<p>I'm a junior, just starting my intermediate levels of course work, and I'm fine with all that, but I just went to the fall CPA recruiters reception and as I'm chatting with them, they're all talking about 80 hour work weeks like its an every week thing.</p>
<p>I'm not really ok with that. I'm going to school to have a better life instead of working all the time. Plus I want a family and I don't see that happening if I'm working 80 hours a week. Can I get a decent Job with a bachelors in accounting that isn't so demanding?</p>
<p>I figure it takes an hour to get ready for work, about an hour to get to work, 12 hours to work, and an hour drive home. Which just about leaves me with enough time to eat and go to bed</p>
<p>Am I thinking too much?</p>
<p>What about non big 4 CPA firms? Or non CPA period?</p>
<p>One, not every Big 4 office will be working crazy hours. It depends on the office size, client, your managers, etc. Some ******** and are on the partner track and wanna sleep over night in the office, others wanna get it done and leave. </p>
<p>Two, that is busy season, not all the time. So yes, from january to april or so, you will be working a lot of hours most likely, but during the regular season its pretty normal work hours. </p>
<p>Three, for most people its temporary. You do Big 4 for a while and then jump to industry for a higher salary and better hours. Some stay for longer, some stay for their whole career, but many leave after two-four years.</p>
<p>Hours/week only approach 80 during busy season, and that’s really only in Big 4. Also, you’ll be on a team, so things are a bit flexible.</p>
<p>"'I’m going to school to have a better life instead of working all the time." Aside from the fact that “working all the time” is hardly accurate… think about it: you’re getting paid from the high five figures into the six figures and upwards for sitting in an Aeron chair all day in a climate controlled office.</p>
<p>Compared to the others out there without a degree, toiling away for a fraction of your future salary, I’d say you’ll have it pretty easy. If you’re worried about the not-really-stressful life of an accountant, then perhaps you’re in over your head.</p>
<p>If you intend to work as a tax accountant for a public accounting firm you definitely will be working 80+ hours/week for a portion of the year. At other times you will have hardly any work to do.</p>
<p>As an auditor your work level will vary tremendously based upon the size and complexity of the audit. You may never work 80 hours or you may have a busy time during the year when such hours are required. I don’t know of anyone who ever worked 80 hours per week for the entire year. I do know auditors who have worked 100+ hours for weeks on end. Others never worked more than 50 during their busy times.</p>
<p>If you want a job with very flexible hours, lots of time off and very decent pay (six figures), then get a PhD in accounting. They are in very great demand right now. I know several ex partners at big 4 firms who went back and got their PhD’s and are now living nice lives. Summers off, a month between semesters off, $100,000 plus salary. Yes, you have to publish. But there are many places to publish. </p>
<p>If you work at a big research institution the publishing pressure is much greater. But most schools in this country are not big research institutions. There are thousands of small schools, many of whom have accounting majors.</p>
<p>Getting a PhD takes at least 4 or so years. But the payoff is good.</p>
<p>The payoff is better to work in a big 4 with a masters. But it is much longer hours. And you, op, didn’t want that.</p>
<p>^Also, the Big 4 partners have years of experience in auditing and dealing with complex accounting in the real world. That’s also entirely different from someone whose accounting experience is limited to textbook examples which are very simple and basic.</p>
<p>A professor i work with has never been a practicing accountant. She went from undergrad to grad to assistant prof. Still earns over six figures.</p>
<p>Every under-grad needs to consider grad school. Obviously not necessary for some, but a good idea for others. </p>
<p>But if you want the life the OP wants, getting a PhD in accounting would be a good idea. A lot of work up front (4-6 years) for 30-40 years.</p>