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I'm a second year senior (PwC tax, large market) and I can't stand it anymore. I have no interest in making manager and to be fair, I really do nothing at work. In fact, it's not just public practice – I don't really want to work in accounting at all. My current plan is to quit and be unemployed for the next 9 months (i.e. the amount of time my savings will last). I feel like there is more to life than pleasing clients. Is it reasonable to give up a "good job" in a bad market just because it makes me hate my life? I mean, if things get real bad, I can always find employment right (CPA, partners and clients like me)? Any other readers make the leap to freedom?
What?! You say you're tired of being a capital market servant hack, catering to every whim of your ungrateful clients? I WON'T HEAR OF IT!
Oh, wait. That's what we're doing here – listening to your problems and trying to fix them. Fine. Let's examine your statements one at a time.
I'm a second year senior (PwC tax, large market) and I can't stand it anymore.
Go on.
I have no interest in making manager
Why would you want to be manager? The only job that's more thankless than a Big 4 manager is the one you currently have.
To be fair, I really do nothing at work
That doesn't sound so bad.
It's not just public practice – I don't really want to work in accounting at all
Oh. Well, it's not exactly Hollywood, is it?
My current plan is to quit and be unemployed for the next 9 months (i.e. the amount of time my savings will last)
Now we're getting somewhere! This sounds like a great idea.
I feel like there is more to life than pleasing clients
I'll let you in on a little secret (make sure no one is listening) – it's true! Clients are the worst.
Is it reasonable to give up a "good job" in a bad market just because it makes me hate my life?
Reasonable? Maybe not. But hating your life is even more unreasonable. Let me guess, you hit snooze until you know you can't hit any more and you drag yourself to work to do…nothing, I think you called it? And you look at the people around you and realize that you don't really don't want to be around them any more. Just get out, man.
I mean, if things get real bad, I can always find employment right (CPA, partners and clients like me)?
Don't quit quitting before you even quit! But yes, in the event of an emergency, PwC would even take you back. And McGladrey banks on it.
Any other readers make the leap to freedom?
Indubitably! If you're out there, please speak up. And for further evidence, look at this Washington Post article from 2004. The guy left his accounting job to work in Mexico City sewers (i.e. he goes poo-diving) and he "loves" his job. I have no doubt there's a shitty job out there that you'll love, too. Good luck.
