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Bellez95
LIF Infant
Member since 5/08 75 total posts
Name: Lauren
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Moms who are accountants
I'm a recent graduate looking for an accounting position. I am a staff accountant now at a non profit and the salary is just not doing it for me. The hours are perfect 9-5 and I barely ever have to stay late. I love the job because of the hours but I hate it because of the pay. All I ever hear is if you want to make money go into public but you will have no life. I'm a very hard worker and don't mind staying late a couple nights but I do wanna see my family.Are there other places to work where I could make good money and still have time for my family ?
TIA
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Posted 3/28/14 7:22 AM |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
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Re: Moms who are accountants
Both my SILs are CPAs. The one has worked for the major public accounting firms in the city. She was often able to arrange 2 days working from home but ended up leaving after her 3rd child because you really can't get work done from home. She is now the CFO at a major museum on LI. She found the job through a client. I'm probably not answering your question that much but I think networking is key. She did have to take a slight paycut going into private accounting. Her hours are great though and she can still work from home. If you can go into public maybe with a time frame that's also another idea.
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Posted 3/28/14 8:08 AM |
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oneday
<3
Member since 5/05 4319 total posts
Name: Pam
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Re: Moms who are accountants
I'm not a CPA but I work as an accountant for a small CPA firm. We do corporate and personal taxes. During most of the year the hours are fine - 8:30-5. And we all generally leave on time. During tax season - sometime early Jan to April 15 our hours are extended by 10 hours a week (1.5 each Mon-Thur and 4 hours on Sat.) Every year that has pretty much been the case though there have been days where I stayed quite a bit later - usually as the deadlines got closer. This year everyone seems to be putting in much more time. So, I feel compelled to try. But I have a 4 year old and an 8 month old at home and I just don't want to leave my husband to deal with the kids by himself every night so I generally don't stay too late in the evenings, but I'll give up lunch hours and stay extra on Saturdays. I HATE this time of year!
That said, in this small firm, it's not as crazy as I understand the big ones are - and the pay I'm sure is not what you could get at somewhere larger. Even one of the women I work with now (she's the one who stays really late a lot) makes it sound like everywhere else she has worked, you do have to basically give up all your time at this time of year. The owner works crazy hours always.
I would actually love to find something with less crazy hours. I keep thinking of looking into non-profit because while I need to make decent money, I also need to keep my sanity and my family (at this point in my life) is really my priority. When I started this job, I had no kids and no plan to have kids but now that I do, I hate leaving them so much.
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Posted 3/28/14 8:59 AM |
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Peaches77
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 993 total posts
Name: Me
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Re: Moms who are accountants
I'm not a mom but I"m a CPA; and all I ever think is how am I going to do tax season when I have kids. It's grueling, depending on where you work. And in my office, we have TWO tax seasons. Feb to April then we have a lot of clients who go on extension. So from mid August to October 15th we're working a lot too.
I work 6 days a week, two of them from 9 to 9. PLUS I have a small practice on the side personally and I work at home on those clients.
I really don't know how I can continue at this right. I've come to a crossroad in my personal life and I'm looking to make another life change. Potentially quitting my job, relocating and taking a slight pay cut because it's just too much.
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Posted 3/28/14 9:16 AM |
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CSK
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/11 892 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms who are accountants
Posted by Bellez95
I'm a recent graduate looking for an accounting position. I am a staff accountant now at a non profit and the salary is just not doing it for me. The hours are perfect 9-5 and I barely ever have to stay late. I love the job because of the hours but I hate it because of the pay. All I ever hear is if you want to make money go into public but you will have no life. I'm a very hard worker and don't mind staying late a couple nights but I do wanna see my family.Are there other places to work where I could make good money and still have time for my family ?
TIA
I'm the dad, not the mom, but was in public accounting at a large firm for 11 years....
people do it... but the "seeing family" part isn't there. basically you will work hard, but not like you're doing now. You're going to work hard 12+ hours a day putting in 50-80 hours a week in public. the money is pretty good, but the work/life balance sucks, despite most of the firms being no the top of the working mother list.
IMHO if you are working from home you should have a sitter for your kids, or spouse home, or else you're not working effectively.
working for a "for profit" company is better than NFP from a money perspective, but they do get busy at times.
If you're new and not a mom yet, I say go into public and get some experience, then move to a for profit company.
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Posted 3/28/14 9:25 AM |
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jellybean78
:)
Member since 8/06 13103 total posts
Name: Mommy
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Moms who are accountants
My BFF is public at a large firm and her hours are crazy. I honestly doesn't know how she does it. They even call her on her days off, weekends, etc. She has 2 kids too. $$ is good though.
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Posted 3/28/14 9:34 AM |
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OnlyU12
LIF Toddler
Member since 8/13 431 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms who are accountants
My sister's friend was a CPA at Time Warner in NYC. She ended up working 80 hours a week, making great money. She got married and had a baby but she decided to stay at home since she knew she wouldn't be able to see her child as much as she wanted.
She said it was the best decision in her life.
I think it's a personal choice. Maybe you can stay working 9-5 but pick up side work on your own and build a clientele.
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Posted 3/28/14 12:19 PM |
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jerrysgirl
I love my hot dog!!
Member since 6/06 5357 total posts
Name: E & J
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Re: Moms who are accountants
Posted by Peaches77
I'm not a mom but I"m a CPA; and all I ever think is how am I going to do tax season when I have kids. It's grueling, depending on where you work. And in my office, we have TWO tax seasons. Feb to April then we have a lot of clients who go on extension. So from mid August to October 15th we're working a lot too.
I work 6 days a week, two of them from 9 to 9. PLUS I have a small practice on the side personally and I work at home on those clients.
I really don't know how I can continue at this right. I've come to a crossroad in my personal life and I'm looking to make another life change. Potentially quitting my job, relocating and taking a slight pay cut because it's just too much.
one of the numerous reasons i left accounting was because of the future issue of becoming a mother.
not a CPA, but worked at a small cpa firm on long island. Jan to April worked 8 to 8 most days, plus Saturday and some Sundays. also worked out of the office and had to make up hours to catch up with the work. working overtime from August to October also. Took a vacation in August was extremely frowned upon. during the normal season, if i left normal work time it was frowned upon. i went to a cpa firm after being at a not for profit. the not for profit would have been a better working mother job.
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Posted 3/28/14 12:35 PM |
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Giraffe17
LIF Zygote
Member since 8/13 9 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms who are accountants
I am not a mom but I am an accountant who works for a small firm. During Tax season (Mid Jan- April) we work our normal hours except 2 days 9-7:30 and Saturdays 8-3. During the rest of the year when we work our normal hours I work 8:30-4:30 M-F. Some people in my office work 8-4 and some 9-5. I think the answer to your question is that it really depends on the firm you work for.
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Posted 3/28/14 12:51 PM |
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Eunyboo
<3
Member since 7/12 4376 total posts
Name: E
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Re: Moms who are accountants
Posted by Bellez95
I'm a recent graduate looking for an accounting position. I am a staff accountant now at a non profit and the salary is just not doing it for me. The hours are perfect 9-5 and I barely ever have to stay late. I love the job because of the hours but I hate it because of the pay. All I ever hear is if you want to make money go into public but you will have no life. I'm a very hard worker and don't mind staying late a couple nights but I do wanna see my family.Are there other places to work where I could make good money and still have time for my family ?
TIA
I am in the SAME EXACT situation.. we could be twins! LOL.
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Posted 3/28/14 1:25 PM |
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Jenhos
Maeve
Member since 6/05 3273 total posts
Name:
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Re: Moms who are accountants
Not an accountant but is their the potential at your current job to make more money?
Since you just graduated you may need to "pay your dues" and work your way up to more money.
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Posted 3/28/14 2:14 PM |
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marycpa
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/07 635 total posts
Name: Mary
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Re: Moms who are accountants
I am a CPA and work in public. I too have two busy seasons. Normal tax season and them august through oct I work a lot. I am on an 80% schedule so that I can see my kids ( I have 4). I don't ever see myself working full time in public. I find it impossible to work from home so even if it were an option, I wouldn't do it. Working both days this weekend...probably about 10 hours each day. I work for a medium size firm on Long Island so my commute is convient and so far my firm has been flexible. That can be hard to find in public.
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Posted 3/28/14 3:03 PM |
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babyonboard11
In love with my little man!!
Member since 8/10 1841 total posts
Name:
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Moms who are accountants
I am a mom of 2 and work in private. I put my dues in before I had them. I honestly would never go back to public. I make decent $ in private but I have been doing this for 10 years. Like any position your salary will grow with experience. Yes you might make more in public with more experience, but I would trade that $ for eating dinner with my family any day.
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Posted 3/28/14 7:06 PM |
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MrsO
Big Brothers to Be
Member since 1/07 4521 total posts
Name: Maureen
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Re: Moms who are accountants
I am a mom and a cpa in public accounting for a long time. It isn't easy during busy season but the 2 firms I have worked for have been farely flexible. I have a M- Thursday schedule and Saturdays as needed. It does stink but I know my crazy time is only during Feb-April. The rest of the year I am pretty much 9-5. It is hard to get straight 9-5 jobs. I have seen many different arrangements for working moms over the years. Also with todays technology it is easier to work more from home.
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Posted 3/28/14 10:38 PM |
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ShhhTTCin11
3 under 3?!
Member since 5/11 2229 total posts
Name: Coleen
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Moms who are accountants
I'm a CPA. I have a toddler at home and I am expecting twins. I did a big four CPA firm for about 3 years, then went to work for a financial services firm for 2.5 years before heading to a NFP on Long Island. The hours were insane in public and at the financial services firm.
When I got married, I decided that the money wasn't everything and left. I'm so glad that I did, especially now with a family. I personally found that not many big firms like that can offer a work/life balance. It was a good experience, and if you don't have a family yet, I would suggest putting in your time. You'll do better in the long run with some public experience.
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Posted 3/28/14 11:26 PM |
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Bellez95
LIF Infant
Member since 5/08 75 total posts
Name: Lauren
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Re: Moms who are accountants
Probably in a year I could move to senior accountant and make a little more after that there really is no where else to go. My best bet is to just keep studying for the CPA exam and stay here for now.
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Posted 3/29/14 9:11 AM |
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Bellez95
LIF Infant
Member since 5/08 75 total posts
Name: Lauren
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Re: Moms who are accountants
I do have a daughter she is 7. My hours are amazing right now I do get to come home and have dinner with my husband and daughter almost every night. Every other night is spent picking her up from dance and religion. I should really count my blessings that I am able to spend this time with her. I will just have to study study study so when I am ready to leave this non profit I will be a CPA and have more options . Thank you everyone for your advice.
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Posted 3/29/14 9:16 AM |
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bunnyluck
LIF Adult
Member since 1/14 3196 total posts
Name:
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Moms who are accountants
No kids, but I'm a CPA at a big 4....1) Hardly anyone who is not in senior management has kids. 2) hardly any women make it to senior management / partner 2) busy season is more like 6-7 days a week 10am to 10pm with a few 3am-4am nights towards the end. 3) money, network, potential for growth internally / externally is great 4) weight gain from eating takeout 7 nights a week is bad. I have friends in mid sized firms in the city, their work/life balance isn't much better. Either way you look at it, it's a demanding industry especially if your looking to advance.
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Posted 3/29/14 12:55 PM |
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