is, it’s anti-climatic since promotions in public accounting are very prescribed and follow a consistent timeline: 1. You must work at the firm X number of years (typically […]
How to Get Ahead: Scare Yourself Regularly
Image: PongsakornJun/iStock Two of my favorite people, twins, a boy and a girl, graduated from college this spring. Lauren is graduating from Michigan State and Andrew from Indiana. I had no idea what to get them as graduation gifts. After a lot of thought, I settled on books. As I reread the blurb of a […]
Good Goal Setting Takes Introspection
Recently, I wrote a blog about looking at busy season differently. Instead of focusing on the grind, take a dispassionate view to clarify what you learned from the most hectic time of a CPA’s year. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of life. Stopping to think about the bigger picture is put […]
How to Get Ahead: Speak Up When You Want Something to Change
We are all guilty of this. We see something in our office that we don’t like: an outdated policy or inefficient procedure, how a client issue was handled, how a staff person was treated, etc. What is the easiest thing to do? Stay silent and go about your day. Afterward, we think of all the […]
What’s Your Job Search Plan?
It’s springtime and you’ve made the decision to look for a new position. Now you need a plan. First, narrow down what you want to do next by answering these four basic questions: What kind of work do you want to do? Stay in public accounting, but at a firm that is: larger and you’re […]
How to Get Ahead: Sorry Not Sorry
Not that long ago, someone I hadn’t heard from in months and barely knew texted me out of the blue to ask for a favor. I won’t get into the specifics of the favor but let’s say it involved some cats and me putting the cats somewhere other than that person’s house as if I […]
Now’s the Time to Take a Long, Hard Look at Busy Season
Now that busy season is over, and you’ve had some time to yourself, work schedules go back to normal. Same old, same old. So it’s a good time to assess what you learned. Doing that can give you a picture of how your firm managed the stress of filing season—and, more importantly, how you did. […]
How to Get Ahead: Work on Your Writing
Since Marsha tackled listening on Friday, I thought I’d share this post on writing I scribbled awhile back for Accountingfly’s blog. Writing is part of my job, so I take it pretty seriously. I write every day. I read well-written articles from a variety of sources. I like to read about writing as a craft. […]
Work on Your Listening
Ever overheard part of a stranger’s conversation and wonder, however briefly, what the outcome was? Ever heard music playing in the background at a restaurant when you first walk in—and never paid attention to it again? Hearing and listening are not the same. The distinction is very important. What do you hear when your manager […]
Consider a Mid-Market Accounting Firm Before Taking a Job in Industry
“Two years here [a Big 4 firm] to get that on my resume, then on to private industry.” That, in a nutshell, is how lots of Big 4 associates talk about their career. For some of them, it’s a fine plan. In a way, it’s an extension of what many accounting students believe: get into […]
I’m Calling BS on Your Cliched Career Aspirations
This sunset is less everyday than your career goals. Happy Tax Day everyone! Today is the day for alcohol, sleep, and breathing a big sigh of relief. Another busy season complete! Today is also the day to start career brainstorming for potential post-busy season job hopping, ladder climbing, and startup launching. So it’s also the […]
Is Your Job Making You Happy—Or Is It Time for a Change?
Busy season is slowing down or over for a lot of accountants. Even those who still have April 18th marked on their calendars will start thinking about life and career post-busy season. Regardless of your situation, it’s the perfect time to do a happiness assessment of your job. It’s easy—and therapeutic—to identify what you dislike […]
How to Get Ahead: Learn to Deal With the Critical Voice Inside Your Head
Ed. note: Awhile back, I wrote some career advice posts for Accountingfly. We’ll be republishing them here from time to time for your enjoyment and discussion. Send comments, queries and complaints to [email protected]. Do you think about thinking? Like, are you ever blown away by the monologue that occurs inside your brain and how it seems […]
Important Observations to Make When Interviewing
Often, when you’re interviewing you feel a little like a bug under a microscope. Someone is watching everything you do and assessing everything you say. Did you wear the right thing? Are you smiling enough? Your interviewers are looking for clues about who you are and whether you’ll be a good fit for the firm. […]
Reorganization – What to Do When You Get a New Boss
Pray you don’t end up with this guy. Sooner or later it happens. Your company gets acquired, the division is closed or senior management announces a reorganization. Welcome to the “New Normal” where loyalty is a negative. You are back to your first day at a new firm. Adjusting can be tough, but with effort, […]
Considering an MBA? 3 Key Questions to Ask Yourself
Please enjoy this sponsored content from Beech Valley Solutions. I’ve never been water-boarded (I keep begging my wife…), but I’m guessing it’s a lot like busy season. I’d say just about anything to make it stop…like, “maybe I should get my MBA?”. Should you? Maybe (probably not). It truly depends on a series of questions […]
The Best Line of BS I Ever Heard During My Time in Public Accounting
The best line that I ever heard about my career success during my time in public accounting was this: “Rachel, think long term. The more hours you work compared to your peers now, the more experienced you will be.” I heard this brilliant piece of advice as a young and naïve tax associate fresh out […]
Verbal + Nonverbal Communication Skills = Your Persona
You’ve undoubtedly heard how valuable it is to have good communication skills, but you may be less clear about what they are. The truth is there are many components. You are communicating every time you speak with or write to anyone whether in person, on an online platform like Skype or GoToMeeting, via email, text […]
Accountants’ Résumés Are the Worst
My name is John, I’m a recruiter and I have a résumé problem. I see lots of résumés from accountants. Less than a third are presentable. When the perfect candidate has a résumé that fails, I get cranky and I call to suggest a fix. Hiring managers don’t do that. Where to start? Résumé experts […]
3 Ways Your Boss Causes Busy Season Fire Drills
Nothing can make your life a living hell more than a boss that turns everything into a last minute fire drill, especially during busy season. We’ve all had those bosses. Gallup’s research reveals that only about one in 10 people possess the talent to manage. These are not good odds. It’s almost like these bosses […]
How to Develop Consistency as a Skill
It’s sometimes hard to get noticed when you are at a firm. Certainly, much depends on firm culture, but that’s not all of it. Other factors include: Where you are in the firm’s pecking order: Are you a staff accountant or a manager? Are you new to your firm? Do you feel recognized or overlooked? […]
Intern With Uncertain Future Wants to Know If It’s Time to Stay or Go
Need some career advice? Email Rachel at [email protected] and your question may be featured on Going Concern.
Learn Something New When You’re Bored and Stuck at Your Job
Need some career advice? Email Rachel at [email protected] and your question may be featured on Going Concern.
How to Make the Most of Your Time Before Busy Season
To get your career conundrums addressed, email Rachel at [email protected] and your question may be featured on Going Concern.
Oh glorious November, you are so sweet to me. You give me a time of low billable hour goals, clients on vacation, and tons of admin hours. In a world of crazy deadlines and overtime, this month is like public accounting nirvana.
Webinar | The Rise of the Accounting Entrepreneur
Whether you work in public, private or have started your own firm, you should approach your role like an entrepreneur. In this hour long webinar, Jason Blumer, CPA, Blumer and Associates and Founder of the Thriveal CPA Network, discusses the traits of an entrepreneur, why the role of the accountant is changing, and offers questions […]
Webinar | Going Above & Beyond For Your Career
“In a period of rapid change and increasing complexity, the winners are going to be the people who can LEARN faster than the rate of CHANGE and faster than their COMPETITION”. -Tom Hood, CPA, CITP, CGMA If you haven’t realized yet, learning doesn’t stop with a degree or even with a CPA license. Continuous learning […]
Why Otherwise Smart Professionals Manage Their Money Badly
You know many professions and executives who are well paid. They live comfortable lifestyles. Yet many of them manage their money badly. There are lots of reasons why. Buying into the myth –- They hold a great job with perks provided by the firm. When traveling on business, a black car picks them up at […]
That Scandal You Had Nothing to Do With Got Its Stink on You
All you Andersen refugees that were light years away from Houston probably think that people have stopped judging you in their hearts, but you would be wrong: The Enrons and Worldcoms and Wells Fargos hurt the careers of innocent bystanders. It's a nasty and persistent reputational ripple effect that can be incredibly hard, and sometimes […]
How to Overcome Age and Wealth Differences in Social Prospecting
“Birds of a feather flock together.” This old proverb implies we are most comfortable socializing with people of similar age and social status. You are a young(ish) accountant. The type of people who can potentially lead you to business or advance your career are often far older or 100 times richer than you. Why will […]
How to Meet a Stranger Without Being Awkward About It
Social prospecting operates along the same principles as dating. Desperate people don’t get dates. The person talking is the one having a good time. Despite the fact you graduated top of your class, starting a conversation with a lone stranger across the room can be terrifying. How do you do it? The ScenarioYou are at […]
Webinar | How Auditors Can Become Partners Earlier
The path to partner can be faster and easier than is often reported. In fact, it took one partner only seven years at Top-100 firm Warren Averett. Fifteen percent of its 124 partners are under 40, including the CFO. In a recent webinar, Yogesh Patel, an audit partner who is under 40, explained how he […]
Webinar | What Are Employers Really Looking For?
Degree, GPA, CPA (eligibility or passed), work experience, soft skills – all are important. But after certain thresholds are met (3.0+ gpa or not; pursuing CPA or not; etc), how do employers differentiate between employment candidates? It’s what you say about your experience and skills, and how you say it, that can make the difference. […]
The Non-Golfing Accountant’s Guide To Hitting the Links
I once asked a female partner for career advice. “Learn to golf,” she told me. “Otherwise, you’ll get left behind when the partners and clients golf together in the afternoon. I was the best accountant on the team, but if I couldn’t swing a club, I’d get stuck back in the audit room while the […]
Ex-Crazy Eddie CFO’s 10 Tips for Advancing Your Accounting Career
Generally speaking, you can't trust Sam Antar because he's a crook. But when it comes to advice on advancing your accounting career, you can trust these tips. Sam studied under Abe Brilloff at Baruch, graduated in 1980, became a CPA in 1985, worked for Crazy Eddie predecessor auditor Penn Horowitz (which was replaced later by […]
The Real Reason Millennials Can’t Find Work: They Stink!
Ah Millennials. They are almost as much fun to talk about as working women and people of non-causasian descent. Apparently, some of the kids are having trouble finding jobs. Mostly this doesn't apply to the fascinating field of accounting as there are plenty of jobs to go around and nubile warm bodies are always needed […]
Recruiters Left Scratching Their Heads at the Fact No One Will Take Their Calls
It's probably not all that far from base to assume Glassdoor hopes no matter how content you are in your current position, you're cruising their website looking for your next big opportunity. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that they suggest you take recruiters' calls even if you are happy at your job: You […]
Should You Put Your Home Address on Your Resume?
Came across this interesting bit on AvidCareerist via Lifehacker and thought it worth sharing with you all if for no other reason than to discuss: You might not have thought about it, but in-house recruiters know that people with long commutes have more stress and often eventually quit “because of the commute.” If you quit, […]
How To Not Tick Off Your Public Accounting Colleagues Without Being a Clown About It
Last week, Caleb linked to and provided commentary on Lifehacker’s, “How Not to be the Coworker Everyone Hates.” And while the advice provided therein was certainly accurate and useful, the piece had two glaring shortcomings as it relates to public accounting. First, the title was misleading. Follow through on the four tips found in the […]
Get Answers to Your Accounting Career Questions While the Getting Is Good
Have you recently thought to yourself, “Man, this Going Concern team is a sharp bunch. I wonder if they can advise me on my disaster of a job/career/life?” Yes! We! Can! Will it be good advice? That’s debatable. Still beats asking your narcissistic friends, though. Email us at [email protected] and one of career suicide prevention […]
The Definitive Guide to Accounting as a Second Career
Ed. note: this article was originally published October 8, 2013. Despite its age it is still accurate for anyone thinking about a second career in accounting. We updated a few small details in June, 2022. You may contact the editor if you have any questions about the information below or would like more resources on […]
Accounting Career Conundrums: Planning for the CMA, Working on Vacation, and Who Needs a Car?
It’s the week before Labor Day so that means everyone checked out yesterday around 8:30 am. This seems like the perfect excuse to dish out some lightning round advice, so I dug through the mailbag to see what’s what in the lives of the GC readership. If you have a career question, hit us up […]
Let’s Discuss: Switching From Your Firm’s Audit Practice to the Advisory Practice
Last week during Caleb’s pseudo office hours, someone threw out the following question:
Have y'all covered the transition from Assurance to Transaction Services in GC?
Here’s a Handy Infographic for Aspiring Forensic Accountants
Following the handy infographic for all kinds of aspiring number crunchers, New England College presents this handy infographic for aspiring forensic accountants: New England College Master of Science in Accounting Online Copyright © 2013 New England College • School of Graduate and Professional Studies • 98 Bridge Street • Henniker, NH • 03242
Here’s a Handy Infographic for Aspiring Accountants
The University of Alabama at Birmingham, bless their hearts, knows that not everyone is good with words, so if you're thinking about a career in accounting — mid-career change or whathaveyou — and likey pictures, here's a nice infographic they've created: University of Alabama at Birmingham Online Accounting Degrees Copyright © 2013 The University […]
The Accountant’s Definitive Guide to LinkedIn
The business savvy social network LinkedIn can actually help you land a better job than the one you call home right now. I’m sure some of you have actually used it to help you find a job, in which case I hope you share your triumphs with the rest of us.
The Accountant’s Definitive Guide to Interviews, Part Two
Last week I talked about everything you need to do to prepare yourself for an interview. The night before and the day of an interview can easily trip you up if you’re not ready. Hopefully this guide will help you along the way. As always, share your comments below. THE NIGHT BEFORE Carving some […]
The Definitive Guide to a Successful Public Accounting Summer Internship
Hey, INTERN. Yes, you there wearing your hangover like a scarlet letter on this lovely Friday. Down your third gatorade and listen up. This is everything you need to know to not completely waste your summer away in your internship. You earned a coveted internship, but I am not going to stroke your ego […]
The Accountant’s Definitive Guide to Interviews, Part One
Continuing in efforts to best prepare you for your next job (maybe one you’ll land through GC Jobs) I wanted talk about interviewing. By this point you have a nice polished resume and well worded cover letter. You networked your ass off (or called back one of the 15 recruiters that calls you every week) […]
The Accountant’s Definitive Guide to Networking
Happy Friday, GCers. With summer events in full swing and summer interns about to pop up in your office, I thought it’d be a good time to talk about networking. As always, share your war stories and successes in the comments below. If You Are on CampusEfficient networking while you are still in college can […]
The Accountant’s Definitive Guide to Cover Letters
Here we are again, folks. Today’s topic cover letters is a bit more ambiguous. Are they necessary? Do you take a risk? Should you send it as an attachment? Doesn’t my résumé speak for itself? SO MANY QUESTIONS. It’s true that the argument for and against cover letters will probably go on forever. Sure, they can […]
The Accountant’s Definitive Guide to Building a Successful Résumé
With recruiting season in full swing, it’s time to dust off your résumé and revamp it. If you are a staff member, chances are your résumé still lists you as being in college. That needs to change. Everything you need to know to put together a successful résumé can be found here. It’s important to remember […]
Survey: Working Moms in Accounting Firms Could Have It Much Worse
Our friends at Vault are still cranking out surveys and last week they debuted a new one that focused on working parents. Now, I don't have kids so I suppose that disqualifies me from commenting on juggling a professional life and trying to rear a helpless baby into something that slightly resembles a human being […]
How to Find Value in the Otherwise Valueless Performance Rankings
Good day, fellow capital market servants. It’s been some time, hasn’t it? To those of you that are new-ish to this corner of the Interwebs, my name is Daniel Braddock, the resident Human Resources semi-professional. I typically cover HR related topics like compensation, recruiting trends, and topics like the always popular “how do I switch […]
Big 4 Boomerang: The One Who Left Too Soon
Just as there are many people who are thinking about getting out of public accounting, there are others who want to go back. Here's an email we received earlier this week: I was "2 and out" at a Big 4 and joined a Fortune 500 as an accountant. My logic was that I could live with […]
A Tax Manager Debates Sticking It Out For Just One More Busy Season
With busy season over, many of you are thinking about your next career move. Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll share various career-focused posts to see where your heads are. Some will wait to see what compensation and bonus season holds for them, while others are ready to take action PRONTO. If you’re at […]
Here Are Some Bad Busy Season Role Models
In the spirit of busy season, we figured this would be a good opportunity to bring back a few role models you shouldn't be molding yourself after if you want to get along with your team and have a job next busy season. Take it or leave it, these are just suggestions. 5. The guy […]
Will This Intern’s Trip to the Drunk Tank Jeopardize His Career Aspirations?
Over the years, we have received many questions regarding criminal histories and a life in public accounting. Not surprisingly, most of these cases have revolved around drugs or alcohol. We aren't talking about major meth production rings (that might be a small disqualification) or moonshining operations, but your run-of-the-mill silly college mistakes like getting tossed […]
Join Us for Live Chat About Life After Public Accounting on 02.28
Last month we had nice little chat for CPA exam candidates and it seemed to go rather well, so we're having another live Q&A, this time about life after public accounting and it will be hosted by yours truly. Get excited. I'll have a few questions from the mailbag to get things started, but if […]
Let’s Have a Candid Conversation About Being Gay In Public Accounting
After last week's post about LGBT accounting professionals, we received the following: Dear Going Concern (Caleb, Adrienne, and the once-a-week Greg), I feel like the GC community could benefit from an actual discussion about homosexuality in the Big 4. For a bit of background, I am a homosexual male who started as a Staff 1 […]
Life After Public Accounting: Harassing Auditors For a Living Isn’t a Bad Gig If You Can Get It
All busy season long, we'll be discussing exit opportunities for those of you feeling like overworked Chinese slave labor counting down the days from your cubes. Remember, there is life after public accounting, even if it doesn't feel like it now. If you've made a break for it and are living the life of your […]
Recruiting Season: Is Inter-Big 4 Romance a Relationship Killer?
This week's Recruiting Season post is brought to you by the letters C, P, A and by numbers. Lots and lots of numbers. Have a question about accounting careers? Email us at [email protected]. All right, boys and girls, this is the last recruiting season post before we spill all the salary details on you. […]
Recruiting Season: Looking for a Firm with “Longevity”; The Big 4 Toss-up; Opportunities Missed
Welcome to Rock the Recruitment Season. We'll be winding up the 2012 series very soon so if you still have a question about recruiting season, email us at [email protected] with "Recruiting Season Questions" in the subject line. The recruitment season questions have slowed to a trickle, so you best get them in while you can, […]
Recruiting Season: Best of Big 4 in Beantown; Underwhelming Salaries; Second-tier Stepping Stones
Welcome to Tuesdays with More Anxious Accounting recruits. Have a question about recruiting season? Email [email protected] with "Recruiting Season Questions" in the subject line. Just a friendly reminder – if you have received an offer from a public accounting firm, by all means, share your excitement with us. We've received a fair amount so far, but we are […]
Russian National Is Feeling Rejected By Big 4
Welcome to a special Friday edition of Accounting Career Emergencies. Since Frankenstorm might sweep a lot of us out to sea early next week, let's get in all the good advice we can before the world ends. If you're having a career emergency and still have a charge left on your phone while you're waiting […]
Recruiting Season: Ascending to Public Accounting Royalty; Choosing Between 3 of the Big 4; Doomed to Depression?
Welcome to the latest edition of Recruiting Advice: Take it or Go Screw Yourself. Have a question about recruiting season? Email us at [email protected] and put "Recruiting Season Questions" in the subject line. One programming note – for those of you who are on the hunt for full-time offers this year, be sure to email […]
Recruiting Season: Planning Your Last Summer, Handling Rejection, and Pesky Friends Wanting a Referral
Good night nurse, we get a lot of emails during recruiting season. In order to answer as many questions as possible, we'll do a lightning round of sorts each week so none of the little grasshoppers out there feel left out. Have a question about recruiting season? Email us at [email protected] and include "Recruiting Season Questions" […]
Recruiting Season: Dressing for Success Means Following a Lot of Garden Variety Advice
No more articles about how to dress for interviews. We see them every year, and we read them because the case for flat-front slacks is much more interesting than the case for private company GAAP. I successfully avoided Accounting Today's recent article, "Fashion & Finance: Do's and Don'ts for New Recruits." Then I got an […]
Future Big 4 Auditor Concerned That Body’s Need for Sleep Will Doom Career
Lost your easy button? Email us your worries, problems, questions, and requests for gluten-free recipe ideas. I was fortunate enough to received an offer for a full-time audit position with one of the Big 4 following the conclusion of my graduate program. I received the offer at the end of an internship, so I did […]
Is It Shallow to Choose One Accounting Firm Over Another Based on Prestige?
If you have a problem that your spouse, friends, or Labrador can't seem to fix, why not ask emotionally detached accounting bloggers who can barely run their own lives to help? Email us your questions and we'll pull it together just for you. Dear Going Concern, I know you get a lot of these […]
PwC Employee Dreams of Small Firm Utopia
Tuesday got you down? Wonder how to best waste all that PTO you haven't been using? Curious as to who would win a Big 4 CEO Royal Rumble match? Email us your questions. Hey there Gee-Cizzle, I am in my third year (up for senior next year) working PwC Tax and as you probably […]
Is Accounting Still a Great College Major?
Do you wonder if every decision you've made is wrong? Not sure if you should eat the Hot Pocket that clearly has someone else's name on it? Have you gotten to the point where you're ready to take questionable advice from someone on the Internet? Email us your questions. Hey GC, I'm an undergraduate student […]
The Stuff Your College Professor “Forgot” To Tell You About Getting a Job
While you're busy blowing off Intermediate Accounting to sleep off last night's bender, your college professors are busy telling your fellow students all about how to prepare financial statements, test controls and, uh, whatever else it is you kids are learning in skool these days. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that fancy accounting […]
How to Manage Up and Keep Your Bosses Happy (Well, Most of Them)
Don't wanna work? Just wanna to bang on a drum all day? Okay, but the noise may result in you being escorted out by security. Best to ask us about something that's been bugging you. Shoot us an email and we'll keep you out of trouble. Hi, this isn't a tip but can you do […]
It Is Never Unreasonable to Quit a “Good Job” If You Hate Your Life
Are you missing out on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Email us your questions and we'll figure where you're screwing up the Founding Fathers' vision. I'm a second year senior (PwC tax, large market) and I can't stand it anymore. I have no interest in making manager and to be fair, I really do nothing at […]
What’s the Key to Making Partner at a Public Accounting Firm?
For some capital market servants the number one goal in their careers, the crown jewel, the ultimate feather in the cap, the most memorable notch on the bedpost, is being admitted to the partnership of his/her public accounting firm. It's an accomplishment that takes commitment, perseverance, hard work, dumb luck, brown nosing, corporate politicking, very […]
Where Does a KPMG Risk Consultant Go From Here?
If you're tired of listening to your stupid friends and co-workers try to give you professional/life/style/dietary/love/major purchase advice, why not turn to your friends at Going Concern for a little wisdom? You'll get the brutal honesty you're craving and if you don't like it, just write us a nasty email blaming us for all your […]
Is There Life Outside Public Accounting for Tax Accountants?
Are you considering a line of work that’s not so heavy on the Excel? Does your co-worker’s audible humming drive you crazy? Is it possible that you’ve been working too hard and are just hearing things? Email us your questions and we’ll make it stop. Hey GC, There have been a lot of articles lately about […]
If You Could Give a Public Accounting Newbie One Piece of Advice…
We have a reader question from a self-identified public accounting newbie: What is the best advice that experienced Big 4 employees can offer to new hires starting in the next couple of months? Thanks! Instead of long, rambling rants about not drinking the Kool-aid, I'd be curious to hear just one concise piece of advice […]
Are Small Accounting Firm Summer Programs Worth It?
Have your colleagues quit taking you seriously? Are you a serial mismatcher of shoes and socks? Wondering if moving back in with your parents is a good idea? Email us your questions and we'll try to get to them before Labor Day. I'm currently set to attend a two-day summer program at a smaller office of a […]
Advice From a Partner On How To Make Partner For Those Who Don’t Want to Be Partner
We now present to you, dear GC readers, the third of our potential Going Concern freelancer submissions. Let's give Andrew a "warm" GC welcome! There were four of us in the car at the time. I was the senior; there was a staff person, the manager, and the engagement partner. It was a second or […]
Four Things to Remember Before You Leave Public Accounting
This is our second submission from the stable of Going Concern freelancer candidates. The following is by Bob Loblaw. Notwithstanding a few e-mails I’ve written in the past that had a wider circulation than intended, this is my first piece of journalism (Ed. note: relative term). With that in mind, it’s important to my unpaid […]
So…Your Mother-in-law Is a Partner at a Competitor of Your CPA Firm…
Perplexed by corporate fashion dos and don'ts? Need remedies for comp/bonus anxiety? Are you an auditor that needs a go-to quip for those relatives who want help with their taxes? Email us your questions and we will answer them in order of stupidity. I have an upcoming interview at a large firm, but in one of […]
What Kind of Raise Can a New CPA at a Publicly Traded Company Expect?
Looking for the right way to tell your colleague he has a hygiene issue? Not sure if dark khakis go with that dusty blue button-up shirt? Want confirmation that you haven't sold your soul to the Devil himself? Get in touch with us and we'll do our best to help without making you cry. Hello […]
Restless Accountant Considers a Second Chance with a Big 4 Firm
Have a question on anything from career limiting moves to plausible excuses for blowing off a random Tuesday to identifying that odor in the audit room? Email the Going Concern Brain Trust with your queries. And remember, there's no such thing as a dumb question; just dumb people who ask questions. So here's the deal. I […]