Love this video! It's the reality of the situation; so much truth. Working over 10+ hours daily and weekends is definitely an expectation you should have when entering public accounting - especially Big 4. Great content!
I agree. I left pubic accounting but I worked in SALT. The pay doesn’t match the amount of hours you’re constantly charging your clients. Not to mention, if you have don’t have a good team, it will be hard for you to progress towards senior, manager, etc. All in all, it was a stressful time and if you’re trying to become licensed (attorney or cpa exam) it’s damn near impossible to study for your exams. If I’m going to work that much, I’d rather be at a law firm and get my 6 figures as an associate. Also, coming from industry and then going to public accounting, I just went for the experience so that I could ask for more money if I decided to go back to industry. Ironically, I knew a lot more than most associates and seniors because, in industry, I worked closely with managers, tax directors, CFOs and the legal department. Whereas, in public accounting you don’t really have that access.
Hi, and thank you for your videos. There's some laws on the table right now regarding companies overworking their employees during "busy seasons" while not compensating those on salary. They're coming out of the retail management sector, which victimized me in the past. Have you heard anything about this? I plan on having a bachelor's from an Ivy League school in 2026 at 49 years old, and there's zero chance I'll work for half pay from Jan to May. The overall yearly compensation tradeoff would have to be massive.
@Corporately Nicole Thanks again, Nicole 😉. It's no secret that accountants bust their asses during busy season, and I'll work hundred-hour weeks, but not for zero additional compensation. It seems like such an industry-wide problem.
I’m glad that I came across your channel today! Some really informative videos I must say. I will be graduating in May and will start an internship with the big 4. Is there anything I should do beforehand to prepare myself for the internship? I’m in audit btw. Also, I watched your other video about different ways to complete 150 credits and pursuing something other than a masters in accounting. Do you think a graduate degree in hospitality is a good combo with a bachelors in accounting? I am really interested in the hospitality industry. I was wanting to dm you but I can’t do that here. Sorry for the long comment. Thank you!
thank you so much for watching and subscribing. there is no real way to prepare because you will be learning a lot during your internship. However if you can, begin to study for your cpa and begin taking it before you become a full time employee. and yes a masters in hospitality is good if you plan to not work for big 4 in the near future. you could never go wrong with a B.S in Accounting & a CPA. whatever additional schooling you do will enhance what you already have and make you even more marketable.
Hello. My name is Rickey. I have just watched your video. I can imagine how it is when it has to do with public accounting. Right now, I have my own Bookkeeping and Accounting business at home; and, it is a small business I have. However, I am struggling with this, because recently, I haven't had any clients. I wish there was some way I could hear from you, so I could get some sort of advice on operating my business, as well as getting more clients and growing my business. In the meantime, keep up the good work. I look forward to either seeing more of your upcoming videos if you will have any, or hearing from you if possible. That is all I have to say right now. If I could hear from you, I would more than appreciate it. Thank you so much, and I hope you will continue to do well in what you are doing.
Great video! I learned a lot from watching this! I’m a current college student contemplating majoring in accounting or management information systems, both seem like great career degrees. I’m hesitant to do accounting with the crazy hours without extra compensation. Would you recommend a current college student to major in accounting? Or would you recommend MIS or another alternative
Wait, so if you work for example 35 hours for a week, you will get paid less for that week?? But if you work 50 hours a week, it's not adjusted?? if this is true, I did not know this. 😦 Also, do you need a car for audit? Or can you take public transportation because I am going to be working in the city so I don't want to deal with driving and parking? But, I don't want to struggle to have to go to clients sites. Thanks for the video, keep it up! 🙂
Hey girl!!! Thanks for watching!!!! So yes if you work under 40 hours your pay will be prorated to the hours worked. But if you work 40 or more you get your full salary. You are paid usually the 15th & last day of the month which is called getting paid semi monthly. I can make a vid to further explain if you want. I suggest have a car because your client won’t necessarily be where your firms office is located or in the city. As a Public Auditor you will go to clients all over. If your client happens to be in the city then great but def have a car.
@@corporatelynicole Wow, why does no one talk about salary getting adjusted based on hours!! Thank you for the info, i would definitely enjoy a video on it :) !! And dang, i guess i need a car lol. Thanks for your response!
Yes. So I think I’ll make a video to explain in detail but if you have used all of your sick days or pto or personal days then you won’t get paid the full 40 hours. Or if you would like to save your pto and take an unpaid day off then you will not get paid your full 40 hours but rather only the hours you worked per the semi monthly period. So for me when I started my new job, I started in March 4th so my pay was adjusted by that one day I didn’t not work when the pay period started.
Hey so you need to take the cpa exam in the state you plan to work and be licensed. Only after you gain your license can you request to transfer to another state. However you cannot transfer a foreign certification
I’m interested in knowing about the flexibility and additional benefits for people pursuing higher degrees or studying for the cpa exam while working full time, or i guess part time? Lol i really enjoy watching your videos!
Thank you so much for watching & the support. So in terms of cpa studying you have to study around your work schedule if you don’t complete it prior to starting at your firm. And they allow you to take the day of your exam off (which they pay you for) and you can also use your pto or personal days (2 per year paid) to study. But some people take time off unpaid to study as well. Would you like a detailed video on this?
Is it easy to get an internship in a big 4? I'm about to be a junior after this spring semester ends and I keep getting rejection letters for interning at a big 4 (and even other companies). I got rejected for even summer 2020 internships it's so annoying. Any tips???
I’m still deciding if I want to do public accounting fully or if I should end up at a industry or bank route my problem is I want to travel and meet other people and experience things
Try public accounting for 6 months- to a year. Def get a busy season in. Try a middle tier public firm because it’s more exposure and you’re not only on big SEC clients. Or look for internal audit roles in companies with international sectors.
This is accurate! Public wasn’t worth the long hours for horrible pay, even at the senior/manager level. Constant stress was too much. So glad I left.
Right. It's def a struggle.
Love this video! It's the reality of the situation; so much truth. Working over 10+ hours daily and weekends is definitely an expectation you should have when entering public accounting - especially Big 4. Great content!
I agree. I left pubic accounting but I worked in SALT. The pay doesn’t match the amount of hours you’re constantly charging your clients. Not to mention, if you have don’t have a good team, it will be hard for you to progress towards senior, manager, etc. All in all, it was a stressful time and if you’re trying to become licensed (attorney or cpa exam) it’s damn near impossible to study for your exams. If I’m going to work that much, I’d rather be at a law firm and get my 6 figures as an associate. Also, coming from industry and then going to public accounting, I just went for the experience so that I could ask for more money if I decided to go back to industry. Ironically, I knew a lot more than most associates and seniors because, in industry, I worked closely with managers, tax directors, CFOs and the legal department. Whereas, in public accounting you don’t really have that access.
Hi, and thank you for your videos. There's some laws on the table right now regarding companies overworking their employees during "busy seasons" while not compensating those on salary. They're coming out of the retail management sector, which victimized me in the past. Have you heard anything about this? I plan on having a bachelor's from an Ivy League school in 2026 at 49 years old, and there's zero chance I'll work for half pay from Jan to May. The overall yearly compensation tradeoff would have to be massive.
Yes I believe many firms are now reevaluating this and figuring out ways to make it less taxing on the employees during busy season .
@Corporately Nicole Thanks again, Nicole 😉. It's no secret that accountants bust their asses during busy season, and I'll work hundred-hour weeks, but not for zero additional compensation. It seems like such an industry-wide problem.
@@teejay6063 haha I’d hope no one is working 100 hours in the week. Most work max 50-60 and 70-80 is usually during filing week
@@corporatelynicole I could do a hundo, by they gotta PAY ME for that action. Does an Ivy League degree give me an advantage at all?
I’m glad that I came across your channel today! Some really informative videos I must say. I will be graduating in May and will start an internship with the big 4. Is there anything I should do beforehand to prepare myself for the internship? I’m in audit btw. Also, I watched your other video about different ways to complete 150 credits and pursuing something other than a masters in accounting. Do you think a graduate degree in hospitality is a good combo with a bachelors in accounting? I am really interested in the hospitality industry. I was wanting to dm you but I can’t do that here. Sorry for the long comment. Thank you!
thank you so much for watching and subscribing. there is no real way to prepare because you will be learning a lot during your internship. However if you can, begin to study for your cpa and begin taking it before you become a full time employee. and yes a masters in hospitality is good if you plan to not work for big 4 in the near future. you could never go wrong with a B.S in Accounting & a CPA. whatever additional schooling you do will enhance what you already have and make you even more marketable.
Nicole P thank you for your feedback! I really appreciate it!
Hello. My name is Rickey. I have just watched your video. I can imagine how it is when it has to do with public accounting. Right now, I have my own Bookkeeping and Accounting business at home; and, it is a small business I have. However, I am struggling with this, because recently, I haven't had any clients. I wish there was some way I could hear from you, so I could get some sort of advice on operating my business, as well as getting more clients and growing my business. In the meantime, keep up the good work. I look forward to either seeing more of your upcoming videos if you will have any, or hearing from you if possible. That is all I have to say right now. If I could hear from you, I would more than appreciate it. Thank you so much, and I hope you will continue to do well in what you are doing.
Great video! I learned a lot from watching this! I’m a current college student contemplating majoring in accounting or management information systems, both seem like great career degrees. I’m hesitant to do accounting with the crazy hours without extra compensation. Would you recommend a current college student to major in accounting? Or would you recommend MIS or another alternative
You're so gorgeous even in your natural!!! also your hair is so pretty♥️
Thank you so much sis 💕
Wait, so if you work for example 35 hours for a week, you will get paid less for that week?? But if you work 50 hours a week, it's not adjusted?? if this is true, I did not know this. 😦
Also, do you need a car for audit? Or can you take public transportation because I am going to be working in the city so I don't want to deal with driving and parking? But, I don't want to struggle to have to go to clients sites.
Thanks for the video, keep it up! 🙂
Hey girl!!! Thanks for watching!!!!
So yes if you work under 40 hours your pay will be prorated to the hours worked. But if you work 40 or more you get your full salary. You are paid usually the 15th & last day of the month which is called getting paid semi monthly. I can make a vid to further explain if you want.
I suggest have a car because your client won’t necessarily be where your firms office is located or in the city. As a Public Auditor you will go to clients all over. If your client happens to be in the city then great but def have a car.
@@corporatelynicole Wow, why does no one talk about salary getting adjusted based on hours!! Thank you for the info, i would definitely enjoy a video on it :) !! And dang, i guess i need a car lol. Thanks for your response!
Yes. So I think I’ll make a video to explain in detail but if you have used all of your sick days or pto or personal days then you won’t get paid the full 40 hours. Or if you would like to save your pto and take an unpaid day off then you will not get paid your full 40 hours but rather only the hours you worked per the semi monthly period. So for me when I started my new job, I started in March 4th so my pay was adjusted by that one day I didn’t not work when the pay period started.
If i do my bsc in accounting and then complete the ACCA instead of the CPA.
Can i get an Accounting from your state accounting board in America?
Hey so you need to take the cpa exam in the state you plan to work and be licensed. Only after you gain your license can you request to transfer to another state. However you cannot transfer a foreign certification
Ok
Can you add me on fb please
Interesting to know all about big4. I’m looking for an internship in public accounting hopefully can make it. Great video
I’m interested in knowing about the flexibility and additional benefits for people pursuing higher degrees or studying for the cpa exam while working full time, or i guess part time? Lol i really enjoy watching your videos!
Thank you so much for watching & the support. So in terms of cpa studying you have to study around your work schedule if you don’t complete it prior to starting at your firm. And they allow you to take the day of your exam off (which they pay you for) and you can also use your pto or personal days (2 per year paid) to study. But some people take time off unpaid to study as well. Would you like a detailed video on this?
Nicole P thank you! And yes that would actually be pretty helpful😊
Is it easy to get an internship in a big 4? I'm about to be a junior after this spring semester ends and I keep getting rejection letters for interning at a big 4 (and even other companies). I got rejected for even summer 2020 internships it's so annoying. Any tips???
Hey! Send me a dm on Instagram. @itsnicole_p
Nicole P I don't have an Instagram :(
Ok go ahead and email me at @afrikangirlxxx@gmail.com
I want to answer your specifically and don’t want it to be super long in the comments
I have the exact same question. Getting internships is harder than I thought it'd be.
I’m still deciding if I want to do public accounting fully or if I should end up at a industry or bank route my problem is I want to travel and meet other people and experience things
Try public accounting for 6 months- to a year. Def get a busy season in. Try a middle tier public firm because it’s more exposure and you’re not only on big SEC clients. Or look for internal audit roles in companies with international sectors.
I can definitely relate to that. Also you're gorgeous
Thank you so much.
This video is BANG ON. Same with my experience with a big 4 in Canada.
You can get good experience at a Big 4 firm but at the end of the day you're still an employee. Always always always keep that in mind.
The more I hear it
The more I want out of it
Yes I couldn’t handle the long work hours with no extra pay