Public Accounting to Private

For the accountants out there.....anyone make the switch from public accounting to private?

Pros? Cons?

I'm sure a great aspect would be a lack of a tax season. Although you have the stress of month-end closings.

Thinking of a career change.

TIA!

Re: Public Accounting to Private

I did but hated it. I specialize in tax so I think that made a difference. I worked for a public company so I felt like they had quarterly tax seasons like weeks. I rather get the OT over with when the weather is still cold. I was also bored with the work. Tax law is much more interesting to me.

Re: Public Accounting to Private

Thanks for the reply.

I am currently thinking of applying for a controller position and was wondering about the being "bored" issue. It's a doctors office with 7 different locations. So I am wondering how busy I could be.

Thank you!

Re: Public Accounting to Private

I made the switch and was initially MUCH happier! I was traveling a LOT when I worked in Public (I worked for a Big 4 Firm and had a few large clients with a lot of subsidiaries).

I went to work for a hospital in their Finance Department. Initially there was a lot of Financial Statement Prep, but now there are various projects I work on in addition to monthly reconciliations and various reports.

I have been here almost 7 years, have 2 DC and now work a PT flexible schedule, something that I think would be very hard to do while working in Public. (I have a friend who tried and essentially wound up working a regular full time job (40 hrs) even though she was only being paid part time.

The thing I miss most about Public Accounting is the people. I loved (and hated at times, lol) working with different teams and clients all the time. It made the work so much more interesting and challenging.

I hope that helps & good luck to you!