CAR CHAT | Why I Went Back Into & Stayed in Public Accounting | Big 4 ➡ Industry ➡ Mid-Tier Firm
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- Опубліковано 6 січ 2017
- Open for all the info!! 💗
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Hi loves! With busy season starting, I'm bringing back my car chats since my free time is now close to non-existent (dramatic much.... but let's be honest...). Sharing why after leaving the Big 4 & going into industry I decided to return to public accounting at a mid-tier firm. Please keep in mind that the purpose of this video is just to share my experience and opinions just like a friendly sister would :) It isn't to make you not want to go into the Big 4 or industry or to say that mid-tier firms are the way to go. It's simply to share what I've gone through. Please make your own decisions based on what will be more beneficial for your life & family and what you feel is the right fit for you. Wishing you lots of success on your journey :)
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All opinions are my own and are from my personal experiences/ observations. I'm just sharing to provide a different perspective. Base your opinions on what is true for yourself. - Навчання та стиль
I work at a small public accounting firm, and I just want to say that I appreciate your openness about your career path. There aren't many people on UA-cam who make videos about public accounting (or accounting in general), and your videos are very relatable to me. Keep up the good work.
+Joe Schmo thank you! I really appreciate it 😀
@Realistic Man Was it really that bad?
@Realistic Man Now that you've tried public accounting, what would you prefer to do instead?
yeeessss! I really do appreciate these Accounting videos. you have no idea how motivational your videos are. I'm currently working on my MBA on a CPA path and there are obstacles that make me feel like quitting but then I watch a video and get right back on it.
Here's a big THANK YOU STEPHIENESE!!!
+PixieP Pierre this makes my day! Just what I hope to accomplish with these videos :) eye on your prize and you'll be done before you know it
I agree, public accounting is so great. I work for a small firm, it is the best fit for me. I could make more $$ somewhere else but in small public I work 50-60 hour weeks during busy season and the rest of the year I only work 30-35 hours (sometimes a little more depending), and get paid the same as I'm salaried (+bonus). I have two kids so this works perfect for me. I love being able to schedule around my kids' schedule and being able to leave early often to go to events with my kids. I've worked at other jobs where I was not able to do this, and it was really depressing. Also - I love your videos!! I am studying for CPA exam and hoping to get it all done this year and I find your videos so inspiring. I watch them whenever I need a pick me up to keep on going. So thank you!!
+Anaronin glad they are helpful 😀 I can only imagine that having flexibility is so key once you have kids!
how was the CPA exam? Did you go back to public accounting?
Loved this video! You touched all the points I was interested in. You know my thing was being able to be successful AND balance family-life. Glad to see someone else who feel the same way.
+Zanya Carey we definitely have the same values ❤😘
Thank u so much for sharing your experience! :) I'm in school right now and literally everyone keeps talking about the big 4 and how its the best thing ever, its amazing to get some real life insight on it !
+daphnee Popcorn2 I'm so glad! Totally know how you feel, same for me when I was in college!
I'm currently completing my accounting diploma and I find your vlogs so helpful and therapeutic! Thank you - keep posting!!
I feel like Big4 is perfect for a grad because being young = no commitments (no wife, kids, bills etc.) which allows a grad to live and breathe work (in a good way) and gain super valuable experience so that by the time they're in their late 20s, they're in management positions making six figures and now have more time to relax and focus on other things e.g. family.
1% of accountants make management. So where does that leave the 99%? They probably pack up and leave rhe profession after 5 years...
That's my outlook on life. I am in project management in construction and it consists of a lot of traveling (nationally), long hours, and it is very stressful at peak times of the project. But after working for 8-10yrs, you get on up there and become a valuable senior PM/executive. If you put in the hard work now and sign up with a good company and gain valuable experience, you can lay back some later in life.
Don’t fall for the promises of a better future that public accounting appears to champion. They have to recruit people somehow. Go talk to your local military recruiters and get a similar bullshit sales pitch to suck you in.
Niles Peter Clemens joining the military was the best decision I ever made
thank you for sharing your experience with us!!! love your car chat and you talks about career options and stuff. please keep posting!!!
YESS! Hi. Sorry this is a two years after haha. but I'm 3 mins in and I could relate so much. I've only interned at a big 4 (during busy season) so I completely see where you were going about the culture fit. So many times I felt like I was guilted into going out with the teams after work when all I wanted was to go home after working the whole week. Also agree about the managers. thanks for sharing!
You are my forever inspiration. You just keep inspiring me to pursue this auditing profession. You rock!!! Tons of 💙💙💙
your vlogs are so helpful!! As a student, It is so refreshing to hear real experiences rather then the kool-aid alot of the public accounting firms feed us...
+mang mangg thank you for the feedback! One of the reasons I share my career path with y'all just so you're prepared and not blindsided like I was 😉
I appreciate that you are always so honest about why you chose what you chose. Keep up the videos!
+ShopAtSpicywedding thank you so much! ❤
This is great... I love your feedback about the Big 4...great experience, but not right for everyone! I recruit a ton out of the Big 4 and I have heard the same thing many times from talent...you have to married to the firm and that includes being out all the time! So this is really valuable..by the way I love that you said you give a lot of detail and don't really ramble. ME TOO!!!
Thank you for the video. I'm taking my tax prep career to the next level by getting my CPA and you opened up some things for me to consider. Thanks for being so open.
thank you for being so open. you are such an inspiration!! 💕😊
+plannedprincess Thank you hun!! ❤
I’m not in accounting but I’m about to start a new job. And I’ve watched like several of ur videos about job change. I’m a social worker so I’m going from case management to admin/outreach. They’ve been so motivating. Love your vids!
I'm an Admin Assistant that fell into helping out with Accounts Payable and found I LOVE it. Your videos are so helpful and interesting because I have been thinking about going back to school.
The best is that all through school I HATED math. So to find a way to incorporate my love of reading and investigation through accounting is kinda awesome.
Thanks for sharing your accounting experience with us! I have learned a lot by watching your videos and even take notes on what you were saying. I really look up to you as my mentor!!
+Zhang Lara awww you are awesome! 😘 thank you for watching!
Thank you for making this video! I am currently looking for a new accounting opportunity and having the chance to be exposed to as much add possible is so important to me. Thanks for the insight :)
+Kelsey Mason good luck on your next endeavor!
Love your videos. I'm going to start pursuing an accounting degree in the fall. Your videos are so helpful 😊
i am just about to get started . Your videos are so helpful . thanks!
+Desmond Ho glad to help!
I’m finna be a senior in high school and I’m watching accountant videos 😭😭😭
hell no youre not a rambler lmaoo! your talks are hella helpful and motivating
+wasabiimenace haha Love you doll!
I love your accounting videos! This conservative world doesn't get opened up to social media on a raw level and I love you for putting yourself out there with it. I started out in public accounting days after graduation and just like you, the company's culture didn't fit with me. I wanted to work at my own pace and make time for family and friends. I am now a cpa controller in industry and love the flexibility in work and hours especially now that I am a new mom. Lately, I find myself dreaming of getting into public accounting again because I'm hungry for the knowledge!
LOLOLOL, accounting is not a conservative world, they are all pro Hillary and Bernie far leftist democrats
I'm not in the same career field as you, but I still watch your videos because I admire your drive and dedication so much!
+e90 awww thank you!! You're a trooper for listening to me talk about accounting hehe
I'm working towards to be a cpa but I'm with you. I don't want to live to work. I really don't like that culture.
you are my role model. your videos encourage me a lot.
I would love to hear more about your college experience in accounting, i.e. the difficulty of your courses, how you felt adapting to the world of accounting, etc. I'm a junior studying for my BS in accounting and although I really like it, I go through phases of questioning what I'm doing because some of my classes are so intense. I always want to talk to people who have been there to know if I'm on the right track.
same here! wish you to make videos about ur college experience of studying accounting! classes in college are already INTENSE tho...
Intense because you're too dumb to pass the courses
@@robocock475 sound like an economics major who failed intermediate 1
can you please do a video on how many hours a week you work, in public, during busy season? thanks so much for your videos!!
I know this is an older video but I dont even work in accounting im in IT and I enjoy your chats and vlogs.
Thank you so much love!!
I agree with you as women we have a lot on our plate. We have to find that work home life balance. I have been doing real estate because it allowed me to be there for my kids when they were younger. Now I am 35 and my youngest is 13 with after school activities I can finally go into accounting. I graduate this December and can’t wait. Thank you for being so inspiring.
Wow you are amazing!! I often wonder how I'm gonna "do it all" and you're that example 💗 yay for almost being done with your degree too 🙌🙌🙌
Stephie is an OG on tubing about public accounting from first hand experience. I appreciate your videos and hope you’ll continue to share your stories.
P.S. Not sure if you’ve mentioned this somewhere else, but how are the markets for accountants in Texas? Is Dallas the best or is Houston very comparable?
Thank you very much! The job market is hot in both Houston and Dallas. I can't say one is better than the other, I know both have lots of opportunities. Houston has a lot more oil & gas companies if that's interesting to you!
Do some of the upper mid-tiers like GT and BDO act similar to big-4 since they are in that upper part of the accounting firms? BTW I'm binging on your videos and taking notes! Thank you for all your insights.
Ok, as someone who was in public accounting for about 2 years and left for industry, I get why you (and others) have gone back to public accounting. When I left, I still had to finish my CPA exams (which I did complete), and learn about a new industry, work, etc. But, now that the exams are over and I have more space in my brain lol, I realize how much free time I have and I keep wondering is the current pace of learning enough or do I need to consider another stint in public accounting? Right now, work - life balance is so good right now, but I do wonder sometimes! Love your channel and love your career videos! You're awesome and your little family is adorable!
+McKenzie P Thank you so much doll! Love meeting fellow accountants ❤
I love your hair and makeup now, the light hair and natural makeup bring out your natural makeup. We are the opposite as in I started audit at mid tier and now at a big 4. Both have similar cultures, lots of drinking. What mid tier firm are you? Because in my experience both big 4 and mid tier are comparable in terms of busyness
I am a little bit of both. Intro and extravert. Private firms are more for introverts. I can be more of an introvert at times.
Hi, Stephie. What is your advice for someone whose undergraduate degree is not accounting and took enough post-back courses to sit for the exams? How should this person navigate through the big four or mid-tier accounting firms? Thanks a ton!!!
I'm in RN(Registered Nursing) school and although we have studied two very different subjects, I still watch your videos because you're awesome and gorgeous! 😩😍
Golden Ma your hair 😍😍😍
Golden Ma What was your path to get into registered nursing school? is it hard? are you doing a bachelors, masters, or associates?
Thank you if your reply. interestingly enough, accounting and nursing are two careers I am looking at most.
pinkpoet1412 Thanks her name is @classyways. I really love her hair too lol
adrian acosta Hi! I took two semesters and did my required pre-reqs for acceptance (Chemistry/English/A&P/Microbiology etc...) then I applied to my program of choice. I am in an Associates and the only difference between an Associates degree and a Bachelors degree in nursing is leadership courses. You will still have to take the NCLEX-RN after both. Masters degree in nursing is of course at the graduate level and most become nurse practitioners. Hope that helped. Ask me if you want to know more :)
Thank you very much. What would you say are the best skills to have? Why did you decide to pursue nursing? I would like to help people, but in all honesty I am also interested because I think there is always a demand for medical professionals. Would you agree with that? Thanks again.
Hi Stephie! Can you PLEASE do a video about salaries for newly graduated students with their masters and CPA? I’m graduating in about 1 1/2 years and constantly search for this stuff on Glassdoor and indeed but never find anything. I only see salaries ranging from 40k-60k and feel that this is insanely low for the amount of work I’m putting in. Not asking for you to state your personal salaries of course, but just your knowledge about the potential salary for someone in my position!
P.s. I’ve been watching you since your FIRST CPA VIDEO when I was still in high school! Love you smsmsm❤️
Loving your videos! I get what you mean- I interned for a midsize firm and the culture was horrible... going out was all everyone did. Love to see that other people dislike that as well! I'm currently working on my MBA and hope to sit for the CPA in a year or so. Any tips on studying?
+Sara Marie it's definitely all about culture! I have a video about how I passed the CPA exam that might be helpful :)
Yeah, I'll for sure check it out! Thanks!
Hey, I've been watching your video and they've been great. I am just wondering which college you went to. Thanks.
great video.
I don't know if you still look at comments from old videos, but if you went back to your college years, would you go straight to a mid-tier firm that you are/were in or take the same steps? I have a feeling that even if I go to big four, I'll eventually end up leaving to go to mid or smaller firm for work/life balance. People emphasize experience, but would you say that experience (or any other benefits of b4) outweigh the time with your partner as a newly wed and family if you end up going to a smaller firm anyway?
Hey are there any opportunities to work from home for a few days every week as a Tax Accountant at Big 4? If so, how much experience is typically required before they let you?
@stephienese is it weird that i have my AA/AS and I can't get a Accounting job? They all require experience U.U
Ever think of moving closer to work or working closer to home?
Hi Stepienese, thanks for making great informative videos on your perspective of the accounting industry.
Are the exit opportunities for Advisory and Tax the same as for Audit?
All I ever hear is "Go Audit, work 6 years, become a CFO/controller/etc". Maybe I hear a lot about Audit because the Audit divisions in Big 4 companies are so much bigger than the other divisions.
What are your thoughts? I'm in a mid tier too btw :)
Bede Henderson From my experience, tax is easier to get into because everyone goes for audit.
+Bede Henderson great question!will definitely do a car chat on this! Good luck this busy season(if it's now) 😀
Thanks Stephienese! I'm so excited for the video! :D have a nice day
Jarscharl why do you think tax might be less popular?
How did you pass intermediate accountant one and 2?
My old company offshored the WHOLE general accounting department (40) people... to Slovakia. They do still have a corporate accounting team that is 20 people maximum. I have also heard of an insurance company that offshored their accounting department to the Philippines(who didn't even know what the word insurance meant).. Within 2 years they had to bring it back.
Hi my name is Ranpal Sharma and I am from India, i did B.Com and MBA in finance and now I have enrolled for the CPA course and buy wiley cpa excel course. Except far rest of the sections are ok but far will blow my brain. As i have never did journal entries and accounting like that in my previous education. Would you tell me about the good book about financial accounting which will be enough for me to cope up with the cpa far section.
Thankyou
Wait u said your professors said study Mandarin? Because I am minoring in Mandarin so I was wondering if Mandarin(Chinese ) would help me somehow plus I am fluent in Russian and English,live in America.
so do u really drive 1.5 hours one way, every day?
do a video of going through the audit process! this is matt from snapchat!
+Matthew Alsbergas great idea! I'm adding to my list!
What car do you have? Btw your vlogs are helpful!
+Sumit Paul Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 😀
cool video.
"Live, breathe, audit." - BIG4 motto
That sucks. Work to live not live to work...lol
Drinking every single day? Sheesh. What location was this? Big Four is different culture-wise depending on sector, location and other things. Maybe I'm just lucky at the moment such that I don't work with people at a Big Four who go out drinking all the time. If you are doing busy season all year long in commercial for instance, I could totally see something like this happening because people need the alcohol will hopefully wash down the stress (albeit temporarily) that comes with going through busy seasons year-round. As someone who stayed on one big client all-year long, I fortunately do not have that type of experience with just one busy season for this client. The longer hours mostly come from traveling, and those are a little more easy to manage in my experience as staff (and may not necessarily be the case later on). Then again, I could be lucky working with seniors and managers who are not that uppity about everything. Cheers.
So do you regret your decision? I left public accounting for two years, and I'm now reconsidering it...
+Talon Kishi I don't regret coming back to public. I've learned a lot during my years back in PA. The experience has been invaluable. Now it's more a decision if this is my long term career path or not.
TY!
Have you ever worked for the goverment, federal or state and would you consider it?
+Joey Carlyle I audited one governmental client early in my career but I don't have any interest to pursue in the future. I hear it is great for 40 hour weeks though
Stephienese Thanks!
Do you constantly have to talk to people if I decide to pursue accounting? I am an introvert :/
So public accounting is a no go for introverts? lol
I want to know this too. I am an introvert wanting to get my CPA eventually.
amyn0va just do tax lol
haha I was doing some research into tax just now... thanks for the support/reply! x
At 12:47 in her Dream Job, Industry vs Public Accounting Q&A she answers this question lol
If your team is going to the bar after work during busy season.....you aren’t working any hours.
What do you mean by "I stayed there until I was a senior"?
Sorry, I am a high school sophmore looking to become a CPA so I am not educated on this.
ProudCorsian I believe that in this case, "Senior" was her job position at the firm.
+ProudCorsian when you start your job title is a Staff or Associate. The next position up is Senior where you're supervising people. Hope that helps clarify!
@5:30 did you just run a red light? lol
You'll most likely change your mind about PA when you have children.
more chanes to get to partnership level
you dont keep your receipts !!! haha jk
That's the Big 4 business model. Hire impressionable young college grads, give them double the work that you would have to pay an experienced person for half the pay and train them to accept whatever you dish out to them. Have fun kids! LOL
Do you work in big 4 or mid tier
Very good videos, but I believe doing a vlog and driving is NOT a safe practice. Please consider your safety and that of others.
Its annoying when you go off script in the middle of explaining