First post since the beginning of busy season. In fact, first post of 2013 and we're more than halfway through 2013. This new audit world we're entering is tiring. Anyways, on to some of the questions I've received since my last post. Please note that I've skipped questions that I touched on before.
One thing that I found interesting was how he told me about the way work stations and cubicles are set up. Left, top, and right sides are all covered with steep sidings resulting in a very anti-social work environment. I also asked him if he's had a chance to befriend co-workers, and he said no - people don't talk to each other unless they have to and people dread working in teams (i.e. it's just a requirement of the job, not actually very team-oriented). Are Audit jobs this depressing of an environment? At least in some finance and consulting jobs you have bullpens and chance to be collegial with people in your level. I guess not so at all in the accounting world? Are people really that boring and fit the stereotypes?
For starters, the first 5-6 years, you're out at clients most of the time, and you're likely sitting in a small room right next to each other, so it can be very social and at the same time it could make you very anti-social in a matter of months depending on your team. Outside of your team, you definitely have the opportunity to socialize with co-workers, especially during trainings when you get to meet them. You also tend to use them as your therapists (except you really want them to shut up so you can vent), so you lean on them a lot. It is definitely a team-oriented job in that everyone needs to do their job for the audit to be efficient and of decent quality. As far as people being boring go, given that most people are between 22-28 and like to have fun and go out a lot, I definitely wouldn't categorize it as boring - especially when compared to regular companies where the medium age is 35 and everyone has pictures of their kids on their desk and go to lunch to the same place every day. Not sure where your friend works - but either that particular office has a bad culture, or your friend doesn't like to socialize.
One thing that I found interesting was how he told me about the way work stations and cubicles are set up. Left, top, and right sides are all covered with steep sidings resulting in a very anti-social work environment. I also asked him if he's had a chance to befriend co-workers, and he said no - people don't talk to each other unless they have to and people dread working in teams (i.e. it's just a requirement of the job, not actually very team-oriented). Are Audit jobs this depressing of an environment? At least in some finance and consulting jobs you have bullpens and chance to be collegial with people in your level. I guess not so at all in the accounting world? Are people really that boring and fit the stereotypes?
For starters, the first 5-6 years, you're out at clients most of the time, and you're likely sitting in a small room right next to each other, so it can be very social and at the same time it could make you very anti-social in a matter of months depending on your team. Outside of your team, you definitely have the opportunity to socialize with co-workers, especially during trainings when you get to meet them. You also tend to use them as your therapists (except you really want them to shut up so you can vent), so you lean on them a lot. It is definitely a team-oriented job in that everyone needs to do their job for the audit to be efficient and of decent quality. As far as people being boring go, given that most people are between 22-28 and like to have fun and go out a lot, I definitely wouldn't categorize it as boring - especially when compared to regular companies where the medium age is 35 and everyone has pictures of their kids on their desk and go to lunch to the same place every day. Not sure where your friend works - but either that particular office has a bad culture, or your friend doesn't like to socialize.
Comments
But for the majority of clients, you'll be in a room to yourselves which is cool as long as the work gets done.
Carlene Schnitzer @ stewarttechnologies.com