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Are the hours working as an accountant draining on a daily basis or can it be considered a light-weight kind of job?

Are the hours working as an accountant draining on a daily basis or can it be considered a light-weight kind of job?

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Sherry’s Answer

Accounting is not an easy job. It gets especially busy in the spring and fall, and the long hours can lead to burnout. It's important to know how to disconnect from work at the end of the day. Despite the challenges, it is a very rewarding career.
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Kayla’s Answer

Everyone here is right; it really depends on the situation, which can be frustrating but true. The amount you work will change throughout the year and depends on your job level. In your first few years, you might work less, but as you move up to managing a team, you'll probably work more, though the work will be different. This job often requires longer hours, but the pay and benefits might make it worthwhile. Once you've established yourself at a company, it can offer a good balance between work and personal life.
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Kristine’s Answer

It definitely varies based on the job that you have. Speaking as an auditor, the majority of the year, I am working a typical 40 hour week. The summer is typically the lightest time of the year. In the fall, it will start to get a bit busier and I'll work around 45 hours. Then from January to March, my hours will typically be around 55-60 hours depending on what I am working on. Similar to what Anthony noted above, this is in the colder months anyways, so I don't feel like I am missing out on much. It also flies by since you are constantly busy over this time period. As long as you make time for yourself and set rules of when you will log off or take breaks, I think it is definitely manageable!
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Kristine’s Answer

It definitely varies based on the job that you have. Speaking as an auditor, the majority of the year, I am working a typical 40 hour week. The summer is typically the lightest time of the year. In the fall, it will start to get a bit busier and I'll work around 45 hours. Then from January to March, my hours will typically be around 55-60 hours depending on what I am working on. Similar to what Anthony noted above, this is in the colder months anyways, so I don't feel like I am missing out on much. It also flies by since you are constantly busy over this time period. As long as you make time for yourself and set rules of when you will log off or take breaks, I think it is definitely managable!
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Lindsay’s Answer

Hi Jasmine,

I would say that it depends a bit on timing and the type of accounting. Depending on if you are involved in treasury, tax, corporate accounting, cost accounting, etc. will impact your work load. Also, depending on the company (size, time zones, etc.) and also the leader of the team and their philosophy on work life balance (also how fun they are!) will drive the experience.

I can only speak to corporate accounting and cost accounting as I have never been part of a treasury or tax team. In my experience, there have been pluses and minuses to every role. Month end close, when a company closes the books, is usually he most time consuming. The length of month end has varied at every company.

I would say that accounting does not have to be draining but it really does depend on the company and also your team. I've found my manager makes a huge difference. I ended up changing functions but lean back on my skills from an accounting and finance perspective regularly. Even if you ultimately decide you don't enjoy accounting, the skills you learn will be quite applicable in many other jobs and in leadership if you are someone who wants to move into managerial roles.
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Erin’s Answer

It really depends on what type of accounting you go into but I think there will always be busy times like any job. I worked in public accounting as an external auditor at a big 4 firm for about 4 years and during busy season it was long hours but during the "off" season it slowed down a lot. As a staff accountant during month end times may be busier than normal weeks.
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Anthony’s Answer

Hi Jasmine,

In my experience (small tax firm for 1.5 yrs and current Big Four audit role for 1.5 yrs), there are always busy periods of the year. I can't speak for non-public-accounting roles like staff accountants at a Corporation (seems like there are answers above for that, though). But in public accounting this is true in my experience. I'd say busy season is typically a few months of 60-70 hours a week, though my most recent busy season was 80+ due to client issues. It sounds like a lot, but you find a routine and it is during the cold months so you aren't missing out on anything anyway. After busy season, the rest of year for me has typically been a normal 9-5.

Hope this helps.

Anthony
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